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
The prison guard asked Leia."I'm fine," Leia answered coldly as she wiped the blood from the corner of her lips with her sleeve."Get up. Someone's here to see you." Leia's numb gaze flickered slightly. Her eyes lit up a little but turned dull very quickly.She knew that she was entrapped now and no one could save her.Leia got ready before she went to the visiting room with the prison guard. "Ren, you're back?"She saw Renee at a glance, so she ran to the iron door agitatedly."Lei, I came back too late. You've suffered a lot."Renee also rushed to the iron door and looked at Leia, sobbing.They were only separated by an iron door. However, they could only see each other through the narrow window."What's the matter with your eyes? Why are your lips chafed?" Renee sensitively noticed that Leia's eyes and lips were injured. So, she became anxious and shouted, "Hey, my friend is hurt. Where is the doctor? Get the doctor to come see her!" "Shush, Ren. Don't worry. I'm f
Renee found it strange. She hadn't even gotten into action when the problem had already been resolved.An unrealistic feeling overwhelmed her, as if something had fallen onto her lap without her even trying. "Just leave. What's wrong? You're unwilling to go? Go back to that tiny corner of yours, then." The prison guard frowned and said in an extremely impatient manner.He was never nice to the rich young ladies who managed to escape the punishment of law because of their backers. "No, I'm willing. I... I'll go now." Leia was very excited, so she eagerly stated.Like a tornado, happiness immediately replaced her glum. She didn't even bother to ponder over it.After simply changing into her clothes on the day when she was caught, she walked out of the cell."Ren, I'm finally free!" When she walked out of the prison, she enjoyed the fresh air outside as she looked up at the bright moon. Inevitably, she cried vigorously. She hugged Renee tightly. "It's fine. You're okay now. Y
Xavier raised his brows slightly and answered calmly, "I didn't use any connection but spent a bit of money." "Well, this affair couldn't be resolved with money alone.""No, I just transferred 50 million to the bank account of the victim's family before I asked several men in black to meet them with fruits and knives. After that... they learned that it was their son who had made a scene and harmed himself instead. They then went to the police to settle the issue."Xavier sounded casual and composed. It seemed as simple as buying an ingredient, but that ingredient came at an eye-watering price.Renee patted his shoulders and could not help commenting on their deep relationship. "Well, you're pretty good. You spent 50 million just like that. If this isn't considered love..."Consequently, Leia blushed and tugged at Renee's clothes. "Ren, stop the nonsense."After that, she looked up and said to him stiffly, "Xavier, thank you. I'll try my best to return 50 million to you.""Just 5
"It's nothing!" Leia snapped, quickly turning away and hiding her face with her hair, reluctant to let others see her vulnerability. "Nothing? Your face is swollen!" Xavier exclaimed as he gently lifted her chin and brushed her hair off, studying her face with a pained look. Who could have imagined that in just a matter of days, the woman who strutted like she owned the place would end up looking so pitiful?"Who did this to you?" He demanded, his brow tightly furrowed as if his favorite toy was broken, and he looked bent on cutting the culprit into pieces."No one. I fell," Leia said, moving away from his touch and turning her back on him.She was just like Renee—she held herself with great pride and would act nonchalant even if she was bruised and battered.Xavier was not easily fooled, however, and took her hand as he growled. "We're going back.""Back? Back where?""The detention center.""No! It took me so much to get out—I'm not going back! That place is hell. It's not
"Isn't that No.29, that heiress?"The tough woman was immediately excited, smacking her thighs as she chuckled, "Welcome back. And here I heard someone bailed you out… My shoulder just happened to be feeling sore, so come here and give me a massage.""You're sore everywhere, everyday anyway. Here—let me give you some proper treatment," Leia retorted and slapped the tough woman across the face."H-How dare you hit me?!" The woman was left dumbstruck by the slap and stared at Leia in disbelief while clutching her swelling cheek."That's not all—I'll kick you like you kicked me! What are you going to do about it?" Leia snapped and kicked the woman squarely in the stomach. She stumbled but quickly snapped at the other intimates, "What are you spacing out for?! Get her!"However, the other women were all huddled together and shuddering in fear, staring at the burly man standing behind Leia.""Go on if you dare," Xavier said as he slowly lit himself a cigarette, illuminating his hand
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