Crossroads

Three days after Christmas, Stephanie was dragged to the club for shooting practice.

"If I'm not mistaken, there's a 'Closed sign hanging outside." She was annoyed. The entire club was empty, so why on earth did they insist on calling her here for shooting practice?

The burly, muscular head coach from Aurorastra smiled helplessly. "My wife complained all morning that I didn't take her shopping. Shopping with women for clothes and bags is really exhausting. Now I'm working overtime. This is what you call a blessing in disguise."

"Is your work arranged just now?" Stephanie became wary. "Who told you to work overtime? Are you working for Dominick?" She thought that scoundrel, Dominick was the big boss of this club.

The coach didn't say a word. His smile only widened. Although he seemed easygoing, he was very efficient. Stephanie was taken to the shooting range, where holding and aiming the gun bade her arms sore after just a few actions.

Sweating profusely, she gulped down three bottles of mineral water, panting heavily. "When will this end...

She was exhausted physically and mentally. The coach handed her another gun and said, "I heard you've trained in karate. We'll head to the boxing ring afterward."

Stephanie almost swore out loud. She immediately resented the coach, and her pettiness showed when she reached the boxing ring. She attacked fiercely before he even put on his gloves, landing real blows.

He probably didn't expect such a powerful punch from her seemingly frail frame and was thrown to the ground within two seconds, looking a bit disheveled. After that, they sparred seriously, and the coach couldn't treat her as an ordinary woman anymore, or he'd end up in the hospital.

"You're practically at a professional level. Ordinary men wouldn't dare get close to you," he said after finishing the session. Both of them joked around, breathing heavily and gulping water Stephanie performed admirably. She was tall and naturally gifted, her reflexes were quick, and her movements agile.

The coach honestly commented, "But your eyes betray you. You're not ruthless enough."

Stephanie grabbed a clean towel to wipe the sweat from her forehead and looked up at him thoughtfully.

She suddenly remembered Lucy, whose gaze was sharp, cold, and merciless during fights.

Lucy hadn't contacted her in a long time. There had been no follow-up since she inexplicably asked her to audition for an Innovate Group commercial. Stephanie had worried about potential consequences if she didn't get the ad, but nothing happened. It seemed Lucy just wanted to mess with her.

Noticing her serious expression, the coach asked with concern, Is something wrong?"

Stephanie snapped back to reality and stared at the coach with a complex expression for a while,

"I don't think you're just a regular club shooting coach," she suddenly said.

He seemed taken aback by the question, pausing before truthfully replying, "Strictly speaking, I'm a retired soldier."

She asked, "Which country? Aurorastra?"

"Not any country, he smiled.

"Mercenary?" Stephanie guessed. His face briefly showed an unusual expression, but he didn't continue the conversation.

Stephanie didn't ask further questions as they walked out of the club side by side. Perhaps they had developed a bond due to their shared shooting practice and the sparring match in the boxing ring.

"Ms. Reed, will you come by yourself next week?" He had called ber nine times to persuade her to come today, which wasn't easy.

"I won't come if I'm in a bad mood." Stephanie turned her head to look at him, her tone defiant, but it was clear her anger was directed at someone else.

She thought to herself. Why do I always have to obey? Why The more she thought about it, the angrier she got, especially since this club was owned by Dominick, making everything about it irksome Slalch Thi FindNøvel.Det website on Gøøgle to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

He asked. "Ms. Reed, don't you think exercise is a more effective treatment for depression than any medication? It also makes the mind more resilient."

Stephanie's expression darkened further. "Oh, so you know I have depression. How delightful. Her words were practically spat out.

The coach realized he might have overstepped, but he didn't seem too concerned. His tone remained light and casual but with an added layer of meaning. "Ms. Reed, you're indeed talented, but you need to be even better to be worthy of him, or you'll hold him back..."

Stephanie turned to look at him, but he was already walking towards the staff passage. She didn't follow, just watched his steady steps, confirming her suspicion that he wasn't an ordinary person. No one around Dominick was ordinary.

"Stephanie. Suddenly, a familiar figure walked excitedly into the club's entrance.

Stephanie was a bit surprised to see Molly. "How did you get in Although they had agreed to meet here, Stephanie remembered how this club was notoriously exclusive, making it difficult! to get in without VIP status.

"I said I was your friend, and they respectfully let me in, Molly said proudly.

"Stephanie, why did you suddenly come here to practice shooting?"

Stephanie's face turned sour at the question. Reluctantly, she replied in a stiff tone, "Exercise helps treat depression." She was forced into it.

Molly didn't doubt her. "Guns are also legal abroad. You are quite suited for living abroad. Unlike Stephanie, Molly e thought she wouldn't handle such a challenging life well.

Not interested in boxing or shooting, Molly didn't tour the club, and they left directly.

"Molly, why did you go to Caelorium on Christmas?" Stephanie asked casually.

Molly looked guilty. "I'm sorry for standing you up that day. They had planned to spend Christmas together with a big meal.All content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.

When she thought about Christmas, Stephanie's expression grew own thoughts and complicated. Both harboring their and unwilling to delve into the events of that day, they changed the subject and decided to head to a nearby supermarket.

"Stephanie, have you not cooked for yourself in a while? I've told you so many times to stop ordering takeout every day. Mofly said as she picked fresh ingredients in the supermarket's fresh produce section. She picked up some large peppers and asked, "Pot roast, how about it?"

Stephanie didn't respond, continuously looking back over her shoulder.

"What's wrong?" Even Molly, slow as she could be, noticed her odd behavior. Stephanie frowned and said uncertainly. "It seems there's a man following us..."