Crossroads

Chapter 292

Eloise’s face darkened. She couldn’t believe Stephanie was using such a confrontational tone with her, especially after putting up with her antics for so long during their previous advertisement shoot. “What a joke, acting all high and mighty. If you can’t find a reference, just admit it.”

Stephanie didn’t want to argue with her and turned to leave.

“Ms. Reed is so beautiful and elegant. How could someone like her be turned away? I think I’m qualified to be her reference. Ill help her get the card, Simon Gower said.

Stephanie didn’t recognize the man standing before her. He looked in his forties, dressed in high–end casual wear, and had the vibe of a businessman freshly returned from overseas.

“Mr. Gower, you’re indeed one of the top ten outstanding businessmen. You’re too kind. With a fawning smile, Jack didn’t wait for Stephanie’s response. He snatched her bag and handed her ID to the counter.

The Innovate Group’s business was extensive. Besides the fierce competition among female models for advertising, there were many large projects. One of the recent ones was in collaboration with Simon Gower. To ensure the smooth progress of future projects, they needed to curry favor with the client.

Stephanie was disgusted by their practices, but when she saw the receptionist swiftly entering her information into the computer, she gritted her teeth and muttered, “I’ll pay the 60 thousand myself.”

It felt like she was cutting a piece of her flesh. It was excruciating

She thought, Why does that deadbeat Dominick have to charge so much for a membership card? And on top of that, they charge for other services too.

Stephanie’s beautiful face twisted slightly in frustration. Maintaining a gentle smile and exuding refined charm, Simon watched her closely, curious about her anger.

With this new wealthy patron around, Eloise flashed her trademark supermodel smile and acted like she knew him well. “Mr. Gower, Steffi is new to this industry. She’s a bit shy and reserved. Please bear with her. If she makes any mistakes, I hope you’ll forgive her.”

time anyone had ever described her that way. She looked

subtle expressions amusing. His gaze stayed on her profile,

shy away from

a rage, she tossed her wedding ring into a drawer. This gig with Innovate Group’s ad shoot marked her first serious- attempt at finding a job. She had always talked about becoming a strong woman like Hayley after

made her

taken aback and asked in disbelief, You’re already

Hayes then?” Eloise couldn’t resist gossiping. She thought, “Vincent couldn’t possibly be involved with

hadn’t bothered to clarify, partly out of a mischievous impulse. She wasn’t sure if she

receptionist interrupted their conversation, “Ms.

Eloise reacted even more strongly than Stephanie. “How

her lips, she sensed Simon’s peculiar gaze.

smooth things over with a forced smile. “I mean, does your record

at

that.”

Why put on an act?” Jack lowered his voice,

her.

embarrassed. “It seems I was trying to play the

bit slow. She’s just clueless. Please don’t blame her. She didn’t mean anything

though she could clearly hear them disparaging her. She wanted to retort, but the truth. was she had

was underway. Groups of three or five people were

indeed free from nonsense. The men and women gathered mostly discussed

more like an elite network of

and still managing to get close to Vincent. I underestimated you,*

cocktail. Her words carried a hint of admiration. “Who’s your

deflecting the question as

and laughed. “Are you kidding me? Is this your first time

sleep with some of his girlfriends either If he hasn’t touched you, that explains it. Maybe he’s just curious about you because you’re a married woman. Men are always intrigued by the