Xavier's lip curled in anger as he growled, "You've done enough damage already. Can you get lost now?""Why, you!" Shirley stamped her feet and walked out of the office furiously, her agent and assistant quickly following her.As soon as they left the office, her agent said anxiously, "It looks like Master Xavier is serious about Miss Osborne. No wonder he agreed with the board of directors to suspend you. It'll be very troublesome if things went on like this.""Enough talking… You know what to do," Shirley said cryptically as she calmly touched up her makeup."You're saying..." The agent trailed off when Shirley glanced at her meaningfully, and she soon realised what she meant. The agent sighed, her heart sinking. When she first made her debut, Shirley was a naive and gullible young woman. At that time, she never complained even if things were hard because she wanted to earn money for her mother's illness and her brother's gambling debt. She worked hard to get to where she was n
Renee saw a dark red jelly-like thing in the box that resembled a mushroom. Although Renee didn't know what it was, she couldn't tear her gaze away from it."That item is an ancient mushroom. Generally, it's very rare to find a thousand-year-old mushroom, and even if you do, most of them are white. But this is a ten-thousand-year-old mushroom, so it's dark red. It's said to be able to bring people back to life, so many noble families around the world would pay any price to get it to live longer. I didn't expect it to be here in Carmine Pawnshop though... Well, it's certainly the most valuable treasure in this shop," Haze elaborated enthusiastically. He liked studying codes and reading books about treasures, so he was happy he managed to see such a rare item today."Wow, Quinton, you're pretty generous. You spent a fortune because of your sister. I'm afraid all men will come in pursuit of Phoenix if you announce this as her dowry... I must get her for this mushroom alone!" Haze said j
Haze immediately kept his mouth shut and stared at the chessboard intently.Both Renee and Quinton had a heart-to-heart talk with each other for a long time. After that, Renee recalled why she went to him in the first place. She asked tentatively, "Quinton, is it uncomfortable for you to wear this mask for long?""It's fine. I found it heavy in the past, but now I've gotten used to wearing it.""I saw your photo before your face was ruined on the Internet, and you're so handsome! Your eyes resemble Mom's and your features look just like Dad's. Your aura is like Grandpa's. You're indeed my brother… You're so perfect!""Of course. I'm not bragging, but if my face hadn't been ruined, I could've made a great living in Beach City. I established my business by relying on my charms back then." Quinton was very confident in his charisma. In the past, he could kill anyone and do anything he wanted without any obstacles because of his charm. It was also the reason why he hated Stefan so much
Naturally, Quinton couldn't refuse after Renee mentioned Adie and Abby. "Well… just do whatever you want then," he said awkwardly.Renee's eyes lit up, and she asked excitedly, "Quinton, do you mean it?""Of course. I just don't want you, Abie, and Addy to leave. I love the kids very much, and I don't want them to be afraid of me, so… I'll give in, even if it hurts my pride." Although he sounded pitiful, his face was full of happiness. To him, the children represented hope and a new beginning. He considered Adie and Abby his descendants, so he was willing to sacrifice anything for them; a minor face recovery surgery was nothing."Great! Don't worry, Quinton, I know you'll lead an exciting new life after the surgery," Renee said as she quickly took the business card out and called the doctor. "We'd better not waste time. I'll set the surgery for tomorrow to make sure nothing goes wrong. What do you think?""Whatever." Quinton waved his hand dismissively. He didn't bother protesting
"But..." Renee didn't know what to say to that. Quinton didn't want to make things difficult for Renee, so he snatched the consent form from her and signed it swiftly. "I'll bear the risk. Hurry up and do the surgery, I've got things to do after this." "Okay, please come to the surgery room with us." The doctor nodded and led Quinton to the surgery room, while Renee, Leia, and Haze waited in the corridor."Lei, did we make the right decision? Why do I feel so worried?" Renee paced back and forth in the corridor, nibbling her lip anxiously."Stop overthinking; trust the doctor's skills and Quinton's luck. Even if you don't, you should trust Xavier's character. He recommended the doctor to us, so I'm sure everything will be fine," Leia said comfortingly as she rested her hand on Renee's shoulder. Although Xavier was a scumbag in love affairs, he was a loyal friend. Leia trusted that nothing would go wrong given that he was the one who recommended the plastic surgeon.Half an hour
"What's wrong?" Renee immediately rushed over."Mr. Everheart couldn't take the anesthetic and suddenly fell into a coma. It's an emergency, and we're trying our best to save him... Miss, please sign this medical crisis notice," the nurse explained, her voice shaky.Only one in ten thousand people could not take anesthesia. They had operated on so many people, but this was the first time something like this had happened, so everyone was panicking.Renee felt dizzy as she grabbed the nurse's arm and demanded hoarsely, "He can't take the anesthetic? A medical crisis notice? Is this some kind of joke?""I'm sorry, Miss Everheart, we didn't expect this to happen. Please... Please sign this and be mentally prepared..." "Why should I?" Renee sounded hysterical, and her whole body trembled. Clenching her fists, she rushed towards the operating room. "You murderers… I'm going to kill you!" Leia quickly dropped her. "Ren, calm down. There's still hope, and I'm sure things will get bette
"Fine, I'll help you!" After Haze helped Renee sit down, he rushed to the operating room and kicked the door open. "Stop the surgery right now! I'll kill anyone who moves!""Okay, we'll stop!" The surgeon and his assistant immediately put down their scalpels and raised their hands while squatting on the floor. The surgery was over, and they just needed to stitch the wound, but Quinton had unexpectedly fallen into a coma when he had only undergone partial anesthesia.A few minutes later, the doctor Haze had phoned earlier rushed into the room, gasping for breath. "Mr. Baldwin, what happened? I nearly had a heart attack trying to get here on time!"Haze frowned then said briefly, "Mr. Cromwell, I'll leave this in your hands. If you can save him, you'll be the benefactor of my family, and you'll be compensated well.""Don't worry, I can save him." Robert Cromwell quickly changed into a surgical gown and got to work.Renee was forced to wait again. She sobbed as she stared at the door
"Eight… to ten years?" Renee's mind went blank. Her legs gave way, and she fainted."Phoenix!" Haze steadied her again, then carried her in his arms."Ren... Ren, are you okay?" Leia cried out, gripping Renee's hand shakily. Overwhelmed with guilt, she sobbed, "It's all my fault! Quinton was fine, and if I didn't suggest this, things wouldn't have turned out this way. If he doesn't wake up again, I… I can only give up my life too." "Okay, stop blaming yourself. All surgeries have risks, and this was completely unexpected. You and Phoenix need to calm down." Even as he comforted Leia, Haze looked down at Renee in worry. 'Don't worry, Phoenix. I'll never let anything happen to your brother.'Haze used his connections to transfer Quinton to the best hospital in Beach City. He even requested that Robert join the best medical team in that hospital to hasten Quinton's recovery. Renee woke up in a hospital bed, and she stared at the white ceiling above her. Had she been dreaming?"Ren
Disgust overcame Renee. She found Macsen pathetic."You claimed that you love your girlfriend, but you married Luneth. You married her and got a kid. Now, you want to be intimate with the woman you've just met. Do men think that love is just a trivial thing?""How could you…" Macsen was stunned. He didn't expect her to say that so directly. Guilty, he retorted, "You don't know anything! Men's love is different from women's love.""What's the difference?" Renee snorted and shot him a disdainful stare. "Yeah, it's different. Women are superior human beings. Once they fall in love with someone, they'll never sleep with another man. But men are different. Men are simply animals. They can love many people and sleep with different women. Maybe men and women shouldn't exist at the same time. Then, there won't be so many heartbroken women.""I disagree!" Macsen rolled up his sleeves, turning competitive because of Renee's words. "You make it sound like only men will have a change of heart.
"What kind of condition? I'm listening," Renee said curiously."It's very simple. The best way to take revenge on a man is to humiliate his beloved in front of him, especially by making her a slut in front of him. So…"After a pause, Macsen sized Renee up and cracked a wicked smile. "Turn on your social media, go live, and show everyone how you and I fool around. Let them see how you enjoy my lovemaking. Then, I'll consider letting you guys live!""That's outrageous!" Leia snarled, unable to tolerate it any longer. "You're out of your mind! Your woman is humiliated, so you should find fault with the culprit! Why do you want to hurt another innocent woman? If you love live shows, you should go shoot that kind of video yourself and sell it worldwide. It'll satisfy your special tastes!"Her sarcasm angered Macsen, who turned to his subordinate beside him.The subordinate immediately walked forward. Without hesitation, he grabbed Leia to the large ship behind Macsen."It's finally qu
Renee interrupted Leia for fear that the latter's words might drive Macsen up the wall.Macsen's intense reaction proved that he wasn't lying. Stefan had probably done something outrageous to his girlfriend.However, there might be some hidden clues in that incident. Given Renee's understanding of Stefan, he wasn't so ruthless even though he was abominable."No, she's right." Macsen took a deep breath and sneered. "I should make myself clear. If not, you'd never know how wicked someone could be… When I found my girlfriend, she was naked and had all kinds of bruises. She cried and told me that Stefan had assaulted her for several days and nights. In the end, she jumped off a building and died in front of me because of the utter humiliation!""What?!" At that point, Leia expressed her disbelief. "That can't be! There must be some misunderstanding! Stefan's a scumbag, but he's not a skirt-chaser or a deviant. That kind of thing would never have happened. Given his identity and sta
"Oh?" Macsen looked at Renee, interested. "Is there a way to cause him pain? Well then, I'm all ears."Renee looked at herself and Leia, then said, "I can tell you, but you need to let us go first. At least, let my friend go."Macsen grew cold, and snorted, "Hmph! You can't negotiate terms with me. I think killing you both is enough to cause him pain. Men, do it!""No!"Renee found Macsen's emotions to be very unsteady—he would turn hostile at any minute. Hence, she said patiently, "Okay, I won't ask you to let us go since you don't want to. At least tell us what terrible things Stefan has done that made you hate him so much. Maybe I'll pity you once you tell me. Then, I'll help you take revenge on him.""Don't take me as a fool. You, help me take revenge on him?" Macsen glared at Renee. Macsen wasn't so foolish to believe that a woman deeply in love with Stefan would betray him and work with his enemy to target him.Then again, it would cause Stefan greater pain if his beloved
At that point, Leia leaned backward and laughed heartily. Renee listened to the conversation and shook her head helplessly. They were doomed, alright.Their enemy wanted them dead later, but here Leia was, insulting and rebuking him fiercely. He would probably kill them on the spot.Just as Renee had expected, Macsen said nothing more. Instead, he waved and instructed his subordinate, "Do it now. I can't wait any longer.""Okay, boss." Macsen's subordinate nodded respectfully and glanced at the rest of the guards. They approached Renee and Leia with two sandbags and ropes. "W-What are you doing?" Leia swallowed, terrified at the sight of the sandbags and ropes. Masen sneered and said fiercely, "Didn't you say I'm a coward? I'll show you what a coward I am."The guards bound Renee and Leia tightly and secured the heavy sandbags around their ankles.Macsen's subordinate looked at Renee and Leia, now tightly bound, and asked him carefully, "Boss, it's done. Do we just push t
The man was stunned, then laughed heartily. "No wonder you're Stefan's most beloved woman! You're smart.""Huh? He's Macsen? How can you tell?" Leia looked at the man with confusion, her eyes widening. She never took this man as the amazing figure Liam had talked about."In the whole fort, other than Benjamin, the master, no one could offend Liam and snatch the hostages away from Mateo except for you, the one with an army. Plus, I hurt your dearest son. It's not hard to guess your identity," Renee said, her logic sound. "What a logical analysis! You think fast. I admire you for that." Macsen clapped, giving Renee an admiring look. The next moment, he turned cold. "Since that's the case, I won't beat around the bush. I took you here to settle the grudge between us." "It's fine if you want to take revenge on me, but you have to let my friend go." Renee stood in front of Leia, meeting Macsen's gaze boldly. "This incident has nothing to do with her. Don't hurt her.""No." Macsen s
"Divorced?" The man was surprised at first, but soon remained calm. He snorted, "That's not a big deal. We can't judge the love a man holds for a woman through marriage. Many men ignore their wives and are madly in love with their lovers. I'm sure Renee is the woman Stefan loves the most.""I'm telling you, he doesn't love her!" Leia insisted.She sighed. Filled with indignation, she added, "He divorced my friend for his mistress. Based on your words, his mistress should be the one he loves best. If not, he wouldn't divorce my friend and watch her date another man. Do you think a man would behave like that if he loved her?""Is that so?" The man narrowed his eyes, trying to ascertain the authenticity of Leia's words. If Stefan divorced Renee for his mistress, then from the perspective of a man, that meant he did have a change of heart. Renee was no longer the woman he loved the most.Then again, based on the information the man had found, Stefan was madly in love with Renee. He r
The man observed Renee carefully, his gaze complicated and unreadable. He remained silent for quite a long time. Terrified by his stare, Renee wrapped her clothes tighter around herself. "If I've offended you in the past, I'll apologize to you here. Tell me how I've offended you. I think we can figure out a solution. I'm sure I can do it.""A solution?" the man snorted, his lips a sneer. "Do you think the dead can come back to life? If you think that's possible, we can figure out a solution.""Does our grudge involve the dead?" Renee asked.No matter how much she racked her brains, she couldn't for the life of her figure out when she had met this man. She recalled accepting a mission when she was young and reckless, when she needed to kill a drug lord in Southeast Aeos.As an internationally top-ranked assassin, she hated murder the most. That, and she rarely got involved in such missions. If her younger self had willingly accepted that kind of mission, however, then her enemy
Leia swallowed and leaned close to Renee.She was as confused as Renee and wondered why they would get into so much trouble when she just wanted to visit Liam. Yet, everyone in the fort was out to get her and Renee killed. It felt like a dangerous adventure—there wasn't a single moment of respite!"I don't know, either," Renee said, "but I'm guessing it has something to do with the past and the recent events. They've long held a grudge against us."When Renee was trying to earn her living, she offended quite a lot of people since she was young and bold. Their enemies right now loomed over them aggressively, as if harboring intense hatred against them. Perhaps it was a long-held grudge. Renee couldn't imagine anything else."What should we do?" Leia asked softly.Since they were kidnapped and surrounded by armed guards, they were at their enemies' mercy. They had no idea the direction they came from. "I don't know. Let's act accordingly," Renee said, sighing.She had lost all