Chapter 179
“If I weren’t Oscar’s girlfriend, he wouldn’t even look at me…” These words were filled with resentment but also helplessness.
Chloe, sitting across from her, raised her eyebrows in surprise. She had known Hayley for years, and it was unexpected to hear such words from someone so rational.
So, Hayley loved him, and she loved him deeply.
“Hayley, have you ever thought that you’re actually pushing him further away by doing this…”
Chloe suddenly thought of her own issues and smiled self–mockingly, her tone turning serious, “Over the years, you’ve entered Dominick’s circle, and George and Mary have good feelings toward you, especially since introverted Yvonne relies on you. But all of this is because you’re known as Oscar’s girlfriend. This identity means that even if Dominick were to fall for you one day, you and he could never be together.
“Dominick would never take his buddy’s woman. By doing this, aren’t you just…”
Hayley felt sad. Chloe had hit the nail on the head. She suddenly stood up from her seat, staring out the window into the distance.
“I didn’t think that far.”
When they were studying abroad, Dominick was dazzling. There were always so many pretty girls trying to get close to him, boldly and openly trying to learn more about this man.
“At least now, I get more of his attention than a stranger would.” Hayley’s whispered words seemed to comfort her, yet they were also mocking.
That’s true. Dominick has always been aloof with any woman.”
Chloe picked up a fork from the table and casually ate some pasta. But then, as if something had occurred to her, her face darkened, and she raised her voice. “By the way, what about Stephanie? How is she getting along with Dominick…”
Hayley looked at the beautiful, twinkling lights in the distance, her expression tense and unpleasant.
“Stephanie,” she whispered the name, unable to hide the bitterness in her tone. She had worked so hard, but Stephanie had it so easily, like someone who worked overtime every day only to have their credit stolen by someone else.
“Stephanie…”
Stephanie had been quietly sitting in the corner of Pearson Villa’s banquet hall. Suddenly, she felt someone staring at her from the left side. She immediately stood up cautiously to investigate.
The banquet was dazzling with lights, the central hall was filled with people dancing waltzes, and on the east side, there was a violin ensemble. The low, gentle music, the clinking of glasses, and the cheerful conversations created a lively yet dignified atmosphere.
Stephanie moved through the crowd carefully, not daring to take big steps. She walked with her head slightly lowered, as she was not in a good
mood.
Earlier, she had been ridiculed by Oscar’s uncle. Usually quick–witted, she found herself at a loss for words.
“My nephew, that autistic fool, is not worthy of you…”
“Oscar is not a fool! He just doesn’t talk much.” She had reacted impulsively, almost reflexively defending him.
He gritted his teeth and sneered at her words, his tone filled with resentment. “What? You are still used to helping and protecting him, right? Are you genuinely good to him, or are you just bored and treating him as a joke? Don’t forget, the one who hurt him the most was you. Do you remember what did you say to him? You even threw away the engagement pendant in front of him, saying that you’d never marry someone like him. You told him never to appear before you again.”
Stephanie’s eyes reddened, her lips pressed tightly together. She wanted to say something, but couldn’t.
That year, she was just too scared and lashed out in anger.
“I’ve always wanted to apologize to him…” she said and looked down, her voice choked with emotion. “Oscar, you jerk, where did you go?”
She had always wanted to find him, but she couldn’t!
“Oscar?”
Just then, two tall figures suddenly walked out from Pearson Villa’s inner hall. Someone muttered in a sharp voice and then disdainfully cursed, “Who’s such a buzzkill? Today is supposed to be a great day. Why bring up that fool…”
Stephanie’s face immediately darkened as she recognized the familiar, harsh voice. She glared straight ahead.
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The two women in front of her initially looked confused when they saw Stephanie. Teresa quickly recognized her, furrowing her brow in displeasure.
“It’s you? I remember you. You’re that shameless brat who always ran to our house.” Wendy’s sharp voice was full of venom, and her words were
harsh.
Oscar was an illegitimate child, not born of Teresa. By coincidence, Teresa had two daughters, so the Pearson family elders decided to let Oscar return to the family. Oscar’s biological mother had died in childbirth, and they wanted Teresa to accept him.
But things were far from simple. Teresa couldn’t stand the child, especially since he was a boy. So, she often cursed him in secret when he started kindergarten.
Stephanie used to sneak over often because Oscar never talked back when scolded, never resisted when he got hurt, and didn’t cry when locked in the storage room or car trunk, even if he was starving or scared. He just stayed quiet, indifferent to everything, even his own life.
But Stephanie had a problem with this!
Stephanie glared at the heavily made–up women. “You promised that Oscar would be part of the Pearson family, which means he has a right to inherit the company. What nonsense were you spouting on stage tonight…”
They announced that the Pearson family’s company would be managed by their elder daughter’s husband and their second daughter’s husband would handle procurement. All the shares and workers were controlled by them, and they never mentioned Oscar, as if he didn’t exist.
“It’s none of your business what we do with our family affairs. Who do you think you are?” Wendy said with contempt.
Stephanie was furious. “Don’t think I don’t know. You sent people to negotiate with Oscar’s grandfather in Caelorium. The agreement was that Oscar would get 30% of the company’s shares if he returned to his family. There are documents left…”
Teresa felt a bit nervous hearing this.
Wendy’s face twisted with anger at the mention of money. “Thirty percent shares. Dream on! A bastard like him competing for our family’s assets is ridiculous…
“Besides, that fool hasn’t returned for so many years. We all thought he was dead. That document is void!”
Stephanie’s face turned dark with rage. She wante
will come back!”
to rush over and hit someone, shouting, “What do you mean dead? Oscar is alive and well. He
“Whether he comes back or not has nothing to do with our family.” Teresa, who hadn’t said much, looked at Stephanie with sharp eyes and then glanced at the banquet hall filled with guests, her voice calm yet cold
cold with a warning. “No matter how you got in, you’d better leave now.”
вист
Stephanie angrily looked around as
Pearson family bodyguards approached, ready to throw her out.
Wendy looked at her arrogantly, her voice full of contempt. “You’re just a freeloader who barged in. You’d better mind your own business and get
lost!”
There were steady footsteps behind her… “She came with me.”
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