Chapter 76
“After the former general manager of the Innovate Group, Wyatt Bretherton, demonstrated by jumping from the building of the company’s branch at Westerfield, his two sons went as far as using firearms and other criminal threats to target the group. Now, the heirs of the Bretherton family, Randall Bretherton and Isaac Bretherton, have been arrested and may be sentenced to more than 30 years…”
At that moment, the large screen of the TV in the VIP hospital room was broadcasting a live news conference.
Stephanie sat on the edge of the bed, her face reflecting a mix of emotions as she watched the TV screen.
The reporters were eagerly asking questions, “it’s heard that the sole heir of the third generation of the Wellington family had suddenly assumed the CEO position at the Innovate Group three months ago, causing dissatisfaction among many senior executives. And now, with the Bretherton family incident directly impacting the group’s stock price, will the board of directors consider reflecting on this and avoid such situations in the future?”
“The incident has indeed affected the group, but we will absolutely not make any compromises due to such malicious threats!” the current vice president of the Innovate Group answered solemnly in front of the camera, also displaying the assertive attitude of the current leaders.
This was indeed Dominick’s style.
“Wyatt worked for the Innovate Group for over 30 years and had delivered outstanding performance. His sudden resignation and subsequent suicide shrouded in mystery…
“It’s said that Wyatt’s two sons are both elites from international renowned schools. Considering Wyatt’s past contributions, will the group consider pleading for a reduced sentence for them in court…
A female reporter was visibly agitated as she loudly questioned, “The current CEO of the Innovate Group is solely focused on personal gain, ruthlessly oppressing long–time employees. Is this really the corporate culture a global international company should have?”
Stephanie felt inexplicably annoyed as she listened to the noise from the TV.
Most people sympathized with the Brethertons, viewing them as the underdogs, while Dominick was clearly seen as the ruthless wolf trapping and eliminating them.
Stephanie picked up the remote control and turned off the TV.
She then sat on the bed with a somewhat grave expression, murmuring the familiar name, “Dominick…”
Stephanie wondered, ‘What kind of person Dominick really is?‘
Her gaze was complex as she looked around the spacious VIP hospital room. There was no one else here, only herself, and outside the door stood four burly bodyguards because Dominick would not let her leave.
Stephanie thought, ‘Dominick is very dominant. He is a very…dangerous person.”
Suddenly, a noisy argument erupted outside the room. “I want to go in. Let me go insidet
“I’m begging you. Please, just let me talk to her for a bit… I swear I won’t hurt her. I just want to talk…
It sounded like a middle–aged woman’s voice, and that unfamiliar voice was trembling weakly as she repeatedly pleaded.
Soon after, the cold, stern voice of a bodyguard came through with a warning “Please leave immediately!”
The woman’s voice grew tense as she shouted, Mrs. Wellington, please, come out for a moment. We just want to apologize…”
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It seemed she fell during the scuffle as Stephanie heard her pain–filled groan.
Stephanie walked to the hospital room’s glass window and saw a well–kept middle–aged woman sitting on the floor. She disregarded her usual image as she clutched at one of the bodyguard’s legs.
The woman’s face was streaked with tears, appearing persistent about something. She kept pleading, her tone extremely humble, “Please let me talk to her, Just live minutes. Five minutes is all I need. I’m begging you to do this kind act…”
The stern bodyguards then pointed their gun barrels at her forehead, warning, “Leave now, or don’t blame us for being unkind!”
Another young woman trembled after seeing the shiny gun and immediately threw herself in front of the older woman to block the gun. “No, don’t kill my mom…”
The bodyguard lost his patience. “Get out now…
Stephanie unlocked the door and spoke softly to the bodyguards. “Let them in.”
The two women who had fallen to the ground immediately looked up. When they saw it was Stephanie, they seemed to have found their last lifeline and immediately crawled to her feet.
The middle–aged woman clung to Stephanie’s feet, her voice trembling and rushing as she sobbed uncontrollably. “Mrs. Wellington, I know last night was frightening for you. It’s my two sons, they weren’t thinking straight and committed such heartless acts. I apologize on their behalf. I’ll do anything you ask…”
Her tears flowed like a fountain, and each sob filled with endless sadness and remorse.
The middle–aged woman appeared desperate, with no other options and a look of utter despair on her face.
Stephanie’s eyes widened slightly as she looked down at the dignified woman at her feet, momentarily stunned.
“Mrs. Wellington, my brothers weren’t like this before. They’ve even participated in international volunteer work. It’s just the shock of our father’s sudden death that set them off… Please forgive their mistakes. They will change, they must change… The young girl, also anxious and holding back tears, was grabbing her other leg. This was Randall’s younger sister, apparently still a university student.
“Get them out of here!” The bodyguards behind Stephanie were also agitated. They then quickly walked over to pull the mother and daughter away, fearing Dominick’s blame if he returned.
Stephanie hesitated before saying, “Let them go.”
However, the bodyguards completely ignored her and responded formally, “Mrs. Wellington, please don’t make this difficult for us.”
Of course, they wouldn’t listen. They y were Dominick’s men and naturally would only obey his orders.
dino
Stephanie then pressed her lips together and said no more.
The two frail women could not withstand the pulling of the bodyguards. They were dragged by the collars of their necks, struggling toward
the elevator.
Maria Bretherton’s face streaked with tears as she turned around unwillingly and shouted at Stephanie, “I know my husband Wyatt’s resignation and his suicide from jumping off a building were his own doing. He was greedy. He used his high position to smuggle for the company, profiting up to 20 million dollars…
“Mr. George Wellington, considering his 30 years of service to the company, agreed to preserve his last shred of dignity and promised not to disclose these matters. I was selfish. I didn’t want my sons to despise their father after his death, so I didn’t tell them…”
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Maria couldn’t hold back her grief and cried loudly, “My two sons are just over 30. If they spend 30 years in prison, their lives are over, completely over…”
As the bodyguards dragged the Bretherton’s to the elevator, Stephanie stood at the door, clearly hearing their voices echoing down the VIP hospital corridor.
The Bretherton family heiress, Danielle Bretherton, looked at Stephanie’s unmoved expression, and a hatred welled up if her eyes. “You’re pregnant too How can you treat us so mercilessly? The child you’re carrying will surely suffer retribution!” Danielle’s choking, raspy scream sounded almost like a curse.
Immediately after, the ward door was slammed shut with a loud thud.
Danielle’s and Maria’s voices were no longer audible, but Stephanie’s eyes were filled with sorrow as she sat back on the bed. Meanwhile, Danielle’s last curse kept echoing in her ears.
Stephanie mused, I’m not exactly a saint myself, and after all, Randall and Isaac did forcefully take me away last night. They even brandished a steel knife over my belly, threatening to cut out my child. Dominick isn’t wrong in his actions, but…”
As she thought of that, she caressed her belly as she pondered, ‘Beyond legal justice, there’s human compassion. Does merciless persecution lead to retribution? Perhaps it’s better to think of it as accumulating good fortune for my unborn twin sons. Maybe the company could
intervene to reduce Randall and Isaac’s sentences… But will Dominick listen to me?‘
Stephanie sat on the edge of the bed, and her cheeks suddenly flushed as she recalled the strange things Vincent had said that morning.
“Dominick personally went to the abandoned factory to look for you!”
eel it at all?”
“Stephanie, your intelligence is beyond saving! Even Jessica is wiser than you. Dominick likes you! Can’t you feel it at all?”
Stephanie wondered, ‘He likes me?”
She pressed her lips together, looked up somewhat awkwardly at the clock on the wall, and noted that it was already five in the afternoon.
Earlier, a bodyguard had reported to Stephanie that Dominick was quite busy today. He had instructed her to dine alone at the hospital and would come to pick her up at eight in the evening to return to Wellington Villa. She was not to go anywhere else before then.
She thought, ‘Honestly, Dominick has been quite good to me. Since marrying him and becoming a part of the Wellington family, I’ve lived quite comfortably. He hasn’t made things difficult for me. Moreover, Dominick often informs me when he won’t be coming home from work. It seems like he likes to keep me informed about his schedule. At first, I thought it was because of The Wellington family’s good upbringing, but now, it seems like he has been especially attentive… It’s not that I can’t feel his affection, it’s just that I’m afraid to think about it. My fear comes from the difference between us.”
“How could Dominick possibly like me?” Stephanie’s cheeks flushed slightly as she softly argued with herself, yet suppressing a glimmer of
hope.
‘I don’t act coquettishly, don’t try to please him, and I’m always at odds with him… she thought and grew more agitated.
Yet, Stephanie couldn’t shake off the swirling mix of thoughts, wanting to understand them but also a bit scared.
Just then, Vincent’s teasing voice came from outside. “You’re really worried about leaving her alone in the hospital, aren’t you? There are bodyguards outside the door.”
Upon hearing the voice, Stephanie looked up to see the ward door being opened.
She then locked eyes with Dominick and was momentarily stunned.
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Stephanie wondered, “Didn’t he say he wouldn’t be free until eight o’clock?”
Dominick’s voice was cool and detached as he asked, “How are you feeling?”
Stephanie quickly looked down, feeling inexplicably nervous. “I’m ready to be discharged.”
Dominick seemed pleased with the answer. He hummed softly and simply said, “Let’s go home.”
He had come personally to take her home.
Stephanie had already changed out of the hospital gown, and the Wellington family’s servants would handle the luggage. She walked to the bathroom to check herself in the mirror briefly before leaving with Dominick.
Vincent came up to her, his voice low and suggestive. “Stephanie, go and show some concern for your husband…”
“Why?” Stephanie asked as she looked toward the balcony,
She then noticed Dominick seemed to be deep in thought, and his brow furrowed while he was holding his phone. The sun was setting at the moment, and the dimming light was casting onto his profile, highlighting his distinguished figure yet also revealing a hint of loneliness.
Inexplicably, Stephanie really wanted to know what was on his mind.
Vincent was instantly frustrated. He glared at her and shouted, “Dominick, did your fever from falling in the river last night get better?”
Stephanie paused for a moment, only then realizing that Dominick had a fever.
Thinking back when he had woken up beside her in the morning, his body had indeed felt warmer than usual.
Feeling annoyed, Vincent discreetly pushed Stephanie towards the balcony. “Hurry up and do your duty as a