Crossroads

Chapter 101

“Oh, I have to go now,” Molly said suddenly after taking a phone call, standing up before she finished her lunch.

With a wry smile, she added, “I have to take the day off from work and go home to sort out my family issues. Otherwise, my mom will keep making a scene at my office. Even if I don’t mind the embarrassment, Sharon and the others might report me to the higher ups, and then I‘ really be out of a job.”

Stephanie, who was sitting across from her, also stood up. “I guess I’ll leave too.”

She knew that Molly had just gotten a call from her mom, and her mom’s voice was loud and demanding as if she were collecting money from a debt.

Stephanie offered, “Molly, call me if you need anything. If your mom really forces you for money, I have some…”

“No need, I can manage on my own.” Molly shrugged. “I’ve long figured out my mom’s demanding nature. I did save some money a few years back, but I’ve spent it all at once on a down payment for an apartment. Now, she’s demanding money, but I have nothing left. She can’t do anything about it.”

“Having a mortgage isn’t bad either,” Stephanie commented and thought that Molly was quite smart

“I’m just a poor salaried worker. I can’t afford to buy outright, but with a mortgage, at least I have my own place. If my mom argues with my stepdad, she won’t have to suffer. She can stay with me,” Molly explained confidently.

Stephanic chuckled softly after hearing her.

She understood Molly’s frustrations with her mother, yet she remained a dutiful daughter.

The two of them then walked toward the restaurant counter together. “This meal is on me,” Stephanie said as she took out her card from her

bag.

Molly didn’t stop her, thinking that since they were so close, this small amount wasn’t worth fussing over.

hing else and said, “Oh right, how’s your aunt, Stephanie? How is Ms. Clark’s heart condition? Is she doing

However, she remembered something any better?”

Molly remembered Stephanie’s frail aunt, once a wealthy heiress, who didn’t know how to do any housework. Her illness cost money to treat. When Stephanie was in school, she spent most of her time juggling part–time jobs, working even harder than those from low–income families.

Stephanie replied, “My aunt is much better now.”

Molly teased, “Looks like you married a wealthy husband who takes good care of everyone you outfit that her husband was well–off.

about.” She

she heard that and she hurriedly explained, “No, the money for my aunt’s treatment came from the inheritance my grandfather left me… I don’t want to rely

are you so

head and didn’t

George Wellington promised to help find a suitable heart donor for my aunt, and

Chapter 101

she changed the subject “Why did your grandfather make you wa’t until you graduated to get your inheritance? Why

recalled about this, her expression turned a bit awkward.

furious back

adored you. What could you have done…” Molly asked curiously, but just then, her phone began to ring from her

said, “Stephanie, I have to run. My mom’s

with Stephanie, Molly waved and hurried

leave and called out, “Remember

handle it,”

for Molly to have such a troublesome mother. But who was she to pity others when her own life was

the electronic clock on the restaurant wall. After noting that the Wellington

settle the bill. Stephanie asked,

has already been settled,” the

was puzzled. “What do you

the restaurant’s second glass door and replied, “A good–looking guy came in about ten minutes

who

Dominick. Stephanie asked, “Was he wearing a black suit and a dark purple

shook her head

a pair

at the mention of blue eyes. She instinctively–grabbed her bag and

the doorway and anxiously

eyes… Could it be

silhouette suddenly caught her eye. Stephanie’s

called out to the crowd on the other

far, and her voice was drowned out by

up Stephanie but saw her trying to cross the street against the red light. He

Chapter 101

suddenly appeared in front of her and stopped

said, “Mrs. Wellington,