Had Renee been the one who learned the truth that day, Stefan was sure that the situation would be even more painful. "I don't know what you're trying to hint at. If it were in the past, I would have gotten to the bottom of it. But now, I'm exhausted. I don't want to get tangled up with you again. You know what? I'm exhausted!" Renee said.She looked torn and agitated, and was trembling slightly. She was trying hard to not break down on the spot. "It's like you're fishing. When you got me by the hook, you let me go. But when I swim away, you put out some fish feed. Do you think that's fun? Does making me a fool out of me satisfy you that much?" Renee couldn't take it anymore. Her eyes turned red as she vented her true feelings in front of Stefan, as if she had been suppressing them for quite a while. She had appeared casual and straightforward the entire time. She parted with him on good terms, and was even willing to begin a new relationship. She also wished he could choose a
They spoke as if they were going to stay apart forever. It sounded melancholic. Renee, however, found it amusing. She turned around and kept going downstairs without pausing. As she almost walked out of the entrance of Hunt Manor, she happened to bump into Timothy. "Ren?" Timothy was exercising, clad in sports attire. He stretched his neck and rubbed his eyes, repeatedly trying to ensure he wasn't mistaken. "It's morning. I'm sure this isn't an illusion. What are you doing back home?" "Grandpa…" Renee had tried all means to avoid Timothy, but she still failed to do so. She simply walked over and greeted him generously. "I got drunk last night. It was Stefan who took care of me and brought me home. I was about to say hello to you when you woke up.""So you were the woman last night. I knew it! Stef wouldn't be so stupid and bring another woman home." When Timothy learned that Renee was the woman Stefan brought home last night, he wasn't very surprised. Besides, he had gue
"Stop lying to me! I know you've drawn a line and regarded my family as outsiders, haven't you?" Timothy said.Being a smart person, he could see the change in Renee's emotions. Although he was sad, he had to accept it."I don't blame you. Everyone is entitled to their choices. You chose to keep some distance between us because it might set you at ease. That's very normal," he said. "Thank you, Grandpa. I'm glad that you can understand me." Renee stopped pretending. She admitted that her feelings toward the Hunts had changed. There was now a rift between them."You don't have to worry about the kids' upbringing. I won't give them the wrong idea. I'll tell them their father, grandparents, and great-grandfather are very good people. I'll encourage them to come and visit you, too," Renee promised sincerely. She wasn't a petty woman, and would never manipulate the children to vent her dissatisfaction toward Stefan. On the contrary, she always regarded the children as individuals i
Stefan followed closely, and went downstairs. He happened to overhear Renee's reply. It made him frown. He cared about that very much, but tried his best to suppress it and not show his feelings. "Justin is pretty good…" Stefan slowly walked to Renee, looking nonchalant. "At the very least, his background matches yours. I think he suits you well as your lover." Both Timothy and Renee looked at Stefan in unison, as if they were looking at a fool.Timothy frowned and asked, "Do you know Justin well? What's your relationship with him?"Stefan pocketed his hands and replied bluntly, "No, I don't know him. I'm not close to him, either.""If that's the case, stop giving your opinions. Ren's looking for a boyfriend. It has nothing to do with you," Timothy snapped.He was full of disdain, finding Stefan an eyesore. In the past, he found Stefan reserved, aloof, and noble. Now, his opinion had changed. It was all but an illusion. After spending a few days with Stefan, people would find
"Not bad. I think we're very slow compared to you and Justin," Stefan said expressionlessly. He wanted to compete against Renee.At first, he didn't want to use such insincere words and anger Renee. However, she just had to suggest doing a double wedding. It was heartbreaking. It meant that Renee and Justin were serious. They were dating each other under the premise of getting married.When he imagined them getting married and having children in the future, Stefan grew livid. They would spend the rest of their lives together! He had no choice but to vent his feelings using such a childish method."No, you and Ms. Desrosiers are faster. Justin and I were in an ambiguous relationship for many years. We just started dating each other lately. But you and Ms. Desrosiers fell out and lost touch with each other. When you got back together, you guys were full of passion. You abandoned your wife and kids for her, and now, you're going to marry her soon. I'm sure you two are far more lo
Renee wanted to turn Timothy down because she had separated from Stefan. It was inappropriate for her to be too close to the Hunts.However, Timothy's eager face made it hard for her to turn him down. Besides, she always had breakfast with him in the past."Okay." At last, Renee agreed. She obediently helped him walk toward the dining room. Timothy cared about his health. His habit of having breakfast was because of his upbringing.There was a classic and common breakfast on the table, including pasta, buns, prawns, oatmeal, and so on. It was coupled with nice tea. Everything smelled delicious. "Come. I got a professional new cook today. I'm sure the taste is authentic." Timothy took the main seat, and had Stefan and Renee sit at either side of him. He smiled amiably; he cherished the rare chance to dine with them.Both Stefan and Renee were obedient. They kept their heads low and ate quietly. They were amazed at the authentic breakfast. "Ren, what do you think of the pasta
Stefan found himself bewitched by her charms, and couldn't control his heart. He wasn't laughing at her. Rather, he was sincerely happy because he admired and liked her."Of course!" Renee raised her chin. "I feel that I'll get good feedback if I make others happy. It's a good way to recharge myself. I don't think it's bad. But you don't know how to be nice to your grandpa, even when he's at such an old age. All you do is drive him up the wall. If I were him, I would've long beaten you up." Renee purposely criticized him as she wanted to tease him."I…" Stefan was at a loss for words. These days, he did nothing else except drive Timothy up the wall. "You're right, Ren. You spoke my mind." Timothy felt quite happy, as if he had found someone who understood him. He glared disdainfully at Stefan. "Honestly, he's spoiled and annoying. He drives me mad! You're right. He'll only come to his senses with some beating."Stefan frowned, but he couldn't retaliate them as they ganged up
Timothy loomed over Stefan, his tone solemn. "Don't just sit there! Give me your hand. I'll teach you a lesson!"Stefan was silent as he put the cutlery down. He extended his hand, not a trace of resistance in him. "It's all my fault. Punish me as you see fit, Grandpa."Renee was flabbergasted. She wondered why Stefan was so submissive, even more so than Adie when the boy was punished. Stefan could easily defend himself; in fact, he could simply leave. Timothy wouldn't be able to do a thing to stop him. Yet, the unexpected happened. Stefan obediently extended his hand, waiting for Timothy's punishment. Renee was puzzled, uncertain as to what she should do. Should she beg for Stefan's mercy, or just watch everything unfold silently? Regardless of her choice, whatever she decided on would be too sudden. She felt so awkward, she wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole. All she wished was to hide."Humph! You know very well this is all your fault. A pity you never amen
Livid, Mateo pulled the trigger without hesitation. However, he moved the gun less than an inch. The bullet passed by Liam's ear and hit an orange behind him.The fruit immediately blew up, its juices splashing on Liam's face."Aaaah!" Amber, terrified, trembled. Her eyes turned red, and she hurriedly tried to plead with Mateo. "Matt, cool it! Aren't you and Liam friends? You guys drank and chatted together in the past. You were so close to each other. How could you do this to him? Hurry up and put the gun away! If it goes off accidentally, it'll be over!"However, Mateo ignored her. His eyes were red as he glared at Liam. "Did you see the orange behind you? Let go of her now! If not, I'll blow up your head just like I did to that orange!""Is that all you got?" Liam taunted. He refused to let Amber go. He whispered to Amber, "Watch well. If he shoots me today, promise me not to marry such a man. I can use my life to knock some sense into you.""No!" Amber shook her head. Liam
"What bad timing!" Mateo's indifferent voice came from behind Amber.Amber turned around and saw Mateo with a team of armed soldiers. Terrified, she quickly put some distance between her and Liam. She stammered an explanation. "Matt… It's not what you think. Liam and I came here to look for people. Ms. Everheart and Ms. Osborne are gone. Liam couldn't find them and guessed they might be in the orchard. He wasn't familiar with the orchard and asked me to guide him."Mateo looked livid, but still cracked a gentle smile. "Silly, you don't have to be scared. I know you're prudent. He must have forced you to come here. I don't blame you."He extended his hand and beckoned Amber toward him. "Come here. You're my fiancee. You should stand with me.""I…" Amber bit her lip—Mateo was right. She kept her head low, about to walk to him.But in the next second, Liam firmly grabbed her wrist. "You can't go!" Liam held Amber's wrist tightly and shot Mateo a challenging look."When did Amb
Liam could only see through Amber's true thoughts if she showed her true self to him. "No, I do like you. I love you the most, and I want to marry you. But you neither like me nor want to marry me. You love freedom and Ms. Everheart. You love and yearn for the kind of life ordinary people like. So, I could only choose to give you up and let you get what you want. What else do you want me to do?" Amber was generally shy and reserved, but when Liam drove her anxious, she rambled a lot."Whatever I want is my business. You don't need to sacrifice yourself to grant my wish!" Liam held Amber's shoulders, acting like a kind senior. He tried to persuade her in earnest. "Marriage isn't a joke. Think it through. Do you like and know Mateo well? You won't be happy after marrying him, given the savage culture around here. And can you divorce him easily?""Matt will be nice to me. Even if he changes his mind, he'll still be nice to me because…my father is Benjamin," Amber replied.She chose
Being a sensitive woman, Amber immediately noticed Liam's displeasure. She kept her head lower and explained carefully, "I want a chance to choose again… I want to choose another person to fall in love with. You know that Matt and I grew up together. We're childhood friends. He likes me and always protects me without asking for anything back. I feel that it's happier to marry a person who loves me instead of marrying someone far beyond my reach."For the first time, she expressed the exhaustion she felt from her relationship with Liam. She no longer wanted to be the one who kept fawning over him. She wanted to give up and relax by being the one who was loved and adored in a relationship."Tsk!" Liam snorted arrogantly. "You don't know Mateo. He's not a nice guy. He's just good at pretending. Maybe it's just his means to get what he wants, but you assume that he loves and wants to protect you."Liam hadn't made that statement to purposely put Mateo down. After standing against Mate
Liam focused on holding Amber's hand and leading her through the orange grove. At the same time, he carefully scanned the ground and trees to find any related clues left by Renee and Leia."I don't care what others say, because I didn't do anything wrong," he said indifferently. "I hope you'll feel the same. I don't think you need to stop being my friend after choosing to marry Mateo. Am I not the friend you like the most?""That's different," Amber said.She followed Liam passively. At first, she couldn't adapt to it. After walking briefly, she felt better and found it easier to do. "Although I'm not good at my studies, I know men and women should keep a polite distance. You can't take my hand and sound righteous at the same time," she mumbled."Why not?" Liam retorted firmly. "When I was young, I always held my sister's hand wherever we went. I'm holding your hand because this fog is thick and the ground is slippery. I'm afraid of being separated from you. Just walk with me. St
Liam walked ahead of Amber, then turned to glance at her. He faked a smile and asked, "What's the matter? Are you worried that I might take advantage of you?" "No, of course not!" Amber quickly shook her head and pushed her scarf up. It had fallen a little. "I just find it improper," she answered softly.She looked like a typical woman from Southeast Aeos, petite and with a small face. Her skin was tanned, and her facial features weren't very distinct. She was charming and reserved, exuding a girlish pureness. She had put on her country's special traditional clothes. The thick clothes, embroidered with various patterns, wrapped around her petite body and gave her an exotic impression. From afar, she appeared like a colorful oil painting. "Hey, it's not improper. If I wanted to do anything to you, I would've done that long ago. I don't have to wait until now." Liam sounded relaxed and prudent to ease Amber's anxiety."Don't worry. I've always regarded you as my younger siste
Amber hurriedly turned Liam down. "You can't help with my affairs. I can handle it.""Well, tell me why I can't help you," Liam pressed. "I… I want to sew a wedding gown. And there are a lot of details that I need to add." Amber became competitive for no reason, and added stubbornly, "Your words aren't absolute. Yes, your business is important, but so is mine!""Oh, you want to sew a wedding gown. I can help you with that…" Liam said, relaxed. "Maybe I didn't get to tell you that I went to a small country in Southeast Aeos when I traveled around the world. I got to know a great sewing master. The pictures he sewed looked real like paintings! I found them interesting, so I learned from him. My sewing skills are probably better than yours. I can help you with that.""Really? You can sew?" Amber was full of surprise and admiration. Her eyes lit up. "I can't sew well. I want to learn from a great master too! If you can do it, can you teach me?""Of course!" Liam promised. "Can you he
"Uh…" Amber looked like she was being put in a difficult position. She found it impudent for a man and a woman to be alone in the dense orchard at night. "What's wrong? Is it inconvenient?" Liam frowned, puzzled. He felt that Amber was purposely avoiding him after expressing her desire not to marry him and making Mateo her groom instead.Before, she would always put on her favorite dress and stand at the entrance of the fort, looking eager no matter how late Liam and Benjamin returned from their work.Usually, she would carry a small bamboo basket containing the tea she brewed and dessert or food she had painstakingly prepared. When Liam returned, she would excitedly welcome him and inquire after him. Lately, she no longer did that. When Liam occasionally ran into her in the fort, she would bow indifferently at him and quickly brush past him as if they were merely acquaintances. They seemed distant.Honestly, Liam found it unfamiliar. He couldn't get used to the fact that Amber
"I don't know. Why don't you ask the guards to get us some fried chicken and French fries? Didn't Mateo say that we can ask the guards for food?" Renee said.Leia's anxiety eased as she relaxed. She turned around and got out of bed, then gestured at the guard and ordered quite a lot of food. Meanwhile, Liam accompanied Benjamin to West River in the morning for a negotiation that yielded a good result. Benjamin's attitude had improved. He didn't demand an explanation from Liam about the affairs between Liam and Amber, and didn't ask about Renee or Leia either. Liam was delighted. He carried the unique desserts he had bought at the local market for Renee and Leia to enjoy. Upon arrival, he found that they were not in the room. "Weird. Where did they go?" Liam looked around, but found no sign of Renee and Leia. He casually asked a servant, but the servant stammered and insisted on not knowing anything. Anxious, Liam kept looking for them in the fort. Coincidentally, he ran into