Haze's gaze was resentful and provoking. "Did you forget that the Hunt family suffered a terrible loss these past two years, which your family only managed to resolve by having an alliance marriage with the Murphy family? Now you're facing so many enemies, and yet you still claim that Beach City is ruled by the Hunt family.""Yes, the Hunt family has a lot of enemies, and it's fine if your family is one of them too. Come at me then, if you really think I'm so powerless."The two men glared at each other icily, and the atmosphere became tense and dangerous.Stuck in the middle, Renee was forced to mediate the situation. "Okay, there's no need to argue like children. Take a step back and it'll be a win-win situation. Isn't that nice? There are so many resources for you guys to share, so one will be left out. You guys don't have to fight against each other, both of you will suffer losses this way."The Hunt and the Baldwin families had been sworn enemies for the past few decades, but
Stefan finally let go of her hand and explained solemnly, "Yeah, I did take liberties with you previously because you were too charming. I felt that your gaze, behavior, and soul were trying to seduce me. I failed to hold myself back, and gave in to your seduction. It was my fault, so let me apologize to you.""Umm… what exactly are you talking about?" Renee did not expect that he would say such an outrageous thing. He was an arrogant man, but he had bluntly admitted to falling for her charms."Didn't I make myself clear? You're a very charming woman. You can move me even if you do nothing. Well, I could be wrong, but you need to be held responsible too," Stefan repeated sincerely.Renee blushed as she smoothed her hair and grinned. "Well, look at you! It's a known fact that I'm charming. I can't help it, I'm sorry. I'll hold myself back next time, so you won't be tempted...""That's more like it." Stefan then grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms, his gaze intense. "So, c
Stefan sounded so practical that she had no way to argue."Cousin-in-law..." Helplessness overcame her. "You're so noble. You flirt with your cousin-in-law while claiming that you can't let her cheat on Jovan… How hypocritical.""That's different." Stefan loosened his tie, and his gaze was sharp as he said casually, "Jovan and I share the same surname, so my family won't be humiliated if anything happens between us. However, Justin is a Baldwin and my family's enemy, so there's no way you can get into a relationship with him.""Why should I listen to you? Do I look like your slave? You have no right to meddle in my business." Renee was disgusted by his words, so she tried her best to push him away. "Let me make it clear to you—Justin is trying to win my heart. I didn't feel anything for him before this, but a guy like him is so much nicer than an overbearing and arrogant man like you. Maybe he's the right man for me… so I want to give him a chance!"Stefan's eyes widened in rage. "
"Mr. Hunt, don't worry. Miss Garcia is doing just fine. She'll recover and be discharged from the hospital in a week if nothing goes wrong." Joanne's attending doctor explained carefully. "But her body is weak. It seems like something's troubling her, so she's not trying to stay alive. She doesn't eat much either, and just relies on the IV drip to survive. It's all a bit complex… it'd be good if you could give her some moral support."Stefan nodded. "Thank you, I'll do that then."The hospital dean and Joanne's doctor walked with Stefan for a while until they arrived at Joanne's ward. Stefan was about to send them off, but suddenly thought of something. "By the way, why did Renee come to this hospital?""Miss Everheart?" The hospital dean remembered Renee, but mostly because of Justin. "She came with Mr. Baldwin. It seems like something went wrong with her brother's surgery, so they rushed him here as an emergency case. His attending doctor was hired by Mr. Baldwin though. He made a
"Umm..." The dean looked conflicted. "We do know an expert in this field, but Mr. Baldwin set up this team, so it might upset him if we suddenly change it.""You're worried about upsetting him? What about upsetting me?" Stefan's gaze turned icy, and his aura became menacing.The dean went pale, and swallowed nervously. "I understand, Mr. Hunt. Please let us handle this." "Make sure the effectiveness of your doctor surpasses Justin's," Stefan added casually as he walked away. "Don't worry, Mr. Hunt. We'll do our best." The dean gritted his teeth and decided to use all his resources and connections for this task.The Hunt family ruled Beach City; they'd rather take their chances with an angry Justin than an angry Stefan.Stefan was silent, but he was no longer upset. 'Wait for me, Renee… You'll be crying tears of gratitude once this is done.'Renee returned to Quinton's ICU ward. Haze was waiting there, and he peered at her intently as if he were appraising a piece of art.Feelin
"You're overthinking. We were never that close, and so many things have happened between us that things can't go back to the way they were," Renee said softly as she gazed into the distance. In the past, she might have had feelings for him, but after all these events, they had started to fade.The only thing she wanted now was for her family to be safe and healthy—that was all that mattered.After a while, they heard footsteps, and saw Robert walking towards them dressed in casual clothes and carrying a surgery kit."Doctor Cromwell, aren't you going to treat my brother today? Why do you…"Renee looked at Robert's attire in confusion. He didn't look like someone who was about to perform surgery. "Miss Everheart, Mr. Baldwin… I'm so sorry, I can't treat him. The dean has arranged for someone else to take over, so you both can talk to the new attending doctor… I have something to do at home, so I'll leave now.""What?" Renee's eyes grew wide in shock. "Didn't you do a good job with
"Mr. Wilfred, what happened? Why did you remove Doctor Cromwell from the medical team? He's my brother's attending doctor and he saved his life! He should be in charge of the case," Renee exclaimed in outrage.If Quinton wasn't hospitalized there, she would have lost it completely."Umm… We don't want to delay Mr. Everheart's treatment, so we're going to get a better doctor to take over his case. We're trying to help him wake up as soon as possible." Ezra Wilfred didn't dare to speak frankly since they had yet to succeed, and he couldn't reveal that it had been Stefan's order. "Doctor Cromwell is very good, and he's someone we trust too. I don't think there's anyone else more suitable than him. Can you put him back in charge?" Renee was firm. She had always suspected that Quinton's accident was the result of someone's scheme, and she trusted Haze's doctor since he had saved Quinton's life."Miss Everheart, please believe me when I say that there's always someone better out there.
"Umm..." Ezra averted his gaze nervously. 'Damn it! Stefan ordered me not to expose it before it was done. How could I have made such a silly mistake?' "No, I'm... talking about the hospital. We have targets to hit. This hospital has a record of ninety-nine percent recovery, so we can't fail this for the sake of the hospital's reputation," Ezra lied quickly.Convinced, Renee left it. Her main priority was to ask for Owen's help to save Quinton. "Ezra, do you know where Doctor Wagner is? I'll go ask him personally if you guys can't persuade him." Renee was used to doing things herself and didn't want to owe others, so she preferred if she could go talk to Owen herself."I learned from Doctor Wagner's friend that he often goes fishing at sea. In fact, he should be out now. If it goes well and he's in a good mood, we might be able to persuade him. If not, it might be difficult," Ezra said honestly. Owen wasn't attached to a hospital, so whether he took on a job or not depended solel