Stefan's words confirmed Renee's suspicions. He… was really blind. He couldn't see her, although she was standing right in front of him."You must be Seraphina. You're not saying anything." Stefan didn't suspect much and pointed to the chair next to him, speaking softly. "The sky must look nice tonight, and it's breezy too. So stay with me for a little.""Mhm." Renee imitated Seraphina's voice and responded lightly.Stefan hadn't noticed anything just yet. Specifically… In his current situation, no one was permitted to come near him apart from his mother and Seraphina. Hence, he naturally didn't assume otherwise.Renee noticed the man looking for something with his hands and could tell that he likely wanted some coffee. She quickly handed him his cup, which led to their fingers touching momentarily.Stefan frowned slightly as if he realized something but merely took a sip from his coffee, not saying a word. The two then continued to sit in silence, with Stefan not wanting to spe
The man smiled, speaking in a knowing voice. "You were reckless. You're not Seraphina. She hates Renee too much to ever say anything good about her. Let me take a guess as to who you are…"Stefan furrowed his eyebrows, falling into deep thought. "Are you Cecilia? Or Charlotte? Or are you Shirley…""Oh, I know. You must be Layla, the new caretaker my mother hired, because I've never heard of your voice before!"Renee was initially consumed by sorrow, with her tears falling down like pouring rain. However, the man's questions made her roll her eyes instead.'How unexpected, Stefan Hunt, you had more women in line apart from Briar and Seraphina?''That's four other women that you've just guessed! You even assumed I'd be the caretaker you've never even met! What about me?!''Is he really still in love with me, or is he just faking it?'Noticing that the woman wasn't replying, Stefan continued. "Whoever you are, I just know you're not Renee. Else why would she not dare to face me whe
The woman in his arms shifted around uncomfortably, carefully speaking up. "M… Mr. Hunt, you've misunderstood. I'm not Ms. Everheart."Stefan froze. His expression darkened. "Who are you?""I… I'm your personal caretaker, Layla Bridges. The madam sent me." Layla had quite an innocent-looking face. Even the way she spoke sounded like she could do no harm.Stefan's expression was frosty, rudely pushing the woman away without hesitation. He then questioned her, clearly upset. "How long have you been here?""For quite… a while.""So you were the one who enjoyed the night breeze, gave me my coffee, and listened to me this whole time?""Y… Yes." Layla hid the fact that Renee had come by just to win Stefan's heart. Instead, she inserted herself into the narrative. "The madam said you were in a bad mood and you need some quiet company. So I didn't talk the entire time and just listened to you. I didn't think you would mistake me for Ms. Everheart. I'm really sorry.""I don't blame you
Layla showed humility in order to comfort the angry man, but he didn't want to listen. He even went as far as to push her to the ground."Ah!" Layla yelped in pain as her head collided with one of the rock pillars, causing her to bleed."Now you know that I'm not a good person. So stay away from me if you value your life." Stefan warned her with a hostile expression.An egotistical man like him didn't need any sympathy, nor did he want to become a burden to others. He found it extremely ridiculous to have a woman sacrifice her whole life just to take care of him."Mr. Hunt, I volunteered for this, and I'm staying, even if you chase me away! Please give me a chance to care for you. I won't even complain if I end up dying in your hands!" Layla ignored her bleeding wound and expressed her dedication instead.Francine had been watching them for some time and nodded to herself with a satisfied smile."It's okay, Layla. I knew I was right to have chosen you. You're the best candidate t
Francine ignored his hostility and continued introducing the order in detail. "The Albus Order is very mysterious. We don't even know who their leader is. However, they are known as the miracle of the medical field. Especially the 'Bloodletting and Bone Fumigation Therapy' they have invented. I'm not even exaggerating when I say they could revive the dead with that…""People say that no matter how sick someone is, they can fully recover within ten days after receiving treatment from the Albus Order leader. If we can somehow contact them through Layla, we might be able to even cure your hemophobia, let alone your eyes!"Francine then sighed deeply, wiping her tears away silently. "Honestly, I'd rest in peace knowing that you've recovered from your condition. I wouldn't have any regrets if I dropped dead right then."Initially, Stefan wasn't quite paying attention to anything his mother said, but hearing the words 'Bloodletting and Bone Fumigation Therapy' piqued his interest."I'v
"Adie… Abby…" Stefan mumbled his precious children's names, the sadness in his eyes compounded. "What right do I have to call myself their father now? I don't think they'd even want someone useless as family.""Then don't be useless! You're just blind and still have your smarts to back you up, and you're definitely still capable of managing the company. It's just that you can't show yourself during this period of time. Don't let anyone, especially Jovan, find out that you have lost your sight. Else, we'd have more problems to worry about." Francine had already thought this through and had only announced to the public that Stefan caught a severely contagious disease. She told everyone that he was still in recovery and couldn't manage the company or receive guests for the time beingHowever, a lie like that would only cover up the truth for so long. The limited time they currently had was a great incentive for her to find this Albus Order leader as quickly as possible.Just then, on
When Francine heard Renee's name, her expression immediately became unnatural. At that moment, she was unaware of Renee's current condition but guessed that she must be in great danger since she had fallen into Seraphina's hands. She sighed quietly with a tinge of melancholy, but she had no regrets.It was all because that wicked woman had sought to harm her only son with a passion. Besides, Renee did not regret it, which was why Francine felt that it was not outrageous to hack her into pieces. "You know that Stefan divorced her. It'll be useless even if you call her. Just keep in mind that Stefan dislikes unrelated people staying overnight…" She sounded unconfident, so she gradually became impatient. She tried to drive him away. "It's getting late. Lisa, see him to the door."However, Jovan's teasing smile turned chilly. He went straight to the point and stated, "Aunt Francine, don't think of getting rid of me that easily since I came to you at this hour. I came asking for
He could no longer waste time with Francine so calmly. His eyes turned red as he shouted in the direction of Stefan's room. "Stefan, you coward! Did you hear? Your mother wants to kill Renee. Why are you still hiding and doing nothing like a coward?" "Shut up!" Francine was afraid that Stefan would come out when he heard it, so she lowered her voice and said, "I'll give you a chance since you want to play the hero and save the damsel in distress. She's now in Warehouse Seven. You may be able to save her life if you're fast enough." "That was direct!" Jovan did not expect Francine to tell him Renee's whereabouts so straightforwardly. A tinge of complicated feeling arose in his eyes. "It looks like you're not so cruel as I think. You're considered a good mother-in-law. At least you're more open-minded than my mother." "Hmph! You're overthinking. I wanted to get rid of you sooner by telling you about her whereabouts. I wasn't trying to be kind. Get lost now!" Francine would ne
There were various kinds of torture instruments hanging around the cage. There was even a saw that would function with just a pull.Upon closer inspection, Renee noticed bloodstains on the instruments. The corners were full of piles of human hair. There was also a rotten and damp scent lingering around."What… What kind of place is this?" Leia screamed.She stood at the door of the cage and swallowed in fright, now timid. She found that place very familiar. After some contemplation, she realized it was something related to what she had seen before in the deep web.The so-called deep web was more horrible than the dark web. Only ten percent of netizens could find the websites. These websites weren't under supervision, and were full of outrageous videos and business deals.For example, the sellers would buy beautiful models to make vulgar videos of for the buyers' viewing. The buyers would make outrageous requests based on their insane desires. They would spend some money for the se
Though the building looked ordinary and old, it was filled with many things.However, it was not very accurate. The place resembled thematic scenes more.The first floor was an ordinary office area. The second floor looked like a hotel, while the third floor looked like classrooms… The themes for each place were centered around obscenity.Renee wasn't dumb. She instantly understood why Lucas brought her and Leia there by force. She also finally understood why Lucas prohibited his subordinate from touching Leia's face even though she had been rude to him. If she guessed right, these bastards wanted her and Leia to shoot pornos. "Do you like these scenes, my friends?" Lucas was smoking, in a great mood to see the film and television site he had established. His eyes gleamed as he looked at Renee and Leia. "Other than wire fraud and online casinos, the thing that makes most money is the limited and short videos. You girls are so pretty. Just work with me and shoot some R-rated
The motorbikes raced the narrow streets noisily, passing through crowds and messy alleyways. After a winding journey, they got on the large roads and drove toward a growingly remote and unknown place.At last, they stopped in front of a large iron gate with guards and two large German Shepherds. There were a few large words above the iron gate that spelled Gold Investment. As Renee and Leia walked inside, they saw a large park, like a factory. Both of them exchanged a look of deep helplessness. They had bumped into something terrible. If they guessed it right, Lucas and his gang were involved in wire fraud. They had been brought to Lucas' scamming site.Men in uniforms happened to walk toward the cafeteria to get food under the supervision of guards. Their faces or bodies were full of new or old injuries. They looked numb and dispirited, as if they had lost all hope in life.Both Renee and Leia exchanged another look. They could confirm they were brought to an infamous scamming
Lucas' lackey brought out a dagger. He pulled Leia, and pushed the dagger against her neck.Lucas stared at Renee, and sneered, "I hope you and your friend can behave. We're from the same country. We can get along, can't we?" "Ren, ignore me! Just get them! I'm sure they can't kill me in front of everyone!" Leia shouted.She was fearless and tried all means to resist, but the man was rather fierce. He pinned her wrists behind her while pushing the dagger against her neck.As Leia wasn't standing still, the blade scratched her neck and caused it to bleed.Renee could only unclench her fists, and asked Lucas coldly, "What do you want?" "Don't be scared. We mean you no harm. We like you girls because we're from the same country. We'd like to invite you to my place as guests," Lucas mouthed off insufferably as he touched his chin. His face was swollen from being punched. "Let my friend go now!" Renee ordered Lucas. She could easily handle those bastards alone, but she was too tim
"I need to congratulate you, since you'll get another person who can teach you how to be a human being aside from Draco from today onward." Renee glared at Lucas angrily, her tone icy."Who? You? Just you?" Lucas held his belly and burst into laughter. "That's hilarious! How could you? You—"The next second, Renee interrupted him and punched him. His head tilted to the side, and his teeth were knocked out and fell off. Renee grabbed his hair and demanded icily, "What about now? Where are our phones?""You… You…" Lucas' cheek was swollen. He couldn't move at all, and waved for his lackeys to act.They jumped off their motorbikes and waved their steel pipes and knives, about to attack Renee."Ren, be careful!" While resisting, Leia reminded Renee to be careful. Renee remained composed as she kept her grip on Lucas' hair. She used him as a shield as she kicked and punched the other men, defeating them with ease.She suffered no injury while attacking others as Lucas had to endur
Renee and Leia crossed the sidewalk and walked toward the bus stop some distance away from them. Before they could enter the bus stop, however, the tanned man who approached them at the airport just now stopped in front of them on a motorbike.Behind him were six or seven men, also on a motorbike, looking fierce and dangerous. "Hey, gorgeous. Didn't you say your friend was coming to get you? Why are you catching a ride here? Listen, I own the buses here. Just tell me where you're going. I'll give you a free ride!"When Leia saw him, she could no longer hold herself back. She rushed forward and grabbed his collar. "You have the nerve to stop us! Give us back our cell phones, or you'll be sorry!" "Cell phones? What do you mean? I don't understand what you're talking about." The man smiled slyly as he held Leia's hand. "What's wrong? Did you lose your phone, gorgeous? Tell me what it looks like. I've got quite a lot of connections. I'll get it back for you quick.""You're asking
Under such circumstances, the best solution was to quickly get away from that man.Both Renee and Leia took the escalator and walked a long way before they finally exited the airport. Only then did Renee breathe a sigh of relief. She said to Leia, "Okay, call Liam. Ask him to get someone to pick us up."They kept their trip to Goldshire a secret from Liam, as he didn't want Leia to attend the wedding with the excuse that the city came with a complicated environment. It would be easy for her to run into bad guys. Giving him her blessings was enough. At first, Leia hesitated to come, but after planning it out with Renee, she became bolder. She felt that it was fine since she was just there to attend a wedding.Unfortunately, they ran into an annoying sleazebag at the airport. It was a real bummer."Okay." Leia nodded. "I know this place would be chaotic, but I didn't expect it to be this serious! What the hell was that? I have to ask Liam to get someone here quickly. If not, thos
A week later, Renee and Leia flew to Goldshire without anyone's knowledge.Goldshire was a primitive, old, remote city full of speeding motorbikes and leering men. Beautiful Aeos women like Renee and Leia were very eye-catching there. It was easy to predict the kind of obstacles they would face. A slim, tanned man in an old-fashioned T-shirt blocked them casually while smoking. "Hey gorgeous, are you here for a trip or business? I'm a local. I can accompany you!" At that time, both Renee and Leia had just gotten off the plane. They were waiting for their luggage at the baggage carousel. The other passengers who rode in the same plane were either men, families, or foreigners. Renee and Leia were the best candidates to accost. "No, thank you. I've been here before, and I'm quite familiar with this place." Renee waved, not wanting to have much to do with the man. Although she was good at fighting, it was hard to fight a local tyrant. She wouldn't make a big scene if she could hel
"Don't worry, I'm not unhappy. Maybe I wasn't sensible or prudent enough, but my feelings for Liam are honorable. I see him as my younger brother. Since my brother is going to get married, of course I'll happily give him my blessings." Renee was feeling quite helpless because she had no idea how she should explain herself."I see…" Leia looked disappointed. "If Liam hears this, I guess he'll be disappointed and unhappy.""Then he shouldn't get married," Renee said, hitting the nail on the head."He'll still feel that way. You can't be easily replaced. Maybe no one will ever replace you for him. As his sister, I'm sure of it," Leia said. She didn't blame Renee, but she found it unacceptable for her loyal brother.On second thought, nothing could be done. The relationships in the world were closely linked together. It was hard to find two people who were mutually in love with each other. There was no fairness. Besides, no one could change that just by working hard. It depended