Seraphina maintained her calm and combined bits and pieces of some incidents before she debated right and wrong with Stefan. "Is… Is that so?"Stefan's deep-set eyes flickered with a mix of wrath, unwillingness, hatred, and doubt. This truth vastly differed from the truth he had imagined. For a moment, he couldn't accept it. "If you trust me, this is the truth. If you don't, you can ask her about it."Seraphina stated with absolute certainty.Her statement was flawless. Even she was almost convinced of its truth, let alone Stefan. Besides, she had Francine as a witness who confirmed those things."That'll be unnecessary…"Stefan slowly clenched his fingers and said coldly, "She had long admitted to it, but I was just unwilling to believe her."He stubbornly thought that there must be some secrets in it. Why would such a wicked woman take her blood to use as an ingredient for his medicine? Now, it seemed the truth was just that simple. She simply tried to atone for her s
The car stopped before an antique shop.Renee wanted to push Jovan into the shop, but she was turned down."Wait for me in the car. The driver can push me into the shop." He did not want to expose the surprise he prepared for her in advance, or all his efforts would be futile. "Okay, I would like to see what kind of trick you will pull."With deep curiosity, Renee watched the driver push Jovan into the antique shop.She leaned against the back seat in slight boredom. When she checked the time, it was coincidentally afternoon at Beach City. The two children might have gone home from school by now, so she gave her brother a video call. His brother always answered her calls within seconds. But strangely, today, he did not answer her calls at all. She tried repeatedly, but it yielded the same result."What's the matter?" A crease soon formed between her brows as a bad premonition overwhelmed her. She immediately called Margaret, and the latter picked it up just as quickly.
This man had ended up in this state solely because of her. If she left after manipulating him, she could not live with herself. "Oh, gosh! What should I do?"She closed her eyes in a dilemma. She was in deep pain. At that time, she heard a bang. A giant noise came from the antique shop before the whole shop collapsed abruptly. There was fire everywhere."Ah! It’s on fire. Hurry up. Save them!"South Street was considered the liveliest street in that whole town. Besides, this antique shop generally had a lot of guests. When the explosion occurred, a good number of people were in it.Endless screams of shock and horror could be heard from everywhere. People held their heads as they ran helter-skelter in a panic, fearing they might get burned by the raging flames. Renee was rendered speechless by the horrific sight.With a wide-eyed gaze, she stared at the antique shop that was on fire. She was struck dumb. She only managed to regain her wits after a long while."Jovan… Jova
"Mr. Hunt sends his regards?!" Renee furrowed her brows tightly. She could not believe what she had heard. With a solemn expression, she sought confirmation from the driver. "Are you sure that was what that man said? Are you mistaken?" "Joan, I did get hurt, but I'm not dumb. I remember what happened at that time. I don't have to lie to you." The driver coughed twice. He sounded very firm. Hailing from the same hometown as them, he spoke very good English. She could not have heard him wrongly. However, he did not expect that everything would change so fast. He had no time to ask for help and could only watch Van getting dragged away by another man. "Okay, I got it. Thank you. Take care. I'll come to see you again if I have time."Renee was stupefied on the spot for a long time. Countless possibilities coursed through her mind before she gave the driver a firm bow and left the hospital.She walked on the street alone. The weather in the morning was very low, and the air w
At that moment, despair almost engulfed her son. She felt like a puppet whose every speech and behavior was being controlled by that fucking person from afar. As a result, she was full of indignation and helplessness. It seemed like she could not escape from that battle. She could only hope that she would not suffer an utter defeat.Renee simply packed up her things and boarded the earliest flight back to Beach City. After being away for half a year, everything was still the same, but the people had changed.When both Chase and Margaret heard that she wanted to come home, they were soon relieved before they heaved a sigh, one after another. Renee was worried about her brother, so she returned to Carmine Pawnshop first.The two children missed her too much. They had been waiting at the door early and looking for her. "Mommy! Mommy!"Abigail saw the car Renee's car from afar. She jumped happily.On the other hand, Aiden was also standing at the side eagerly. But his emotions
Aiden was fuming. With his hands behind him, he ran to a river. Facing the billowing waves of the river, he pretentiously put up a dull look. Renee walked over to him quietly. When she saw his back, helplessness was the only thing left in her. She inevitably became mesmerized by how awesome one's genes could be. They were indeed strong. Aiden appeared gloomy and dull before her, just like a mini-Stefan. When he grew up, he might even become colder and more aloof than Stefan. Carmine Pawnshop was located at the border of three countries, so its surrounding environment was rough and chaotic. It was a lawless place, a refuge for bad hats and ne'er-do-wells. However, this area alone was serene and calm, as if it was a utopia in the midst of the chaos. No one dared to scheme against Aiden, regardless of how bad and complicated the people out there were. Here, Aiden was regarded as the emperor's successor, heir to the Night Demon. This meant he would be safe even if he stood by the
"You... you even went to him?""Yeah, I sneaked out to Daddy's company to see him when Uncle was busy the other day, but he seemed to not know me."When Aiden reached the point, he appeared very composed.It was because the most difficult time was over. He was no longer sad but a little regretful now."Oh, my dear Adie. You've suffered so much!"Renee's eyes became scarlet before she pulled Aiden into her arms, sobbing. "It's my fault. I thought you and Abby were very strong and sensible, and I ignored your feelings. Let me say sorry to you. I promise that I'll never leave you guys again. Never!" When she thought of how Aiden went to Stefan pitifully, yet Stefan ignored him, a pang of grief grabbed her heart. Aiden would feel that he was abandoned by the whole world when his mother went missing, and his father ignored him."But what about Daddy's brother? Margaret told me that you need to take care of that person. So, you'll leave one day, won't you?" Holding Renee's hand,
Renee went to the prison where Leia was and went straight to the point in front of the person in charge. "I want to bail Leia out. How much is it? Just name the price." The person in charge was an old leader of nearly fifty years old. He had plenty of experience in handling cases, so he had had contact with all kinds of people. Of course, it was not the first time that he had met someone rich and imposing like Renee.He buried his head to handle the cases without even glancing at Renee. He said calmly, "This suspect's case is a bit special, so she doesn’t have the right to be bailed to wait for the trial. You may go back now." "Did she murder someone or set a place on fire? Why isn't she qualified for bail? If my information is right, she did it as a form of self-defense. She resisted the person who caused trouble. Of course, it should be considered proper self-defense. Why is it regarded as a criminal offense?" Agitated, Renee argued with the old leader."Self-defense?"Final
Renee said seriously, "I would like a plate of pasta with more vegetables and is not spicy. I'm afraid this is my last meal."Jovan was rendered speechless. Although Renee was being sarcastic, he still went to the kitchen to make her a delicious plate of pasta. He added some vegetables and a nice fried egg for a balanced diet. "It's done." Jovan had sent off all the servants of the mansion, leaving Renee with him. Hence, he was the one who cooked the pasta and served it to her. "Wow, you're fast." Renee wanted to get a chance to run away since she had sent him away to cook for her, but she couldn't come up with any trick.In the end, she got hungry when she saw the pasta. It was mouth-watering. She was starving!Jovan was good at cooking pasta, even though he didn't seem reliable. The pasta he made tasted like home-cooked food."Give it a try." Jovan didn't say much. He meticulously blew on the pasta and handed her a fork and spoon. Renee accepted it, eager to start eatin
Jovan watched Renee fall into a deep thought. His gaze deepened, filled with renewed ferocity.Jovan turned his wrist and said slowly, "Okay, stop overthinking. I can tell you the truth if you want to know it." Renee abruptly looked up. Her eyes were teary as she begged him, "What's the truth?" "Listen to me and stay with me." Jovan frowned. After a short contemplation, he grinned and continued, "Stay with me for ten days or half a month. Then, I'll tell you.""That's not possible!"Renee immediately refused him, growing cold. "I have to leave right away. I can't watch the two families get into a fight."If she didn't return to North City immediately to explain things, the Baldwin and Hunt families would get into a big fight. Regardless of her circumstances, she didn't want them to fight. They were good people, and she refused to see them hurt. "Just let them fight. It's just a fight among bad people. Your family can grab this chance to get back to the top. Don't you want tha
Jovan felt that he wasn't as passionate and loving as Stefan."Stop beating around the bush. Why is he trying to hold himself back? You made a scumbag sound like he'd suffered a lot!" Renee snarled.She gnashed her teeth. If her foot was not chained, she would have long beaten Jovan up for being evasive and mysterious."I think he was forced to give up his beloved woman because of his identity. He has suffered a lot." Jovan frowned, his tone laced with sympathy."What about his identity? I've already known about that. Our grandfathers decided on our marriage. What are we, Romeo and Juliet?" Renee had wondered if their families were sworn enemies. It might be the reason why Stefan was in a dilemma.However, her grandfather made the Hunts take care of her when her family was doomed. Her grandfather always wanted the best for her. He held her hand and told her that only Stefan could make her happy, and only the Hunt family could protect her. It seemed unreasonable that Stefan was
Jovan was stunned to hear Renee's words. He was so furious, he laughed."Maybe!" He agreed with her and looked at her wickedly. "Since I can't win him over, I want his beloved woman.""You're out of your mind!" Renee was disgusted as goosebumps gripped her. "I'm not his most beloved woman. He loves Briar the most. You got the wrong person. You should kidnap Briar instead. Then, you can get to him."She was acting out of spite, but she meant what she had said.In the past, she was confident that Stefan loved her the most. After so many things had happened, she was no longer as confident. Stefan eventually broke up with her because of Briar. It was enough to prove her position in his heart."Haha! Do you really think so?" Jovan shook his head, his lips a complicated smile. He seemed to be muttering to himself or hinting at something. "Unfortunately, he can't always do a good job. His romance is a mess. His most beloved woman doesn't understand him. How pathetic!""Stop mumbling!
"You're trying to take revenge on Stefan, aren't you? What did he do? Why do you hate him so much?" Renee demanded.She was particularly clueless.At the very least, she felt that Stefan and Jovan didn't have a grudge even if they couldn't get along. Besides—back then, Stefan survived because of Jovan's blood.In a sense, they should be close to each other. Stefan was able to live on because of Jovan.Yet now, Jovan wanted to ruin the one he had once risked his life to rescue."No, I don't hate him," Jovan answered honestly. "I even admire him, and I'm jealous of him. He's my role model, the pride of my family.""Then, you're envious of him!" Renee went straight to the point. "You can't defeat him, so you tried to make him disappear. When that happens, you'll feel better. No one will block you, and you'll get a chance to shine."Jovan, speechless, slowly stopped smiling. Renee had accurately guessed his innermost thoughts. Since he couldn't defeat Stefan, he would let Stefan b
The thing Renee feared the most was that Jovan's action would infuriate the Baldwins.Quinton, Adie, Abby, and Margaret were still there. If the Baldwin family wanted to do something bad, Renee's family would be in danger. Her happiness was secondary. She just wanted to ensure that her family was safe and sound.It seemed Austin was full of schemes. Though he seemed to have brought her family to live with her, he in truth just wanted hostages to control her…Unfortunately, she couldn't go back in time even though she had seen through his tricks."What's the rush?" Jovan watched Renee with a meaningful smile. "Someone will handle it even if it's a big mess. Your family will be fine. My foolish cousin won't let them be in danger. At most, the two families will fight fiercely."Renee was shocked. She glared at him, and suddenly understood something. "So you did it on purpose! You wanted to watch them fight and get something from it.""That's not my concern. Once, I was more powerf
After all, Jovan was a human being. Such direct physical pain made him shake and groan. Normally, he should get angry and try all means to make her stop biting him.However, he was not an ordinary man. Although he trembled in pain, he maintained his posture and let her bite him as if he wanted to see who would give up first.Renee kept biting him fiercely, as if her teeth would gnaw through his palm. Blood oozed out of the wound. She was full of hatred, wishing to vent her anger. "Just bite me hard as long as you're happy. I'm enjoying myself too!"Jovan looked at her, whose head was lowered as she kept biting his palm fiercely. It was a bloody scene, but his words made everything sound ambiguous. Renee noticed his underlying meaning and was disgusted. She immediately let go of his palm. "Bah! Disgusting! You're sick!"Her lips were still stained with blood. From afar, it looked like a blooming rose from afar. It looked attractive on her. Aroused, Jovan held the back of her
The bed was around seventy inches large. Renee's eyes were closed as she moved anxiously.She thought she was still sleeping in the West Chamber, but the mattress didn't feel the same. Then, she abruptly opened her eyes. She saw a luxurious bedroom in the Paris La Nuit Club style. Above her hung a brilliant chandelier akin to the ones in medieval castles. A fragrant scent permeated the air. "You're finally awake…" A man's bewitching voice came from an inconspicuous corner. "Renee."Jovan was sitting in a luxurious chair, his legs crossed, swaying a glass of red wine. He appeared like a stereotypical vampire as he stared wickedly at Renee. "Are you out of your mind, Jovan? What did you do to me?" Renee yelled.Recalling what had happened, she abruptly sat up. Once she realized her situation, she started snarling at him. "Do you or your family hold a grudge against me? Why did you kidnap me from my engagement party?! Have you thought about the consequences? I'm sure you know h
"I… I don't know! I really don't know!" The makeup artist's face was flushed, her eyes rolling back. She felt like she was about to faint again."Are you still trying to hide the truth?" Justin continued flexing his fingers. He was certain that the makeup artist who suddenly wanted to modify the size of the gown must be aware of the truth.With her eyes rolled back, the makeup artist begged him, "I'll tell you…! Please let me go! I'll tell you everything!" Hearing that, Justin slowly released his grasp.The makeup artist finally got a chance to breathe. She kept taking deep breaths and almost cried because of her terror. "What should I tell you?" She truly knew nothing."What?" Justin's gaze grew fierce."Oh, I remember it now…" She drew in a cold breath and hurriedly said, "A handsome guy came not long after you were gone. I think he's Mr. Hunt. When Ms. Everheart saw him, she was very…"She paused, trying to find her words. "She was very…?" Justin urged her. This was the