Chapter 183
After they returned from the Pearson family’s banquet, everything seemed to settle back into a calm routine.
Dominick stayed busy with the company’s affairs as usual, and Stephanie continued her regular prenatal check–ups, listening to the nutritionist’s advice on various parenting guidelines and precautions.
Days passed, and Stephanie’s twins in her belly were growing heavier, making her appear more voluptuous. She became increasingly lazy, preferring to stay nestled in Wellington Villa and moving only for her daily walks.
Stephanie wished for nothing more than an uneventful daily life so she could quickly give birth. Carrying these twins had not been easy for her.
“Oh my! Where’s my waist? I’m almost like a woman without a waist.” She lamented, having gained so much weight that she didn’t want to face herself anymore.
After finishing breakfast and feeling bored, she went to the lounge chairs by Wellington Villa’s pool to rest and called Molly to pass the time. But life wasn’t easy, and not everyone could idle away like Stephanie.
“If I could marry Dominick, I wouldn’t mind losing my waist or even my breasts! Stephanie, you pampered princess, can’t you understand the struggles of common folks? Do you want to push me to revolt?” Molly, who had been very frustrated recently, grabbed her phone and vented to her best friend, yelling without holding back.
Molly thought, ‘Damn it!‘ Molly felt like she was going to explode, cursing, “Those who say money doesn’t matter are usually immature! Maybe they’re idiots.”
“What’s gotten into you?” Stephanie asked, tossing a small piece of kiwi into her mouth, trying to boost her twins‘ vitamins while listening to Molly’s furious rant, guessing she had encountered some trouble again.
“I’m just mad at myself for being stupid…” Molly’s voice quickly became dejected. “Why did I reject that job offer from the Nebula Group? Why did I act so high and mighty? I’ve compared several jobs recently and found that these capitalists exploit workers too much. The low salary can’t even cover my mortgage.”
“The Nebula Group is a competitive company with good benefits. Why did you reject it?” Stephanie had heard of the company, which was a new but promising venture backed by several major corporations.
“It was a rash decision, all because of an impulse,” Molly said, feeling more deflated.
“I ran into a lost boy at a Café at Frostvale a while ago. The kid was in a bad mood. Even though I knew he was from a wealthy family, I didn’t think much about it. I just didn’t want him to get into trouble, so I followed him.
“Soon, his dad showed up.” Molly’s face darkened, and she still felt angry. “That man didn’t even thank me. He just handed me a thousand dollars, saying it was for the few hours I watched his son. What did he mean by that? Did he think I had ulterior motives?”
Some people were cold and used money to distance themselves from others, which could be quite hurtful to one’s dignity.
“The worst part is, after quitting my job at the Innovate Group, I eagerly went to the Nebula Group for an interview, only to find out that the kid’s dad is the head of the Nebula Group…” Molly’s voice trailed off. She wondered why her luck had been so bad lately.
“You turned down a good job just because of that coincidence?” Stephanie sensed something was off and thought for a moment. “Molly, why do you care so much about that kid’s dad? Did you know him before?”
Stephanie knew Molly very well. Molly was good–natured. Many people treated her badly daily, but she always promoted harmony and never took things to heart. Why had she been so impulsive this time?
“Who is that man? What’s his name? Should I have Dominick investigate his background?” Stephanie suggested eagerly, but Molly couldn’t help feeling nervous upon hearing it.
Molly spoke hurriedly. “Stephanie, don’t get involved. The day before yesterday, Hayley called me herself, asking how my job search was going. I can’t handle that kind of concern. I’ve been hitting dead ends everywhere I go. I think this whole situation is jinxed. I don’t dare touch anything involving big shots like you. Give me a break. I’m just a nobody.
“It’s all because of Hayley!” When Stephanie heard that name, her face darkened.
Later, she asked Vincent for some gossip. He told her that Mason was the big client Molly and her colleagues entertained that night.
Mason was very mean, always saying harsh words and taking pleasure in others‘ misfortune. But Stephanie knew Mason. He wasn’t truly evil. The things he said that day were aimed at Hayley. Yet, Hayley used Molly as a scapegoat, forcing her to resign.
The more Stephanie thought about it, the angrier she got. Her face grew darker, and she felt like steam was coming out of her ears.
Molly noticed Stephanie’s rising anger. She wasn’t trying to escalate things. She preferred harmony.
D
Quickly changing the topic to defuse the situation, Molly said, “Stephanie, I forgot to tell you. I’ve started a dating strategy recently. I felt no matter how good my job is, it’s better to marry well…”
Molly went on about the odd people she had met while dating recently. Stephanie listened with a blank expression, offering no advice. She knew some things were not her place to meddle in, even if she understood them.
After hanging up, she sat in the lounge chair, lost in thought.
A maid approached from behind, reminding Stephanie to stay warm and avoid catching a cold. Stephanie looked at the pool, seeing the yellowing leaves falling on it, and realized autumn had arrived.
Nearly two months had passed since she returned from the Pearson family’s banquet. Suddenly remembering something, she quickly tapped on her phone and opened WhatsApp, finding a contact nicknamed “Sleeping Beauty“.
[Little Pillar, are you back? What are you up to now?] She typed a message but hesitated, then deleted it all.
She knew this account belonged to Oscar. She knew he would see her message if she sent it.
But he wouldn’t reply.
Feeling uncomfortable with her pregnant belly, she slowly stood up from the lounge chair, gripping her phone tighter.
She wanted to see him, had many questions for him, and had sent him many messages, but Oscar never replied.
Maybe he was still angry about what happened back then.
Or maybe Oscar knew that even if they met, it would be awkward, especially now, with her big belly. Stephanie looked at the grand Wellington Villa’s pool. “I don’t actually like such a big place…”
“Don’t like it?”
In the solemn and spacious top–floor office of the Innovate Group, a few well–dressed elites kept their heads down, not daring to breathe loudly, while the man in the office chair wore a cold, stern expression.
Dominick, holding a file, angrily tossed
“So what if she doesn’t like it.
it
back onto the desk.
He didn’t need to care about an outsider’s feelings.
“Go do a thorough investigation of all
the everything on him…”
projects that Mason has been involved in over the past six months and his partners‘ names…
Dig up
