Plop! That plump woman got down on her knees in front of Renee and hit her head against the floor, begging for mercy. "I'm sorry. I was wrong. I shouldn't have vented my anger on you both. Please forgive and punish me." When she saw how domineering and unafraid Stefan was, she figured that Stefan and Renee probably came from strong backgrounds. If she didn't bow down now, she might face more serious consequences later. "Let's go." Renee tugged at Stefan's clothes and whispered, "I don't like it here… I want to leave." The previous incident was a blow to her pride, and she disliked the crowd that had gathered to watch. "But that woman..." Stefan was furious, and wanted to teach that impolite woman a lesson for bullying Renee."She's not important," Renee said coolly. "It's just human nature to bully the weak, so there's no point even if you kill her." There was only one thought in her mind, and that was to leave. She was tired of being stared at like an animal in a zoo."Okay, let
"You don't know, do you? Vases are the rarest things in the world. They make a place more beautiful just by being there, and it's very easy for people to like them. People will even sacrifice for them and cherish them like any treasure in the museum, so be a good vase and stop overthinking. Just enjoy how we care for you." Stefan said everything he could to console Renee, and all his words were sincere. He had always wanted to take care of Renee, but she was fiercely independent and a perfectionist. She never let him have the chance to take care of her, and would protect him instead. However, now that this had happened, Stefan had finally found his long-lost sense of existence and self-worth."But I don't want to..." Renee exhaled sadly. "No one wants to be a vase and let others decide their fate. Plus, no one will take care of someone for the rest of their lives. Everyone in this world has something they need to do, and they won't stop for someone else.""Are you doubting my sinceri
"A dream?" Abby blinked and asked Stefan innocently, "Was it a nightmare? Were you scared? Did people try to bully you?" "Umm..." Stefan didn't expect Abby to believe him, and smiled helplessly as he said, "I don't know if it's considered a nightmare, but I felt muddle-headed like a zombie. I always felt like I had lost something important, and only after I woke up did I realize that it was all of you.""Mm, I won't blame you for it then… but I feel sad that I wasn't with you when you had that nightmare. Are you angry at me?" Abby asked Stefan seriously as she held his face. Her mother and brother would always stay with her patiently whenever she had a nightmare, and they would hug and comfort her so she wouldn't be scared. However, Stefan had to face that horrible nightmare alone, and Abby, Adie, and Renee even scolded him when he didn't remember them. It made Abby feel like she had wronged Stefan. "Haha! There's no way I'd be mad at all of you, silly… I dote on you all too much
"I know I didn't keep my word in the past and I hurt you all, Adie… but I guarantee that I'll always be with you and protect you as you grow up," Stefan said to Adie sincerely. Stefan noticed Renee's expression grow colder, and quickly said to the children, "Why don't you both go and play? Your mommy is very tired from shopping at the mall today, so I'll take her upstairs to rest. I'll cook your favorite fish and beef later, okay?""Yeah!" Abby jumped around excitedly when she heard that.Adie looked at his parents and said knowingly, "You both want some time alone with each other, don't you? Don't worry, Abby and I won't disturb you. Abby, let's go!"After that, the children ran to the garden to play.Stefan helped Renee up the second floor and into the bedroom, then led her to sit down on the bed. "You've been through a lot today, so why not get some rest? I'll come and wake you up when the food's ready." Stefan was acting like Renee's personal caretaker. Renee couldn't find an
Stefan's words were reassuring, and Renee felt that maybe she was worrying too much about the future. She didn't want to regret wasting this precious time together, so it was probably best for her to take things one step at a time and live in the moment.After speaking to Renee, Stefan went to the kitchen to cook. He was a bit worried because this was the first time he would be cooking for them, and he had to satisfy Renee, Adie, and Abby's tastes. He worked hard in the kitchen, determined to impress them. The children were enjoying themselves in the garden, and they could smell the aroma of Stefan's cooking from time to time.Meanwhile, Renee was lying in bed. She wasn't sleepy, but the incident at the shopping mall had left her mentally exhausted. After a while, she dozed off."Dear? Dear, the food's ready." As she drifted in and out of sleep, Renee heard a low and magnetic male voice. She pulled the blanket around her tightly and muttered something before going back to sleep.
Sparks flew in the room while Adie and Abby waited in the dining room downstairs, but after a while of their parents not appearing, they soon became anxious. Abby frowned and asked, "What's going on, Adie? Why aren't they coming downstairs? The food's getting cold."Baffled, Adie held his chin and racked his brain. "They're not that far from the dining room, so Mommy should be out by now. Is Daddy bullying Mommy?" "No way! We've just forgiven him, but he's bullying Mommy. We have to go and stop him now!"The children were just about to rush upstairs when Margaret exited the kitchen, carrying a soup that smelled delicious. She hurriedly stopped the children when she saw them. "Adie, Abby, you should eat first. I'm sure your parents are just sleeping, so why don't you let them rest?""Sleeping?" Adie found it illogical. "Didn't Mommy nap in the afternoon? Why would she want to sleep again? She hasn't had dinner yet, and I'm afraid she'll be hungry." "Umm, well... She was sleepin
Renee stretched as if she had just woken up, and she said innocently, "Stefan? Why are you in my room? Who let you in, you rogue? What are you talking about? I don't understand at all!"Stefan knew Renee was pretending, and smiled helplessly. He ran his hand through his hair and said in amusement, "Fine, I'm a shameless rogue that snuck into a decent woman's bedroom to be her plaything. But, master, you're awake now, aren't you? Let me take you downstairs for dinner then, okay?" "Fine, I've rested enough anyway. I'll give you the honor of helping me put on my clothes." Renee reached out, waiting for Stefan to help her put on clothes. Stefan got to his feet and turned on the light in the room, then carefully helped her into a pair of comfortable pajamas. As he helped her with her clothes, Stefan was so close to her he could feel her warm breath on his skin, and his heart pounded in his chest. Once Renee was dressed, he held Renee's waist and murmured in her ear, "You're wicked, mas
After such a lovely dinner, Renee suddenly felt like calling Quinton. Usually, she'd come up with an excuse to end calls with Quinton because of her condition, but after tonight, she felt much more relaxed. She had calmly accepted her condition, and bravely called Quinton.After a while, Quinton picked up her call. "Renee, why are you calling? Are you in trouble?" At that moment, Quinton was south of the sea, gathering manpower and materials to go diving for the treasure that had suddenly capsized. He'd been feeling rather defeated because he hadn't gotten anything, and he'd also been worrying that Renee might bump into crooks at Beach City. Unfortunately, he couldn't go home just yet, so he was happy to see that Renee called. However, he couldn't help but feel worried as well because Renee wouldn't call without a reason."You're so pessimistic, Quinton. Can't I call because I want to share something happy with you?" Renee asked teasingly as she sat on the bean bag on the top floor a
"What's that?" Justin frowned and said with disdain, "That's something to fool naive women like you. Only lovestruck fools will believe that." As a materialistic person, he never believed in things like horoscopes and fortune-telling. At most, they were mixed with some psychology. They weren't trustworthy at all.If Renee wanted to use those things to talk about their relationships and destinies, it would seem very childish. "Don't be so extreme. Those things are real and logical." Renee acted like an experienced salesperson and gradually eliminated Justin's prejudice. She said patiently, "If you believe those things, they can guide you and help you to see things through. If not, you can use them to kill time. Just try to get to know them. Isn't that nice?"Finally, Justin was convinced. He had some milk and asked her leisurely, "Fine. Tell me what kind of relationship we have based on those things." "I learned that our relationship is a declining friendship based on our birt
"I…" Renee paused. For a moment, she had no idea how to answer that question."Don't put yourself in a difficult position. Just follow your heart," Justin said calmly. "If you want to stay, my family will still welcome you readily. If you want to leave, I'll come up with a way to help you leave smoothly."After listening to Justin, Renee answered honestly, "Maybe it's better for me to leave, though I know this choice will hurt you."She could choose to stay to protect Justin's dignity and give Austin a good explanation. It would be more relaxing and steadier for her. However, Renee knew that it could only last briefly. She would cause Justin greater harm. She might as well be decisive and stop the damage in time. "Don't say that." Justin cracked a bitter smile and said with relief, "I've stopped taking things too seriously. If you like me, you won't stop loving me even if we're apart. Similarly, you'll think about another man if you don't like me, even though you're always b
Austin was having breakfast in the dining room. When he saw Justin and Renee walk over intimately, he finally believed that they had slept together. They seemed like a real couple."Good morning, Grandpa Baldwin!" Renee obediently greeted Austin just like before. She acted normally."Good morning." Austin nodded, unable to suppress his smile. After sizing them up, he calmly said to Renee, "We know how apologetic you are after you toasted to us last night. We'll forget about the past. You're still a part of my family." "Grandpa!" Justin interrupted Austin; he was very protective of Renee. "She's a woman, and we're not married yet. Please don't say that. A woman's reputation is the most important thing.""You…" Austin wanted to refute Justin, but their conflict was just resolved so it would be bad to pressure them more. He shook his head and said, "Fine. You two always have a bland romance. Finally, you've made some progress. I'll let you two decide what to do next.""Got it, Gr
"Hey, Haze! What are you doing? Get off of me!" Renee struggled in confusion."Hush!" Justin gestured and stopped her.In a while, someone unlocked the door of the room."Mr. Baldwin, let me help you and Ms. Everheart change your clothes." A kind middle-aged woman walked into the room casually. When she found them sleeping together intimately, relief washed over her. "Oh, you guys are still sleeping… Fine, I'll leave you be." Then, the woman exited the room.After that, Justin stopped hovering above Renee, looking awkward. "I'm sorry. It happened all of a sudden. If I hadn't done that, they wouldn't let us go. I just did a small thing to resolve the issue." Justin was fully aware of Austin's thoughts. Although Austin was still angry at Renee, he was satisfied with her and wanted to see her get into a real intimate relationship with Justin. If that did not happen, Austin might tie them up together since the drug had failed. Justin could only act with Renee to avoid the in
Renee grinned, satisfied after a long rest. "Why didn't you sleep a bit longer? This bed is comfortable and fluffy." While talking, she behaved like a fish as she extended her limbs and rolled around in bed childishly. In comparison to her calmness and ease, Justin behaved gingerly and did not dare to move as he lay in bed."Do you have any idea what had happened? We aren't dreaming. We're lying in the same bed," Justin said.He was certain that Renee was not fully awake. It explained why she was that composed. Otherwise, any normal woman would get out of bed with a start and keep screaming if they found herself lying in a man's bed."I know!" Renee said. After having a great time rolling around, Renee faced Justin with her head on her arm while lying on her side. "I wanted to drink wine to say sorry to you guys last night, but your family drugged the wine. You drank the same wine when you tried to stop me. We were controlled by the drug and were locked up in this room. T
Renee instantly understood what Justin meant by that. It turned out that the incident was just a part of the Baldwin family's plan. If she left, the Baldwin family would not easily let her off the hook.Justin still cared about her at a time like that, which moved her. "Thank you. You're great." Renee cried; she had no idea how to repay him. "You don't have to thank me. I'm not so great, either. I just hate that they always pester me." Justin purposely sounded relaxed. He finally calmed himself down as he casually grabbed some bandages to bandage his wound. Then, he lay in bed.He slept on one side of the bed and said to Renee, "It's late. You should rest early. This bed is large enough. If you don't mind, you can lie in bed too."The bed was large. It was more than enough even if Renee and Justin lay there."I…" Renee hesitated briefly before she finally got in bed. She trusted Justin. If he wanted to do something indecent to her, he would have long done that. He would no
"I don't know how to tell you. I'm sure you can understand." Renee could not bring herself to say more because it was a humiliating privacy. She might as well keep it to herself."Let me guess…" Justin's gaze grew sharp as he went straight to the point. "The man in your story is Stefan, isn't it?" Silence washed over Renee as she kept her head bowed. It was a silent approval.Justin burst into reckless laughter, which was scary. He looked down at his cut wound and laughed pathetically. "This is why he could make you fall in love with him, and I couldn't. I'm too cultured compared to him.""Don't say that, Haze!"Seeing how defeated Justin was, Renee became uneasy. "It isn't written in the stars for us. Plus, I've fallen in love with Stefan a long time ago before I even got to know you. I also rely on him physically and psychologically. I can't control my feelings. It's not something we can change. We…" "Stop!" Heartbroken, Justin pushed away everything in front of him and s
Time passed by. Gradually, the pain knocked some sense into Justin. He no longer wanted to take advantage of Renee."Let me get you some water." Renee had no idea what she could do for Justin. After some contemplation, she got to her feet and poured him a glass of water.Finally, she studied the room closely and found that it was a wedding room as Justin had mentioned. Everything was set up according to her preferences, which she had occasionally mentioned to Justin. For example, she loved keeping some ceramic ornaments on the bedside cabinet and hanging some seashell wind chimes at the windows. The entire room was painted in beige and green, which were her favorites, too. Beige gave a sense of warmth, while green gave a sense of gloominess. All of those details became the perfect wedding room for Renee.If everything went on smoothly, she would spend most of her time there, and he would be her life companion. Unfortunately, there were no ifs in the world.Renee handed the gla
Renee covered her lips, her tone filled with disbelief. "I…cut myself." Justin leaned against the corner and frowned deeply. He was in deep pain."Why did you cut yourself?" Renee was scared out of her wits and grew more sober. In her panic, she threw herself at him and tried to stop his bleeding.Justin reacted aggressively as he waved his dagger and warned fiercely, "Get away from me! Don't touch me!" "I…" Renee paused, too afraid to act recklessly. She pointed at his wound and said, "I'm just worried about you. You're bleeding. It must hurt a lot. Why did you hurt yourself?" "It's better to be in pain!" Justin gnashed his teeth and said in agony, "The pain will knock some sense into me, so I won't act like an animal and lose control of myself.""I see…" Stunned, Renee was moved to tears. She understood why he cut himself. Surprisingly, he wanted to stay sober and not be controlled by the drug in the wine.He could have used her to satisfy his desire, and she would never b