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 down at her arm, noticing

had just returned from overseas, seemed to find her subtle expressions amusing. His gaze stayed on her profile, smiling with interest as he asked, “Ms.

away from Simon and

with Innovate Group’s ad shoot marked her first serious- attempt at finding a job. She had always talked about becoming a

made her even more frustrated.

both taken aback and asked in disbelief, You’re already married?”

then?” Eloise couldn’t resist gossiping. She thought, “Vincent

to clarify, partly out of a mischievous impulse. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to annoy Vincent

about to clear things up for Vincent when the receptionist interrupted their conversation, “Ms.

more strongly than Stephanie. “How could someone like her

words escaped her lips, she sensed Simon’s peculiar

forced smile. “I mean, does your record

computer screen before looking back at them and replying politely.

that.”

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

her.

a bit embarrassed. “It seems I was trying to play the hero for nothing today.”

“Mr. Gower, Ms Reed is a bit slow. She’s just

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

five people were chatting and drinking,

indeed free from nonsense. The men and women gathered mostly

was more like an elite network of

you’re really something. You are married and still managing to get close to

said, handing her a cocktail. Her words carried a hint of admiration. “Who’s your husband derestimated you,”

I are just friends,” Stephanie replied, deflecting the question as she

Is this your first time socializing? With the way Vincent treats you, and you call that just friends?

some of his girlfriends either If he hasn’t touched you, that explains it. Maybe he’s