Crossroads

Stephanie didn't know why Vincent came to Caelorum. She hadn't seen him for a whole week after they last met She had originally planned to return to Havencrest, but Samantha, holding her hand, persuaded her to stay for a few more days with her hoarse sobbing. Overcome with kindness, she stayed for another week.

"I don't have any luggage. I can just take a taxi straight to the airport. No need to see me off Stephanie briefly packed her bags. And as she came out of her room, she saw Diana carrying a bowl of coconut soup. Diana said, "There are sull three hours left, so you don't have to go to the airport so early. Drink this first."

Thave to check in and stand in line for security checks, or I'll end up missing the flight like yesterday"

Diana remembered how she had gone to the airport only to find out it was a wasted trip, and she couldn't help but laugh. "Your grandmother misses you and wants to hold you back and make you stay longer.

Ever since Gary was sick, the octogenarian Samantha seemed to have come to a realization. Money was important, but without reliable family members, it became useless.

Stephanie accepted the coconut soup, walking towards the living room while sipping it. She casually looked at the decorations around the living TOGHL This was her childhood home. Everything was familiar.

For a period, she particularly hated staying there. She hadn't planned to come inside this time, but Diana wanted Stephanie to resolve the past grudges with the Reed family and persuaded her to come in. Samantha kept saying that her room was all set up, just like before.

"Still not fond of staying here!" Diana sat next to her, sensing her thoughts

"Not really?"

Stephanie lowered her head, mechanically scooping up the sweet, sticky soup. Her tone was stiff, but actually, both inside and out, she felt sweet Knowing she loved soup, Diana said, "Let me fetch you another bowl."

"I'm full."

Diana looked at her with a serious expression. When you go back to Havencrest, if you want to drink soup, there won't be any." She advised again, "Steffi, you might as well stay in Caelorum... Are you still angry with your dad! No matter how many frictions you have with Gary and your grandma, you're still a family. Thanks to your dad being saved in time. Otherwise, it would've been a big mess"

The older one grew, the more one realized that apart from life and death, there was really nothing else that mattered in this world.

Stephanie looked up at the stairs.

Gary had been recovering on the second floor since his release from the hospital. He could now walk and move around, and his official documents were delivered to him for review by his assistant. During meals, they would sit together downstairs. At least they wouldn't argue anymore.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Diana became a bit downcast and whispered. “In fact, your mom's accident wasn't completely your dad's fault."

"Let past be past," Stephanie interrupted Diana, She didn't want to recall those stale events.

"I feel fine living here these days. Her tone was flat, and naturally, she stretched her arms. "Really. It doesn't feel as awkward and oppressive as before, probably because Courtney hasn't come back."

Diana found it strange as well. It had been a long time since Courtney returned to Reed Villa busy with something"ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

"Your grandmother has been trying to contact her, but she can't be reached. She seems to be busy While Grandma is having her Stephanie showed no interest in Courtney and was even a bit annoyed. She stood up. "I really have to catch my flight. W health check with the caregiver today, I need to leave as soon as possible"

Diana didn't persuade her anymore and carried a messenger bag for her, walking towards the main gate side by side.

"Stephanie, where are you going? Don't leavel they opened the door, they heard an angry and sharp female voice.

Mephanie was started for a moment, thinking. "Talk of the devil, and the devil appears!

157 PM Chapter 338

Courtney had her hair hanging down and was dressed in a neat white suit with black Gucci sunglasses. From a distance, she looked somewhat like a superstar.

Her bangs were disheveled, and a closer look revealed her makeup to be slightly haggard. She emerged from a gray Audi, sprinting forward to block the entrance.

Courtney's anxious and impatient demeanor took Diana back.

"Courtney, what's the big idea?" Diana asked, displeased. Courtney, however, took a large, irritable step forward and pushed Diana. "Get out of the way. It's not your turn to talk Diana stumbled backward, but Stephanie quickly steadied her. Looking up, Stephanie locked eyes with her stepmother, her voice turning cold. "You want to stop me, huh? Alone? Courtney, I haven't provoked you, don't push your luck"

Stephanie spoke in a moment of anger, but Courtney seemed to have swallowed dynamite, exceptionally explosive, shouting at her, "Stephanie, you actually let your friends try to off us. I won't let this slide."

Her face darkened as she suddenly grabbed Stephanie's wrist, dragging her forcefully into the house. Stephanie's wrist turned blue from the grip. She winced and tried to shake off the hold. "I don't know what you're talking about." But she couldn't break free.

Courtney glared viciously at her. Her bright, yellow, sharp nails dug into Stephanie's skin as if she wanted to drag Stephanie down with her. If y don't let us live, we'll die together!"

"Courtney, let go of Steffil Diana tried to push her away. Courtney turned her head, her eyes wild, and with a light flick of her other hand, an antique vase on cabinet crashed to the floor.

The loud crash made Diana freeze, and the vase shattered into pieces.

the entryway Stephanie was also shocked, looking at the shards on the floor. She tried harder to pry open Courtney's nails, the sharp edges digging into her delicate skin, leaving bloodstains.

you Stephanie was furious. She never imagined that the usually delicate star Courtney could be so strong, Courtney's fingers whitened from the force as if she were about to snap Stephanie's bones directly

"Stephanie, do you think your karate from elementary school is something? I crawled out of the stinking, filthy pile of dead bodies in the I mountains. If I want to live, I have to be ruthless"

Courtney's gaze was deep and fierce, staring at Stephanie like a wild animal.

She spat out each word through gritted teeth as if she had an unforgivable grudge against Stephanie, wanting to devour and torment Stephanie alive to vent her anger.

Stephanie was truly frightened by her sinister, hollow gaze.

She hadn't faced much hardship, and Courtney's ferocity was truly terrifying.

"Enough"

Footsteps echoed from the stairs. Gary descended, holding onto the railing, somewhat flustered. He shouted, "Courtney, enough, let her go!"

"What? Worried your precious daughter might die by my hand again!"

Courtney looked up to meet his gaze, her beautiful face smiling wickedly. She laughed hysterically, the laughter unceasing

Stephanie froze, no longer struggling, but watched Courtney warily: Courtney seemed possessed, and eemed her laughter so arrogant yet tinged with sadness. Stephanie had never heard such a piercing car-splitting laugh, like a roar, yet also a scream.

Gary's gaze remained fixed on Courtney's twisted face. He was anxious, almost running down the stairs.

"Weren't you almost dead? You're old but can n still run so fast, Courtney taunted, her tone venomous. The more anxious he became, the more twisted her expression.

They were now in the dining room. A long knife, usually used for slicing bread, was habitually placed on the long dining table. Diana had been waiting for an opportunity. Seeing Courtney glance at the knife, she immediately lunged to grab it, but Courtney moved astonishingly fast.

Courtney moved nimbly like a wildcat, seizing the knife handle. With a backhand swing, the blade sliced across Diana's palm. Dork red, bloody drops fall onto the clean tiles.

Stephanie watched this scene, panicked, and swung her left fist at Courtney's nose, but Courtney dodged with a turn of her head. She bell the long Chapter 3ds knife against Stephanie's slender neck, right over the carotid artery.

The metal touched Stephanie's skin, and a chilling cold surged through her. A slight struggle, and blood began to seep from her neck.

Courtney whispered coldly into her car. "This knife is dull, and it needs a good sharpening to cut through your veins. I guess it'll be really painful.” Stephane's face turned pale. Held down by Caminey, she had no chance to light back.

"Courtney, let her go now!"

Gary was anxious, his face reddening. He rushed to them but hot dared not grab the knife He was not apwell man so his so his breathing quickened from the Tension. "Courtney, you swore to me that you would never hurt her again!"