Chapter 138
Stephanie was gently nudged awake by Sandra at seven in the morning.
Sandra’s words carried a gentle urgency, reminding her that with George and Mary now both at Wellington Villa, sleeping in late could potentially stir up unwelcome gossip and affect their reputation. “I’ll be more mindful from now on.” Stephanie replied gratefully, appreciating Sandra’s concern. With the elders back, she couldn’t afford to be seen as careless or disrespectful.
After quickly freshening up in the bathroom and changing into suitable attire, she hurried towards the main house.
Hayley, how was your night’s rest?”
Pausing at the doorstep, Stephanie caught snippets of conversation drifting from inside. A complex mix of emotions swirled within her as she listened intently.
Hayley had spent the previous night at Wellington Villa….
She knew she shouldn’t jump to conclusions, but despite the numerous guest rooms, she recalled the family’s strict rules about overnight guests who weren’t closely related.
Did Hayley not qualify as an outsider?
“Hayley, you’re practically family. Why not consider staying permanently at Wellington Villa? It would save you the trouble of finding a separate residence. Both Yvonne and I love your company… Mary’s voice carried warmth and reassurance, hinting at a bond beyond mere acquaintance.
Hayley responded with a bashful tone, declining softly, “Mr. George Wellington has his rules, and I wouldn’t want to impose.”
Mary’s tone turned confident. “Don’t worry about that. Dominick has promised to look after you. Just bring it up with him, and I’m sure everything will work out….
Dominick promised to look after her!
“Mrs. Wellington.”
Suddenly, the maid passing by the doorway called out, her voice breaking the quiet hur of morning sunlight filtering through the windows.
The two women in the living room swiveled their heads towards Stephanie with a synchronized motion, their expressions freezing into masks of surprise and uncase. The atmosphere thickened with unspoken tension.
“What kind of manners are these, eavesdropping on other people?” Mary’s voice cut through the air, her tone cooling as she fixed her gaze on Stephanie, her eyes betraying a hint of disapproval. “How did your parents educate you?”
Stephanie’s features tightened involuntarily. She felt the urge to retort, to defend herself against the implication, but she restrained the impulse, her lips pressed together in a firm line
The volume of their conversation had unwittingly turned her into an eavesdropper lacking in decorum.
It seemed that whenever Stephanie encountered Mary, her face always lacked warmth. Stephanie cast her gaze downward, hesitating at the threshold, reluctant to enter.
“Stephanie, come on over and get ready for breakfast.” Hayley’s voice broke the awkward silence, showing her habitual smile attempting to ease the
tension.
“What are you doing standing there?”
At that moment, a familiar figure quickened his steps from behind.
Dominick’s arm slipped naturally around Stephanie’s waist, his gaze catching her disgruntled expression. “You’re still sleepy from being woken up too early?”
Clancing briefly at him, Stephanie vented her dissatisfaction under her breath. “It’s all your fault. Why didn’t you wake me?”
Dominick arched an eyebrow slightly, amused by her genuine irritation.
“Let’s get breakfast started.”
Once George entered the dining room with measured steps, everyone assumed their seats.
The dining table maintained a solemn atmosphere reminiscent of the previous evening. Conversations were sparse, and even the act of eating was
Chapter 138
conducted with caution in order to not make that loud of a sound.
Nevertheless, Stephanie noted a noticeable relaxation
George’s demeanor this mont
morning, and he didn’t look as stern as the day before,
According to Sandra, Dominick had been summoned early in the moming by George to Nightingale Villa.
It was likely that the two generations were discussing matters pertaining to the family business. Recently, there had been rumors surrounding Dominick’s severe car accident injury, a concern that had weighed heavily on George’s mind. Yet, Stephanie suspected that George’s primary concern wasn’t solely the business but rather Dominick himself
Stephanie wondered what exactly had kept George occupied for over a month in Serenburg.
Lost in contemplation, Stephanie still yearned to know more when George suddenly glanced her way. Startled, she immediately averted her gaze, feeling a rush of nerves, and clutched the spoon tightly as she hurriedly scooped the food into her mouth.
“Slow down,” Dominick frowned slightly, handing her a pristine handkerchief.
Stephanie’s cheeks tinged with a faint blush, too embarrassed to meet his gaze, Silently, she accepted the handkerchief and casually dabbed at the corner of her lips.
“What’s wrong? Afraid of Grandpa?” Dominick’s voice was soft but discerning as he studied her with a lowered gaze, her inner turmoil almost palpable to him
His
question unsented Step
Stephanie further. “No, she replied anxiously.
Turning away abruptly, the grasped a glass of milk, pretending to be incredibly thirsty, and gulped it down as if oblivious to his presence.
“Steffi, there’s more milk here, would you like it?”
Seated opposite her, Hayley noticed Stephanie had drained her half–glass and smiled warmly as she offered her own milk.
Stephanie hesitated, eyring the sharply dressed woman in front of her. Reluctant to accept, she smiled back weakly. “Thank you, I’ve suddenly fallen for milk,” she quipped, fabricating a flimsy excuse.
“Stephanie, don’t choke on my sons.. and slow down, Dominick admonished, glaring at her with frustration, picking up another clean handkerchief, and gently advising her that such behavior was unprofessional.
“What’s the matter?”
After finishing breakfast, Stephanie left the table and hurried to lean against the railing by the lotus pond, her mood heavy as she gazed at the vibrant blooms.
Behind her, she heard Dominick’s familiar, low voice approach.
“It’s nothing”
She didn’t turn around, mumbling in response.
“Stephanie..” Dominick gently turned her around to face him, looking at her squarely. She clearly looked downcast and withdrawn. “The doctor said a mother’s mood affects the baby’s intelligence…”
“I feel like my own intelligence isn’t enough.”
She refrained from retorting, which rarely happened, and she leaned forward, bumping her forehead against his chest, causing a slight knock. Feeling somewhat disheartened, she said, “Dominick, I feel like I’m really quite foolish.”
This caused him to laugh out loud,
“What are you laughing at? I’m being serious with you.” She lifted her head, glaring at him gloomily.
Yesterday, George and the rest suddenly came back to the country, where he called Dominick for a talk. She knew it was definitely important, but Dominick didn’t want to tell her, so she naturally asked Hayley
“Didn’t Dominick fill you in Hayley naturally asked her yesterday.
This sentence didn’t represent anything. However, Hayley spoke so much that she naturally felt a sense of distress. Implicitly, Dominick hadn’t told her, and Hayley was surprised to hear that.
“She didn’t know herself, so why did she use that tone?” She buried her face in Dominick’s chest as she murmured softly.
2/1
D
Last night, clearly at the staircase, Hayley was heard questioning Dominick about what Grandpa talked to him about, which clearly indicated that even Hayley didn’t know anything.
“What’s going
Font”
Dominick didn’t think much of it but found it amusing that Stephanie was throwing herself into his arms early in the morning and even bumped her forehead against his chest.
“Dominick, I feel like I’m becoming more jealous”
She looked visibly distressed. After pondering for a moment, she realized that Hayley probably didn’t mean any harm, and being jealous wasn’t like her usual self. “Ah, it’s probably because of my sons affecting me.”
Listening to her unreasonably shift all blame to their child, Dominick chuckled and ran his fingers through her long hair. “It’s boring at home. There’s a company welcoming party in Flaming Bar tonight, would you like to go?”