Crossroads

Chapter 173

It had been many years since Stephanie last came to the luxurious, 54 thousand square feet, foreign–style Pearson Villa. The villa looked exactly the same as she remembered, every inch of it still making her feel the same distaste as before.

As she stood in the middle of Pearson Villa’s grand hall, the shimmering crystal lights cast a glow on her delicate face. Yet, Stephanie was frowning as she observed the bustling crowd with a serious expression. She saw that the elegantly dressed guests were happily chatting and toasting. Numerous business and political figures had gathered to celebrate Teresa’s birthday.

“Oh, that’s Mr. Wellington from the Wellington family. Hello, Mr. Wellington…”

As Stephanie walked arm in arm with Dominick toward the inner hall of the banquet, they heard flattering voices along the way. “It’s a pleasure to see you here. It’s truly an honor…”

He barely acknowledged these people, responding with a slight nod and a blank expression.

“How has Mr. George Wellington been? I visited Wellington Villa during Christmas but missed you. It’s been ages since we last met. You probably don’t remember me anymore…“.

Vincent, with his usual smile, replied casually, “Sir, how could we younger folks ever forget you? You’re still in your prime. Every time I switch the TV channel, there you are giving a speech. It’s impossible to forget you.”

“You sure know how to make people laugh, Vincent. You’ve definitely inherited your grandfather’s charm…”

Vincent chatted with a man in his sixties. At such occasions, it was inevitable to engage in small talk.

Γ

Stephanie was surprised, as she had just seen this older man giving a solemn speech on the news yesterday. She then discreetly tugged on Dominick’s

‘s arm and whispered, “Isn’t that the old man who…” Her sneaky gesture was quite improper, prompting the old man to ask first, “And who might this be?”

It was only then that Dominick looked up at the old man and replied, “My wife, Stephanie.”

the

television, and she felt a little tense. She quickly

address him as “Mr. Johnson“, he paused for a second before his face lit up with joy as if feeling particularly proud. His eyes crinkled as he smiled,

picked up from a waiter’s

then there’s no such thing as a woman! Who on earth doesn’t know about Dominick’s precious wife? Stephanie

heiress of the Reed family. I bet you’re a bit bored now that you’re pregnant, huh? The Johnson family has a few heiresses around your age. Since women naturally love beauty, they’ll definitely pester you with skincare questions if they see you. Feel free to bother them with any of your worries…” The formally dressed, imposing older man in front of Stephanie suddenly started chatting away. He even affectionately called her “Steffi” and

impression of this dignified and stern figure from TV was

for a moment. Dominick, standing beside her, naturally smoothed a few stray strands of

then quickly changed

nodded slightly to the older man. “I’ll go rest over there. You all can

recalled this “big shot” coming to Wellington Villa around Christmas to ask George for a favor, which the Wellington family had declined. It seemed

reminded her as how he usually would,

was unusually

also came from a business background, but they were nowhere near as established as the Wellington family, who

Chapter 173

arms trade. Stephanie took a seat in a corner and looked around the grand hall of Pearson Villa with a complex the villa luxurious and dazzling,

couldn’t help but wonder aloud, “Where is

to search around for

Oscar not here

She used to find

hadn’t officially started yet, she patiently sat and waited,

family’s only third–generation heir, even if he

Stephanie a glass of juice and a piece of dessert cake. She sat alone at a small round table, gloomily poking at the mousse cake with a fork, feeling

chatting with some elders

He had a slight furrow in his brow, indicating he wasn’t in a good mood. Unfortunately, those people didn’t notice, or maybe they were too excited to meet Dominick, so they kept