Liam looked at Amber, and sighed helplessly. He found himself owing her a lot, and thus deliberately avoided having much to do with her. He hoped she could see how bad he was, and willingly cancel their marriage.Yet, she foolishly and stubbornly desired him. She would rather turn hostile toward her father just to marry and protect him."You don't have to treat me this way. I'm a bastard." Liam said seriously, gripping her hand as she applied ointment to his neck. He was starting to feel bad. "What's…what's wrong?" Amber was stunned, blushing. Although she was about to marry Liam, they weren't very close to each other. They rarely spent time alone with each other, let alone had any physical contact. Liam suddenly held her hand, throwing her into anxiety. She had no idea how to react."What do you think?" Liam looked at the gentle and delicate woman. He tensed up and wanted to act fierce at first, but failed. Helpless, he sighed again. "Can't you see? I'm a disloyal and selfish s
Amber looked up and pondered it. Then, she cracked a bitter smile. "Of course I'll be sad, but I'll be delighted if you can be free and be with your beloved woman. I think it's worthwhile."Amber spent her entire life in the fort. Although she grew up in a place full of evil, others protected her. She grew up to be a pure, simple, and kind woman regardless of her environment's wickedness and evilness.Her thoughts were very simple—she wanted the people she liked to be happy. As for her happiness, she didn't care about it. She loved Liam more than anyone else. Hence, seeing Liam happy would be her greatest happiness. "No, you're wrong!" Liam yelled.Amber's simple thoughts drove him mad. He gripped her shoulders and looked into her eyes, and said seriously, "Remember! You're an independent individual. You must put yourself above everything else. Your happiness is the most important thing. You can't regard others' happiness as yours because others aren't under your control. Yo
"What…do you mean?" Amber asked carefully, swallowing.Liam pinched her face and turned it toward him. "If you don't listen to me, I'm going to take advantage of you. I'll make you see how wicked and vulgar this world is." He purposely said that to frighten Amber, as he knew that she always thought the best of him. She saw him as a gentleman without any vulgar thoughts.Hence, he could only use that method to ruin her perception and stop her infatuation with him. Then, she wouldn't seek justice for him or stand against Benjamin."No, you won't do that." Amber tensed up. Although she was very nervous, she met his gaze boldly. Liam was strikingly handsome, with his refined facial features and perfect figure. He was different from others in the fort. His skin was fair, though it was different from pretty boys. He was fair because he came from a wealthy family and led a comfortable life. Amber never understood what she liked about Liam. Later, she learned that it was most probabl
Amber was no longer her usual shy and quiet self. She opened up herself, and made faces at Liam. "Why didn't you listen to me? Do you think I'm just trying to scare you?" For the first time, Liam saw that side of Amber. Suddenly, he became interested in her. He touched her red lips. "But I'm not trying to scare you.""I don't know if you're trying to scare me or not, but I know that you won't harm me. You're the best and most accomplished gentleman I've ever met. I won't be mad at you no matter what you do. I'm sure you want the best for me." Amber said seriously and naively as she reacted to Liam's flirtation, raising her chin. "Fine. You said that, so don't regret it." A sudden urge rose in Liam. He couldn't tell if he wanted to teach her the vulgarity of humanity, or if it was just his basic urges desiring a woman. Unexpectedly, he kissed her.Speechless, Amber could feel Liam's warmth on her lips. It was warm and gentle. She was dumbstruck and stood rooted to the spot, no
"Bitch?" Amber repeated that word, as if she was doubting Mateo and interrogating herself. Then, she shook her head. "No, I don't think so. Liam and I are about to marry, so kissing is the most basic intimacy." "Humph!" Mateo sneered. "No, you're wrong. Getting married isn't the standard for a couple to kiss. It's love. Ask yourself—do you guys love each other? Before, he eagerly carried another woman. Now, he's kissing you. Isn't he a bastard? And yet, you treat yourself unfairly for such a bastard. Don't you think you're a bitch?""I… I…" Amber's eyes were red. She didn't know how to refute Mateo, and found herself very inferior. She wanted to lie to herself, but failed to find an excuse.Liam stood up and shot Mateo a complicated gaze, and said mockingly, "What do you know, then? Do you think you know and understand everything?""Don't I?" Mateo shot back. "Speak your mind. What do you feel about Gem? Don't tell me you love her. Maybe you aren't even willing to see her as your
If Amber hadn't experienced any love from Liam, she might not stubbornly want more. But with just a kiss, she had fallen in love with him. She hoped he could hug her and kiss her more passionately, until his heart was full of her.When all her hope fell through uncontrollably, the difference was akin to an abyss engulfing her whole.Amber asked herself if she cared. Of course, she cared! "You've seen what a bastard he is. Why don't you stop wasting time with him?" Mateo gripped Amber and said angrily, "Come with me. Stop wasting your time with him. If you guys are apart long enough, you'll come to your senses. He won't be able to affect your feelings again."Amber hesitated for a long time, her head low. Then, she nodded. "Okay."Mateo was about to drag Amber away. Liam watched their backs, suddenly uneasy. For an unknown reason, he found her different from all the times he had met her before.She was no longer the woman who cared only for him and had abandoned her true self
Liam, dumbstruck, stood frozen on the spot for a long time. Unexpectedly, he felt lost. He smoothed his clothes and calmed down before going to the guest room Renee stayed.The doctor bandaged Renee's wound and advised her to rest in bed for a few days.Leia was beside Renee, caring for the latter attentively. She felt very sorry for Renee; several times, she turned away to wipe away her tears.Liam opened the door and walked into the guest room. "How are you doing?""There you are, Liam!" Leia turned around, her eyes still red. "You don't know how miserable Ren was! That beast trap came with such long and sharp claws. It clamped her ankle. The doctor said she was lucky. Her tendons would be broken if the beast trap had deviated a bit."We didn't have a smooth journey. First, we got caught and were taken to a scamming factory. They nearly made us take part in a disgusting porno. Then, Ren was captured by that barbarous tribe. Your place is so dangerous, It isn't a place for humans
Leia pondered, and found the name familiar. "Oh, the guy who nearly got into a fight with you just now? He didn't look nice. So Lucas belonged to his gang!"Liam frowned and said solemnly, "Let me handle this. I'll make Mateo hand him over and make it up to you." Here, Benjamin's power and influence were among the top. He had adopted a few sons who were managing different areas and industries respectively. Coincidentally, Mateo was asked to handle the field related to scamming. Lucas being in charge of the factory meant he was working for Mateo. In short, Mateo was the reason why Renee and Leia suffered. Liam adored Renee, while Leia was his younger sister. No doubt he couldn't accept that."Forget it. Lei and I escaped the calamity. This is a lesson for us. You don't have to get justice for us." Renee was worried that she might make Liam and Mateo fall out with each other. It would put Liam in a difficult situation at the fort. She didn't want to worsen the situation."No, I
On the surface, everyone felt that Justin was passionate and respected the bride well. However, only he knew that he was just terrified. He was afraid that the reality might exceed his anticipation. He was terrified to find that he was betrayed in the end when he had trusted Renee that much and treated her so sincerely."Justin, what's going on with you? How could you talk about that at such a time like this? The most important thing now is to make her come out and have this engagement ceremony. We should do the guests justice. If not, everyone will laugh at us after we've kept our dignity well for so many years!"Sophia couldn't understand his hesitation. They were just going to urge Renee to appear. It had nothing to do with their patience or ability to take good care of Renee.Both Alexander and Francine looked at each other in confusion."Dear, did you do anything?" Alexander asked Francine softly.If Renee suddenly failed to attend the ceremony, it might have been Francin
Renee was furious—he was ridiculous!"You won't allow that?" She snorted and looked at him as if he were crazy. "Who do you think you are? You can't meddle in my life!""I'm nobody, but I know that I don't want you to marry another guy." The man approached Renee, wanting to catch her."Stay away from me, or I'll get somebody! You should know how powerful the Baldwin family is in North City…" Renee spat coldly. She did not want to make things too ghastly, so she wouldn't alert the Baldwin family if she could help it. The man sneered wickedly. "Yes, the Baldwin family is strong. So? Even if they're strong, they can't fight against my cunning means!""What do you mean?" A bad feeling gripped Renee. She wanted to ask more questions, but found herself dizzy. Her surroundings became blurry. "I'm so dizzy! What…did you do?" The next second, she staggered and fainted.He firmly caught her and whispered, "You've suffered a lot, so I'll let you rest a bit.""Ah! You… You…" The make
"You flatter me." Renee smiled, sadness in her eyes. She recalled the day she was about to marry Stefan many years ago. The young female designer responsible for her makeup had praised her the same way. At that time, she had recently lost all her family members and was gripped with excruciating pain. Her waist had been much slimmer. She looked pitiful but bewitching. "Don't worry! Master Hunt is a great man. He'll be nice to you and protect you. You guys are a perfect match."Renee remembered that the makeup artist used a makeup blender to soak her tears and firmly told her that. The artist at that time also felt that Stefan would be her protector for the rest of her life. Renee had a crush on Stefan for many years. He was the ray of light that had saved her from her despair. Although she was strong, she couldn't help but regard him as her savior. At that time, she never imagined spending the rest of her life with someone else other than him. Many years passed since then. Sh
Twenty minutes ago, Renee's gown was accidentally splashed with wine. Hence, she changed into a spare slim-fit strapless gown. The long gown reached to the floor and was full of shining diamonds. It set off her curvy figure and made her appear like a noble princess from a painting. Unfortunately, her waist was too slim, so the gown didn't fit her well.The young woman who was responsible for Renee's makeup patted her chest and said confidently, "It's fine. I'll tighten the waistline a bit. Leave it to me! I'll get it done in ten minutes.""Are you sure?" Justin couldn't hide his amazement as he watched Renee, who had changed into a new gown. He cleared his throat and said, "I think this is already perfect. It's fine even if you don't adjust the waistline."He felt that Renee was the most perfect woman no matter how she appeared. She would always bewitch him, even if she was just wearing slippers and casual coats.If his parents hadn't insisted on getting a renowned designer 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