"Maybe fate feels that you've suffered enough," Eloise said vaguely."Can you tell me more about the donor? Is it a man or a woman? Is the donor a Hunt too?" Although Jovan was elated, he was still cautious. Nothing in life was free, after all."Well... that..." Eloise trailed off, not expecting Jovan to be concerned with who the donor was. She thought about it for a while, then casually lied, "It's a poor female student. When she saw our advertisement, she submitted her check-up report, and we found her suitable." If Jovan learned that the donor was Renee, the very person he risked his life to protect, there was no way he'd agree to the surgery. "Oh, a poor female student..." Jovan didn't doubt it—there were many people who were forced to give up their bodies or organs just to survive. "Pay her well if she really agrees to do it. In fact, I'm willing to be responsible for her and her family for the rest of their lives," Jovan declared righteously. Although he wasn't generous by na
Jovan immediately picked up on Eloise's hesitation and asked, "What's wrong? Is it inconvenient?" "No, it's just that… Is it really necessary that you meet her?" Eloise initially wanted to come up with an excuse to reject his request, but he would surely get suspicious if she kept saying no. "Of course," Jovan said earnestly. "She's going to bear the suffering I've been going through for the rest of her life if she gives her eyes to me. She'll practically be giving me a new life, so of course I have to meet my benefactor." "Okay, I'll arrange a meeting for the both of you then..." Eloise felt it was best that she let Jovan meet Renee for a while before the surgery to erase any suspicions. "I'll ask her to come to the manor at ten o'clock tomorrow morning so the both of you can talk.""You've done well, Elly." It was the first time Jovan praised Eloise openly. He turned his face towards the sky and took in a deep breath, feeling like freedom was already in his grasp. "I'll be abl
Pity engulfed Eloise when she saw how despondent Renee was. "Listen, I don't want to do this either but the problem is there aren't any suitable eyes for Mr. Hunt except yours. It's our only option." "Don't worry about it. I told you that it's what I owe to Jovan, and I'm willing to return the favor.""Fine, you both will meet tomorrow morning then," Eloise said and breathed out a weary sigh. Renee had a restless night, her mind plagued with worries, and on the other side of Beach City, the same thing was happening to Stefan.Xavier had told Stefan that he couldn't get through to Renee's phone, so Stefan had tried calling Renee too. When he couldn't reach her either, uneasiness filled him. However, he soon saw her Facebook status—a photo of her holding sunflowers and smiling tenderly with the caption 'You're the only one I love'.Stefan knew that was what sunflowers meant, but he couldn't help but feel like it was Renee confessing her love for him on the Internet. Why had she p
"Yes, she's here." Eloise pulled Renee to the balcony. She wasn't worried that Renee would try to escape or expose her true identity to Jovan; she would have done that long ago if she really wanted to."Where is she?" Jovan asked Eloise eagerly."She's sitting in front of you. Just take your time and talk to her..." Eloise patiently explained.There were two lounge chairs and a small tea table on the balcony. Both Jovan and Renee sat across from each other, tea and fruits on the table between them."Please leave us alone, Elly," Jovan ordered Eloise, who was standing nearby."Just ignore me, Mr. Hunt. I won't disturb you." Eloise wasn't worried about Renee, but she was scared Jovan might realize something, given how smart he was. Letting them meet was already very risky."It's not about whether you'll disturb me or not, I'm just not used to having a third person around if I'm going to chat with someone.""But...""Are you going to disobey me?" Jovan's tone was calm but menacing
Renee's tone was melancholy."Why do you want to sell your most important organ then? You can earn money through other ways, you know. You don't have to do something like this that will ruin your life." Jovan frowned, looking confused.Renee smiled then said solemnly, "It's because I think poverty is more horrible than having one's soul trapped. The worst that could happen if I lose my sight is that I'd feel bored, but poverty can actually kill people!""How much do you need? I can give you the money, then you don't have to sell your eyes to me," Jovan said suddenly."Huh?" Renee's smile froze on her face, and she was caught off guard by his offer."Are you surprised?" Jovan clasped his hands together and said honestly, "I know how it feels since I'm experiencing it. I know how devastating it is to lose your sight, so I don't want anyone to suffer such agony unless they have no other option." Renee cleared her throat and said awkwardly, "I heard that you're pretty aloof, so why
Panicked, Renee pulled her hand back and accidentally knocked over Jovan's cup of coffee."I'm sorry!" Renee hurriedly used a handkerchief to wipe up the spilled coffee, but in her panic, she forgot to modify her voice.Jovan immediately became suspicious and grabbed Renee's wrist. "Who are you?" "Didn't I tell you, Mr. Hunt? I'm Brisa Stone! Don't get handsy with me—I'm just selling my eyes, not my body!" Renee said teasingly as she tried to pull away, knowing she had to stay calm. If she panicked, she would give herself away. "Brisa Stone?" Jovan's gaze was void but his expression was alert. "Is that a name you just made up? Are you really… not my old friend?""Which old friend of yours do you think I am, Mr. Hunt?" Renee calmly asked him."You feel like her..." Jovan frowned contemplatively, then shook his head. "But it's impossible. She should be spending happy days with the one she cares about now. She wouldn't remember a useless man like me." "Don't say that." Renee fel
"I would have come to you ages ago if I was, Mr. Hunt. I don't think your friend would hide her identity," Renee lied, her heart pounding in her chest."No, she might. That's why I dare to hope that... maybe you're her.""You're overthinking—I'm not her. Plus, I'm willing to give up my eyes for money. What would your old friend want if she gave up her eyes for you?" "She..." Jovan trailed off, not knowing how to respond. Renee had children, a successful business, as well as countless possibilities with Stefan. There was no way she would give up her wonderful life to save a villain like Jovan. His expression turned cold again, and he muttered, "Go then; we'll meet again the day after tomorrow. After the surgery, you can tell me how much you want. I'll be responsible for you and your family.""Thank you, Mr. Hunt. I won't have to worry anymore thanks to you." Renee casually patted Jovan's chest and left the balcony.Meanwhile, Eloise was wringing her hands and pacing worriedly down
Renee felt her heart skip a beat, and then her phone suddenly started to ring. It was Stefan calling, and after hesitating briefly, she answered the phone. "Finally! I thought you were dead!" Stefan bellowed through the phone, seething with anger.Renee winced and put her phone away from her ear. "Why did you call me? Are we that close?""No, we're not close..." Stefan chuckled, then said smugly, "We're just friends who slept with each other once. You're right, I shouldn't be acting like a busybody." "Clearly, you have nothing else better to do." Blushing, Renee snapped, "Tell me why you called, or I'm going to hang up.""Wait!" Stefan blurted out, then quickly asked, "Where are you now? Who are you with? Are you safe?" "How is that any of your business? All you need to know is that I'm safe. If I wasn't, I wouldn't have the time to speak to you on the phone, would I?" Renee tried to speak calmly to eliminate Stefan's doubts. "Really?" Stefan was naturally cautious, so he di