Crossroads

"My movie crew is currently filming our scenes here...

Jessica gazed at the man before her, her cheeks tinged with a delicate blush as she asked shyly, "Dominick, how do I look in this student. uniform? Do you think I look nice?"

This was a colossal production remade by Halo Films with a staggering investment of twenty million dollars. It told the story of a bold female student during the age of nationalism who accidentally saved the most powerful and handsome warlord of the time. Their love, misunderstandings, and shared commitment to the revolutionary cause form the heart-wrenching narrative.

Originally, Jessica wasn't the lead actress in this drama. The media was skeptical about the sudden change in the leading roles and how Jessica's gentle demeanor contrasted with the heroine's personality in the script.

Dominick lowered his gaze to her face, his deep eyes filled with contemplation as he murmured, "Yeah, you look good in it."

Jessica was astonished to hear his praise.

She knew Dominick's reserved nature made it unlikely for him to compliment others and had just wanted to tease him a little.

As she looked at his handsome profile, her heart swelled with pride and admiration.

"Jessica, you have to keep at it. With Mr. Wellington's support, you have to work hard and not let those outsiders look down on you," Annie Folbre, Jessica's manager chimed in, smiling eagerly as she approached them.

"Mr. Wellington, are you here to visit the set? Would you like to come in and take a break with our crew?" Annie asked excitedly.

Speculations swirled within the inner circle about Jessica's influential connections. If Dominick were to grace them with his presence today.

it would set a precedent for the future, dictating the compliance of even the most esteemed directors.

Dominick paid no heed to Annie, his gaze sweeping the surroundings with a complexity that betrayed his thoughts.

The place still looked the same as six years ago, but....

"I just happened to pass by."

Dominick's voice was devoid of warmth as he withdrew his hand, gently but firmly pushing Jessica away.

He wasn't there to visit her.

Jessica felt a pang of embarrassment as she watched him stride purposefully into the campus, dismissing her presence entirely.

'If he's not here to visit me, then why did he come?" she wondered.

Annie urgently nudged Jessica forward and whispered, "Dominick seems troubled. Follow him and offer some comfort. Men, when in despair, often sought the solace of a woman's gentle care."

"Dominick, is everything alright with the company?"

Jessica hastened after him, her voice soft and comforting.

Dominick cast a sidelong glance at her, neither acknowledging nor dismissing her presence.

The two walked in silence around the campus. Jessica observed his familiarity with the school but hesitated to ask further as she was daunted by his stoic demeanor.

10:36

Dominick was a man who maintained a cool distance, making others tread cautiously and refrain from getting too close.

This century-old high school exuded a timeless charm. With the film crew occupied in the main building and the students on vacation, the back gate remained deserted.

Dominick strode out of the back gate, and belare him stood a quaint milkshake shop.

He halted abruptly, his gaze fixed on the milkshake shop across the street. "Dominick," Jessica called softly, Her gaze drifted to the milkshake shop, while her expression was a mix of restrained emotions. Yet, there were questions she couldn't stop herself from asking.

"Dominick, did you frequent that shop often?" She gestured nervously towards the milkshake shop.

"Very sweet."

Dominick reminisced, uttering two words with a hint of nostalgia.

Those milkshakes were too sweet.

He didn't have a sweet tooth, but...

His gaze towards s the milkshake shop intensified.

It felt like a journey back in time, with him standing here while she, behind the glass window, busied herself making those milkshakes on her night shifts.

Jessica was taken aback by his words, and she was unable to gauge his thoughts at this moment.

Yet, his focused gaze made her cheeks flush, reminiscent of a girl experiencing the first stirrings of infatuation, gazing up at him shyly.

Six years ago, he was indeed the one who ordered a large number of milkshakes! Excitement surged within Jessica with this confirmation.

"So, is it because..." Jessica's voice grew softer, tinged with suppressed excitement and anticipation.

"Because it's a hassle to change jobs... Get home early."

Dominick cryptically tossed out his reply, then averted his gaze from the milkshake shop, as if it held no further interest for him.

He strode purposefully back towards the front gate, leaving Jessica rooted in place.

What did his words imply?

Her expression was a mix of emotions as she watched his tall, resolute figure recede into the distance.

"What did he mean by those words just now?" An inexplicable sense of unease settled in Jessica's heart.

Six y years ago, the milkshake shop across the street struggled with poor management and was on the brink of closure. However, within the following six months, it sold nearly a million cups of milkshake, a staggering feat that revitalized the once-dwindling business and propelled it to newfound success.

Jessica was well aware of this because her family owned the milkshake Shop.

Six years ago, she began noticing that her family's milkshake shop was receiving large orders in the dead of night from sales representatives, ranging from a few hundred to tens of thousands of cups, with loose production deadlines that sometimes stretched for weeks.

They were basically sending money to her family at that point.

"It was Dominick who sent people over. It really was him, but didn't he do that to help my family? Then why....

Jessica's complexion turned pale as something suddenly struck her.

"it turns out it's Mr. Wellington supporting youl No wonder you were able to snatch my role!"

Suddenly, a tall, arrogant figure approached from behind, and Courtney's voice rang out, devoid of any attempt to conceal her ridicule.

Upon hearing the voice, Jessica swiftly turned around, arrogantly lifting her chin to glare at her. "Courtney," she disdainfully murmured the name.

Jessica then stepped forward with a fake smile. "Indeed, Dominick is the one helping me. How does it feel? Are you jealous?"

Courtney glared at her. "Jessica, you're despicable!"

The buzz surrounding Halo Films' high-budget remake had been building. Last year, renowned actors from all over were vying for roles, and after Courtney finally secured the lead through her connections, everything seemed to be set, only to be snatched away at the last moment by Jessica.

Looking at Jessica's smug and arrogant face, Courtney gritted her teeth in anger, but....

"Jessica, every time I see your face, I can't help but feel disgusted by you. Do you know why?" Courtney suddenly lowered her voice and laughed coldly. "Because your face looks almost identical to Stephanic, that stupid daughter of mine."

Jessica's initial arrogance waned upon hearing Stephanie's name, but was soon replaced by a fleeting, complex expression.

"Stephanie? What did you say?" Her voice cut through the air, sharp with agitation,Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"Oh, you didn't know? The girl Dominick brought home, Stephanie, is my stepdaughter."

Courtney felt a surge of satisfaction as she watched Jessica's expression change, her laughter bold and unrestrained. "Surprised, aren't you? Few know that the girl scraping by in Havencrest's rundown buildings is actually Gary Reed, Caelorium's wealthiest man's, only daughter"

Jessica's face turned pale in an instant at the revelation.

She remembered how she had mocked Stephanie for her humble background that morning, yet she turned out to be....

"My daughter, despite her struggles, has shown resilience. She's been self- sufficient since high school, caring for her ailing aunt. Jessica, don't underestimate her," Courtney sneered.

"Stephanie always finds a helping hand wherever she goes. Do you think you're special just because of Dominick? Hah, what are you? You were with him for three years and didn't get pregnant. Yet Stephanie, after just one night..."

Courtney watched as Jessica's face contorted with jealousy and anger, which only made her laughter growing louder.

"Jessica, we're all women in this circle. Some things are easy to easy to see.

If a man doesn't want you to bear his child, no amount of clinging will change that. Secret lovers will always be just that..."

"Shut up!"

375

Jessica, consumed by anger and embarrassment, used her sharp nalls and lashed out at Courtney across the room.

Courtney wasn't one to back down either. She took a large step back, glaring at the livid woman before her.

"Jessica, are you hiding something from Dominick about that face of yours?" Courtney's tone carried a hint of menace.

If Jessica dared to conceal anything from Dominick, then she would be the one to suffer in the end.

Jessica's expression froze and she spat out harshly like she was caught for being guilty, "Courtney, we'll see about that!TM With that, Jessica stormed out angrily.

Watching her retreating figure, Courtney showed a mocking smile. Regardless whether Stephanie or Jessica would win, it would be a spectacle for Courtney.

"What's going on?

"What happened?" Annie was shocked to find the room in disarray as she opened the door.

"Get out! All of you, get out!"

Jessica's face was extremely gloomy as she angrily swept all the makeup items off the vanity table, shattering glass bottles and splintering glass across the floor...

Annie's face turned anxious as she hurriedly closed the door, advising, "Jessica, calm downx

"What happened? Weren't you just strolling around the campus with Dominick?

Did you upset him?"

Hearing Dominick's name, Jessica felt a pang of fear and anxiety in her heart. She turned to grab acom decorative ceramic plate from the counter, venting her frustration by smashing it onto the floor and causing a loud crash.

"It's impossible! That woman in his pocket watch couldn't possibly be her! It's impossible!" she yelled incoherently.

Annie's anxiety peaked upon hearing about the pocket watch, and she immediately asked, "What's wrong? Did Dominick find out about your plastic surgery?

"Three years ago, I told you that you shouldn't fake your death by jumping into the river. You insisted on not wanting to be the stand-in for that woman in the pocket watch, and now..."

Jessica's eyes were bloodshot, glaring at her manager angrily. "Three years ago, I suffered complications from the surgery, I had no choice Dominick?" but to fake my death. Do you think I didn't want to marry She almost because the lady head of the Wellington family.

But now, he had married Stephanie! "Stephanie..." Jessica muttered the name in an ominous tone.

Every time she thought of Stephanie's face, she would feel uneasy.

"Where are you going now?" Annie caught up to her, noticing her cold expression as she strode out purposefully.

Jessica's expression was grim as she spat coldly, "I'm going to get rid of these annoying obstacles today!"