Chapter 100
“Yeah. I’m on my way to the Innovate Group right now,” she said.
The midday sun blazed overhead as a champagne–gold Rolls–Royce glided smoothly towards downtown. Stephanie sat in the back seat, chatting with George on the phone. “There’s a high school reunion next week, and she’s one of our employees.”
“How about Dominick?” George suddenly inquired from the other end of the line.
Stephanie was slightly startled and answered truthfully, “He’s doing fine. He hasn’t had any migraines these past few days.”
Before hanging up, George added, “Since you’re at the company, give him a call.”
‘Call Dominick?‘ Her fingers brushed lightly over the phone screen as she hesitated, staring at his number. Despite her reluctance, she dialed.
With the phone pressed to her ear, nerves fluttered as she wondered what to say. But moments later, she lowered the phone, a hint of inexplicable disappointment in her eyes.
He didn’t
tanswer.
Why had she been so anxious just now? Lately, she felt overly sensitive.
[I’m in the lobby of the Innovate Group. I’m here to have lunch with a friend.] When the car reached the company, she got out and quickly typed a message to Dominick.
Ten minutes passed with no reply. Stephanie didn’t mind much, thinking he was probably busy.
She stepped into the lobby. Last time, she had arranged to meet Molly but missed her, so this time, Stephanie decided to wait in the
company.
As noon approached, employees began to descend for lunch, and the five elevators on the west side grew crowded.
“Molly?” Stephanie called out, spotting a familiar figure in a black business dress by the elevators. Her face lit up.
It had been almost seven years since they graduated high school, but Molly looked just the same.
“Molly, having someone like you in the same department is embarrassing. Don’t bring your family’s debt problems to the office.”
As Stephanie approached, she heard a sharp, condescending female voice taunting her friend.
“Hey, there’s no need to be so rude,” Stephanie called out.
Hearing that an outsider had intervened, the two women who had been arguing turned to look at her.
Molly immediately recognized her and called out excitedly. “Stephanie.”
The woman who had been mocking Molly suddenly looked uneasy and quickly walked away as if she were afraid of something.
“That woman just now…” Stephanie watched the hasty steps of the woman, feeling a vague sense of familiarity.
“That’s Sharon Moore,” Molly murmured. “She was in our class back in high school.”
Stephanie raised an eyebrow.
No wonder she looked familiar. “Is she picking on you?”
Molly’s once round and soft face had matured, her features more defined, but she still seemed easy to push around
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“Not exactly. It’s just my family drama,” Molly said softly, linking arms with Stephanie as they left the company together. “My mom caused a scene here this morning. That’s why Sharon was talking to me like that.”
“What happened?” Stephanie turned to look at her. She remembered that Molly’s mother had remarried when she was young. Her stepfather was harsh, and her mother always sided with him, often unjustly disciplining her.
They arrived at a fine dining restaurant and ordered a simple lunch.
olly didn’t hold back and said, “My so–called brother is getting married, and my mom wants me to give him 60 thousand dollars.”
“Did you really give it to him?” Stephanie was indignant.
She knew Molly’s stepbrother was a leech. He always indulged in a lavish lifestyle he couldn’t afford and frequently relied on Molly to clean up his financial messes.
Molly took a sip of her milkshake, smiling bitterly, “He asked for 60 thousand dollars right off the bat. I’m not some rich heiress. I don’t have
that kind of money.
“I told my mom last month that I didn’t have that. The most I could give was six thousand dollars. You know how she is, always favoring my stepfather and his son as if she’s afraid they’d abandon her. She yelled at me, called me selfish, and said that even after getting married, I’d have to rely on my family, and if my brother’s wedding couldn’t go through, it would be my fault.”
Molly looked dejected, picking at her food without appetite.
“You’ve only been working for three years. It’s normal not to have savings. What’s with your mom, demanding 60 thousand for a stepson? Does she want you to take out a loan? That’s insane.””
Stephanie’s angry expression made Molly laugh.
Back in school, Molly’s family issues were a constant. Classmates would gossip about her, but when Stephanie stood up, slapped her hand on the desk, and silenced the room, it showed her loyalty and straightforward nature.
Molly appreciated Stephanie’s honesty and lack of ulterior motives, even if she could be a bit dense at times.
“Let’s not talk about my family’s mess anymore. How have you been? How’s your husband?” Molly asked, a sly grin on her face. “Stephanie, didn’t you say he works at the same company as me? What’s his name?”
Before Stephanie could answer, her phone vibrated with a new message.
I was in a meeting just now.] Dominick had replied.
Was this an explanation? So he hadn’t answered earlier because he was in a meeting. For some reason, seeing those words lifted Stephanie’s
spirits a bit.
She stared
d at the screen, hesitating whether she should reply or maybe tell him she was at the restaurant across from the company.
But he was probably still busy, and she didn’t want to disturb him.
“Stephanie, what are you daydreaming about?” Molly asked, noticing her conflicted expression.
“Nothing “Stephanie put her phone back into her bag and changed the subject. “By the way, about that high school reunion you mentioned earlier, I might not go.”
“You’re not going?” Molly eyed her up and down. Back in high school, Stephanie was the famous campus beauty, and she had only grown more stunning over the years. Her flawless skin suggested she was well taken care of
Chapter 100
“Is it because your husband doesn’t want you to go? Heh, married life, huh? Got a curfew and all,” Molly teased her with a laugh.
Stephanie didn’t deny it, focusing on her pasta with a slightly embarrassed expression.
O
She was indeed worried that the Wellingtons wouldn’t approve, and there would be drinking at the reunion, which she couldn’t partake in because of her pregnancy.
Molly, still grinning, tried to persuade her. “It’s no big deal if you don’t go, but I heard this year’s event organizer is really trying to get our old teaching assistant to come. Aren’t you tempted? Lots of the girls are signing up just to see
“I don’t remember him.”
“Okay, okay, I get it. You only like those chubby tech nerds who are easy to bully,” Molly said with mock disappointment. Stephanie had once sworn she’d marry a chef, preferably a chubby one with a good temper, so there would be a low chance of cheating.
That was a big misunderstanding. Stephanie thought she should clarify, especially since it would be awkward if Molly ever saw Dominick and called him a fat nerd.
“By the way, Stephanie, I need to tell you something. When I submitted a report to the secretary’s office on the top floor today, I think I saw someone familiar,” Molly said excitedly, her words tumbling out so fast Stephanie could barely get a word in.
Her pale cheeks flushed excitedly. “That man’s back looked just like our old teaching assistant. Do you think it could really be him?”
‘The Innovate Group’s top floor?‘ The fir
first person that came to Stephanie’s mind was Dominick, whose office was up there.
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Chapter 101