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
"Well, there's no point in trying to force him out to give you an answer. You should use some tricks to lure him out instead." Jeffrey racked his brain to come up with ways for Renee because he did not want to see her sad. "What kind of tricks?" Renee looked up at him. She always felt that she was an amateur in romance. She didn't know how to flirt or seduce someone—she was usually just straightforward and honest… which was probably why she always ended up hurt and disappointed. After so many years, Stefan was the only man she had loved. All her other experiences were failures. "In relationships, exclusivity is always a must. Everyone wants to be the one and only for their partner, and if there's a third person in the relationship, things will get messy. Anyone who gets cheated on will surely go mad and do irrational things," Jeffrey said slowly. It was the kind of romance he understood at his age. "So?" Renee asked, still baffled. She had to admit that she was a fool in romance.
Without any warning, Renee kissed Jeffrey, then raised her phone and snapped a photo of them. Speechless, Jeffrey blushed a bright red.After taking the photo, Renee patted his cheek. "I'm sorry, dude. It was a rather impulsive decision. I didn't scare you, right? I'll buy some candies for you later.""What... are you guys doing?" A trembling voice came from the door. Renee turned around and saw a young woman with a round face staring at them in disbelief. "Daisy, when did you come? Why didn't you knock?" Jeffrey looked at the young woman in displeasure. This was such a special moment for him, and all he wanted was to be alone with Renee. Having another person around ruined the atmosphere. Daisy Lewis was gaping in shock, and she glared at Renee viciously. "Who are you, you wicked woman? What are you doing at Jeffrey's house? You... You even did such a perverted thing with Jeff! You'll get pregnant. I'm going to tell Mrs. Joyner!" "Pregnant?" Renee was amused by Daisy's words
Daisy squinted at Renee and asked suspiciously, "You don't like Jeff?""No, I do!" Renee admitted honestly.Jeffrey's eyes lit up, and he blushed even more.Daisy stamped her feet. "Are you messing with me? You just said that you didn't feel that way about Jeff!""There are many different ways of liking someone. Of course, I like an obedient young man like Jeffrey, but it's more of a sisterly affection. It's not how a woman would like a man," Renee explained with a smile. Daisy calmed down, but Jeffrey looked crestfallen."Okay, I need to rest. Can you both go out and play somewhere?" Renee massaged her temples, wanting them both to leave. In her opinion, they were just kids, and their idea of romance was quite funny. It would be ridiculous if she kept arguing with them on it. "Okay, Renee. Rest well, and call me if you need anything." Although Jeffrey looked gloomy, he still put Renee's well-being above everything else, and dragged Daisy out of the room. A long sigh escaped
"As you said, it's just a rumor. I'm sure the elders just said it to scare people. Only fools like you would believe it," Jeffrey scoffed. He had heard of that rumor, but didn't believe it. For the past ten years, the villagers had told stories of a sea witch that lived in the depths of the sea and survived by sucking the blood of men. Many fishermen had apparently been harmed by the sea witch. Usually, the men would end up dead, but sometimes, the sea witch would bewitch the whole family and make them kill each other. The sea witch would go to different places along the shore every year, and this year, her place was supposedly Joyner Village."My mom said the sea witch looks pretty, and they'll always pick the strongest and most handsome man in the village to be their victim. Jeff, in our village, that's you! If she comes to our village, she'll start with you." Daisy clenched her fists and stared at Renee's room on the second floor, full of hostility. "I think she's the reincarnati
Huffing, Jeffrey went back to his house. "She's just in love and angered by some jerk. She'll come back around in a few days and everything will be back to normal again." Then, ignoring everything that Daisy had said, he closed the door firmly. After a while, Ava came back. "Jeffrey, where's Ren? Did you cook her nice food and spend some time with her?" Ava had been concerned about Renee. After putting away the fishing net, she hurried home to welcome her family's benefactor. "I cooked her some food, and she's resting now. Mom, don't disturb her." Jeffrey hurriedly stopped Ava just as she was about to go upstairs."Oh, she's resting..." Ava heaved a sigh. "She must be upset over something since she went to the beach alone in the middle of the night. She even locked herself up in broad daylight, and doesn't look energetic at all. How pitiful!"Jeffrey's doubts grew when he heard that. Renee went out at night instead of the day, and looked frail and distant... It really did seem li
"Ren, you're awake? Did you have a good rest?" Ava awkwardly waved at Renee, feeling embarrassed. She hated gossiping about others behind their backs, but the one time she had done it, the person involved had heard her!"Renee!" Jeffrey turned around, his face pale and expression guilty."Ren, don't be mad. My son says stupid things sometimes, so don't take it to heart." Ava assumed that Renee had heard everything, so she tried to defend Jeffrey.Renee descended the stairs calmly and said bitterly, "It's okay. I wish I was possessed so I could get an expert to help me get rid of the demon, but unfortunately... that won't help me this time." "Don't say such things. I know you're upset. You can tell me anything. I'll give you some advice." Ava treated Renee like a daughter and led her to sit in the living room on the first floor."It's nothing much. I'm just being a fool in love. It isn't a big deal," Renee admitted openly. She was afraid that they'd assume a demon had possessed he
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,