"That's enough, Stefan!" Renee pushed Stefan away. She could no longer tolerate him. He had grown harsher and colder than when Renee first knew him. He even used such words to harm her closest family. He was inconsiderate toward her feelings, and it broke her heart.Speechless, Quinton stood where he was in a trance. He wasn't as fierce as he had been before. Instead, he seemed sullen and thoughtful."Let's go, Quinton." Renee felt she could no longer stay there, and grabbed Quinton's hand to leave with him."Okay," Quinton answered softly. He acted like a mental patient who had suddenly regained his wits. His obedience gave rise to sympathy from others."Grandpa, we're leaving. Quinton was rude today because he was worried about me. I hope you won't take it to heart. We'll visit you another day," Renee said, bowing deeply to Timothy to express her apology.Nevertheless, Quinton was her family. She would never distance him or cut him off. Hence, she would bear the consequences a
At his age, Timothy was a man held in high esteem. No one had ever been that rude toward him.If it were someone else, Timothy would have long gotten angry. Knowing that Quinton was the grandson of his old comrade, however, he grew to like Quinton. He couldn't be angry at Quinton at all. On the contrary, he tried to reflect on himself humbly. "Yes, it was our fault," he admitted. "I'm already very guilty. I don't care what their surname is, but half of their bloodline belongs to the Hunt family. You can't say they're not related to us. Of course, I know that the relation isn't much." "Well, aren't you rather friendly?" Quinton said. He now had a different impression of Timothy. In the past, he had heard of Timothy's character. The man was said to be very powerful; after retiring from the army, he became a businessman and established the powerful Hunt Enterprise. He was a very capable person.At first, Quinton assumed Timothy would be arrogant and condescending. Now, it seemed
"It isn't your fault," Quinton said. He shook his head and glanced at Renee, who was following him. A long sigh escaped him. "Stefan is annoying, but after some thought, I think some of his words made sense."Renee frowned, and stopped herself from complaining. Instead, she asked, "Which part?" If she remembered correctly, Stefan spouted a lot of messy nonsense. To her, none of them were logical. She wondered why Quinton would come to think that way, given that he always regarded Stefan as his enemy. "He said I'm crazy, and that I'll only bring you trouble. I should stay away from you for your sake." Quinton frowned, looking forlorn. He said gloomily, "Maybe I should. Do you think I should go away to work, and you and the kids return to Sun Island?""Quinton! What rubbish is that?" Renee retorted. Seeing Quinton so disappointed and blaming himself, she felt very sorry for him. "Even if I want to go back to Sun Island, I'm taking you with me. If not, I would've long gone t
It was especially useful when one's thoughts or directions were muddled, or when the stress was too much. That logic was a clear lamp that could help one see their future.In short, it would be better to pinpoint problems in others instead of stressing oneself out.For a very long time, Renee was engulfed by her failed relationship with Stefan. She acted like Quinton and kept reflecting on herself. She wondered what she could have done better, or if she wasn't good enough. She thought she was the reason Stefan didn't love her.But before long, she saw things through.Stefan rejected her because there was something wrong with him. Their relationship wasn't blessed, thus she couldn't be with him.She could be charming and unique if she wanted to. Even if she lost Stefan, she could simply find another man. And even if she stayed single, she still could lead a happy life.Hence, she happily went to Sun Island though she was pregnant. There, she lived several free and happy years.As
Renee and Quinton were soon back at Everheart Manor."Ms. Ren, where did you go last night? We were worried sick! We thought something happened to you!" Margaret said.She was pacing to and fro at the door. When she noticed Quinton's car, she immediately went over. Her worry, which had lasted for one night, was eased the moment she saw Renee get out of the car."I'm sorry, Margaret. I had a little alcohol last night and passed out. I slept for a night at my friend's house." Renee looked into the manor, concerned about the two children. "Where are Adie and Abby? Were they worried sick last night?" "I told them you went on a business trip and would come home today. They're already in school." Margaret smoothed her chest as if she had just exited a stimulating roller-coaster. Her legs were a little weak. "Luckily, you came back. They won't pester me and demand an answer tonight. It's hard to fool them since they're so smart.""Thank you so much, Margaret. Alcohol is awful! I promise
For the time being, Margaret believed Renee's explanation. At the same time, she raised a key problem. "Yes, I want to know that too. Did he touch you?" Quinton joined in.At first, he was walking briskly into the manor. When he heard Margaret's direct question, he stopped. He was all ears. "No!" Renee denied firmly. "He wasn't that bold. Plus, I have my limits. But…""But what?" Both Quinton and Margaret asked at the same time. "I slept in his bed last night. I seemed to have vomited on his bed and made him clean up my mess late at night." At that point, Renee smiled happily as if she had gotten away with her prank. Although she was drunk last night, she remembered some things. If she wasn't mistaken, she vomited on Stefan. It was a serious punishment for him, since he attached great importance to cleanliness. She had taken revenge on him for having an affair. "Yes, that's good! We shouldn't respect him since he's a scumbag!" Margaret sounded excited. "You can torture hi
Renee was relieved to hear that nothing went wrong at home."I'm going to see Joanne." Renee went upstairs without any hesitation and rushed toward Joanne's room. After resting for a few days, Joanne looked so much better."You're home…" Joanne said. At first, she was standing beside the window and watched Renee come out of the car. When Renee knocked on her door, she eagerly went over and asked, "How did everything go?" "Don't worry. I found a solution." Renee smiled, avoiding the topic. Even after an exhausting day, she had yet to find a solution.At first, she wanted to take all the blame since she felt that she was the shameless one. Besides, Azure Group's business was focused abroad. Local opinions weren't that important.However, Dale didn't dare to act rashly after Stefan's threat. Renee didn't know if her idea would be used or not. "Great! I knew you're reliable!" Joanne was in a great mood. Her eyes gleamed with excitement as she looked at Renee. "No wonder Mr.
"If you live well, you won't let him down. He always put his interests first. If you live well, he'll think it's a profitable bargain for him. Given that he's a businessman, it concerns his reputation and abilities. You can't make him lose face. Don't you think so?" Renee went on."You're right! I got it." After listening to Renee's persuasive long speech, Joanne nodded thoughtfully. At the same time, she became more determined to live well. "I don't feel like surviving, but I'm willing to do that for Mr. Hunt's sake. I'll try my best to live well!"Renee walked around Joanne's room, and found new s'mores pops and other kinds of desserts and fruits. There were even some plush toys. It was undeniably Quinton's doing. It was lousy, as if he was trying to coax a child, but it suited the kind of person he was.Renee felt that Quinton merely had a vicious tongue. If he spoke less and did more, it would be beneficial for his relationship with Joanne. For example, he could do basic t
Liam looked certain. "The Baldwin residence is strictly guarded. Plus, Austin owns military power. If the Hunt family wants to take Renee away, they'll have to fight the Baldwins. Things will get very hideous. But if they use a little trick, they don't have to waste any manpower to take her away. Why wouldn't they do that?""So, you're saying that Mr. and Mrs. Hunt fought against Justin's parents to purposely attract others' attention and to cover for Stefan. They wanted to give him the chance to take Ren away secretly.""That's very likely."Liam nodded. Else, he couldn't figure out why the decent Alexander and Francine would do such an indecent thing in front of so many rich and powerful people. After all, the Hunts would be ridiculed for what they had done just now if it got exposed. It was such a great price. They wouldn't have to make such a great sacrifice if not for their son's lifetime happiness."If that was true, the Hunts are just too cunning." Leia shrugged. She fou
The spotlight shone on the entrance as everyone looked forward to the prince and princess' entrance.However, only Justin appeared like a charming prince in front of everyone in his white suit. There was no sign of his princess. Austin's initial confident smile stiffened. He flexed his fingers slightly and held himself back as he waited quietly for Justin to get onto the stage. Justin took calm steps. Smiling, he waved and greeted everyone, looking very much like a future bridegroom. When he got on the stage, Austin pulled him over. While lowering his voice, he interrogated coldly, "Why are you alone? Where is Ren?""Don't worry, Grandpa. Ren is the princess. Of course, she has to come last. We're just people who set off her charms. All we need to do is wait for her patiently."Then, Justin held the microphone and faced all the guests below the stage. He cleared his throat and said, "Please calm down, ladies and gentlemen. My future bride's gown is rather grand and needs more
Austin was telling the truth."Of course, children will always stay with their mothers. Home is wherever their mother is. You'd better ask about Ren's opinion instead of making a scene here."Austin glanced at the gilded ancient clock above the hall, his eyes sharp."The engagement ceremony of my grandson and Ren is about to start in ten minutes. You can ask her opinion when she's here.""Really?"Francine was delightedly surprised. For the first time, she felt that Austin was not as horrible as legend had it. He was reasonable. She tried to reconfirm with him. "So, you're saying that I can ask Ren to come home with me when she's out, and you'll let her go if she says yes?" "No, you're wrong." Austin shook his head. "She came here willingly. Of course, it's not as if you need to ask me to let her go.""It's fine. That's not important as long as you remember what you said." Francine was confident and eager. She then said smugly to Austin and the others, "Wait and see! I have w
When things became awful, an old but awe-inspiring voice came from behind them."What are you doing?" Undeniably, it was the powerful Austin who also enjoyed the highest status in North City.Instantly, the onlookers retreated and held their breaths.They knew how horrifyingly powerful Austin was because he owned military power. It would be very normal if he asked his army to shoot them to death if they fell out with him.Francine and the others, who were engaged in a fight, stopped too."Old Master Baldwin, nice to meet you."Francine nodded at Austin but didn't let go of Sophia. The scene was tense, but her actions looked amusing. "Dad, hurry up and catch these two! They're being unreasonable!"Sophia's pinned hair was messy because Francine kept scratching at it. If she wasn't mentally strong enough, she might have cried. She had imagined endless ways how the Hunt family would make a scene—except for the most primitive way. Francine made a scene like a three-year-old ki
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