"You can't think like that." Quinton rested his hands on Renee's shoulders, and said dotingly, "Just let me handle things like this. You have to lead a happy life with Adie and Abby. I'll earn money, get revenge, and revive our family.""I can't let you do everything, that would be selfish. We should do this together!" Renee said agitatedly, her eyes watery. She was too impulsive. She had only thought about her happiness and had forgotten about her responsibilities. To live a good life, she needed to take revenge and rebuild her family."I'm the one at fault here. I brought this up just when you made up your mind to leave, and it feels like I'm guilt-tripping you. Listen to me—just go live on the island with the kids and stay away from all of these conflicts. The further you are from this place, the less affected you'll be by that heartless man!" Quinton regretted bringing up their family honor. He was reluctant to part with her, but he felt like he had broken Renee's wings by forcin
Quinton jerked back, his eyes wide in indignation. "You're being rude. How could you make fun of me like this? Why should I get a girlfriend?""Calm down, Quinton. We're of the same age, but I've got two kids now. Isn't it normal for you to have a girlfriend by now? It's simple biology," Renee said cheekily, trying to persuade him. If Quinton found a lover, he wouldn't be so lonely, and she would feel reassured even if she and the kids decided to move back to Sun Island one day. "Nonsense! I refuse to get married or have children. I have no interest in women," Quinton scoffed. He had never considered such a thing over the years, and the only woman he had ever loved was Joanne. "You're not interested in women?" Renee raised her brows and thought about it, then nodded wisely. "So, you like men."Quinton stared at his sister, speechless. When had he said that? His sister might be the only person alive brave enough to insinuate that the infamous Night Demon liked men. "It's okay—yo
Renee wasn't angry or surprised—she had expected that her friend might not come. After half an hour, almost all the customers in the dessert shop had left except for her. To anybody else, it looked like she was there for the free air-conditioning."Madam, you've been at the shop for more than two hours. Do you need any help?" A waiter came over and asked kindly."I'm waiting for someone." Renee looked up awkwardly and added, "Give me a taro tiramisu.""Umm... Okay." The waiter nodded hesitantly and left.Renee raised her brows, looking around. They couldn't kick her out as long as she kept ordering food. Renee took out her phone and texted her friend. "Aren't you coming? The waiter said I've been here for too long… But it's alright—I'm a shameless person. I'll wait for you." She sent the message, but didn't get a reply. Night was nearing, and the waiter kept glancing at Renee expectantly.Finally, the windchime at the door rang as the door opened, and someone walked in."Welc
Joanne stared at Renee contemplatively. "Just tell me what you want since you were so determined to meet me." It was not the first time Renee had asked Joanne out for coffee, and Joanne usually ignored all her texts. She knew Renee hadn't expected her to show up.Renee sighed dramatically. "We escaped death together, but you still don't trust me. I just want to talk to you, so there's no need to be so suspicious!" Renee smiled at Joanne warmly, speaking like she was an old friend."Really?" Joanne relaxed slightly. She picked up the glass of lemon water in front of her and sipped it."Why should I lie?" Renee added sincerely, "You might not consider me a friend, but I see you as one. I've always wanted to talk to you over coffee." Joanne pursed her lips, then lowered her head and stirred her drink absent-mindedly. "How have you been lately? I heard that... you got into trouble. You almost died, didn't you?""That's right." Renee nodded. "Honestly, my days have been full of ups an
Renee munched on a soft cake as she casually asked Joanne.The smile on Joanne's face froze, and her gaze turned icy. "Why are you asking?" "I'm just asking; I don't have any hidden agenda, I promise." Renee put two fingers together and said seriously. "I swear I'm just concerned about you as a friend. If I lie, let me be struck by lightning.""There you go again!" Joanne immediately frowned. "Stop saying such unlucky things!""What else can I do? I have to prove my innocence so you won't be so guarded around me." Renee shrugged and pouted."Fine, but just keep it to yourself." Joanne took a deep breath and confessed, "I've been working as a language teacher at an elementary school. Mr. Hunt helped me get the job. He even bought a three-bedroom house for me near the school. I spend the day with my students, and go home to watch dramas or scroll through my phone at night. It's calm and peaceful... It's the happiest I've been in years." Joanne felt like she had been reborn. She did
The air seemed to crackle with tension. Joanne said nothing as she took a tissue to wipe her lips, then stood up to leave with her bag."Hey, Joanne! What are you doing..." Renee immediately gripped Joanne's wrist and smiled charmingly. "I was just messing with you, you don't have to answer if you don't want to. Why are you getting upset?""Why did you bring it up if you know I don't like to talk about it? It's like you want me to leave!" Joanne snapped, her previous warmth instantly gone. "It's a special treatment!" Renee pursed her lips, sounding serious.Joanne frowned. "What's that?" "Immunotherapy!" Renee cleared her throat and elaborated, "You know, people couldn't cure fever in the past. The only resolution was to keep getting fever until their bodies built antibodies to fight off bacteria. After a while, less people fell sick, and finally, there was no disease in that area.""What kind of crap is that? Does it have anything to do... with you mentioning that person?" Joa
Renee sounded like she was exaggerating Quinton's good sides and ignoring his flaws, but what she said was the truth. The current Quinton was not as extreme and cruel as he used to be, which might have been because of the love Renee and the kids showed him. He had become a rational, gentle, and kind person, so Renee wanted to meet Joanne because she hoped to bring them together. Even if they didn't get together, she would be happy if they resolved the grudge between them. She knew that Quinton hadn't forgotten about Joanne, and she didn't forget him either; They were just waiting for a chance, which Renee shamelessly saw herself as."He stopped... hating Mr. Hunt?" Joanne's eyes widened in disbelief. She had grown up with Quinton and had witnessed the worst sides of him. How could a vengeful person like him let go of his hatred that easily?"Why would I lie to you?" Renee sounded firm. "Not only did he let go of his hatred, they've become acquaintances. But they aren't on the best of
Defeated, Renee returned to Everheart Manor, feeling glum. At that moment, Everheart Manor was filled with a rare liveliness and warmth. Adie had recovered and left the hospital, so Quinton and Leia were holding a small family gathering. Their close friends were there too, but they hadn't mentioned anything to Renee—they were waiting for her to come back to surprise her. However, as time passed, their excitement died down, and they soon grew hungry.When Renee opened the door, everyone cheered and clapped excitedly."Great! Ren is home. Let's eat!" Leia waved at the others, gesturing for them to take their seats."This is…" Renee picked a piece of confetti from her hair, looking confused. "What day is it today? What is everyone doing here?""It's just an ordinary day, but it's a happy one!" Quinton led Renee into the house and gave her a large sunflower bouquet. "Renee, you and the kids have suffered a lot recently. I hope that you three can be happy every day from now on. Don't
Francine went berserk again and gripped Sophia's neck. "I'm going to count to three! Get my grandkids here! I'm going to take them home! If not, I'll break your neck!" she yelled. She couldn't stop Renee from marrying someone else, but she couldn't tolerate her two grandchildren relying on others' charity like Renee.It wasn't only about her dignity, but more about the children's growth and mental health. She couldn't be careless."You're out of your mind! Drive them out of here!"Sophia was a decent woman who couldn't allow herself to go berserk. Although she had a glib tongue, she found herself unable to handle a figure like Francine. Francine was never too harsh and would only make a scene. But now, she was out of control and was screaming nonstop. "Talk it out with them. Don't use violence. We're parents. It's humiliating to be violent," Alexander interrupted.Alexander tried to make Francine calm down and behave herself. Even so, he didn't act accordingly and pushed Ja
Francine's obvious provocation made others draw in a cold breath, let alone Justin's parents.No wonder she was one of the Four Princesses of Beach City. She was much too impulsive. Justin's parents looked very hideous. However, Sophia wasn't so soft. After taking a few deep breaths, she faced Francine with the same fake smile. "Don't worry. I'll take Adie and Abby back home. Since Ren is marrying Justin, my family will treat the kids as ours. We'll be their grandparents. In a few years, my son and Ren will have more kids to be their siblings. Then, we'll be one family!""What? Do you want to take the kids back home?" Fury instantly gripped Francine. She ignored all decency and demanded fiercely, "What do you want to do to my grandkids? They're still young! How could you target them?" "You must be mistaken. Ren is going to be a part of my family, so naturally, her kids are going to come with her. I'm sure there isn't anything wrong with that." Sophia snorted. "You're their bi
Leia couldn't understand it. Both Renee and Stefan once loved each other passionately. They had soldiered through a lot of difficulties. But when everything became better, they stopped seeing each other. Such separation brought a fatal blow to her views on love. Suddenly, she found herself too timid to give up her heart. After all, it was nothing. People could break up with each other easily."No wonder Xavier refused to come. If he was here, I would have hated him because of Stefan. I'd beat the crap out of him!" Leia was furious, but she couldn't find someone to vent her anger on.The Stuart family was invited to the party too, but Xavier refused to come. He claimed that he would have betrayed Stefan if he had come to the party.However, Stefan was the greatest betrayal of his romance since he remained silent and indifferent. While Leia was still angry, everyone in the hall suddenly fell silent. They stretched their heads to look at the entrance of the hall."The Hunt famil
"I… I don't know what you're talking about," Liam muttered guiltily, avoiding Leia's scrutinizing gaze. "You must know what I'm talking about!" Leia refused to let Liam go and went straight to the point. "Look! Because of such a bind, you probably fell in love with Amber, who isn't related to you. Why can't Ren fall in love with Justin after spending a long time with him?""So, what's your point?" Liam didn't refute Leia. He was curious about what she was trying to say. Leia reasonably explained her opinion, "I'm trying to tell you that things might not be as bad as you imagine. Even if you take Ren away and stop this ceremony, things might not be better either."She was too timid to tell Liam that she regarded Renee and Justin's marriage in a favorable light because she found them similar. Similar people could at least lead a stable life though it might not be very passionate and exciting.After leading a wandering life for such a long time, Renee needed steady happiness. It
Liam was impressed while looking at Justin's calm expression. He had always thought that Justin was cunning and full of schemes. He was even worried that Justin might plot against Renee in the future.However, Justin was quite open and generous. He was considering things from Renee's angle. He could be Renee's haven, but if he stepped down, he could willingly grant Renee's wish to be with the one she loved. It seemed that Justin was selfless, and Liam felt that he was worse than Justin. No wonder Renee would choose to spend the rest of her life with Justin. It seemed like he was a reliable man.Justin pocketed his hands and asked casually, "Is there any other problem now?""Not at the moment." Liam frowned in defeat. Since Justin had made such a big compromise, he would seem like a fool if he was too arrogant and refused to give up. A long sigh escaped him as he let go of Renee's hand, but he was still hopeful. He boasted to Justin, "Wait and see! I'll make Stefan appear.""Go
"Let go of her!" Justin turned cold and grabbed Renee's other hand. He said darkly to Liam, "You don't have the right to take her with you!""Hmph! I don't have the right to take her with me? Well, you don't have the right to marry her. I must take her with me today. Worst comes to worst, I'll fight your family!"Though he was too weak to fight the powerful Baldwin family, Liam was never a coward. He would fight the whole world alone for the sake of Renee's happy and stable life."Calm down…"In comparison, Justin was calmer. He was probably more confident since it was his territory and he could affirm Renee would not leave with Liam. He started mocking Liam. "I'm not the kind of person who will force others to do things they refuse to do. If Ren wants to leave, I'll let her go even if my family disowns me. But I know that she won't leave. At the very least, she won't leave with you.""What do you mean?" Liam could tell that Justin was mocking him, and it annoyed him. "Why are
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