When Renee was still a part of the underworld, she would sometimes get jobs kidnapping big shots or rescuing hostages, so she had studied ways to tie people up… which meant she also knew how to untie them."Okay, please excuse me for this then." The man carefully went over and tied Renee's hands up behind her. "Please come with us!""Do I have to go with you? Can't you do it here?" Renee became impatient. She had cooperated so she could lure his boss out, but he still hadn't appeared. "I can't help it. We have to finish the act to make it look real!" He scratched his head helplessly. If his boss hadn't offered him a high reward, and if his buddies didn't owe their boss, he wouldn't be doing such childish things."There are many ways to do it without troubling ourselves. For example..." While talking, Renee went forward and snatched away the man's knife though her hands were tied, then ordered him to put the knife to her neck. The gangster was dumbstruck. "What… What are you doin
Renee's unusual behavior had ruined Xavier's plan. Helpless, Xavier chose to be frank with her. "At first, I wanted to use a trick to make him appear, but it seems like it's hard to fool you. It might not be that easy to fool him either, so... let's just forget it!" He shook his head and watched the rain slow down, then stop. Sighing, he turned to Renee. "It's late, let's go home. Lei is worried sick about you, and is hoping you'll come back soon." Renee frowned hesitantly. "I don't want to go back just yet… My messed up mental state will only trouble you all.""Where will you go then? Do you plan on running from reality for the rest of your life?" Xavier had heard from Leia that Renee was depressed and wanted to be alone, and as her friend, it worried him."There are some things you don't understand..." Renee didn't know how to explain her thoughts to Xavier. Carefully, she said, "Wounded animals will run away to heal on their own when they're hurt… It's the same with me. Don't wo
Renee was worried that there might be a misunderstanding or that Briar had used some tricks to get her way, so she was desperate to find Stefan for clarification. She spoke to a lot of people and searched many places, but it always ended with disappointment. She was exhausted physically and mentally. "I'm so tired, and my whole body is aching from going around looking for him. I don't care if he doesn't want to be with me anymore, I just want to see him and know that he's okay… but he never appears. I don't know if he's hiding somewhere and watching me make a fool of myself and get hurt over and over again, but even your lousy ploy couldn't force him to come out. So yes, of course I'm upset. Is this what you call sacrifice and love?" Renee demanded hysterically, helpless and agitated. She looked like she was losing her mind."Umm..." Xavier looked hesitant as he tried to comfort Renee. "Renee, calm down. I really don't think it's that simple. If Stefan is alive, he's probably going th
Xavier paused, frowning thoughtfully. "You know, it does seem possible. Is Stefan hiding because he's no longer a true man? After all, he jumped off such a high mountain. What if a branch or something hurt his private parts? That might be the only reason a man would give up his beloved woman."Renee rolled her eyes in exasperation. "If I were Stefan, I would poison you so you wouldn't be able to speak anymore.""I'm being serious! Sometimes the truth can be crazy!" Xavier rubbed his chin and said seriously, "I have to look into this.""And just how do you plan to do that?" "I'll get my men to look into all the fertility clinics in Beach City, especially the ones near that village. I might find some clues then." Xavier took out his phone to contact his men. Renee sighed deeply. "What a crazy man!" Based on Renee's understanding of Stefan, the most he would do is break up with her if he couldn't have kids, he wouldn't pretend to be dead and keep hiding like this. Xavier firmly bel
"Is that... Jeffrey?" Renee looked up at the bright and handsome youth in surprise, then sighed. "I guess the kid who always wore shorts and played with dirt finally grew up.""Hi, Renee!" Jeffrey Joyner smiled shyly, his eyes sparkling. "I thought I would never see you again!""Jeffrey!" Ava glared at Jeffrey. "Ren is happy and healthy, so why wouldn't you see her? Ignore him, Ren, he hasn't seen much of the world past this fishing village, so he's not that good with words. He's always admired you since he was a kid, and still has that group photo with you at home. He's always wanted to see you, but is too nervous to.""Mom, you're embarrassing me!" Jeffrey mumbled, covering his red face."What's there to be shy about? Ren is practically family, so why are you acting like a stranger?" Ava looked like she was about to whack Jeffrey, but Renee quickly stopped her. "It's okay, I understand. Jeffrey is all grown up now, so it's normal for him to feel shy." Jeffrey was a young man wh
Renee took the coconut from Jeffrey and sipped the coconut water, and the refreshing, sweet taste was like rain in the desert. She looked up and saw the sunrise lighting up the vast sea, and felt a happiness she hadn't in a long time. It was little things like this that brought color to people's lives, and at that moment, Renee finally felt her stress melt away.Jeffrey brought Renee to his house, which was a typical two-storey house. It was built near the sea and had been renovated two years ago. There were various kinds of flowers growing in the yard. "Renee, we managed to renovate the house last year because of your support. Dad and Mom made a room for you to thank you... I'll take you there," Jeffrey enthusiastically explained.Feeling touched, Renee went upstairs with him. There was a large room facing the sea on the second floor with many shells and beads hanging on the door, and it looked like an urban style from the 1980s or 1990s. Ava and her family had painstakingly decorat
Renee sat in the egg hammock in front of the window and watched the world gradually brighten. Surprisingly, she felt sleepy, which was a feeling that had evaded her for a long time. Soon, her eyelids slowly closed and she fell into a deep sleep."Renee! Renee!" After some time, Renee heard Jeffrey's voice. She opened her eyes and saw him standing before her, holding a tray with a grand seafood feast on it.Renee woke up and stretched, feeling relaxed. She hadn't felt like this in a long time. "Wow, it smells so good. Did you make this?" Renee looked at the delicious spread. "Yeah, they're not too hard to make. I don't know whether you'll like it or not…" Jeffrey pointed at a bowl of steaming porridge. "Eat this seafood porridge while it's hot. I added in a lot of nutritious ingredients which are good for your health." He had noticed Renee's pale and sallow face, so he had made her their village's secret seafood porridge to help her get back her energy,"Okay, thank you." Renee too
"What's the matter, Renee?" Jeffrey had never heard Renee curse before.However, Renee ignored him as she peered at her phone screen closely. She was pretty sure that she had seen Stefan like her post just now, maybe out of accident or for some other reason. However, it had only lasted for a second before he canceled it. Hope burned in her, and she suddenly felt alive again. That meant that Stefan was still alive, and he'd been watching her. After calming herself down, she texted Stefan.[Where are you? I saw you liked my post. Can't you say it to my face? Stop hiding like a tortoise!]A few minutes went by, but there was no response. [I'm very grateful to you for everything you've done for me. I know the disgusting things you did behind my back too, but it isn't important. I just want you to come back and explain everything to me, okay? We love each other. Are you trying to drive me mad? I can date someone else too as long as you make it clear to me. I'll leave and won't trouble
Liam felt that his situation at the fort was almost the same as Renee's current situation. He had thought that the marriage was just for show. If he was unhappy, he could get a divorce. Even then, things were not that easy when he wanted to get out of that mess. If Amber had not protected him, Benjamin would have long gotten him killed. He knew better than anyone else how unfair it was for the other party when one tolerated and went through with the marriage.Amber was naive and was willing to be treated unfairly, but Justin was no fool. He would not be able to take it if it lasted for a long time. It was easy to imagine what Renee would face when Justin stopped taking her side."Let's go! I'm not afraid. You don't have to be afraid, either." Liam made up his mind to support Renee, who was standing behind him.Renee bit her lips and started to waver; not because she did not want to be with Justin, but simply because she was not confident in herself. She was afraid she would neve
"Liam, what are you doing?" Leia looked at Liam, unable to understand his sudden excitement."I'm going to meet Austin or Justin. I want them to cancel this engagement ceremony." Liam held Renee's wrist and tried to drag her out of the suite.He was certain Renee didn't want to marry Justin, so it was very likely that she would regret it in the future. It would be hard to settle if she regretted it after the engagement party. Liam felt that he had to try his best to put everything under control while he still could. Feeling helpless, Leia complained, "Stop making a scene… This is Ren's marriage. You can't make all this fuss!""You don't know. I'm doing this for her. I want the best for her." Liam knew the consequences of resisting Austin, given the man's position. He was also ready to be punished by them. Even though he would be beaten up vigorously, he would not hesitate as long as he could stop the ceremony and help Renee avoid such risks. "If you want the best for her, just
Leia felt so awkward that she wanted to run away. "Hey, can you stop flattering yourself? You haven't settled your messy romance, so please don't get Ren involved. You shouldn't joke like that!"Similarly, Liam found his joke impudent and admitted to his mistake. "Yeah, I was wrong. Don't take my joke seriously."Both Renee and Leia were amused. It helped relieve their tension. "But have you thought it through? After this ceremony, you'll be a part of the Baldwin family. You can't regret it by then," Liam said; he was worried about Renee. Everyone knew the Baldwin family's style. They had such a grand ceremony today. If anything went wrong, the Everheart family might be ruined for the second time. Although nobody knew who would win the battle, the trouble could be avoided. Liam was clueless as to why Renee wanted to take such a risk."Yes, I have." Renee nodded and added firmly, "I'd thought it through the moment I boarded the plane with Justin to fly here."It was the last c
Renee was done getting ready. As her closest friend, Leia came to North City with Liam immediately.The engagement ceremony was held in a magnificent hall of a top hotel. The guests arrived one by one and chatted among themselves. It was a luxurious and grand scene. "Ren, I'm sorry I'm late!" Leia arrived at the hotel suite where Renee was waiting. She put her hands together to express her apology. "It's Liam's fault! He was out of his mind and insisted on not coming here, but I forced him to and took some time. Please don't be mad at me!""Silly, I won't be mad at you. Plus, this ceremony doesn't carry much meaning. The Baldwin family just needs this as an assurance. It doesn't matter even if you're absent."Renee looked indifferent and was not at all happy and eager like a bride-to-be. The engagement ceremony was held to announce to the world about the relationship between her and Renee. In all honesty, Renee was resistant to it. She did not want her family or friends to at
Margaret decided to be frank since Renee had said so. "I can tell that you don't sincerely love Mr. Baldwin. Your marriage is just a way to avoid reality. Why are you so harsh on yourself if that's the case? Now, you're making such a big fuss about moving here. If you fail to get along with him and have to return to Beach City in the future, many people will gossip about you. They'll say nasty things about you. Why do you have to put yourself in such a condition?""Margaret, you don't understand…" Renee looked at herself in the mirror. She looked very charming, like a bride in ancient paintings. Everyone would be charmed by her—including herself. She knew very well that she was the one taking the lead in her romance with Justin. They could go on forever as long as she didn't end it. She was just afraid she could not hold on and wanted to stop, and the only reason that she wanted to stop was probably because of Stefan. "If I stay in Beach City, I'll come across Stefan. I know t
Time passed by. It was soon the day for the engagement ceremony between Justin and Renee.The Baldwin family held a grand ceremony while adhering to tradition. It was both traditional and romantic.Renee put on a red slim-fit silk gown with intricate black and gold embroidery. Her long hair was delicately pinned up, showing off her fair and slender neck. She looked elegant."How pretty!" Margaret stood in front of the vanity table and looked at Renee, whose face was dolled with exquisite makeup. She looked gratified, as though she were looking at her daughter."If your parents saw how pretty and elegant you were, they would be very happy." Margaret gently placed her hands on Renee's shoulders and commented, "You married Mr. Hunt when I wasn't around. You must have suffered a lot. But things will get better now… I'll stay with you and protect you forever. I'll be your strongest support."Back then, Renee was left alone when her family was ruined. She married Stefan without anyo
Alexander and Francine were already old. It was fine even if others criticized them or took violent revenge on them. But they were worried that the younger generation, especially Adie and Abby, would have a hard time handling it."You're right. I wasn't thinking straight…" Francine became teary and sobbed. "I just wanted to relieve my guilt and failed to consider the kids. We brought this upon ourselves. I'll probably have to suffer this pain for the rest of my life.""Stop thinking about that. It's all over. It's useless to regret or dwell on it." Alexander walked over and hugged her shoulders. He whispered some consoling words, "No one can tell who was right or wrong about that affair. We're already punished. Just act like everything is gone…"Is it? You're just trying to make yourself feel better." Francine leaned against Alexander's shoulders, full of melancholy. "Don't you think the kids are suffering the consequences of our actions? They love and understand each other bu
"No, I'm not going to snatch away the bride." Stefan put his fork down and stood up. He added calmly, "Plus, I'm going to give them a huge wedding gift."Flabbergasted and shocked, Francine's face stiffened. "I'm full. Just enjoy your meal." Stefan went past Francine and headed upstairs to his room. Francine and Alexander watched Stefan's upright but desolate back for a long time, unable to snap back to reality."Alexander, is there something wrong with him? Should we get an exorcist? He's acting weird!"Francine could not accept to see Stefan that generous all of a sudden. His woman was snatched away, but he wasn't angry at all. Instead, he wanted to buy the couple a big wedding gift. She couldn't come up with any other possibility except that Stefan was crazy or possessed. "I can understand him." Suddenly, Alexander became sad as if he recalled his past. He looked gloomy as he added, "Sometimes, letting go is a kind of happiness. Helping the others to be together is true l
"How could you!" For a moment, Timothy was rendered speechless. After all, his anxiety was useless since Stefan was calm. "Forget it. I'm not eating. It's annoying! I'm going upstairs." Timothy did not want to argue with Stefan since Stefan was already an adult. He could not force Stefan to do anything. Instead, he chose to get away from such annoyance to not ruin the harmony of the New Year. After he got up and left, Francine braced herself to mediate the situation."Your grandpa isn't very healthy. He should rest early. Let's eat. We should enjoy our meal happily no matter how unhappy things are." Alexander soon gave his cooperation as well when he heard that. He put some food on Stefan's plate and smiled. "Yes, we can't force things in life. Let's enjoy our meal first." "Dad, Mom, I'm sorry you guys are worried about me. Happy New Year."Stefan quietly ate and raised his wine glass, toasting to his parents. He looked normal and calm, and was warmer toward them.However,