Crossroads

Chapter 178

“There’s one thing I never understood…”

As dusk fell, Frostvale lit up with colorful lights, and the bustling commercial streets were filled with people. On the second floor of a high–end café, a woman sat by the glass curtain wall and gazed outside, her eyes a bit dazed, as if lost in memories.

Chloe, who was across the table, raised her voice again. “Hayley, I’m talking to you. What are you daydreaming about?” Hayley snapped back to reality and flashed her usual smile. “What’s up?”

Chloe raised an eyebrow at her, lit a cigarette, and took a puff. “Hayley, you’ve been an executive for too long. Your smile looks really fake.” She spoke very bluntly.

“It’s just an occupational habit.” Hayley didn’t mind and shrugged.

Chloe didn’t dwell on it either, knowing that Hayley’s role as an executive at the Innovate Group wasn’t easy.

Chloe continued, “By the way, Hayley, the Pearson family’s banquet should have started by now. Why aren’t you there?”

Hayley didn’t seem to care, taking a light sip of her coffee and speaking nonchalantly. “There’s no need to go.”

“The Pearson family is where you belong, Hayley,” Chloe said. “People see you as a strong career woman, but I know you long for a family because you grew up without parents. So, stop pretending.”

She married Scott right after she graduated from university. Chloe was a bit like Stephanie, with little social experience and a direct way of speaking. Sometimes Chloe compared herself to Stephanie but always felt she fell short, which irked her.

“If you ask me, you should marry a man while you’re still young and let love enrich your life. Stop thinking about work all the time. And also…” Chloe paused, looking at Hayley with a suspicious expression. “Hayley, there’s one thing I’ve never understood… How did you end up with that fool from the Pearson family?”

that, Hayley’s hand, which was holding the

Not giving Hayley a chance to respond, she continued, “I never said anything when you were with

that fool as soon as possible. From what I know, Mrs. Teresa Pearson hates

say anything, picked up her coffee, and took a few more sips until the cup was empty,

even more, confused. “Hayley, don’t tell me you’re genuinely in love with that fool. Oscar has nothing but good looks, and he’s been in a vegetative state abroad for years. Even if he wakes up, he might have physical issues. You

she remarked,

mean?” Chloe was taken aback. “Weren’t you and Oscar a couple? You said it yourself. You were heartbroken when he had the car accident, and you’ve been taking care of him in Aurorastra all these

as she looked at Hayley and said, “I knew it! I was wondering how you ended up with that

I remember clearly you had a crush on Dominick. At the beginning of freshman year, you mentioned him to me several times, the Wellington family’s oldest third–generation heir, acting all shy like a little girl. You

close to him?” Hayley didn’t deny it, still wearing her habitual smile, albeit slightly strained. She casually stated,

women. This quirk was well–known with a bit of digging. Hayley had

lifted as she looked her over, snuffing out her cigarette disdainfully. “It

Pearson family she mentioned was

happened to be Dominick’s best friend. Anything related to Dominick piqued her interest, compelling her to

just this strange. They couldn’t control their emotions, feeling a

the window, recalling the day she first met

Chapter 178

environment, and the outgoing nature of the foreign students made her uneasy. Though she often pretended to be calm, she navigated each

textbooks, only thinking about getting back to the classroom. Suddenly, a deep

one more.”

could just make out a well–built man leaning against the hallway railing, casually flipping through her law

called out and then did nothing, waiting