Chapter 81

Chapter 81

When Stephanie and Julianna anived at the newly opened downtown strak restaurant in Jacaster, a man sitting by the window suddenly stood up with a warm smile on his lace.

Julianna couldn’t help smiling and said in a low voice, “Stephie, it’s him.”

Stephanie hammed in response.

Julianna held Stephanie’s arm as she walked over and greeted the man.

The man nodded slightly and introduced himself, saying, “Hi, I’m Cornelius Jacobson, 27, currently working as an executive at a software company.”

Julianna cleared her throat and said, “Hi, I’m Julianna Saunders. This is my friend, Stephanie Hayes.”

Cornelius smiled and replied, “Nice to meet you, Julia, Stephanie,”

Hestruck the perfect balance of maintaining a comfortable distance, neither overly friendly nor distant

Cornelius motioned for the attendant to take orders and handed the menu to Julianna and Stephanie before placing his own.

While waiting for the meal, he briefly talked about his job. He mainly focused on designing games.

He and Julianna mot in a game. They became close and began playing games together often. As they got along well, their in–game characters ended up getting married.

After that, they chatted on WhatsApp and were gradually attracted to each other. So, they decided to meet offline.

Stephanie could tell Julianna was serious about Cornelius, but she didn’t know if Cornelius felt the same way.

It wasn’t that she was too sensitive. After all, Cornelius had never appeared in her previous life.

There were too many unreliable things on the Internet.

She remembered a girl who had met a guy online and gotten along great. After about a year or so, when they finally met in person, the girl had really fallen for him. What she didn’t know was that the man already had a family. It wasn’t until the man’s wife showed up with their child that she realized sho had been deceived.

Stephanie was cautious because she had made many enemies since her rebirth. She was afraid that those who disliked her would target her friends

Cornelius and Julianna had a friendly chat. They had many common interests.

Stephanie wished that she was overthinking it

Cornelius offered to drive Julianna and Stephanie back after their meal, but Julianna had her own car. They parted ways at the entrance of the steak. restaurant

Cornelius didn’t leave until Julianna drove away.

Julianna looked at Cornelius in the rearview mirror, and the smile on her face remained.

“Stephie, what do you think of him?” Julianna asked.

“I can see that you two have a lot in common, Stephanie replied.

“Yes, Cornelius and I both love games and animation. Although he comes from an ordinary family, I don’t mind. My parents care about me a lot and won’t pressure me into arranged marriages. As long as I like the man and he treats me well, that’s enough, Julianna said.

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When Stephanie saw that Julianna was excited, she didn’t want to disappoint her. Besides, she hadn’t investigated Cornelius yet, so she shouldn’t jump

to conclusions.

She smiled faintly and said, “As long as he has a good attitude, that’s all that matters. He doesn’t have to be rich, but he has to have ambitions.”

Julianna nodded and added. “I agree. I think Cornelius is a very ambitious person. If we’re together, I’ll definitely support him in his career.

Her words made Stephanie frown. She hadn’t expected Julianna had already considered that. Stephanie decided to investigate Cornelius thoroughly

when she returned

Back in the design studio, everyone looked at Stephanie in awe. After all, she wasn’t just a designer. She was also the CEO of the design studio.

They were afraid they would be fired if they made Stephanie angry.

Stephanie didn’t mind the exposure of her hidden identity. She just felt a little uneasy. After all, everyone was looking at her as if the mouse had seen the

As soon as she entered her office and sat down, someone came in to bring her coffee.

Such attention made Stephanie feel a little uncomfortable. She looked at the person and said, “Thank you. But just do what you did before. Please let

everyone know they don’t have to feel any pressure.”

After the person left, Stephanie began drawing a rough sketch for the International Golden Finger Contest.

But every ten minutes or so, someone would approach her and apologize, expressing regret for rejecting her in the past and hoping for her forgiveness. They also brought her snacks.

By the afternoon, Stephanie’s desk was filled with various snacks.

She held her chin with one hand and smiled.

Meanwhile, at the Hayes manor, Florence was looking at the news on her phone. She was so angry that she screamed out loud.

When Matilda heard the noise, she rushed over. She was shocked and distressed.

“Flore, what’s wrong with you?” Matilda asked.

Florence showed Matilda her phone and exclaimed, “Look! Stephanie, that bitch, is the CEO of Starlight Design Studio, and she’s Julianna’s partneri She never told me! Now I seriously suspect all the vocal doubles she did for me, and the rough sketches were on purpose! She just wanted to expose me one day and ruin my reputation! She’s jealous because I had the love of my parents from childhood, and later, Douglas treated me well. She’s just a scheming

bitch!”

At that moment, Florence had already forgotten that she was the one who had stolen Stephanie’s samples and entered Fantasy Boutique. It was she who had begged Stephanie for the rough sketches. Now, she was putting all the blame on Stephanie,

Matilda clenched her teeth and said, “I know Stephanie had no good intentions. She set a trap for you to jump into. I should have strangled that wicked woman back then! Look what she has done to my daughter!”

Florence muttered, I won’t let her gol”

After Stephanie and Julianna had dinner in the evening, they returned to Tranquil Garden.

Stephanie investigated Cornelius but found nothing useful.

She felt something was wrong, but she didn’t have any evidence. She thought it might just be her nerves.

She called Giovanni and asked him to keep an eye on Cornelius.

Then she made a video call.

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Not long after, an old man’s face appeared on the phone screen.

Stephanie smiled and greeted him, “Grandpa, how are you?”

With a ruddy face, Austin nodded and smiled. “I’m fine. Let me show you the view behind me, he replied.

He switched the camera to the scenery, Island Naluwai had a pleasant climate and fresh air, making it very suitable for the elderly to live there

Stephanie stened quietly as Austin shared the interesting stories from his past few days on the island. After that, she said, “I’ll visit

“Okay is the Hayes family still there?” Austin asked.

Stephanie pursed!

Tips

you when I’m free.”

Austin sighed and said, “Giovanni and the others told me what I forgot, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Stephie, do what you want. They’ve gone

too far.

“Grandpa…” Stephanie said. She was moved.

Austin continued, “I understand. They don’t deserve sympathy. The Hayes family will destroy themselves sooner or later, Stephie, I only want you to

favor for me.

Stephanie nodded and replied, “Yes, Grandpa.”

“Acquire the Hayes family businesses and assets. Don’t let them fall into other people’s hands,” Austin said.

do a

Stephanie knew Vincent was currently oppressing the Hayes family, and all the shares were in his hands to prevent anyone from taking situation.

advantage of the

Vincent had mentioned that the Hayes family would eventually be handed to Stephanie.

“Okay, Grandpa, Stephanie replied.

After a long series of cautions and reminders, she ended the video call.

Although Austin said he had a good time on the island, Stephanie knew he was very upset.

People of his age should enjoy the happiness of family unity, but his descendants had done immoral things that filled him with disdain.

Stephanie took a deep breath to compose herself, then made a video call to Vincent.

The call was soon connected. Stephanie saw Vincent’s tired face.

“I know it was about time for you to call me,” Vincent said.

He placed his phone on a stand and tidied up his hair with his hands as he said, “I just checked into the hotel about ten minutes ago. I’m going to take a shower later. Will you accompany me?”

Stephanie pouted and asked, “How?”

Vincent chuckled and replied, “I placed the phone on the washstand, facing me so you can watch me shower.”

Stephanie pursed her lips and snapped, “Pervert!”

“Pervert? Don’t you like it very much?” Vincent asked.

Stephanie blushed with embarrassment. “If you don’t speak properly, I will end the video call,” she warned.

Vincent smiled and pleaded, “Don’t hang up. I miss you.”

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Chapter 81

Stephanie felt a little tired after sitting for a whole day. She lay down on the bed, held her phone in her hands, and smiled sweetly.

“I miss you too. It’s daytime where you are. Are you going to take a nap?” she asked.

“No, I’ll check on the project later, I’m in a hurry to finish it and then fly back to you,” Vincent said.

“Vincent, didn’t you have a girlfriend before?” Stephanie asked.

“Of course not,” Vincent quickly replied.

“Then why are you so sweet?” Stephanie said.

Vincent smiled as he replied, “It seems you’re

“You’re so narcissistic!” Stephanie said.

“You give me confidence,” Vincent replied, adjusting the angle of the phone’s camera, standing up, and taking off his clothes.

“What are you doing?” Stephanie asked.

“Let me tell you where my confidence comes from,” Vincent replied.

Stephanie was rendered speechless.