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?

the

home,” Stephanie said, sitting on a wooden chair in

“Miss.”

of about three years old raised a

Chapter 132

a bit silly

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

suddenly, she heard the sound

of the

found the child under a dilapidated slide on the right side

be injured. She cautiously approached him and luckily found that he was unharmed. Unfortunately,

mommy…” The child kept crying for his

others. Even if it was a three–year–old

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

Dominick’s car.

live nearby? Let me take you home.” She crouched down, looking him in the

no one around and tired from crying, he stood

with his chubby

twists and turns, they ended up

leave but didn’t know

the night grew darker, making h ten

“Here, take it home…”

ay to go…

even more uneasy. Before long, the elderly woman entered with a large rooster weighing

was handed directly to Stephanie. She was a bit dumbfounded, her hand not yet reaching.

take this living

the outskirts

The bi

sound of brakes and the intense glare of headlights instantly illuminated the dark and desolate area as

wave of panic swept through the occupants. The large rooster, suddenly startled, flapped its

cackle.

into tears. The elderly woman appeared fearful and overwhelmed as a group of robust, tall strangers barged into

“What… What do you

want?”

imposing group of men, rising abruptly

as she spoke, a familiar and commanding figure appeared at the

stoic and composed. His bodyguards cleared a path

Chapter 132

but perhaps it was the blinding headlights