Crossroads

"Dominick, thank you again for the coat you lent me last time," Hayley suddenly interjected, her voice carrying a hint of urgency as it interrupted his contemplation.

With a smile on her face, she handed him the black bag she had been holding in her right hand all along. The last time she got drenched in the rain, he had lent her his coat, and she almost didn't want to return it.

His expensive coat bore his scent, making her reluctant to part with it, cherishing it in secret.

She had long known that unrequited love was bitter, but suddenly, as her gaze fell upon the unique necklace in his hand, she couldn't help but der more.

"Mr. Wellington, you'll be heading home soon, while I still have a layover in Paente. Considering all the hard work I've done for the co company, could you reward me with a piece of jewelry?" she teased him playfully, as she usually did.

"What do you want?" Dominick asked indifferently in response. Anything from this counters jewelry selection, no matter her choice, he would simply swipe his card and pay for it without a second thought, regardless of the style or suitability of the jewelry.

Seeing his acquiescence, Hayley felt a wave of joy, which was immediately followed by a greater sense of disappointment She had long understood his detachment. If he treated all women this way, she could console herself and say that she fared better than she could be by his side However, Stephanie was an exception The sales assistants in this luxury jewelry store, catering specifically to international travelers, all had a basic understanding of their language. Upon hearing their conversation, they eagerly approached Hayley to introduce her to the latest and most expensive jewelry pieces.

"I want the one he just bought, and it has to be exactly the same, Hayley said.NôvelDrama.Org is the owner.

Suddenly. Dominick felt a sharp pain in his head. He tightened his grip on the exquisite bag unconsciously, his face showing a blend of fatigue and pain as he sat down on the soft sofa provided for customers in the right comer of the counter.

Hayley lowered her voice to talk to the sales assistant, and he, having no interest in listening to them converse, leaned back against the sofa with his head tilted up, silently sighing at the pain throbbing in his brain

"Miss. Im sorry, but there was only one of that ruby necklace. However, we have other designs by the same jeweler over here. Would you like to take a look!" the shop assistant kindly explained

"You really can't find another one exactly like it" Hayley glanced back at Dominick sining in the resting area; ber tone tinged with determination The saleswoman at the counter looked somewhat hesitant. I'm terribly sorry, even at our other branches, there isn't another one. That design exists In only one piece

"If you really want the same style, then in some of the smaller shops around town, there might be imitation versions available.

Imitation of the necklace!

Awry smule tugged at Hayley's lips. There was only one piece of the necklace, but why couldn't she have it when she was was the one who spotted it Habitually, she turned her head to glance at Dominick, Suddenly, Hayley's face tensed. "Dominick, what's wrong with you?"

How has Dominick been feeling lately?"

Stephanie had been summoned to Nightingale Villa, which belonged to George within the area of Wellington Villa, I had been two months since the last saw him, and she felt uneasy at this moment.

"What's wrong with him!"

A but puzzled by the question, the sat up straight, her eyebrows furrowing slightly as she stared directly across the coffee table at George

"Mrs. Wellington, could you please pay more attention to how frequently Mr. Wellington's headaches o Brad stood by sounding noneemed as if about to remind her of something. Meanwhile, George fruwied deeply, shooting a displeased glance at Brad who painedutely fell silent.

"What exactly is y is going on?".

Stephanie recalled the night before last when Dominick, with his unisal strength, would have easily lifted fier, but unexpectedly, he bumped into a table corner and almost dropped ber.

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She knew that Dominick wouldn't let such a thing happen to her when he was around, which struck her as odd.

A sense of uncase welled up in Stephanie's chest, and she grew suddenly nervous. "Grandpa, does Dominick have some sort of illness?"

"Mr. Wellington is perfectly healthy."

Brad hastily interjected, his tone betraying an inner panic. He wasn't lying:

Dominick, indeed, had no illness. "It's an old injury he has."

"What?" She couldn't quite cuch the rest of Brad's words.

Silence enveloped the air.

Behind Nightingale Villa, the row of ornamental bamboo along the wall swayed with the autumn breeze, making a rustling sound.

"You should have asked that troublemaker come home with you to take maternity leave together. He doesn't need to handle any company matters for the next year, Just let him accompany you In the end, the maids escorted Stephanie out of the gates of Nightingale Villa. As she turned back to look, the heavy, fron gates closed slowly as George's advice replayed in her mind.

The sun was gradually sinking. She had been summoned to George's side around noon, and they sat facing each other awkwardly for almost the entire afternoon. He didn't understand George's intentions; it seemed he just wanted Dominick to rest.

"Since this is about Dominick, why didn't he just tell Dominick directly? That old man... She couldn't help bur mutter, but she also remembered those words While walking toward Breeze Villa, she involuntarily shrank her neck, feeling a bit chilly.

The wind blew her long hair. Although it was only early autumn, she already felt the chill. Her clear eyes scanned the vast Wellington Villa. Within the high walls, under the setting sun, everything was magnificent, yet it made her suddenly uneasy She thought she would ask Dominick about it when he returned tonight.

"Aren't you supposed to come back tonight?"

After dinner, she returned to her bedroom and waited quietly, watching the clock on the wall go beyond the expected time. After hesitating for a moment she picked up her phone and dialed his number.

"Hello..."

Stephanie heard an unfamiliar voice on the c other end of the phone, paused for a moment, and then listened quietly as the person explained.

Anthony Kellman, the vice CEO of the company, answered, explaining that they had an emergency and Dominick would only return home the day after tomorrow

"Is Dominick busy right now?"

"Til let him know you called when he wakes up... The vice CEO's voice was calm and formal Stephanie wanted to ask another question, but the line was abruptly disconnected.

Stephanie's heart began to race, and she quickly tried to call back, but the line was busy. She couldn't get through, and a wave of anxiety washed over her The e entire night passed in redless unease. Her mind wouldn't settle, and sleep eluded her.

The next morning, she joined George for breakfast, along with Yvonne and a few others. Stephanie was distracted, her eyes frequently darting towards George, trying to find a way to ask about Dominick

"Mrs Wellington, there's an express package from Aurorastra for you"

The sudden arrival an international package piqued everyone's interest, and Stephanie frowned slightly as she began in open it.

Inside, the found a jewelry box containing a necklace, a beautiful piece with a

"Chance Stephanie murmured, reading the word a platinum setting, and a ruby centerpiece.

She couldn't understand why Dominick suddenly sent her such a ircklace, Suice when idid he become the type to bring back thoughtful souvenirs from tus business tripa, let alone send turn as a surprise through the mail!

Unsure if this was his way of surprising her, Stephanie was genuinely taken aback when she saw a luxurious men's coat included in the package.

If she remembered correctly, this was the coat Dominick had given to Hayley when she got caught in the rain a few days ago.

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So, had Hayley personally packed and sent this package!

"He didn't answer my call..and had someone else send the gifts... Anxiety gnawed at her with the thought.

"Grandpa, do you know what Dominick has been busy with lately?" she asked George, looking at him with concern.

Mary, who had just finished her breakfast, looked displeased and was the first to sonkd her coldly, "Youn even her don't even know what he's busy with! Dominick went on a business trip and don't e

still send you a gift. You're truly unfit to be his wife

From the very first meeting. Mary had made it clear she didn't like Stephanie...

Stephanie didn't want to argue with her either; she didn't have the energy for that.

Hence, Stephanie kept her eyes on George, her voice lowering with suppressed tension. "Grandpa, did something happen to Dominick""