Crossroads

"Dominick, you're far too lenient with the people from the Pearson family," Vincent remarked, his tone laced with frustration Dominick was known for his ruthless methods. He had completely overhauled the Innovate Group, showing no mercy to competitors. Yet, there was one exception to his harshness, the Pearson family, Vincent found it odd to associate the word "lenient" with Dominick, a man whose mere presence commanded fear and respect. But tonight, in dealing with Mason, Vincent saw a side of Dominick that seemed uncharacteristically cautious.

It wasn't like him at all.

"Mason is just a distant relative of the Pearson Family Vincent continued, his anger bubbling under the surface. "Seeing him act so arrogantly makes me want to..."

He really wanted to sabotage Mason's new project and dampen his spirits a bil He clenched his fist around his wine glass as his eyes locked on Mason's plump figure in the center of the reception hall.

Dominick stood nearby, his expression cold and unreadable. He gazed out the window where rain lashed violently against the glass.

"Mason is very close to Oscar, Dominick muttered in a low voice. He broke off mid-sentence, irritation flashing across his face as he reached for a glass of whiskey on a small round table.

*Don't drink too much, a clear voice interrupted. Hayley approached swiftly, effortlessly taking the glass from Dominick's hand.

"You had a headache at the office the other day," she reminded him, her tone firm and filled with genuine concern. The doctor specifically advised against drinking."

"Dominick's been having headaches at work," Hayley added, causing Vincent's usual lightheartedness to be replaced with worry. Then, with disapproving look, he said. Tve hidden all the bottles you brought over" she said.

"Do we need to go to Senenburg for a check up" Vincent asked anxiously, clearly unsettled by the news. Dominick's usually robust health made his ailment seem all the more alarming

"Shut up Dominick snapped, his irritation boiling over.

Hayley, unfazed by his outburst, met his gaze steadily. Her eyes were soft, filled with unwavering concern. "Dominick, you need to share these things with us. Don't try to handle everything alone she coased, her voice gentle but firm.

Dominick didn't meet her gaze that was filled with affection. Instead, he pressed his lips together tightly, glancing sideways towards the glass wall where streaks of golden lightning illuminated the distant horizon. His brow furrowed in deep thought...

But Stephanie saw it all.

Suddenly, she didn't understand why she stood foolishly at the elevator entrance. She should have walked over and greeted them, especially since he had texted her to come.

Yet now, she found herself hesitant to move, feeling like she wasn't needed at all, Outside, the rain poured heavily, the thunder rolled through the clouds, and lightning flashed intermittently, making it a frightening night. But the guests at this soirée of the elite wouldn't be bothered. They frequented such glamorous gatherings, reveling in opulence and pleasure in it

"Why did he ask me to come?"

Her gaze remained fixed on them, unable to look away, especially as Hayley casually took Dominick's glass from his hand with such natural grace They were truly in sync.

Suddenly, she felt a surge of anger. She had thought he needed her, which was why she had rushed over in this stormy weather. Yet here she was, watching Hayley offering hirn warmth. She had known all along how women pursued him.

Stephanie tightened her jaw, forcing herself to go and pretending she had never come.

Burjust as she turned, reaching out to press the elevator button, she hesitated. There was a moment of uncertainty.

He had sent her the text and asked her to come over.

She pulled out ber phone, staring at Dominick's number on the screen. What if he really did need her help!

Lowering her head, she hesitated for a moment they swiftly tapped out a few messages and dialed the familiar number.

The ringtone rang out in her ear.

She was stewing in anger, her mind racing with thoughts of what she would say if Dominick asked her to come over. She would definitely confront him with a stern face, demanding to know what could possibly be so important to warrant such a journey in the pouring rain. She absolutely wouldn't give him an easy time...

"Hello.."

On the other end of the phone was unexpectedly a clear, bright female voice. Unable to utter a word, Stephanie's face paled gradually, and she hastily hung up.

Without hesitation, as the elevator doors in front of her opened, she didn't look back, walking straight in

"His phone was actually with Hayley.. she murmured in a self-mockery manner as the elevators moved downward.

"Stephanie?"

Vincent leaned in to glance at his phone screen with gossiping curiosity, raising his eyebrows. "It really was Stephanie who called. Why did she hang up without saying anything!"

"Could it be because I answered the phone and upset her?"

Hayley looked somewhat embarrassed as she returned the phone to its owner, apologizing with sincerity. "Dominick, next time my phone dies. I'd better borrow someone else's."

"Stephanie isn't usually so petty...

Vincent, despite his usual differences with Stephanie, knew her temper would blow over by tomorrow.

Dominick found it odd; the rarely called him first. /

With a furrowed brow, he lightly tapped his phone to return the call.

er you have dialed is currently switched off...]

[The number you Each mechanical beep made Dominick's expression darken a little.

Vincent glanced at Dominick's gloomy face, secretly amazed. That devilish woman actually dared to turn off her phone."

This was bound to cause a stir

"Where is Stephanie!"

Dominick dialed Wellington Villa directly, his voice chilly and ominous Sandra was visibly surprised to answer the call. "Is Mrs. Wellington not as Gordon Hotel yet!"

She carefully recounted Stephanie's incident earlier that afternoon, including her missed dinner...

Dominick hung up his phone in silence, surveying the venue with legge. He contemplated his words as the suspicion in his heart grew.

"Go find the hotel manager and bring him here. After a long pause, he spoke in a deep voice.

Vincent hesitated for a moment, noticing the seriousness in his expression. What was going on!

Hayley tensed up, not daring to delay, and swiftly walked towards the service desk Gordon Hotel was part of the Wellington family's business, so finding anything here would be quick and convenient for them.

She didn't ask what had happened because she didn't need to, as he would only get nervous for Stephanie

"It's actually nothing serious. Maybe Hayley just took a dislike to me and wanted to prank me..

Meanwhile, the rain outside continued to pour relentlessly, so Stephanie sat at the corner table in a restaurant.

"The only thing you can do is not to erx disturb him, Stephanie. You don't understand him." She had heard plenty of those sarcastic remarks before and usually brushed them off. However, she remembered Hayley's words particularly clearly.

Because maybe she really didn't understand him.

Hayley had shown her through actions that she truly couldn't help him with anything.

Having been friends for so many years, Dominick and Hayley were in sync, working day and night in the' company together. Meanwhile, Stephanie believed she couldn't compare to what they had; she was just a mother-to-be.

Stephanie looked dejectedly at her reflection in the mirror on the opposite wall of the restaurant.m Pregnancy had founded her face, she wore a loose dress that accentuated her protruding belly. Her figure, once graceful and slim, now felt fuller and lacked its former curves. She felt truly

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Compared to those women at the social events, she truly felt inferior,

"Ugh ore sensitive and peny by She furrowed her brows, realizing that getting upset over that matter wasn't necessary. Yet, she found herself becoming more the minute.

If she didn't care, she wouldn't compare herself to the women around him, but she cared very much.

Grabbing the menu to order, she exclaimed in frustration, "If only men could bear children in this world! How annoying..."

The waitress, Cindy Craig, standing next to her and waiting to take her order, chuckled upon hearing her remark about men bearing children. In fact, she found Stephanie quite endearing.

Cindy, a student and a part-timer at the restaurant, joked, "It seems like all married women worry about their men cheating. "Not necessarily. If you don't love him, it's fine"

Just as Stephanie's annoyed voice fell, there was a commotion from the restaurant entrance. Instinctively, they both turned to look in that direction BEND GET