"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
"Sure, go on and ask," Joanne said. She looked at Renee calmly. It seemed like she knew what Renee was about to ask."I can tell you and Quinton can't make peace. I want to know if it's because of the bad experiences, or some other reason..." Renee said, trying to sound Joanne out. "For example, was it because of Stefan?" "No!" Joanne immediately shook her head. "It had nothing to do with Mr. Hunt. Stop overthinking. We're just friends. Maybe we're not even friends. At most, I owe him a big favor. I can't make peace with your brother because of my problems.""Uhm, can I ask about the reason?" Renee pressed. Although Renee was long aware of Joanne's answer, she was full of regrets. She shamelessly got to the bottom of it."Is it because…of the child…?" Hearing that, Joanne couldn't stop tears from filling her eyes. "I can't make peace with the man who killed my child. It'd be betraying my child." Her watery eyes were full of endless restraint and bitterness. Then, she ra
"No, they won't!" Renee cried. Renee hurriedly interrupted Joanne's self-denial. She held Joanne's shoulders and began to encourage the latter. "You have no idea how great you were! You were the most popular Cienna teacher in Lone Pine Elementary. You even helped your student to win an essay competition. You had talent in teaching. But you've had a bumpy life, and you didn't get the chance to refine your resume."But don't worry! There are many ways to improve yourself. For example, you can take up college self-study classes and sign up for a foreign language course. You can try getting some technical qualifications. I'm sure it won't be hard for you, given your talent."Previously, Quinton had occasionally mentioned that Joanne was good at her studies. She was always at the top of her class in elementary school, middle school, and high school. She was the candidate that could go to a good college.Unfortunately, her fate was full of thorns. She had a terrible family; a violent
Renee's words moved Joanne.At first, Joanne hesitated to stay at Everheart Manor. Although Margaret was nice and made nutritious herbal soup for her every day, she couldn't stay there in peace. She wanted to grab a chance to leave.Now, she decided to shamelessly stay there for a long time so she could get into college.At least, she would stay there until she successfully got into college. Then, it would be more convenient for Renee to teach her."Are you…willing to teach me?" Joanne tried to confirm with Renee, uncertain."Of course!" Renee nodded. "I have no reason to not teach you. Try and think about it this way. My brother has done you wrong and ruined your career. As his sister, I should try and make it up to you on his behalf. Plus… I sincerely take you as my best friend, whether you believe me or are willing about it. I'm always sincere with my best friends.""I know." Joanne was moved to tears, and couldn't hide how touched she was. "I once felt I was very unlucky
Renee took a deep breath and could smell the osmanthus; it was calming and refreshing. It also eased the headache from her hangover."If I'm guessing correctly, Joanne tried to sneak away more than once during this period. But you forcefully brought her back. Am I right?" Renee said. She stopped in front of an osmanthus tree and tried to pick the flowers like a child as she spoke casually to Quinton.Quinton frowned and pursed his lips in reluctance. He replied coldly, "I was doing that for her sake." Renee didn't go home last night, but Quinton didn't rush to Hunt Manor immediately. He couldn't be certain that she was there, and he couldn't leave because of what happened with Joanne. When Joanne woke up, she kept looking for chances to leave the manor. Margaret was able to dissuade her, albeit temporarily. That fearless woman bypassed the door before dawn and tried to escape by climbing over the windows to avoid attracting Quinton's attention.Although the second floor wasn
"Of course you can't do that." Rebee smiled. Despite the latter's anxiety, she looked mischievously at Quinton. "So, I came up with a win-win solution. She's made up her mind to stay.""What do you mean?" Quinton found it incredulous. "She's stubborn, even more than you sometimes. What method did you use to persuade her?" "Do you know her biggest regret?" Renee asked Quinton calmly. Quinton hung his head low and looked at his feet. After a long silence, he replied somberly, "I guess it's the fact that she can never be a mother." He couldn't forget about that incident, let alone Joanne.In the past, he and Joanne sought warmth from each other. They regarded each other as their most important person, and were willing to fight the entire world to keep each other from getting hurt.But at the moment, they were the ones who had harmed each other the most. They cherished and valued each other so much that they knew each other's sore spots. Naturally, they could inflict the greatest
The scar on Quinton's face had been recovering so well that it was almost negligible. Yet, it didn't mean that his inner woes had gone away.His hatred was still there, but he kept suppressing for Renee's sake. He wanted to be a decent man."It's no longer important whether she likes him or not. Stop fixating on it," Renee snapped. She had no idea how to comfort Quinton, because she couldn't comfort herself either. The only thing they could do was to stop dwelling on it. They had to force themselves to get out of that dilemma. Rennee had a full understanding of human nature. It would be hard to make things clear if they dwelled on it.As a woman, she couldn't believe that Joanne felt nothing for Stefan. However, after some consideration, Joanne knew Stefan only regarded her as someone he happened to help. It didn't mean that she was conniving and scheming.If one took a fancy to a flower, they could stand afar and enjoy its charms quietly. There was no need to pluck it out.
Renee suggested Joanne apply for a college because she wanted to stall for time. She hoped to see Joanne focus on something else, so Joanne wouldn't dwell on her sad past. Doing so would only lead to a dead end. Renee also hoped Joanne could stay in Everheart Manor with peace of mind. Then, they could take good care of her and help her recuperate to full health. Unexpectedly, Joanne accepted Renee's suggestion. She studied very seriously every day and completed the test questions. She took the college entrance exam seriously as if it were her sole ambition and the pivot of her life.She would start reading and reciting before seven o'clock in the morning. She read aloud the vocabulary and was as enthusiastic as high school students.Renee kept her promise. She left her company in the charge of a manager and Leia. Then, she set up an exclusive timetable to tutor Joanne every day.Quinton kept his promise too. He sat in a corner of the room, turning into a weak and helpless study