Stefan’s arrival left everybody stunned. Cecilia's mother was the first to react. Seeing that her son-in-law Christopher really was going to slip through their fingers, she quickly latched onto Stefan instead."So you've come, Stefan! Cecy here has been talking about you just now. There's been a misunderstanding between you two. I think it's high time you clear it all up!""The truth is," she continued, "Cecy was inexperienced and very naive emotionally through those years. That's why she…""Mom!" Cecilia interrupted her, feeling humiliated. "Didn't I tell you to stop talking about that?"Both of these men once loved her deeply, but right now, neither of them wanted her. This came as, without a doubt, a huge blow to a woman like her. If her mother kept on fawning over these men, trying to please them so they'd take her back, she would soon be left without a shred of dignity!Christopher, on the other hand, seemed unperturbed. He even casually patted Stefan's shoulder and half-jo
"Hahahaha!"Cecilia continued to laugh. She had to take a long time to catch her breath again, before she finally told Stefan in a mocking tone, "It's you, Stefan! I think you're really funny!""I had assumed," she added, "that the love between you and Renee was as strong and unbendable as steel! But surprisingly, you couldn't even stand this minor test! Compared to your feelings for me back then, your feelings for her are simply different… Are you sure that you love her more than you love me?"Stefan's cold and chiseled face displayed even more displeasure."I never said I loved her," he denied."I see!" Cecilia raised her brows and chirped, suddenly feeling a lot better. With a faint smile, she continued, "If you really did love her, you'd never even think about asking this question. But since you did ask, it proves that you don't really love her that much at all, or perhaps… you just don't understand her yet.""The truth is," she added, "it doesn't matter whether she pushed me
And so, Renee and Margaret came to the private maternity hospital where Renee often got her prenatal checkups. As they were waiting for Renee's turn, Margaret kept holding Renee's arm and carefully checked her pulse."Your pulse is normal, Ms. Ren. Your babies should be fine. You shouldn't allow a dream to scare you sick. Let's just knock on wood, and everything will be fine."Renee nodded but was still full of concern."I know my precious little ones are fine since I've been strong and fit all the while. But I just can't stop myself from worrying. I can't shake off the feeling that something might happen.""Shush! Don't speak of such inauspicious things, Ms. Ren! You might not believe anyone, but you must believe the traditional medical knowledge that I learned from my family. You know that I can treat any illness under the sun by prescribing a few herbs! I'm telling you, there's nothing to worry about.""You're right. With a medical genius like you by my side, I've simply got
Xavier was humiliated when he found out that Renee had discovered him. He started cursing irritably, "Shit! How the fuck did you find out?! I tried to be as covert as humanly possible—I even held my breath!"Renee crossed her arms and looked Xavier up and down, then gave him a look that suggested he was a complete moron before explaining, "It's broad daylight, and you're wearing all black. You've also been following me too closely, not to mention how you chose such a stupid and obvious hiding place, and you ask me how I found out?"Xavier realized that Renee's analysis was flawlessly logical, so he scratched his nose in embarrassment and grumbled, "Didn't they say pregnant women are absent-minded? Your mind seems pretty sharp to me! You reacted pretty quickly."It was then Renee's turn to panic."Who's pregnant?" she hastily asked, acting dumb. "Was it you? Ha! I didn't know you were that crazy!"Xavier rolled his eyes. In normal circumstances, he would have exploded in rage, but
"Umm..." Xavier briefly touched his nose in awkwardness. He was not so insolent now, and he acted rather uneasily and awkwardly. Humph! After all, he had a favor to ask, and he had to beg the woman he looked down the most. Of course, he felt like he had lost face. "Are you free now? I'll buy you coffee." Xavier hesitated for a long while before he asked her that. Renee smiled and said, "Mr. Stuart, since when were we close? Do you want to poison my coffee?" She was well aware of Xavier's attitude toward her. He never regarded her seriously, and he always found her an eyesore. However, he offered a symbol of peace by taking the initiative to invite her for coffee. That was indeed strange. Consequently, Xavier's handsome face soon fell, and he said angrily, "Am I such a mean and vulgar man to you?" Renee raised her brows and asked, "Aren't you?" "Why, you!" Xavier was greatly infuriated, and he flew into a rage. He exclaimed violently, "I'm a righteous man. I'm not desp
’Umm… What did Renee mean? Why did she hold my arm for no reason?’ Besides, her fingers were so slender, and her palm was so soft that it instantly softened his heart. Xavier's mind ran wild, and his thoughts went slightly out of control. He quickly shook his head and forcefully withdrew his arm. He said rather unfriendly, "What are you doing? Men and women are different. Although I'm very charming, you'd better behave yourself and don't touch me." Renee became quite helpless, but she saw that as a joke. So, she hurriedly agreed, "Okay, I'll behave myself. Mr. Stuart, please stop being so charming!" In the past, all she was aware of were his mean remarks. It was only now that she realized that he was actually rather amusing. It seemed pretty beneficial to befriend such a person. They went to Starfee and sat at a table by the window. Xavier ordered an iced Americano while Renee got herself a warm Cappuccino. Renee sipped her coffee and found it was still the taste she li
When Xavier found that there was hope after all, his eyes lit up. He immediately said, "What's your condition? Just tell me whatever you want as long as you can help me win this lawsuit!" Renee did not beat around the bush either, and she said directly, "I want to rent the piece of land belonging to your family in the southern suburbs for thirty years." Considered one of the Great Eight of Beach City, the Stuart family mainly dabbled in real estate. Although they focused on only one industry, their financial resources were particularly strong. The Stuart family gained a lot of land in the earlier years because of their great connections, which resulted in them constructing numerous famous luxury neighborhoods and commercial centers. However, although the piece of land situated in the southern suburbs of Beach City was as large as 1500 square feet, its development value was low because it was located in a very remote place, and it had been left vacant. Tall grass now overgrew the
"Pfft!" Renee spat out her coffee and immediately wiped her lips. She said in disbelief, "He's Mr. Iceberg, but he asked you for advice regarding these dishonest practices? Are you guys comedians? You must be kidding!""I'm not. I taught him my special skills of pursuing women. He's probably gained a lot of insights..." Xavier enthusiastically described his women-chasing techniques to her when he reached that point.After comparing them, she found that it was indeed similar to Stefan's recent odd behavior. For a moment, she was quite helpless."Ha! Ha! How hilarious! No wonder he applied for another account and chatted with me every day. He even promised to give me money. As for the other women, he... It turns out that there's a set of techniques behind it!"At first, she was angry at Stefan. But when she found that he was doing exactly what Xavier had taught him, she suddenly felt that this insensitive man was just too adorable. It couldn't help but abate her anger."No one knows. Alt
"I'm sorry!" Renee blurted—she realized her selfishness."I admit that I took you as a substitute. I wanted to get out of that suffering relationship, and I didn't care about your feelings. I'm so sorry."At first, she wanted to forget Stefan and start a new relationship. And then, Justin risked his life to save her. On top of that, they were compatible in various aspects. She felt that she could spend the rest of her life with him.However, Renee realized that her actions were purely self-serving. She never considered Justin's feelings or asked about his willingness. She merely took him as a convenient tool. "No, you did nothing wrong," Justin said. "You have your choices. Likewise, I have my choices too."He stared at Renee passionately, his teary eyes filled with pain, and held her hand. "I chose you. I want to stay with you while you're trying to forget about him. I want you to be happy with me.""You…" Renee looked into Justin's eyes. His generosity, firmness, and thoug
"Mmph!" Renee was sitting beside the window, watching the floating clouds up in the sky when a sudden pain gripped her heart—as if it was clenched tight. "What's wrong?" Justin asked nervously. Sitting across from her, he could feel something wrong with her. "I'm fine." Renee shook her head and tried to soothe her stuffy chest. "My heart suddenly hurt just now. I guess it's because of the sudden weightlessness when the plane took off."Justin sighed in relief. "I've heard that some people might get dizzy or feel their ears ring because of weightlessness, but I've never heard of hearts aching.""It's fine. It's something rare, I guess. I'll feel better after a while." Renee waved his concerns away, taking a deep breath. She picked up the cup in front of her and sipped some water, and felt better. Perhaps the water had cooled her heart. However, Justin felt a little uneasy. He knew her heart wasn't his though their destination was the same."If you can't forget about him, yo
Stefan got involved with Briar. At the same time, something seemed to be wrong with Renee and she insisted on meeting Justin's parents. In short, they were lying to themselves.Xavier found it ridiculous that they would break up and date someone else, when in truth they loved each other passionately and had gone through so much together. They were just cowards who refused to face their problems head-on."Well said! I agree." For the first time, Leia and Xavier shared the same thoughts on the issues related to love. Aside from Stefan and Renee, there were many similar examples. Leia was convinced Liam was doing the same thing. She couldn't understand why they had to hurt themselves like that. It would be better to make peace.Suddenly, Xavier turned around and looked at Leia passionately, and declared with utmost seriousness, "So, we can't do that!" Having his face so close to hers so suddenly, Leia's heartbeat quickened. She pursed her lips and stood up shyly. "You're nuts
Justin walked over and tapped his wristwatch. "It's almost time. Let's go.""Okay." Renee nodded, then said to Leia, "Just go home and take good care of Liam. Tell my brother and kids that I'm fine. I'll be back at Beach City soon.""Uh…" Leia wanted to stop Renee from going to Beach City, but she couldn't find a reason to make Renee refuse. Of course, Renee had to stop the program which never responded."Fine. Take care. Call me immediately if anything happens!" Leia, enlightened, decided to respect Renee's choices. She hugged Renee and sobbed, "I hope you'll pick happiness no matter who you choose to be with!""Of course. I want you to do the same." Renee hugged Leia firmly.Then, she got into the small private plane bound for North City with Justin."She left…" Xavier muttered. He watched the plane take off for North City as he sat in the lobby, feeling complicated. He felt sorry for Stefan, but at the same time, he felt that Stefan had brought it upon himself. Being on
However, Leia didn't believe that Renee would have given up on Stefan. Based on their night chats a while ago, she could tell from Renee's tone that the latter was still confused about Stefan and couldn't part with him.It wasn't long ago, but now, Renee wanted to marry someone else. It was abnormal."Yes, I did…" Renee coldly looked ahead and added, "I did just now.""What?" Leia's eyes went wide, and she didn't stop questioning Renee. "What happened just now? Nothing happened!""Let me be frank with you." Renee decided to be honest with Leia since Leia insisted on getting to the bottom of it. "Justin told me something the night he saved us. Stefan informed him and asked him to come to our rescue.""I know that. And then?"Leia had heard the same story from Justin. She and Liam kept cursing Stefan for being a dirty coward all night long. It was infuriating. Stefan didn't try to save his beloved woman, but made his rival in love do so instead. It seemed he had given up his belo
"What? You're going to meet his parents?" Leia cried in agitation when she heard that. She glared at Justin, then dragged Renee to the side to interrogate the latter."What's wrong with you, Ren? Why are you marrying someone else just after one night?" Leia pausing, finding her words odd, then corrected herself. "Oh, no! Are you going to remarry?""Justin is a good man. His grandpa was my grandpa's old comrade. Plus, his family is nice to me. And we survived this time because of the army Grandpa Baldwin gave me. I can't be ungrateful," Renee said, her tone calm and cold.Although it was ridiculous, Austin did give Renee that army as a wedding gift. She used that gift at a critical time, which meant she had accepted the Baldwin family. Naturally, she had to take her relationship with Justin to another level. "But…" Leia frowned, feeling that Renee was being impulsive. "But you were forced to use that army under that circumstance. It wasn't because you loved Justin that drove
Liam was an unruly rich heir who loved freedom, while Amber was a pure and ignorant young woman. It seemed they were a perfect match."Why did she suddenly give you a wedding gown? Obviously, she wants to marry you. Are you sure you don't want to say anything to her before leaving?" Xavier teased Liam, trying to sound the latter out.Everyone could tell that Amber liked Liam. Besides, it seemed like Liam also fancied Amber. If they parted ways, they might never see each other again. Their romance might end with a failure. What a pity! "There's nothing to say to her." Liam purposely looked aloof. "All I want is to get the hell out of here. I don't even want to waste another second here."Then, he strode into the airport lobby. Renee quickened her pace and walked alongside him. She looked at him, feeling sorry for him. "Are you sure you're going to leave like this?""I should long be gone." Liam kept his coldness, his tone impassive. "If I don't go now, I can't leave forever.""
The box contained a red wedding gown with exquisite embroidered dragon and phoenix patterns. The embroidery was meticulous, making the dragon and phoenix look lifelike. With such intricate details, it would take three to five months to complete."So, she was busy with this." Liam caressed the patterns, bitterness and disappointment hitting him hard. Amber was always busy these days and couldn't be found. She also didn't talk much to him. She claimed that she wanted to sew wedding clothes for herself and Mateo. Unexpectedly, she ended up giving the wedding gown to Liam instead.There was a card at the bottom of the wedding dress. Liam opened it and read Amber's note.[Liam, I only want to be your wife my whole life…but from now on, I won't marry anyone. I want to live for myself. I hope we can meet again when we're both strong and capable!]Her handwriting wasn't neat, and her grammar was wrong. Yet it showed her shyness, pureness, and firmness.Liam clenched the wedding gown t
"Wait, Mr. Osborne!" Hailey ran to Liam and tried her best to catch her breath. Then, she said to him, "Ms. Jenkins… Ms. Jenkins, she…""What's wrong with Amber?" Liam asked nervously. His anxious and worried expression showed that he wasn't indifferent toward her after all."Take this!" Hailey handed a plain box to Liam. "Ms. Jenkins is busy today and can't send you off. This is the gift she's been preparing for a long time. She wants you to have it.""What she's busy about? Is it troublesome?" Liam was worried about Amber. If she wanted to take over Benjamin's business, she wouldn't be able to handle it since the fort was a violent place full of fights. "It's something feminine. Please don't ask about that…" Hailey obeyed Amber's instruction and didn't explain much. She waved at Liam and added, "Take care. Don't worry too much about Ms. Jenkins. She'll be fine since she's Mr. Jenkins' only daughter.""What do you mean?" Liam held the gift with worry. "Did Benjamin find fault wi