LOGIN"Why not?" Renee asked.She looked at Jovan and thought that he was a little too stubborn.He had already agreed with what she said, yet he still insisted on talking tough."I don't think love needs to be a game. Take right now for example. I'm the one who likes you. You think that means you've got the upper hand over me. But the truth is, having feelings for you is my main motivation. Even if I have to swallow my pride and act like a simp, and even if you never give me any response, I'd still feel happy just being close to you."He continued talking seriously. "Love itself is only about the person who feels it. Your joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness are all decided by you. So there's really no such thing as winning or losing."Renee froze.Jovan's perspective was interesting. For a moment, she couldn't even argue with it.In the end, she could only smile helplessly. "No wonder you always bounce back no matter how many times you get knocked down. Turns out my attitude doesn'
Stefan didn't argue after hearing that. He simply smiled bitterly."You're right. I'm a coward. I'm used to calculating risks and consequences down to the smallest detail. The dynamic Renee and I have right now is the optimal solution after all my calculations. I just don't dare take another risk."More than anyone else, he knew he had never truly let go of Renee. That was why his pain felt a hundred times clearer than anyone else's.When his emotions surged, he sometimes had the reckless thought that nothing else mattered as long as he could be with her. But that thought usually only lasted for a moment. The instant he lowered his head, logic would take over.Even he didn't know whether that kind of restraint meant he didn't love her or that he loved her too much."Fine. Keep messing things up then. One day when she really runs off with someone else, I won't feel the slightest bit sorry for you. I'll be beating drums and setting off fireworks to celebrate that she finally found s
Stefan sat by the campfire. He nudged a small cluster of flames with a stick. His gaze grew distant as he fell into thought. "Letting her misunderstand me isn't such a bad thing. I'm not exactly a good man anyway. It's much easier for her to hate me than to love me."Although the two of them could now set the past aside and get along peacefully, he knew very well that some feelings were like the sparks flickering in front of him. Give them the slightest chance, and they would flare back into a raging fire.When they burned, the ending would only be destruction.He had worked hard to play the role of the villain perfectly. If he stopped now, all of that effort would be wasted."I don't get you. I seriously don't get you. Sometimes you make me so mad."Xavier plopped down beside Stefan. He grabbed a burning stick from the fire and waved it around irritably."You obviously love her. So why do you keep hurting her? Are you mentally unstable or something?""I never wanted to hurt h
Stefan avoided Renee's gaze. He clenched his fists a little. "I'm not obligated to answer that question."There was nothing going on between him and Briar, but it was true that he had once used Briar to make Renee give up on him.If he explained things too clearly now, all the lies he had told before would fall apart.Given the situation, he had no desire to see the carefully constructed lies he built get exposed. It wouldn't benefit either of them."Well, there you go." Renee spread her hands. "You're not obligated to tell me, and I'm not obligated to tell you."Stefan fell silent.She was right. He no longer had any standing to demand honesty from Renee. Otherwise, it would make him look like a complete hypocrite."I lost. I'll drink."After saying that, Renee picked up a glass and poured the alcohol straight down her throat. Her eyes were full of bitterness.Leia understood Renee's relationship situation better than anyone. She knew Renee shouldn't have to drink that glass,
Leia didn't even need to explain. Everyone present knew that the only man Renee had ever truly been in a relationship with was Stefan.That meant she was technically a winner in this round too.What no one understood was why she'd deliberately claimed she had more than one relationship. Why did she want to turn herself into a loser instead?"You have no idea. I've had more than one relationship. Quite a few, actually. They were just never made known to the public."Even when Leia was trying to defend her, Renee still emphasized that she had more than one relationship.The men exchanged glances. They all seemed very intrigued.Xavier and Steve were fully in spectator mode. Clearly, they hoped Renee would elaborate.Jovan had an amused expression. He was absolutely certain Renee couldn't possibly have had quite a few relationships.If she truly had, he would've been one of them already.Only Stefan seemed to take it seriously. His expression turned cold, and he frowned hard."I
"Not even once? You've got to be kidding me!"Xavier practically jumped to his feet in shock.That revelation was like dropping a torpedo into the lake. It exploded on impact.In everyone's eyes, Jovan was the classic heartthrob. He was lucky in love, smooth with words, and effortlessly charming. Besides, he wasn't exactly young anymore. How could he possibly have zero relationship experience?"What's there to joke about?" Jovan shrugged helplessly. "Do you really think it's a good thing, being my age and never having had a single relationship? Never experiencing the sweetness of love?"He truly sounded resigned.His heart had always brimmed with emotions, and yet he had never once tasted the sweetness of love. The only thing that lingered over the years was that faint bitterness of wanting and never having."That's actually true." Xavier nodded in agreement.Sure, he lost the round, but comparatively speaking, Jovan seemed worse off."Didn't see that coming. You're actually s
Renee placed her chin on her palm, leaning into her seat. She was giggling profusely, mumbling on and on about how she wanted to keep going. "Let's go. No more drinking, or else we aren't going to be able to get home." Jovan snatched the beer bottle out of Renee's hands, refusing to allow her to dri
“Take a guess.”Renee's red lips curled into a fox-like smile. It was enchanting, mysterious, and unreadable.She reached out and gently caressed the man's perfect face. The slight stubble and the faint coolness all felt so familiar to her. The lingering love of the past was still vivid in her memory,
Everyone left Renee and Stefan alone at night so they could have some private time together.She wheeled him to his bedroom, and the atmosphere felt loving."You must be tired today… Rest up. I'll go get some rest as well. The servant will arrive later to assist you with cleaning." Renee carefully tuc
"So what? My daughter-in-law is a prodigy. She was the one who invented the G6 chip that will change the entire world! Your son is nothing compared to my daughter-in-law!"Seeing the two arguing so furiously, Renee and Jovan both let out a deep sigh."Jovan, this is your fault! Aren't you going to do







