Crossroads

Chapter 292

Eloise's face darkened. She couldn't believe Stephanie was using such a confrontational tone with her, especially after putting up with her antics for so long during their previous advertisement shoot. "What a joke, acting all high and mighty. If you can't find a reference, just admit it."

Stephanie didn't want to argue with her and turned to leave.

"Ms. Reed is so beautiful and elegant. How could someone like her be turned away? I think I'm qualified to be her reference. Ill help her get the card, Simon Gower said.

Stephanie didn't recognize the man standing before her. He looked in his forties, dressed in high-end casual wear, and had the vibe of a businessman freshly returned from overseas.

"Mr. Gower, you're indeed one of the top ten outstanding businessmen. You're too kind. With a fawning smile, Jack didn't wait for Stephanie's response. He snatched her bag and handed her ID to the counter.

The Innovate Group's business was extensive. Besides the fierce competition among female models for advertising, there were many large projects. One of the recent ones was in collaboration with Simon Gower. To ensure the smooth progress of future projects, they needed to curry favor with the client.

Stephanie was disgusted by their practices, but when she saw the receptionist swiftly entering her information into the computer, she gritted her teeth and muttered, "I'll pay the 60 thousand myself."

It felt like she was cutting a piece of her flesh. It was excruciating She thought, Why does that deadbeat Dominick have to charge so much for a membership card? And on top of that, they charge for other services too.

Stephanie's beautiful face twisted slightly in frustration. Maintaining a gentle smile and exuding refined charm, Simon watched her closely, curious about her anger.

With this new wealthy patron around, Eloise flashed her trademark supermodel smile and acted like she knew him well. "Mr. Gower, Steffi is new to this industry. She's a bit shy and reserved. Please bear with her. If she makes any mistakes, I hope you'll forgive her."

'Shy and reserved?' Stephanie widened her eyes in shock. It was the first tanyone had ever described her that way. She looked down at her arm, noticing the goosebumps.

Simon, who had just returned from overseas, seemed to find her subtle expressions amusing. His gaze stayed on her profile, smiling with interest as he asked, "Ms. Reed, what was your previous profession?"

"Housewife, Stephanie didn't shy away from Simon and said frankly.

In a rage, she tossed her wedding ring into a drawer. This gig with Innovate Group's ad shoot marked her first serious- attempt at finding a job. She had always talked about becoming a strong woman like Hayley after having kids, but this time. circumstances pushed her into it.

Thinking about this made her even more frustrated.

Simon and Eloise were both taken aback and asked in disbelief, You're already married?"

"And what's going on with you and Mr. Hayes then?" Eloise couldn't resist gossiping. She thought, "Vincent couldn't possibly be involved with a married woman, right?"

There had been rumors about her and Vincent, and Stephanie hadn't bothered to clarify, partly out of a mischievous impulse. She wasn't sure if she wanted to annoy Vincent or provoke another man.

Feeling a pang of consciener, she was about to clear things up for Vincent when the receptionist interrupted their conversation, "Ms. Reed, according to our records, you are already a member here."

"What?" Eloise reacted even more strongly than Stephanie. "How could someone like her be a member here?"

As soon as her words escaped her lips, she sensed Simon's peculiar gaze. Realizing her own gaffe, Eloise quickly tried to recommended her?" smooth things over with a forced smile. "I mean, does your record show who The receptionist glanced at the computer screen before looking back at them and replying politely. "There is no record of that."

"You are already a member here and didn't say anything? Why put on an act?" Jack lowered his voice, clearly annoyed with her.

Simon looked a bit embarrassed. "It seems I was trying to play the hero for nothing today."

Jack immediately plastered a sycophantic smile. "Mr. Gower, Ms Reed is a bit slow. She's just clueless. Please don't blher. She didn't mean anything by it."

Stephanie remained expressionless, though she could clearly hear them disparaging her. She wanted to retort, but the truth. was she had no idea who had signed her up as a member.

Soon, they entered the main hall, where a small party was underway. Groups of three or five people were chatting and drinking, the warm yellow lights above adding a touch of ambiance This party was indeed free from nonsense. The men and women gathered mostly discussed new dramas and films without raucous behavior. It was more like an elite network of friends.

"Stephanie, you're really something. You are married and still managing to get close to Vincent. I underestimated you,*

Eloise said, handing her a cocktail. Her words carried a hint of admiration. "Who's your husband derestimated you,"

"Vincent and I are just friends," Stephanie replied, deflecting the question as she accepted the cocktail

"Friends?" Eloise wasn't particularly hostile towards her and laughed. "Are you kidding me? Is this your first tsocializing? With the way Vincent treats you, and you call that just friends? Who would believe that?

'I heard Vincent doesn't sleep with sof his girlfriends either If he hasn't touched you, that explains it. Maybe he's just curious about you because you're a married woman. Men are always intrigued by the unusual."

As she spoke, she glanced towards a group of men, her look suggestive. "That Mr. Gower over there seems genuinely interested in you. Too bad that you are married. Have you ever thought of ditching your husband?

"Honestly. I've heard Mr. Gower isn't bad. He may not have Vincent's family background, but he built his empire from scratch overseas. If a woman can keep him, he might make a good husband and father.

'A good husband and father?' Stephanie found herself slightly bored by the topic, glancing over at Simon.

Seeing them looking his way, Simon smiled and walked over to them. He asked, "What are you two lovely ladies discussing?

Eloise smiled, "Mr. Gower, we were just talking about you."

Simon looked a bit surprised. "Really? What about me?"

"We were saying that even though Steffi is married, her relationship is in a bad state and they might be heading for a divorce. If only she'd met someone like you earlier, Eloise said, throwing Stephanie under the bus.

Simon, nearly 40, seemed genuinely interested in Stephanie. He said thoughtfully. “Actually, I was married five years ago, but we couldn't make it work and got divorced. Divorce rates are higher abroad, and people are more mature about it. If you're unhappy together, it's better to part ways.

Stephanie remained silent, especially at the mention of divorce,

"Ms. Reed, feel free to reach out if you're having a tough time" Simon offered.

Yes, if you really have no feelings for your husband anymore, don't waste tstaying together, Eloise chimed in eagerly, trying to play matchmaker in eagerly, trying to pl E. for her own benefit. She assumed the relationship had already fallen apart because Stephanie wasn't wearing her wedding ring.

Stephanie found them annoying. Their words brought back many memories, and her expression grew complicated.

She picked up her cocktail and took a big sip, leaving a red lip pent on the transparent glass. Under the lights, her lips. looked incredibly alluring Simon's gaze

followed her fingers to her lips and face. He was slightly dazed. He advised. "Smexy can't accept defeat and won't agree to a divorce easily.

"Stephanie, have I ever been violent with you?" A deep, low voice interrupted, and its tone was hard to read. sath the (ind) vel.not website on Gøøgle to access chapters of s early and in the highest quality.

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