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

to be so hostile towards

so I have to avoid you. Hayley, we’re not

wanting to look at Hayley anymore, and planned to leave along

Is that

face

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 difficult position. Don’t keep testing

your

Dominick? It’s

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

for

me over and

was furious and directly told Hayley

with

hate me, huh?”

really seem to

hid her dislike for

Chapter 184

you start by explaining why you pretended to be Oscar’s

straight at her, clearly

“You…you know Oscar well?”

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

Pearson Villa a lot as a child. But Caelorium, where the Reed family lives, is at least a three- hour drive from Frostvale.

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

was worried about what Stephanie might have said to Dominick and

wrong, Ms. Isaac? Are

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

her mood. With a stern expression, she turned

my grandfather used to live in the suburbs nearby before he passed away. When I want to

Clark…” Hayley’s expression changed suddenly when she connected the

also the beloved granddaughter of the late Thomas, who had retired to the outskirts near Pearson Villa. It was easy to imagine

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

Thomas‘ comrades were…