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?

caught the

Stephanie said, sitting on a wooden chair in

“Miss.”

little boy of about three years old raised a large

Chapter 132

bit silly

at the little boy by her feet, accepting the apple from him. “Thank you,” she said. Yet, she truly

in the park when suddenly, she heard the sound of a child

direction of the

a dilapidated

him and luckily found that he was

mommy…” The child kept crying for his

wasn’t good at comforting others. Even if it was a three–year–old child, she appeared somewhat

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

Dominick’s car.

you home.” She crouched down,

to understand her words. Perhaps seeing that there was no one around and tired from crying, he

with

they ended up here. Undoubtedly,

wanted to leave but didn’t know which

the night grew darker, making h ten

“Here, take it home…”

ay to go…

the elderly woman entered

bit dumbfounded, her hand not yet reaching. suddenly, outside the door, there was a commotion of frightened clucking and

out to take this

of black sports cars quickly stormed into the outskirts of the

The bi

headlights instantly illuminated the dark and desolate area

through the occupants. The large rooster,

cackle.

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

“What… What do you

want?”

nervously as she confronted the imposing group of men, rising abruptly from her

spoke, a familiar and commanding figure appeared

composed. His bodyguards cleared a path as he advanced

Chapter 132

to say something, but perhaps it was the blinding headlights outside or the suddenness of the confrontation that