Crossroads

Vincent suddenly reached out and snatched her phone away

"Who has been sending you these messages lately?" He no longer had his usual playful expression; his face was serious as he demanded an answer.

"Give me back my phone Stephanie had downed six cans of beer earlier, but now, whether it was the cold night wind or the shock of the sudden text, she was completely sober, enunciating her words clearly.

Vincent ignored her, stood up, and took a step back with the phone in hand.

Stephanie panicked immediately and lunged to grab it back.

"What's the password?"

Vincent held the phone high, out of her reach, but the screen was locked, so he couldn't open it either.

Seeing the locked screen, she felt slightly relieved.

But Vincent pressed on, "Is someone cone making you participate in this advertisement? Who is it?

His question jolted her to attention.

Vincent was not just a frivolous playboy. Ever since he saw her peculiar reaction when she received a text by the fountain, he had someone investigate her phone number.

The findings were surprising, "I had someone check your phone records. You've been in frequent contact with an unknown number, especially around the time of this advertisement. Who is it, and why is it a restricted number!"

"What right do you have to secretly investigate me? That's my privacy you're invading!"

Hearing him say so much suddenly made Stephanie anxious, especially under his intense, questioning gaze. "Stephanie, who asked you to join this advertisement?"

She was on edge; her lips tightly pressed together, not saying a word.

Vincent's intense scrutiny made her feel incredibly guilty, especially with the recent text flashing through her mind.

The message that was sent from Lucy's phone number was brief. Stay away from Vincent]

But now, Stephanie wasn't certain if it truly came from Lucy herself. In that moment, a chill wind swept through, causing her to turn anxiously, scanning her surroundings. It felt as though countless eyes were fixed upon her.

A surge of urgent unease gripped her heart. Someone was clearly monitoring her every move, leaving her feeling like a puppet manipulated by unseen hands, a sensation that filled her with both hatred and helplessness.

Meanwhile, Vincent persisted with his questioning, his usual jovial demeanor replaced by stern seriousness. "Who exactly persuaded you to join this advertisement?"

Stephanie met his gaze, her eyes betraying a mix of guilt and fear. Standing amidst the bustling, affluent street, she looked around, gasping for breath, and cried out in desperation as her eyes reddened with emotion, "What do you all want from me? What are you all planning to do?"

Trembling, she finally turned her gaze to the dimly lit comer where the black Ferrari parked. She couldn't shake the feeling that someone there was watching her intently, a sense of dread washing over her.

Vincent was taken aback. Stephanie snatched her phone back and dashed away, leaving him stunned. He hadn't seen the contents of the text message, but a sense of foreboding crept over him. Instead of chasing after her, he watched as Stephanie fled The onlookers nearby, including Loak, were puzzled. However, they simply assumed that Stephanie had a fight with Vincent and stormed off. In the end, Vincent left after paying the bills.

Suddenly, a realization struck him, prompting Vincent to glance towards the streetlamp on the left side of the alley Stephanie had been glancing in that direction repeatedly. Now, however, the alley was deserted, bathed in the cold, faint light of the streetlamp with no sign of any pedestrians, Vincent scanned the area attentively, but all he saw was a black Ferrari slowly driving away, seemingly without any anomalies.

The midnight wind blew against Vincent's thinly clad form-only a deep blue dress shirt and trousers adorned his figure. He walked along the street towards the end of the alley where his car was parked, his tall and handsome silhouette exuding confidence, yet he couldn't help but shiver

0

Involuntarily. His coat had been stolen.

"Idiot, she got a cold before this, and now she's in the cold wind again. How troublesome."

Reaching his car, Vincent unlocked it with the keys and cursed softly as he remembered something. In his right hand, he held a distinctly mismatched item-a bright pink ladies' handbag.

Stephanie had took her phone and rushed off, leaving even her bag behind, causing Vincent to grumble, "She's always making a mess for others to clean up."

Vincent angrily tossed the handbag onto the passenger seat and quickly started the car. Driving slowly along the main road, he kept glancing out of the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of her.

Vincent was nearing thirty, constantly badgered by his mother about marriage. Fortunately, he still had three unmarried brothers above him, ali avoiding marriage due to their domineering mother. Since childhood, they had sworn to either remain single or marry someone obedient and docile. If the woman was as fierce as their mother, they would not even consider her.

Vincent's face soured at the thought of Stephanie. She was as troublesome as his mother, the fiercest woman he had even known.

The car circled the block, but there was still no sign of her. Frustrated, Vincent pulled over and dialed his assistant's number.

"Mr. Hayes, am I supposed to call Ms. Reed now? Aren't you with her? I remember you leaving earlier.." His assistant was confused.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

"Why are you asking so many questions? Do you want me to dock your salary?" Vincent's irritation was palpable. "Just call her and find out where she is. Go and pick her up, then bring her back to the hotel immediately."

"Yes, Mr. Hayes," the assistant replied obediently.

The assistant was left bewildered after being yelled at, but knowing his boss had no mercy, they dared not argue and immediately complied.

Speaking of which, Vincent had lost his prestigious image after this advertisement shoot. One of the employees sighed, "It doesn't feel like the rumored sugar daddy relationship anymore." Their boss was too obsequious in front of Stephanie

"Dominick, where are you now? 1 need to talk to you.

Leaning on the car window with his right hand, Vincent gazed at the bustling city with mixed emotions. Suddenly, he didn't feel like returning to the hotel so soon. He dialed another phone number and calmly arranged to meet Dominick

"I'm driving back to Havencrest."

Dominick's voice on the other end was cold and indifferent.

"You're driving back early by yourself?" Vincent's expression subtly changed, surprised.

"Is there something urgent?"

"Not really, it's related to Stephanie..."

Vincent was figuring out how to articulate his thoughts clearly, but Dominick on the other end seemed impatient and responded with a cold "Oh" laden with meaning.

Irritated by his indifferent attitude, Vincent reminded him, "Stephanie is still your wife!"

"Are you i concerned about her?"

Dominick's voice was deep and questioning, contrasting with Vincent's rising emotions.

"Am I concerned about her? Vincent hesitated briefly, then his anger surged. Tan't it normal for a friend to care about her?"

n doesn't exceed normal bounds, Dominick replied calmly, Just hope your concern doc Vincent's expression darkened. "Dominick, what exactly are you trying to say?"

His anger overshadowed any respect he had for Dominick.

There was silence from Dominick's end.

Vincent was on the verge of exploding in anger. He shouted into abouther the phone, "I do care about her! If one,"

Stephanie wasn't in trouble, she wouldn't have fled in fear like she did earlier."

He ended the call abruptly and stared m

straight ahead. The city lights dazzled around him but none of this glamour belonged to him.