Crossroads

Chapter 132

Around seven in the evening, night began to fall.

It was a time that should have been quiet, but this area was unusually restless.

Under the dimsky, hurried figures moved about, shining bright flashlights and clutching color–printed photographs.

The photographs depicted a woman dressed in Chanel’s latest summer collection–a white high–collared blouse, a loose, light purple floral maxi dress, and black snakeskin flat shoes. She had a delicate face, and her long, wavy hair flowed smoothly down to her waist…

“Excuse me, have you seen this woman?”

“Any information you can provide will be rewarded…”

That evening. Avalon Lakes was unusually lively. A group of sturdy, unfamiliar men with serious expressions were asking around about a

woman.

The residents of the neighborhood were abuzz, seriously pondering the matter because word had spread that anyone who could find this woman would be handsomely rewarded with 200 thousand dollars- a life–changing sum

“Who is

is this woman?” Their curiosity was palpable.

Meanwhile, the woman in question, Stephanie, was hiding in an inconspicuous tile–roofed house deep within the area. Looking flustered, she was desperately trying to communicate with the elderly woman before her.

“I just happened to meet your grandson in the park and brought him back… There’s no need to cook for me; I need to leave… Do you have a phone?”

Difficult to understand her dialect, Stephanie had been gesturing with her hand near her ear to indicate she needed to make a call. “I need to call home. I’m afraid my family is looking for me…”

The elderly woman, likely around seventy years old, wore simple but clean clothes and smiled kindly, “You sit there for a while, dinner is almost ready.”

Stephanie felt like she was about to break down because she couldn’t communicate with this old lady.

Looking at the darkening sky outside, she felt anxiety grow. She kept repeating herself, hoping the woman would understand at least a little. “I need to make a phone call. Is there a phone here? A phone!”

“My grandson is very mischievous. I’ve been looking for him for a long time. Thank you for bringing him back…”

But the elderly woman continued to thank her. Suddenly, as if she remembered something, she turned excitedly towards the door, muttering to herself, “I’ll go catch a big rooster for you to take home.”

What?

only caught the words

chicken, I need to go home,” Stephanie said, sitting on a wooden chair in the small living room, her expression increasingly anxious and

“Miss.”

little boy of about three years old raised a large apple towards her

Chapter 132

a bit silly

her feet, accepting the apple from him. “Thank you,” she said. Yet, she truly had

park when suddenly, she heard the sound of a child crying. Out of curiosity,

of the

under a dilapidated

him and luckily found that

my mommy…” The child

was a three–year–old

was to call the police and let them handle it, but the next moment, she angrily realized that

Dominick’s car.

you live nearby? Let me take you home.” She

understand her words. Perhaps seeing that there was no one around and tired from

with his chubby

twists and turns, they ended up here. Undoubtedly,

to leave but

grew darker, making h ten

“Here, take it home…”

ay to go…

uneasy. Before long, the elderly woman

hand not yet reaching. suddenly, outside the

out to take this living

stormed into the outskirts of

The bi

instantly illuminated the dark and

the occupants. The large rooster, suddenly startled, flapped its wings and

cackle.

boy, caught off guard, burst into tears. The elderly woman appeared fearful and overwhelmed as a group of robust, tall strangers barged into her modest home, holding the child into her arms. She trembled, huddling on

“What… What do you

want?”

confronted the imposing group of men, rising abruptly from her long

as she spoke, a familiar and commanding figure appeared at

contrast, Dominick remained stoic and composed. His

Chapter 132

something, but perhaps it was the blinding headlights outside or