Crossroads

Chapter 17

The man on the other end of the phone was uninterested, but he changed his tune at the mention of Stephanie. His stern looked softened, and he seemed to ponder.

"Who is she with?" Dominick's voice was cold as he asked.

Vincent raised an eyebrow, surprised Dominick didn't just hang up on what he thought was trivial possip.

"She just cout of a prenatal checkup and didn't want to head back to Wellington Villa yet, so she was wandering around. She ran into Claire at the boutique, and things got...heated."

"Did she get hurt?" Dominick suddenly asked.

Vincent chuckled, "Nah, but those two were at each other's throats."

"You better deal with it," Dominick said. He seemed busy as he abruptly ended the call Vincent was stunned, wondering what that was supposed to mean.

It sounded like if Stephanie was hurt, it would be his fault!

"Mr. Hayes..." His supermodel girlfriend whined next to him. "Why do you keep staring at that woman? Don't tellyou're falling for her."

"Baby, go over there..." Vincent instructed his girlfriend with a few words.

Initially jealous, the woman was shocked by what Vincent said next and quickly composed herself. "Got it." She clicked her high heels and strode towards the shop.

"What did you say? What do you mean you won't accept my membership?" Five minutes later, Claire was glaring at the boutique manager. "Do you know who I am? How dare you do this to me?"

"I'm very sorry," the manager replied, offering a formal apology without further explanation.

"You need to explain this toright now!"

Stephanie didn't know what had happened. She glanced at the supermodel who had just approached and turned to Claire with a chuckle. "Isn't it obvious? You are not welchere!"

Lust you!

"Just wait!" Claire glared at Stephanie, then turned to the store manager and warned, "I'm calling my husband right now..."

Stephanie knew the husband she was referring to was Kevin. Claire had already been calling Kevin "husband" before Stephanie and he had divorced, which was incredibly annoying.

it was shameless!

Stephanie actually bought a dozen men's briefs using her card. Then, she turned and walked out of the store.

Watching her carry the shopping bag, Claire sneered at her retreating figure, "Kevin won't want what you've bought, Stephanie!"

Stephanie paused, throwing a cold glance over her shoulder. "These are extra- large," she retorted, "Don't think Kevin can fit into them."

"What?" Claire's expression froze in confusion, and just then, the supermodel in the deliberately sweet.

e store called out softly. "Goodbye, Mrs. Wellington." Her tone was Chapter 17

Claire's heart raced with a mix of suspicion and panic....

She hurried to the fifth floor to find Kevin. "I just ran into Stephanie. Someone called her Mrs. Wellington. What is going on?"

Kevin's face darkened instantly. He paused the gthey were playing, and placed her back on the ground, Imitated, he strode to the window, lit a cigarette, and took several quick drags.

With furrowed brows, he exhaled a puff of smoke and growled, "Dominick has already married Stephanie. She's now officially a Wellington!"

Now Kevin had to call Stephanie "Mrs. Wellington" as well, and the thought only added to his sense of unease.

Claire's eyes widened in shock.....

She just never thought that Stephanie had actually married into the Wellington family!

Meanwhile, Stephanie was in a bad mood as she returned to Welling her.

to Wellington Villa, where a servant immediately informed her that George wanted to talk to She had been living at Wellington Villa for nearly a week and had always been careful.

This morning, one of the housemaids had accompanied her to the hospital for a prenatal checkup. It was a rare chance for her to get out. She decided to take a stroll in the shopping center, but unexpectedly, she ran into Claire, which only made her more upset.

"What does he want?" she asked. Aside from joining George for breakfast, she rarely saw him.

As for Dominick, he had disappeared over the past few days. Stephanie om heard that he was on a business trip, which actually delighted her. She would feel more at case with him away.

As soon as she entered the grand hall, a deep and resonant voice echoed, "That rascal just leaves after he gets married!"

"Mr. George Wellington, Mr. Wellington has gone on a business trip to Berkeniel and is expected back tomorrow."

"Dominick's got it easy, taking off right after getting married," George grumbled. "Now his aunts cbotheringevery day. It's drivingcrazy!"

"Well, it's not every day Mr. Wellington shows interest in a woman, Mr. George Wellington. Give him scredit for that." Brad suggested as he made a coffee.

They had been worried Dominick might never marry, Fortunately, this the agreed to marry Stephanie.

Hearing this, George scowled. "All these years I've been pushing him, and have introduced so many eligible ladies to him. He never cared! Then he falls in love with Jessica, that actress who dies really young. If Stephanie didn't look so much like her, I'm sure the Wellington line would have ended with him!"

George swore in annoyance, and at that moment, Stephanie, who had been at the door, froze in place. She hadn't meant to eavesdrop on these secrets. Nervous, she accidentally dropped her phone and it hit the floor with a loud thud. Hearing the noise, George and Brad turned to look at the