Crossroads

Chapter 281

Stephanie woke up with a sneeze.

She had dawdled until midnight the previous night before finally falling asleep. Just as the morning sun was barely making its appearance, her phone began buzzing incessantly with messages from the Innovate Group’s staff, reminding her to be at the airport on time. Today, she and three other models were scheduled to fly to Harlington for a photoshoot.

ང་ཧ་ཨཱཇཅ་༠ 。:

Clutching her phone, Stephanie was taken aback. She had genuinely forgotten about this.

“Okay,” With her characteristic sluggishness in the morning, she mumbled an acknowledgment and obediently went to brush her teeth.

“Stephanie, are you coming down with a cold?”

To her credit, before leaving, she remembered to call Molly. Perhaps it was her slightly nasal voice that prompted Molly’s concern.

“I’m on my way to the airport now. Looks like I’ll be staying in Harlington for three days.”

Seated in the taxi, Stephanie complained while on the phone, “Vincent is so afraid I’ll get fired that he had someone wake me up before dawn.

“Wait, the Innovate Group’s staff doesn’t fall under Vincent’s management, right? Does the Innovate Group provide wake–up services?”

With her mind still a bit foggy, Stephanie sneezed again, grabbing a tissue to cover her nose. The wake–up call matter seemed not worth pursuing further.

“Damn it, Stephanie! You said you were going to eat and drink your fill. Did you know Dominick didn’t attend the banquet, so you ran off too? You heartless…” Molly’s voice from the phone was filled with resentment.

Dominick didn’t go to the banquet either?

Just hearing that name put Stephanie in a bad mood.

“Hey, what were you up to last night, getting yourself sick? Will it affect your shoot?” Molly’s tone softened, worrying about her friend.

“I spent the night on the balcony in the cold wind…” Stephanie recalled the foolish things she had done last night, her voice trailing off. “I suspect the tenant in Unit 502 upstairs is someone I know.”

“What’s with Unit 502?”

“Never mind.” Stephanie’s expression became complicated; she didn’t want to talk about this.

“Oh, by the way, Oscar told me you were with Scott last night. Did he drive you home?”

Now, it was Molly’s turn to avoid the topic. She stiffened, answering, “Yes, we came back early.”

The two women, each preoccupied with their own thoughts, ended the call as Stephanie informed Molly that she was almost at the airport. Molly, with her innate caretaker instincts, reminded her once again to stay safe before hanging up.

at Roberts Villa promptly at six in the morning. Her busy day often began with preparing breakfast for Scott and Andy, rousing them from bed. She would then send Andy off to school and ensured Scott took his stomach medication after breakfast. She’d clean the floors, wash the

today, when Molly pulled up to Roberts Villa in her old car, she noticed a striking

her car, casting a jealous glance at the

who might be driving such a

that both Scott and Andy were already awake without her having to yell at them. It was nothing short

asked naturally as she

guest

from behind the sofa, and soon,

in the doorway.

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Chapter 281

for a moment,

with the address. She lifted her chin arrogantly and seated herself in the central

the housemaid, why are you standing there like an idiot? Go

unwilling to argue and feeling she had no right to, nodded and headed

and Andy were in the living

Suddenly, she dropped a plate, the loud crash breaking the tense

like this

living room reached Molly’s cars, making her feel embarrassed. She quickened her pace, trying to tidy up

was awful, as if she had done something wrong and ended up in a

Molly. “I’ve already eaten before coming here, so you guys go ahead.” She forced out an excuse, really not wanting to sit at the table with the three

for her to go and do

child, spooned up his

might upset their stomachs, so he had her “test” the food first. Eventually, somehow, her relationship with the father–son duo had grown closer

the employer’s family?” Chloe lectured Andy gently,

maid wouldn’t dine at the same table as the employer’s family. It seemed she had truly crossed a boundary.

noticed that despite Chloe’s previous snobbery, Andy still adored her. Especially when Chloe mentioned taking him to school today, his face blushed

all, she was his biological mother, and no

and see Andy today.” When only Molly and Scott remained in

immediately respond. After a moment, she

know how to respond. Chloe was Andy’s biological mother, and despite

to tidy up. Later, she fetched a bucket and mop from the utility room. When Scott emerged from his study again, he saw her wearing gloves, a scarf, and even a

holding out a

take the

softly, “Come on, eat up. You won’t have the energy to work for me if you don’t.” He then pressed the cookies into her

held them without making a move.