Crossroads

"Stephanie, you better behave and never bring this up again..."

Since Dominick sternly warned her that night, Stephanie had been trying her best to be "unruly". It seemed like she was deliberately going against him, challenging him at every moment.

It was a bright summer noon with the sun shining high outside.

The servants in Wellington Villa living room were busy preparing a lavish lunch for the arriving guests.

Early this morning, Vincent, Scott, and several men Stephanie had never met arrived at Wellington Villa.

These men were in Dominick's spacious study, having some kind of meeting, Stephanie had no idea what it was about, and she didn't bother to know.

"Mrs. Wellington..."

It was lunchtime, and Stephanie walked gracefully over. Sandra, who was nearby, sounded surprised to see her.

Since Dominick reprimanded her that night, Stephanie had refused to dine at the same table with him.

As long as he was there, she would turn around and leave.

Dominick and the others were sitting properly at the dining table, yet to start eating. Scott greeted her warmly with a friendly smile.

"Long time no see. Will you join us for lunch?"

Stephanie smiled back at him. "I've already eaten."

"But I ate a bit too much, so I need to exercise after lunch. She turned and glared fiercely at Dominick at the table, emphasizing her last words with an ambiguous tone.

Vincent and the others didn't quite understand what she meant by post-lunch exercise and curiously wanted to ask Dominick. However, before they could speak, the clear and melodious sound of piano music filled the hall.

She skillfully played Chopin's Nocturne on the black and white keys..

Stephanie played the piece effortlessly, without needing sheet music, remembering all. Her fingers moved faster, and she pressed the keys harder as if venting something The piano sounded beautiful, but the servants in Wellington Villa hall became anxious.

Scott and Vincent exchanged wary glances, and the others at the dining table looked nervously at Dominick at the head of the table.

Suddenly, a chill ran down their spines.

Yet, the piano continued smoothly, each note echoing through the room. They wondered how dare she play this piece at Wellington Villa...

"Enough..." He couldn't bear it any longer and angrily stood up, causing the tableware to shake. Vincent and the others tensed up.

"Stephanie, have you had enough of this nonsense!"

Stephanie stopped playing only after hitting the final note of the Nocturne, satisfied.

Wellington Villa's dining room was quite a distance from the central hall where the piano was, but the music was impossible to ignore, and it irritated Dominick.

She knew it well. Dominick had always disliked anyone playing the piano at home, especially this piece.

The atmosphere in the house was heavy and tense.

Brad anxiously ran over to Stephanie and whispered, "Mr. Wellington doesn't like this piece because Mrs. Wellington used to..."

Mary was an internationally renowned pianist, and this Chopin Nocturne was her favorite. She became famous for her performance of it.

"Is that so?" Stephanie stood up from the piano, looking indifferent.

"No need to tell me. Dominick said I have no say in wything here."

Stephanie walked with heavy steps, head held high, striding gracefully past the dining room, clearly challenging the man there...

She thought, "You want me to behave? But I just wouldn't listen!"

Dominick's face was dark with anger. He was trying to restrain his temper as he glared at her and defiantly walked away. Vincent and the others barely dared to breathe loudly.

This fight seemed to have started some time ago. Maybe it was that day when she went to great lengths to prepare a meal for him, only for him to scold her for no reason. So Stephanie felt indignation.

Or maybe their problems had been there all along, just piling up over time.

In any case, when the masters were at odds, the servants suffered the most

"Mr. Wellington said he...he won't be home for dinner tonight."

At noon, Stephanie played the piano to provoke Dominick, making his face turn ashen. In the evening, he simply didn't come home, avoiding a fight by not seeing her.

Stephanie clenched her teeth and glared at the table full of dishes.

Taking a deep breath, she pretended to be indifferent and smiled at Sandra, who sensed something was wrong.

"Where is he?"

Around midnight, almost 12 AM, Dominick rushed back home.

As usual, he went straight to the bedroom first, but it was pitch dark inside when he opened the door. The lights were off, and the bed was empty.

"Where did she go?" Dominick gritted his teeth, nearly losing his temper.

e pressure, Sandra had brought Brad along, fearing she couldn't handle Dominick alone.

Under immense

"Where did she go? How could she disappear like last time, and you don't know..."

Recent conflicts with Stephanie stressed Dominick and work and personal issues gave him no peace.

With a complicated expression, Brad hesitated before saying, "Mrs. Wellington went to her friend's house for the night.

"Around 7 PM, the driver personally drove her there. We also called you..." But Dominick was too busy, and when his assistant heard that it was Brad calling, he ignored it and continued to work.

Dominick's face darkened, and his lips tightly pressed. He did not say a word.

He knew she must have gone to Molly's apartment.

Sandra hesitated for a moment, then cautiously said, "Mr. Wellington, Mrs. Wellington may be a bit troublesome, but she doesn't mean any harm. Don't be mad at her..."

Hearing this, Dominick was filled with more anger.

He thought, 'Hold it against her? If I really argued with her, she...' He didn't even know what words to use to curse her. He was so furious.

Even though it was summer, the night wind at dawn felt a bit chilly.

"Mr. Wellington, should we go pick Mrs. Wellington up..." Brad knew Dominick didn't really want to fight with her. He avoided dinner at home. just to escape the conflict.

"Leave her bel"

This time, Dominick was truly angry. She actually ran away from home!

He turned around, as if unconcerned, and strode towards the study, gripping his phone tightly in frustration.

"Stephanie, why do you keep staring at your phone?"

This 750 sq. ft apartment was Molly's house.

Normally at midnight, Molly, used to sleep early, would have washed up and gone to bed. But tonight, Stephanie's sudden visit surprised and confused her.

"Nothing." Stephanie, not knowing why she was angry, threw her phone aside.

Molly looked her up and down and curiously asked, "Stephanie, did you run away from home?"

0

"Stephanie, you better behave and never bring this up again..."

Since Dominick sternly warned her that night, Stephanie had been trying her best to be "unruly". It seemed like she was deliberately going against him, challenging him at every moment.

It was a bright summer noon with the sun shining high outside.

The servants in Wellington Villa living room were busy preparing a lavish lunch for the arriving guests.

Early this morning, Vincent, Scott, and several men Stephanie had never met arrived at Wellington Villa.

These men were in Dominick's spacious study, having some kind of meeting, Stephanie had no idea what it was about, and she didn't bother to know.

"Mrs. Wellington...

It was lunchtime, and Stephanie walked gracefully over. Sandra, who was nearby, sounded surprised to see her.

Since Dominick reprimanded her that night, Stephanie had refused to dine at the same table with him.

As long as he was there, she would turn around and leave. Dominick and the others were sitting properly at the dining table, yet to start eating. Scott greeted her warmly with a friendly smile.

"Long time no see. Will you join us for lunch?" Stephanie smiled back at him. "I've already eaten."

"But I ate a bit too much, so I need to exercise after lunch." She turned and glared fiercely at Dominick at the table, emphasizing her last words with an ambiguous tone.

Vincent and the others didn't quite understand what she meant by post-lunch exercise and curiously wanted to ask Dominick. However, before they could speak, the clear and melodious sound of piano music filled the hall.

She skillfully played Chopin's Nocturne on the black and white keys.

Stephanie played the piece effortlessly, without needing sheet music, remembering all Her fingers moved faster, and she pressed the keys harder as if venting something.

The piano sounded beautiful, but the servants in Wellington Villa hall became anxious.

Scott and Vincent exchanged wary glances, and the others at the dining table looked nervously at Dominick at the head of the table.Belongs to © n0velDrama.Org.

Suddenly, a chill ran down their spines.

Yet, the piano continued smoothly, each note echoing through the room. They wondered how dare she play this piece at Wellington Villa...

"Enough..." He couldn't bear it any longer and angrily stood up, causing the tableware to shake. Vincent and the others tensed up. "Stephanie, have you had enough of this nonsense!" Stephanie stopped playing only after hitting the final note of the Nocturne, satisfied.

"Mr. Wellington, Mr. George Wellington's very worried..." Brad, standing by, tried to persuade him quietly.

"Don't answer my grandpa's calls next time." Dominick's voice turned icy as he glanced at Brad.

Brad, who had watched him grow up, knew his temper well and felt helpless but didn't dare to say more. However, Stephanie, sitting in the dining chair, couldn't stand it any longer. "What did George say on the phone?"

She quickly stood up and walked to him. "Dominick, you need to listen to others' advice. Don't be so stubborn att the time. George must be busy dealing with your matters in Serenburg, right? Just go along with his wishes..."

"I said this matter is none of your concernl" Dominick turned to face her, his attitude firm.

Stephanie, now furious, retorted,

"Why you're always so overbearing? think it doesn't matter how Do you many people you hurt as long as you achieve your goals? Kevin mentioned last time that you secretly framed him for crime. You're willing to do anything to achieve your goals. Have you ever considered others' feelings? Can't you think about George's feelings for once? How can you..."

"What about me?" Dominick's cold expression turned even darker.

He said in a low voice and gritted his teeth. "Stephanie, do you think you have the right to criticize my way of handling things dr are you still feeling sorry for Kevin... I will get whatever I want, no matter how many people get hurt. Stephanie, you better behave and never bring this up again."