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.

care about.” She could tell

and she hurriedly explained, “No, the money for my aunt’s treatment came from the

odd expression and, after thinking for a moment, asked, “Why are you so tense? Are things not good between you and your husband? You two

head and

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

Chapter 101

bad mood, so she changed the subject “Why did your grandfather make you wa’t until you graduated to get your

recalled about this, her expression turned a bit awkward. “Because I did something

was furious back

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

have to run. My mom’s calling like crazy,

Molly waved and hurried out of the

watched her leave and called out, “Remember to call me if you need

I’ll handle it,” Molly

was she to pity others when her own life was such a mess? It was true that every family

the electronic clock on the restaurant wall. After noting that the Wellington family’s driver would be coming to

soon, she quickly went to settle the bill. Stephanie

already been settled,” the female receptionist said

“What do

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

wondered who it

to her mind was Dominick. Stephanie asked, “Was he

shook her head and said,

pair of

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

stood stunned at the doorway and anxiously looked

pondered, ‘Blue eyes… Could it be

caught her eye. Stephanie’s eyes widened, and she

called out to the crowd on the

and her voice was drowned out by the cars and

for the Wellington family arrived to pick up Stephanie but saw her trying to cross the street against

Chapter 101

appeared in front of her and stopped in her

said, “Mrs. Wellington,