Renee had climbed pretty high when she heard them announce that they were about to select the champion, and she suddenly felt the safety buckle behind her shake. It made her feel unsteady, like she was about to fall."Ten, nine, eight, seven..." The judge began to countdown, and everyone held their breath as they waited for the final result.Unwilling to give up, Renee gritted her teeth and kept on climbing speedily."Three, two, one. Okay, let's congratulate Adie and Abby's family for winning this carnival!" The judge boomed, and everyone cheered.However, before Renee could turn to wave to Adie and Abby who cheered below, she found herself plummeting downwards."Ah!" There were horrified screams and shouts from the crowd as they watched Renee fall."Renee!""Mommy!"Quinton, Adie, and Abby frantically ran to where Renee had fallen, but a security guard stopped them. "Calm down and don't move. We have safety precautions installed, so she'll be fine." The security guard announc
After her fight with Stefan, Seraphina had always been cautious around him in case he would ask to cancel their marriage again. However, Stefan seemed to have gotten over it—he treated her nicely and didn't ask to break off their marriage."No, I have a friend who's coming to see me later," Stefan answered aloofly.Seraphina immediately felt guilty, and almost got burned by the hot water she was pouring for him. "Which friend? Xavier or Chris?"Her questions made him frown with displeasure. "Do I have to report to you whenever I meet my friends now?" "No, I'm just curious. I'll be glad if you're meeting Xavier because it's been a while since I last met him. I don't know why he's been so busy lately." Seraphina tried her best to sound casual as she pushed her hair behind her ear. "No, I'm not meeting them. You'll know later if you're so curious," Stefan said calmly. Right after he said that, he heard laughter outside the ward."Haha! Stefan, why do we always meet at the hospital
"Oh, that's what you're worried about. There's no need to worry—just look up my name, and you'll see that I've never made any mistakes. You can just look forward to your fiance regaining his memories." Owen patted his chest proudly. He was confident in his surgical skills and fishing because he never failed in them.Of course, Seraphina had heard of him. When she conspired with Jovan, they had considered bribing Owen, who could do a better job at it. However, after asking around, they learned that Owen was a weirdo who didn't care about money or fame. He treated patients based on his mood, so it would be difficult to bribe him. Hence, they chose the second best neurosurgeon, someone who was not as skilled as Owen but could be easily controlled.Owen's confident assurance filled Seraphina with anxiety."You might be right, but Stefan's condition has finally become stable. He shouldn't be going through surgery again. I just want to see him healthy, and it's not important for him to re
"She's just insecure. She probably thinks I'll change my mind after the surgery." Stefan watched Seraphina leave and smiled bitterly. It was Seraphina who stayed with him during those hard times. He knew he should take responsibility for that by marrying her and giving her a lifetime of happiness. Besides, he believed that he truly loved Seraphina, and the surgery would not affect his love for her. He just wanted to fill in the blanks in his mind. Raising his brows, Owen remarked thoughtfully, "All insecurities arise from a lack of self-esteem. Maybe she thinks she isn't suited for you, or maybe she didn't get in this relationship by honest means. If not, she wouldn't be so worried." "Not by honest means?" Frowning, Stefan was perplexed by Owen's explanation."It's very normal that you don't understand, but everything will come to light after the surgery. You'll know then why she's feeling this way," Owen said meaningfully. As a neurosurgeon, he was aware of the means of controlli
"She's injured?" Stefan's calm expression immediately disappeared, and he sounded agitated as he asked urgently, "When did this happen?" "Just now... She joined a competition organized by some kindergarten and fell off a high platform. It's pretty serious." Owen had watched the live broadcast of that competition out of boredom. After seeing Stefan's reaction, he became even more curious about Stefan and Renee's relationship. He smirked and said teasingly, "She's a mother with two kids, but you're interested in her. You both must have a very interesting story… Maybe you're the father of her kids.""Nonsense," Stefan scoffed arrogantly, "I'm not so vulgar to have kids with a frivolous woman like her."The corners of Owen's lips curved upwards into a knowing smile. "Didn't you lose your memory? How would you know? Did you ask your family about it?" "No, I didn't," Stefan argued stubbornly. "My family would have brought the kids home if they were related to me instead of not mention
Renee had indeed sprained her waist, and was quickly rushed to the orthopedics department, which happened to be on the same floor where Stefan was warded.After ages of wandering around, Stefan was right back where he started.At that moment, a lot of Renee's relatives and friends had gathered in the ward, including Leia and Justin. All of them rushed there when they heard the news.Hence, Stefan could not get close to Renee. He wasn't thick-skinned enough to approach her under such circumstances.When a nurse came out of the ward, Stefan gave Elijah a meaningful look, and Elijah immediately understood.Elijah went up to the nurse and pulled her to a corner. "Miss, I would like to ask you something. How is the patient in that ward?" The nurse looked at them cautiously. "Who are you two? Are you her family? If you're not, I can't tell you anything because our patients' information is strictly confidential.""Yes, we're her family. Mr. Hunt here is the patient's husband," Elijah
Stefan scoffed. "I'm not a baby. I'll be fine.""You…! You've only recovered a little, but you're acting to smug. Why can't you see sense?" Francine wiped away her tears helplessly.Elijah chimed in, "Madam Hunt, blame me. Don't blame Mr. Hunt...""For what?" Francine looked at Elijah in confusion."I didn't investigate the situation well enough. Mr. Hunt wanted to see Miss Everheart but she's actually here on the same floor as him... He went out for nothing," Elijah admitted sincerely. His confession earned him a cold glare from Stefan. "Don't make me send you to North Zambawi for that mining project." Stefan's threat made Elijah bow his head. "Mr. Hunt, please forgive me." "Okay, my head hurts. Just leave me alone." Stefan changed out of his casual clothes and flopped back onto the hospital bed unconcernedly. He thought he could move on, but his mind was full of his memories with Renee...Francine heaved a long sigh after leaving the ward with Elijah. "What an ill-fated de
Lying in bed, Renee could feel a dull ache around her waist but it didn't affect her much. Both Leia and Justin exchanged hesitant glances when she said that, and Renee immediately picked up on it. "Don't tell me I'm really paralyzed?" "Stop saying such unlucky things!" Quinton grumbled and clenched his fists. "I'll get the best doctors in the world to cure you, there'll be no risks.""Calm down, I'm not that weak. Even if I'm really paralyzed, you guys can just let me go," Renee laughed and said indifferently. She felt that it was better to die instead of living like a useless person. "I don't want that, Ren! I don't want to see you suffer… You have to get better, okay?" Leia started crying again as she spoke.Sighing, Renee said, "Okay. Could you all please leave? I want to sleep." She hadn't been too bothered when she arrived at the hospital, but all the people who came to see her kept crying as if she was going to die tomorrow. "Okay, let's leave and let her rest." Quinton
Amber's eyes lit up, showing admiration for Renee. "Ms. Everheart has kids? And they're fraternal twins? She established a company, too? She's awesome! I never expected a woman could be so amazing! She's a great role model for women!"To Amber, the most amazing woman was Luneth, who managed her family well and was lovey-dovey with her husband.Once she heard about Renee from Liam, however, her worldview expanded. She realized that women could still lead incredible lives even after leaving men and romances behind. She could do the same—she could focus on her career instead of her marriage or a man. "Of course! If not, I wouldn't have called her my boss!" Liam couldn't stop talking about Renee, feeling proud. He began reminiscing about Renee's amazing past. "To be honest, she's a great scholar and is talented in the sciences. Plus, she was the top hacker in the world…""Wow, she's amazing!" Amber kept gushing; she had never heard about such things. The two of them spent almost a
"I find their relationship wonderful. Their love is so deep! I envy it—imagine having such a passionate and intense romance!" Amber gushed like a lovestruck fool, her eyes bright.Movies were popular in the fort. Hunt My Everheart gained high popularity there that year. After that movie, Shirley won multiple film awards and Best Actress. Stefan, who acted in it as well, gained a lot of female fans.Fans soon dug up the story behind the movie. Since Amber could use the internet, she could talk about the movie with great familiarity. She had always assumed that Stefan and Renee belonged together. They were the perfect match for each other! She had never considered the possibility that there were other unknown things between them."The movie's nothing but a sham. It's all an act! It's not the same as reality, and you can't believe it at all." Liam had never watched that movie because he held it with disdain. Grumpily, he continued, "Plus, Stefan invested in that movie. Of course
At that time, Amber suddenly realized that there was nothing happier than marrying someone who she loved and who loved her back. The key to an everlasting marriage, which was long and complicated, was not to force herself or her lover."It's great you think that way, but the world might not be as wonderful as you've imagined…" Liam said, melancholic.Amber seemed to have grown up and was no longer the silly young woman who was infatuated with him. She had her thoughts about love and was no longer stubborn about marrying him. She yearned to explore the world and find a new guy. Liam felt that the girl who had always longed for him would finally leave. "The men out there are more wicked than the ones in this fort. There are many cunning and disloyal men. You can't fall in love with just any guy. Someone pure like you will be lied to and bullied. Do you understand?" Liam advised her eagerly, as though he were her senior. He patted her head gently, making her want to rely on him an
Mateo was gone, leaving Liam and Amber alone in the restaurant. Suddenly, awkwardness and silence overcame them. An amorous feeling hovered in the air.Liam finally stopped acting. He chuckled awkwardly and sat up straight, then said to Amber, "Thank you for what you did just now. I wasn't that serious. I was just acting.""I saw that." Amber grinned, teasing him. "I've got to say, you acted well. I thought Matt almost strangled and killed you.""I'm not that weak. Plus, he's not that brave either." A sudden competitiveness gripped Liam; he purposely flexed his arms and acted strong. "Did you think Mateo could fight me? With his physique, I can defeat him with one hand!" "Mm, I think so too. You must be stronger than Matt." Amber nodded, giving Liam her full support. She started to feel that Renee was right to claim that he was just a child."By the way, did you talk to Luneth? What did she say?" Liam asked; he knew that Luneth's attitude was the key to quickly resolving that iss
Amber took a deep breath, her eyes teary. She had long pondered over those words, but was too timid to say them aloud.She wanted to thank Liam for repeatedly insisting that she try to understand herself and reminding her not to take her marriage so callously. After some contemplation, Amber decided to not marry anyone."I won't marry you or Liam. I just want to marry someone I love and who loves me back. Only people who love each other can get married," she said firmly, looking dead serious. Both Mateo and Liam were stunned. Liam stopped acting weak; he held Amber's shoulders and stared at her carefully. "Is that what you truly think?""Yes!" Amber was shocked by the sudden change in Liam and subconsciously leaned backward."That's great! I didn't say those things for nothing. You're finally enlightened!" Liam nodded with gratification. "All I want is for you to understand yourself. There are many messy things and troubles in a marriage. If it isn't supported by love, you'll
Amber helped Liam to sit down before serving him water and rubbing his neck. She was full of anxiety.Mateo angrily gulped down a glass of wine, but the wine was so strong that he began coughing vigorously. It suffocated him. After helping Liam to settle down, Amber turned and glanced at Mateo, who was full of tears."Matt, why…are you crying? You strangled him, but you act like you're wronged!" "I…" Mateo pointed at his throat and the glass; he needed some water. Amber frowned and said solemnly, "You can't do that. You've repeatedly attacked Liam. You were over the line! Don't you know he thinks of you as his brother and values his friendship with you?"Mateo was flabbergasted to hear it. He knew nothing about that—it seemed Liam was even better at acting than him. While complaining about Mateo, Amber smoothed Liam's chest to make the latter feel better. "Liam always lets you have your way, but you target him. If I came late today, you might strangle and kill him."Mateo
Mateo swallowed. "Yes, I'm aware of that. The Stuart family has been investing in a lot of entertainment properties in Southeast Aeos in the recent few years. They're controlling more than half of the TV stations. Their power and influence are incomparable.""Looks like you keep up with the current events. Are you involved in the entertainment field too?" Liam asked.He had easily gained the result he wanted with just a few words. He faked a smile and looked at Mateo, who was panicking.Mateo glanced at him and said grumpily, "All that Master ever asks us to do is indecent. If we don't have any people in the media, we're doomed."The Triangle was never governed by the law, but public opinion was a dangerous weapon. If they went over the line and got reported by the media, international law would get involved. Naturally, it would affect their business.The Stuarts did decent business like the Osbornes and might appear easy to control. However, they couldn't be offended casually—a
Because of Liam's declaration, he and Mateo failed to reach a consensus.Mateo's gaze grew colder and more sinister, and he glared fiercely at Liam. "Fine. There's nothing to talk about between us.""No, you're wrong." Liam calmly swayed the wine glass. "You can get down on your knees and say sorry. Maybe I'll let you off by then!""How dare you!" Mateo could no longer take it—he pushed all the cutleries on the table to the floor and pointed angrily at Liam. "You refused my kindness. I won't go easy on you!""Just come at me. I'll wait," Liam shot back provocatively. He knew Mateo well—the man was wicked and cautious, but also cowardly. Under these circumstances, he wouldn't act recklessly. Hence, Liam wasn't afraid to infuriate him. Renee was right. Mateo had done so many things to control Liam. As long as Liam remained calm, Mateo couldn't do anything to Renee and Leia. "You think I won't do that?" Mateo clenched his fists and snarled fiercely, "I'll break one of their fing
Liam casually twirled the wine glass in his hand and asked Mateo coldly, "So, you won't stop until you marry Gem?""Not just that." Mateo tore off a drumstick and bit into it, then cracked a cunning sneer. "Marrying Amber is always in my plans. I'll marry her even if you're not involved. Tonight, I want to talk to you about the few territories in your hands.""The territories in my hands?" Liam frowned. Initially, he was confused—then, he understood it and chuckled. "What territories? I just work for Mr. Jenkins. The territories we took in belong to him. You'd better ask them from him instead of me. That's more straightforward."When Liam and Amber decided to fake their marriage, Benjamin focused on training Liam. In the process, he gave Liam a lot of power and authority.Liam didn't fail Benjamin. He did a great job even with his limited power. In half a year, he took three territories, namely the East River, West River, and South River. The three territories came with an importan