Cross Roads

Chapter 101 "Oh, I have to go now," Molly said suddenly after taking a phone call, standing up before she finished her lunch.

With a wry smile, she added, "I have to take the day off from work and go hto sort out my family issues. Otherwise, my mom will keep making a scene at my office. Even if I don't mind the embarrassment, Sharon and the others might reportto the higher ups, and then I' really be out of a job." Stephanie, who was sitting across from her, also stood up. "I guess I'll leave too." She knew that Molly had just gotten a call from her mom, and her mom's voice was loud and demanding as if she were collecting money from a debt.

Stephanie offered, "Molly, callif you need anything. If your mom really forces you for money, I have some..." "No need, I can manage on my own." Molly shrugged. "I've long figured out my mom's demanding nature. I did save smoney a few years back, but I've spent it all at once on a down payment for an apartment. Now, she's demanding money, but I have nothing left. She can't do anything about it." "Having a mortgage isn't bad either," Stephanie commented and thought that Molly was quite smart "I'm just a poor salaried worker. I can't afford to buy outright, but with a mortgage, at least I have my own place. If my mom argues with my stepdad, she won't have to suffer. She can stay with me," Molly explained confidently. Stephanic chuckled softly after hearing her.

She understood Molly's frustrations with her mother, yet she remained a dutiful daughter.

The two of them then walked toward the restaurant counter together. "This meal is on me," Stephanie said as she took out her card from her bag.

Molly didn't stop her, thinking that since they were so close, this small amount wasn't worth fussing over. hing else and said, "Oh right, how's your aunt, Stephanie? How is Ms. Clark's heart condition? Is she doing However, she remembered something any better?" Molly remembered Stephanie's frail aunt, once a wealthy heiress, who didn't know how to do any housework. Her illness cost money to treat. When Stephanie was in school, she spent most of her tjuggling part-tjobs, working even harder than those from low-incfamilies.

Stephanie replied, "My aunt is much better now." Molly teased, "Looks like you married a wealthy husband who takes good care of everyone you outfit that her husband was well-off.

I care about." She could tell from Stephanie's Stephanie's expression froze for a moment as she heard that and she hurriedly explained, "No, the money for my aunt's treatment cfrom the inheritance my grandfather left me... I don't want to rely on my husband's fortune." Molly noticed her odd expression and, after thinking for a moment, asked, "Why are you so tense? Are things not good between you and your husband? You two don't seem very close." Stephanie lowered her head and didn't respond.

She mused, 'Close? How could Dominick and I be like an ordinary couple... Mr. George Wellington promised to help find a suitable heart donor for my aunt, and in the Wellington family, fm. Never mind. I don't want to think about it anymore." Chapter 101 Molly could see that Stephanie was in a bad mood, so she changed the subject "Why did your grandfather make you wa't until you graduated to get your inheritance? Why are things so complicated for you rich folks?" As Stephanie recalled about this, her expression turned a bit awkward. "Because I did something that made my grandfather very angry In reality, he wasn't just angry. Her grandfather was furious back then because she refused to follow his arrangements.

thought your grandfather adored you. What could you have done..." Molly asked curiously, but just then, her phone began to ring from her coat pocket.

She said, "Stephanie, I have to run. My mom's calling like crazy, I can't stand it." After speaking with Stephanie, Molly waved and hurried out of the restaurant.

Stephanie watched her leave and called out, "Remember to callif you need anything." "Got it. I'll handle it," Molly replied.

Stephanie thought about how tough it was for Molly to have such a troublesmother. But who was she to pity others when her own life was such a mess? It was true that every family had its own struggles.

Stephanie then checked the electronic clock on the restaurant wall. After noting that the Wellington family's driver would be coming to pick her up soon, she quickly went to settle the bill. Stephanie asked, "How much for table 010927" "Miss, your tab has already been settled," the female receptionist said with a smile.

Stephanie was puzzled. "What do you mean?" The receptionist, with a blush on her cheeks, glanced toward the restaurant's second glass door and replied, "A good-looking guy cin about ten minutes ago and settled your bill." Stephanie then wondered who it might be.

The first person who cto her mind was Dominick. Stephanie asked, "Was he wearing a black suit and a dark purple shirt?" The receptionist shook her head and said, "No.

"Well, he has a pair of beautiful blue eyes." Stephanie's expression immediately shifted at the mention of blue eyes. She instinctively-grabbed her bag and hurried toward the second glass door.

She stood stunned at the doorway and anxiously looked around.

Stephanie pondered, 'Blue eyes... Could it be him?" Then, a familiar silhouette suddenly caught her eye. Stephanie's eyes widened, and she quickly walked across the street.

"Little Pillar..." Stephanie called out to the crowd on the other side.

It was too far, and her voice was drowned out by the cars and rushing pedestrians.

Just then, the driver for the Wellington family arrived to pick up Stephanie but saw her trying to cross the street against the red light. He quickly drove up to her and yelled, "Mrs, Wellington!" Chapter 101 She looked at the car that suddenly appeared in front of her and stopped in her tracks.

The driver said, "Mrs. Wellington, it's a red light ahead." Stephanie replied, "Oh, I'll be more careful next time." At that moment, her mind was in turmoil, and she appeared somewhat reluctant as the figure was gone.

Stephanie muttered under her breath, "Was that him?"

Afterward, she got into the car, which then steadily drove toward Wellington Villa, but her mind was e still a jumble of emotions. Stephanie couldn't be sure that the figure was him. After all, she hadn't seen him for many years.

"If it really was him, why didn't he cand say hello..." Stephanie murmured to herself as she watched ve! the scenery speeding by outside the car window. Her face was somber, with an emotion she couldn't quite put into words. She thought, "It's been so many years, where has he been? Has he been angry all this time..." When the car arrived at Wellington Villa, Stephanie was in a daze as she was still lost in thoughts of the past. Sandra walked over to her and greeted her, "Mrs. Wellington.

"Have you had lunch outside?" "I did," Stephanie replied, feeling burdened by her thoughts, planning to clear her mind in her room. "I'll see Grandpa at dinner. I'll go back to my room first.....” Sandra called out, “Hold on a second, Mrs. Wellington." kather. "What's the matter?" Stephanie turned back to look at her.

Sandra lightened up and smiled, "Mr. Wellington rushed htwenty minutes ago. The first thing he did was ask about you....

Stephanie's expression stiffened at the mention of Dominick.

She asked, "Why is he asking for me?" Stephanie then remembered that she had sent him a text earlier at the office.

"Mr. Wellington didn't say," Sandra said with a gentle smile, pausingn before adding with a chuckle. "It probably isn't anything urgent. He probably just misses you." Stephanie repeated the words in her mind, Just misses me?' "Oh," she responded calmly, but her cheeks flushed red.

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