When Stefan and Renee left the Beach City Courthouse, they went their separate ways as if they would never see each other again. Who knew they would meet again in just a few hours?Without the marriage license restraining them, the way they looked at each other seemed to have changed slightly.Timothy’s old eyes were filled with complicated emotions as his gaze traveled back and forth between the two.“You two. You just came back from a vacation together. Shouldn’t you be all lovey-dovey? Why did you come to visit me separately? Did you have a fight?”“We’re…” Renee bit her lips, feeling torn. She was unsure if she should be honest or keep lying.Things were different before they were officially divorced. Renee could forge a lie without feeling the slightest guilt. Besides, she was not trying to deceive him. However, her relationship with Stefan had changed so much that she found herself unable to pretend.“We’re so in love. How could we ever fight?” Stefan said calmly and wrap
“Hint?” Renee listened in confusion. She gave Timothy the black pearl in the hopes that it might bring him health and peace. What did she hint at him? How could she not know?“As soon as I saw the pearl, I thought of how it symbolized fertility and childbirth…”Timothy’s face turned grim. He sternly questioned Stefan, who was kneeling on the ground. “You bastard. Tell me honestly. Are the rumors true? Did you really knock up another woman behind Ren’s back?”Since the matter had digressed to this point, Stefan found no reason to hide anymore. Although he was still on his knees, he kept his back straight and said with a cold and firm voice, “Now that you know, I have nothing to say. The child does indeed have the bloodline of the Hunts. It needs a legitimate identity and a competent father.”“You!” Timothy held his chest and almost skipped a breath. Then, he slammed his cane on Stefan’s back with no mercy. “You fool!“That child needs a legitimate status and respect. What about Ren
The chaos in the room instantly came to a halt. Everyone was staring straight at the little red book.“Shit!”Renee quickly crouched down and tried to hide the book. However, it was too late. The divorce certificate was clearly printed on the cover.The message was blaring loudly despite the silence in the room. Stefan and Renee were divorced!“You… You two…” Timothy held his chest, looking in pain.“Grandpa!”Stefan and Renee both ran to help Timothy at the same time.Timothy, however, shook Stefan’s hand away and chided coldly, “Don’t call me that. I can’t accept it. You’re all grown up, and you’ve stopped listening to me. How dare you sneakily divorce Ren! Are you trying to kill me?!”“In that case, I’ll do as you wish…” Timothy suddenly pulled open the drawer and took out a loaded pistol. He said with a sad look, “This gun saved my life many years ago. Ren’s grandfather gave it to me. I’m too ashamed to live anymore. I better go to meet Ren’s grandfather and confess!”Afte
The Hunt family memorial chamber housed the altars of the Hunt family’s ancestors. Kneeling in the memorial chamber was considered the most severe punishment in the family.Stefan remained silent the entire time. He knelt in front of all the ancestral tablets on the cold hard ground with his back covered with whip marks. “Send someone here to watch him. I’ll see how long he’s going to stay without food and water for three days!” Timothy told Lurch sternly.Lurch was worried about Stefan’s bloody back. “Master Timothy, he is seriously injured from the whipping,” he boldly pleaded. “He won’t get through three days kneeling without food and water!”Timothy was relentless in his pursuit. “He agreed that he should receive punishment for this mistake,” he ruthlessly spat without looking at Stefan.“B-but Mrs. Hunt said she was the one who initiated the divorce. She’s in love with someone else now. How is this considered his fault?”“I don’t care!” Timothy’s stony demeanor remained, th
“How can I help?”Renee looked helpless. She confessed, “I tried to plead for him earlier, but Grandpa stopped me from saying anything. He even warned me. If I nag again, Grandpa will punish me with him. There’s really nothing I can do to help.”Renee thought she had done enough as Stefan’s ex-wife. How could she get herself into trouble for Stefan’s sake? She realized that her feelings for him were not that deep after all. Lurch was glad to see Renee softening up and hurriedly said, “You don’t have to ask Master Timothy for mercy. You just have to help Master Stefan cheat.”“Cheat?”“Simply put, you just have to secretly take care of Master Stefan. Only you can help with this. Master Timothy dotes on you so much that even if he catches you, he won’t punish you. If we try to help, that’ll be a different story.”After saying that, Lurch quickly placed the medicine and dinner in a box and handed it to Renee.“Mrs. Hunt. Whether Master Stefan can get through this will depends on y
“You’re such an ungrateful man. How paranoid!”Renee walked out of the chamber in a huff, unable to stop herself from cursing out loud.She must be crazy. Why bother being kind to him? She was angering herself for nothing. With this much time, she could have gone home to enjoy a bath, catch up on a show, and eat and drink.Lurch had been waiting outside, and when he saw Renee coming out of the memorial chamber, he hurriedly greeted her. “Ms. Everheart? Why did you exit the place so quickly?”Trying to keep on her good side for helping him out, Lurch made sure to address her differently.“That ungrateful man is accusing and upsetting me. Why should I stay?”“How is that possible?”Lurch continued begging shamelessly, “You know Master Stefan’s nature. He’s stubborn and harsh but doesn’t actually mean it. Please help him. Urge him to eat and treat his wounds, or he might just not get through the night.”“I refuse!” Renee gritted her teeth, her face tense. “He said his life or deat
As the week went by, Renee quickly adapted to her new single life. Although work kept her busy during the day, her nights would be filled with amusement and fun. Indeed, she was thoroughly enjoying her new-found freedom.Just today, she finally signed a new contract with South Group for the next financial period.Jerome readily agreed to Renee’s request to invest 500 million in Azure Group as a research and development fund. However, Azure Group had to guarantee a profit that exceeded 8 billion in the first year, or they would have to hand South Group 30% of their company’s equity as compensation, in accordance with the contract.The terms quickly drew Liam’s ire.“Jerome is one cunning fox. After all that help from him, I thought he would have shown a modicum of sincerity for the sake of his late daughter. Instead, this contract is full of traps. I can see what he’s up to!”Liam looked at Renee in confusion. If he could, he wanted to tear this contract to pieces. “Boss, this is s
“Kind?”Stefan casually flipped through the pile of documents. Then, his mouth curved up into a slight and cold smile. “Did you misinterpret her real character?”“Misinterpret?”Elijah swallowed nervously. “Over the years, Mrs. Hunt has been so nice and loyal to you,” he boldly explained. “She was obedient at home and had always upheld a good public image. She’s a great example of a good wife and lady. As for her sudden change in temperament… I think the responsibility lies on you, Mr. Hunt.”Stefan’s face turned cold. “Me?”“Of course!”Elijah could not help but fight for Renee despite the risk of getting fired. “All these years, you were cold and heartless to Mrs. Hunt. Not to mention, you even cheated on her. If you hadn’t hurt her, why would she have gotten involved with a playboy like Liam? She wouldn’t have established Azure Group with him to fight Hunt Enterprise…“I’ve always known about Mrs. Hunt’s extraordinary strength. After all, she’s a top student who skipped grade