"I'm most afraid of dogs! Where are they?" Xavier hid behind Leia. He was nearly 190cm tall, but he looked like a kid hiding behind his mother's skirts. Leia pursed her lips and tried her best to suppress her laughter, and patted his head as if he was a child. "Don't be scared, I'll protect you. Dogs won't hurt you. Just stay behind me and stop screaming."They supported each other like an old couple and walked through that muddy road until they finally arrived at the set of Happy Days. "Finally, it's over!" Xavier heaved a deep sigh, feeling like he had gone through hell."Stop exaggerating!" Leia looked at him in confusion. "This is a remote village, so there'll be mud and dogs everywhere. Why did you torture yourself and come with me if you were so scared?""What do you think?" Xavier headed to a small stream and washed his feet, smiling faintly. "Do I look like someone who purposely looks for trouble?""Yes, you do!" Leia replied bluntly.Xavier rolled his eyes. "I was wor
Angelo Fairfax, a famous singer, became desperate as he gritted his teeth and complained, "I can't take it anymore! I've never met such a delicate star even though I debuted so many years ago. She joined a variety show in the countryside, but doesn't even want to drink the water at this place. She demanded pure water from an expensive brand, and even asked me to cook using that water. Where can I get so much of that? How preposterous!"Angelo was in charge of cooking in the show, and he was good at it. The others enjoyed his cooking, and his skills helped him gain a lot of fans. However, Shirley had started ordering him around after she joined the show. She claimed that the pasta was undercooked and that there were insects in the food. However, what infuriated him the most was that she demanded he cook with that expensive water, or else she wouldn't eat."I've met self-important people, but she's way too much. I'm no longer famous but I was quite a successful singer in the past. I've
Angelo extended his hand. "Mr. Stuart, you're busy so it's hard to see you. Are you here as a guest, or did you come for a visit? Why didn't the crew inform us?" The shooting had ended because it was night, so they could not tell if Xavier was a guest or merely there for a visit."We're here to see someone. May I know if Shirley is around?" Leia asked directly."Shirley?" Angelo became annoyed when Shirley's name was mentioned. He said indifferently, "She's a princess. Of course, she won't stay here.""What do you mean? Don't tell me she's not here!" Leia almost broke down. It was a long car ride, and she had soldiered through the muddy road and water path before finally arriving on the set. If they told her that Shirley was not there, she'd go mad."No, she's not staying here now. When the cameras are rolling, she'll be here." Angelo smiled bitterly."Where is she now?" Leia hurriedly asked."She's having a rest in town. Although we have bedrooms here, that princess can't stan
"Yes!""No!"Xavier and Leia spoke at the same time. Xavier wanted to stay in the same room as Leia, but Leia felt that it wasn't a good idea to get close to him since they had officially broken up with each other."Umm… it's up to the both of you, I guess. Either way, wash up and rest well; there'll be a grand welcoming feast for the both of you early tomorrow morning. If you're not comfortable with the arrangement…" Lily thought about it for a while, then pointed at a small thatched shed nearby. "There's a cowshed over there. We can set up a bed there, and you can make do with it for one night. We don't suggest it though, because the cows are very stinky and may try to knock you down.""Are you serious?" Leia forced a smile, but was inwardly cursing. She knew that the conditions were hard at Happy Days, but surely it couldn't be so bad that she had to stay in a cow shed. "It's late. The both of you should head to bed, don't worry about us…" Xavier hugged Leia's shoulders and
While complaining, Leia hurried to follow Xavier.The only bedroom looked rather ordinary. There was an old wooden bed, and although there was a new mattress on it, the room had bumpy floors and a leaking roof. It was not much better than the cowshed. The most horrible thing was that one had to use the water prepared in the tank for washing up—there was no tap water or hot water. Water had to be boiled on the spot if one wanted to take a bath and wash their face. It was extremely inconvenient."I get why Shirley did that now..." Leia swallowed. "We can't blame her for being a diva. It's not easy to stay here.""I think this place is pretty good." Xavier accepted his fate and flopped down onto the bed leisurely. He put his arms under his head and smiled contentedly. "The bed is rather soft, and we can look at the stars. How romantic!""Is that so? Coincidentally, I'm allergic to romance," Leia said grumpily. She pulled a chair over and sat down on it cross-legged, as if she was medi
"Get lost!" Leia knew that he could never speak nicely. After she drove him out of the room, she quickly locked the door. She was a bit tired after the shower, so she decided to rest early that night.She had to battle against Shirley the next day.Leia woke up a few hours later, and felt rather sorry for him. She opened the door, and as expected, saw him squatting outside the door pitifully. He looked like a homeless puppy."You're awake?" Xavier looked up, his eyes watery.Leia looked at him, half expecting him to burst into tears. She sighed and said, "Forget it. Go and sleep in the room. I'll sleep in the cow shed." After all, she was a tough woman. She could handle sleeping in the cowshed, but it was cruel to ask a rich young heir like Xavier to sleep there."Thanks!" Xavier did not hesitate at all, and dashed into the room eagerly. Gone was his pitiful act and puppy dog eyes.'Leia Osborne, you're a fool! He tricked you!' Leia cursed silently as she returned to the room to
Leia stopped Xavier from going further, and said quietly, "If you do this, I'll just be like all the other women you've dated. You'll just use me to sate your lust, and leave me when you get bored. It makes me feel cheap."They had said that during their previous fight. She knew that it had been said out of spite, but her heart ached every time she thought about it."But I'll never get bored of you..." Xavier murmured hoarsely. He closed his eyes and touched her skin, allowing his instincts to guide him. He had to admit that even though their relationship wasn't deep, their bodies were compatible. He didn't want to give her up so easily because of that."You're still talking nonsense. Don't you realize that it matters to me? Don't you think you should discuss it with me? Or am I just a tool to you, so you feel you don't have to waste your time talking to me?" Unable to stand it, Leia pushed him away and asked him, her eyes watery. She was reluctant to accept that they had broken u
Leia was enraged by his response. She grabbed a blanket and pillow then stormed off towards the cowshed. 'Hmph! I'd rather sleep with cows than with a scumbag like you!' She gritted her teeth as she thought so. However, when she arrived at the cowshed, she found that the rich smell of cows, cow manure, and grass was too much for her. She soon returned to the room. At the moment, Xavier was sound asleep."Sleep on the floor, damn it!" Leia threw the blanket and pillow on him before she kicked him onto the floor. Satisfied, she got onto the bed.Xavier was sleeping soundly, but woke up with a start as he landed on the floor. He rubbed his sleepy eyes and crawled back into bed, then hugged her and said, "Baby, stop messing around!"He dozed off again, and Leia was at a loss for words. She wanted to kick him away but he hugged her like they were a couple who had made up with each other after a fight. She couldn't bear to kick him away either. "Forget it. What an ill-fated relationsh
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