Crossroads

Chapter 290

When fate turned sour, it felt like a cascade of misfortune crashing down all at once.

Carrying two bags of garbage to dispose of on the ground floor, Stephanie noticed quite a few male neighbors stealing glances at her as she rode the elevator. She felt self–conscious and uncomfortable the entire way.

Underneath her long, dark green wool coat, she only wore a light purple silk nightgown. It was winter, and though she thankfully hadn’t completely lost her wits, she remembered to throw on a long coat. The modern style and color of the coat made her look even more radiant, with rosy lips and bright eyes. Despite her appearance, she felt deeply troubled.

She had no money, no phone, and no bra. Worse, she had forgotten to bring her keys.

Stephanie wondered if other renters faced such ridiculous mishaps. Glancing down at her feet in shabby flip–flops, she couldn’t help but sigh.

She walked through the complex, feeling utterly embarrassed and questioning how she had managed to get through the past few years.

Maybe the slight fever was clouding her mind.

For the first time. Stephanie fastened every button of her coat before seeking help from the property management. But her bad luck hadn’t run its course.

“Miss, I’m new here and don’t know where the spare keys are. Could you wait a bit?” said the new property manager.

“How long do I have to wait!” she looked at him and asked instinctively, crossing her arms and pulling her coat tighter in embarrassment. “Could you call someone? I’m in a bit of a bind.

Though the young manager didn’t understand her predicament, since it was a request from a beautiful girl, he agreed to resolve it as quickly as possible, even shyly offering her a seat in the property office to wait.

“No, thank you,” she replied, deciding to wait in her apartment instead.

Seeing a group of returning office workers waiting for the elevator at 10 PM, Stephanic wisely decided to take the stairs to avoid the crowd

at her chest and sighed

lazy cleaning lady. Her footsteps echoed as she climbed. each step triggering the sensor lights above, casting

to climb, so she took her

for a late–night snack and wouldn’t return for at least an hour. ‘So I

they enjoyed themselves too much, she might end up spending the night outside

to my rescue?” In moments of crisis, she always

thought and not watching her step, she suddenly bumped into someone. Startled, she

mind growing even duller. The stairway lights cast a hazy, yellow glow, and she couldn’t be sure if he

where you’re going. The voice was abrupt and familiar, low

shock, as she exclaimed, “Why are you here?”

He turned and

looked to her left and saw her room, 402. But he

you’re the lunatic from 502!” she recalled, her tone

her, clearly displeased by her calling him a lunatic.

hesitated on the stairs, stopping about 16 feet from

she mustered the courage to ask. “Why are

his response. She had suspected the resident above her might be someone she

emotion, nervousness, confusion, and

silent, simply taking out his key

she pressed, his indifference

would randomly choose to live in this old apartment complex. He could have taken over the whole area by writing a project plan. A

now. She didn’t have the confidence to hope he was

to you!” There seemed to be a thin veil between her and the truth, and she desperately wanted to know.

guard, yet

emotion and pushed open the door of 502 ignoring her

he stepped inside, he paused, turned, and, with his sharp, cold eyes, asked, “Do you want the Innovate Group

felt like mocking if she

cared about

of the blue. A thought flashed through her mind. It seemed that she

and likely never would

man seemed so distint from