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.”

showed no expression as she pointed to the left, making it clear she wanted

to be

have to avoid you. Hayley, we’re not the same type

She straightened up, not wanting to look at Hayley anymore,

do you mean by ‘ulterior motives“? Is that how you

of tension crossed Hayley’s face as she quickly blocked Stephanie’s

right way. When I warned you not to hold Dominick back, I meant it. Now, I’m

your tantrums; one

enough for Dominick? It’s

the same time, preaching to me like you’re some kind of saint. Don’t expect me to listen to your

thank you for your kindness

reminding me over and over that

directly told

She’d dealt with difficult clients before and was more

hate me, huh?”

really seem to

her dislike for

Chapter 184

why you

clearly

“You…you know Oscar well?”

couldn’t keep up the act in front of Stephanie; maybe it was

you used to visit Pearson Villa a lot as a child. But Caelorium, where the Reed family lives, is at least a three- hour drive from Frostvale. Did your family really allowed you

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 his only daughter wander off, and to a place quite a distance away

worried about what Stephanie might have said to Dominick and

Isaac?

Dominick and Vincent don’t take my

an outsider affecting her mood. With a stern expression, she

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 one from

changed suddenly when she

the Reed family, but she was also the beloved granddaughter of the

once read about his life. A journalist had interviewed him, and the he had mentioned his mischievous granddaughter, insisting that

Thomas‘ comrades were…