Crossroads

Chapter 184

It was another calm morning. After finishing breakfast, Stephanie took a stroll in the backyard of Wellington Villa.

Lately, Stephanie had been feeling a bit off.

She furrowed her brow and quickly turned around…

“There’s nothing…” she muttered to herself. There was indeed nothing unusual behind her. Everything seemed normal, yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching her intensely.

Maybe she was just overthinking things, at least that was what she thought. She remembered the nutritionist saying that pregnant women tend to have wild imaginations.

Blaming all her doubts on her twin boys, she felt a bit relieved. Her biggest wish now was to give birth smoothly without any complications.

It was Saturday, and Dominick wouldn’t be going to the office, busy in his study since early morning. Vincent and the others were there too, and it didn’t seem like they were working on business matters.

Stephanie leaned lazily against the railing of the veranda, looking over at Vincent, Scott, and…Hayley, who were walking and talking softly to each other.

She had no idea what they were up to, and Dominick didn’t want her involved.

She stared blankly at the pool when suddenly, a clear voice broke the silence. To her surprise, Hayley was walking toward her.

“Looks like the babies will be here in a couple of months.”

Hayley’s tone was casual without malice, like she was bored and just looking for someone to chat with.

“I’m due in October,” Stephanie replied, not really wanting to engage with her.

“October, huh? Mr. George Wellington will be thrilled to have his precious great–grandchildren sharing his birth month. Wellington Villa will be buzzing in October, especially with Mr. George Wellington turning 80 this year…”

As Dominick’s wife, Stephanie felt she hadn’t been very dutiful to his grandfather. In comparison, Hayley seemed more like a part of the Wellington family. Stephanie wanted to ask, but Dominick, the cold city man, wouldn’t let her get involved in anything. Since coming back from Serenburg, the old man had been distant, and she was afraid of being seen as a nuisance if she asked too many questions.

Hayley didn’t seem to be leaving. She leaned against the railing too, continuing to chat, “Steffi, are you still upset about Molly quitting? I called her the other day. It’s true that I didn’t handle it well and I can help her…”

“Ms. Isaac, are you lost? Dominick’s study is that way.”

expression as she pointed to the left, making it clear she wanted Hayley to

don’t need to be so

motives, I can’t outplay you, so I have to avoid you. Hayley, we’re not the same type of people so stop

showed impatience. She straightened up, not wanting to look at Hayley anymore, and planned to

mean by ‘ulterior motives“? Is that how you

Hayley’s face as

can be sharp sometimes, but I believe I handle things the right way. When I warned you not to hold Dominick back, I meant it. Now, I’m trying to ease things between us to avoid putting him in a

with your

enough for Dominick? It’s like

poisoning me and giving me its antidote at the same time, preaching to me like you’re some kind of saint. Don’t expect me to listen to your crap, Hayley! Just

you for your kindness and

me over and

directly told Hayley to

mad. She’d dealt with difficult clients

hate me, huh?”

really seem to

hid her dislike for

Chapter 184

you start by explaining why you pretended

her, clearly seeing the guilt in Hayley’s

“You…you know Oscar well?”

the act in front of Stephanie; maybe it was because Stephanie sounded confident and her

to visit Pearson Villa a lot as a child. But Caelorium, where the Reed family lives,

how unimportant Stephanie seemed, she was still Gary’s daughter, and when she was younger, Gary was a dedicated husband and father. How could

and was worried about what Stephanie might have said to Dominick and the

Ms. Isaac? Are you

voice taunting. “You don’t need to worry. Dominick and Vincent don’t take my words seriously. How could I ever compare to your tireless

her mood. With

way, there’s something I can tell you. Reed Villa is quite far from Pearson Villa, but my grandfather used to live in the suburbs nearby before he passed away. When I want to visit him, no

Hayley’s expression changed suddenly when she

very privileged background. Not only was she from the wealthiest family in Caelorium, the Reed family, but she was also the beloved

had interviewed him, and the he had mentioned his mischievous granddaughter, insisting that his comrades‘ descendants must take care

Thomas‘ comrades were…