She had no idea Stefan's condition was so critical.'So… he really did forget about me? And he's not putting up an act just because he resented me?'"Yeah, brain surgery. I did tell you about this the moment you woke up, that the surgery might induce partial memory loss. If you keep forcing him to remember things, it would increase the pressure on his mind. So I'm guessing… that's why his condition suddenly worsened."Renee was stunned, unable to say anything as she stood there frozen. Jovan's statements were enough to prove her doubts right. 'Stefan really forgot about me.''Like every cliche drama out there, he remembered everyone else but me.'"Yeah, yeah! That's the reason! I told you not to trigger him, but you wouldn't listen! Are you happy now, you vicious witch?!" Seraphina finally found a proper reason to scream at Renee.However, she immediately stopped when she noticed Jovan's indifferent glance. "I'm terribly sorry. I really didn't know that my appearance would br
"You? Help me and Stef?" Seraphina froze in disbelief as if she had just heard the most ridiculous myth. She then scoffed. "Do you think I'm dumb, Renee Everheart? Do you think I'd really believe your fake empathy?"Renee's gaze was cold and retorted. "Do you really think that I'd waste my energy to lie to you?" "W… What do you mean?""Meaning, even if I really wanted to compete with you, you wouldn't even get the chance to go against me. I don't need to play these mind games with you.""You!" Seraphina was speechless.Despite her rage, she knew that Renee was right and was unable to mount a reasonable comeback.Jovan stared at Renee with a conflicted gaze and asked coldly. "What do you mean by 'till he gets better?' How much better does he have to be?" "That's hard to say." Renee turned to Jovan. As if the two were playing a tug of war, she continued. "At the very least, I have to make sure he won't get taken advantage of."Seraphina took a deep breath and reached her ha
With eyes darkened, he grabbed her by the chin and mocked her. "Now you're pretending to love him unconditionally, huh? Why weren't you considerate of his condition when you decided to make him go through brain surgery to wipe his memories about Renee? Why didn't you think of that when you substituted his memory of her saving him with yourself?" "I…""Both you and I know that the surgery was just a facade. Your main goal was just to replace Renee in Stefan's memories! Now that you've become the person he loves and trusts most, what else do you want?! Why do you have to get her involved?!""I'm sorry, I was wrong. I… I wasn't thinking," Seraphina admitted to her faults anxiously.The woman used to be a prideful rich lady. She was so arrogant that she looked down on everyone but Stefan, as she was in love with him. However, now, when faced with Jovan, she couldn't help but feel a natural fear arising within her heart. The man knew too many of her secrets, and she was afraid that
That day, Renee had just finished brewing some medicinal tea. She pushed open the door to Stefan's ward.Inside were Seraphina and Stefan, cuddling each other lovingly. The two looked glued to the hip, unwilling to separate at all."Seraphina, I thought about it. Let's get married once I get discharged!" Stefan said, his arms wrapped around her and his chin placed on top of her head. His expression seemed longing. "I hope we can have our wedding in Tahato. I hear they have the bluest seas and the softest sand. Since you love the sea so much, that will be the most suitable place for our wedding."Seraphina's blissful expression was instantly replaced with fear. "Marrying right after you've recovered?! Isn't that… too soon?"'Besides, when have I ever said I liked the sea?''I hate it! It's too sunny out, it's boring as heck, and it's the worst when it gets too windy!'"How is that too soon?" Stefan's face turned serious. "I love you so much that I want to put a ring on you right
Seraphina immediately tried chasing Renee away.Stefan, who was silent the entire time, furrowed his brows as he spoke frostily. "You got injured the same day I did?""Uhm…" Renee froze, her expression stiff.'Shit, I misspoke.'"How did you get hurt?" The man continued questioning."I… I tripped and fell by accident." Renee came up with a simple excuse and rushed out of the room.She actually didn't intend for him to notice her. She wanted to do as promised. She acted like she was mute and only took care of him quietly. She only wanted to see him recover fully and leave with no regrets.However, she knew that it would now be difficult for her to hide away, especially with her previous mess up…"She left?" Stefan seemed rather disappointed."What? Did you not want to leave? And you just said you love me so much you wanted to marry me right away!" Seraphina huffed out of jealousy, feeling quite anxious.She then wrapped her arms around the man's neck and voluntarily kissed him
Renee stayed quiet, not uttering a word the whole time. However, this only piqued the man's interest further."Is your identity classified? Why won't you even tell me your name?" Stefan continued questioning, persistent to get an answer.Renee bit down on her lips. After a few moments of hesitation, she replied clearly, "No, not classified. My name is Renee Everheart. Do you know me, Mr. Hunt?""How could you go back on your word, Renee Everheart!" Seraphina shoved Renee aside, visibly agitated.She felt as if Renee was about to snatch her precious toy, which gave her the urge to fight the woman right there and then."Renee Everheart…" Stefan repeated the name over and over again, trying his best to look through his memory but to no avail. His expression was cold and solemn.Renee was disappointed, but let out a sigh of relief. She responded lightly, "Don't waste your energy, Mr. Hunt. You definitely won't remember anything, we don't know each other at all. I only know of you bec
Since Renee was able to keep a safe distance from him, she left the room nonchalantly.They had to admit that Margaret's recipe was almost miraculous. Despite merely having had one cup of the tea, he noticed that his wounds were much less painful the next morning. The effects were quite obvious, as he seemed more energetic as well."Stef, have some water." Seraphina poured Stefan some warm water carefully. As she stared at the steam coming from the glass, she looked for a reaction when she asked, "Do you remember you said the other day that we could get married once you are discharged? Is that offer still available?" Feeling the warmth of the water around the glass, Stefan raised an eyebrow at her question. "Of course. Why do you ask?""You've been so distracted for the past few days! I just feel kind of insecure!" Seraphina whined softly, then started picturing their future. "I've been thinking for a while, and I think it's best we change our wedding venue.""Why? I remember you
"What? She's been discharged?" Seraphina felt a bit suspicious, torn between feeling happy and angry at her actions. "How can she just leave without saying anything?!"She should've known that this woman couldn't be trusted. They had promised to wait for Stefan to get better before leaving, but now, he was still bedridden and she had already left. She just couldn't keep her promises!"Are you Ms. Murphy?" The nurse asked cautiously."Yes, what's wrong?" Seraphina snapped at the nurse in irritation. She didn't know why, but Renee's abrupt departure made her feel uneasy. Renee wasn't the type who would give up easily, so she had to be hiding an ace up her sleeve!"I was told by Ms. Everheart to give this medicine to you. She said it works wonders, and hopes that you brew it carefully," the nurse explained, then handed over a cube of the medicine to Seraphina."For me?" Seraphina stared at the medicine in confusion, wondering what Renee was up to. She opened up the medicine, and saw
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