For that reason, Renee had to refrain from appearing too curious. She sat quietly in the passenger's seat.Soon, the traffic began to ease as they gradually entered the suburbs. The surroundings gradually got darker. There weren't even street lamps to light the road. It only got creepier by the second. Unsurprisingly, this was the kind of place where bad people did terrible things.Renee wasn't afraid, however. With her abilities, she could fight ten more Jovans even if her legs had only just recovered."Hey… Where are you taking me?" Renee was getting a little impatient. She was visibly unhappy."Be patient. We'll be arriving soon." Jovan said before making a turn onto a small, dark road. There were lush cypress trees on both sides of the road, which stood upright like triangular flags.Renee rolled down the window and looked around. Why did this place seem a little familiar?After that, she suddenly recalled that this was the gravesite where she and Stefan had fallen and gotten
Jovan's smile broadened. He stared at Renee with glistening eyes. "Are you worried about me?""..." Renee remained silent."If bleeding a little can make you worry for me, I don't mind getting beheaded just to see you smile," he added."Go to hell!" Renee rolled her eyes before tossing him a handkerchief.Jovan dangled the handkerchief in front of his nose and took a big whiff at it. He then reluctantly wrapped it around his bleeding neck before tying a knot. "Such a wonderful handkerchief. It's a pity," he said with a sigh."You've truly gone mad!" Renee rubbed her temples. She regretted her decision.At first, she thought Jovan was a big idiot, and she could easily extract important information about Hunt Enterprise from him. To her surprise… He was only pretending to be dumb all this time. He was a mad person and not as easy to manipulate as she had thought.Playing along would only delay her own plan. It even resulted in conflict between her and Liam.'I made a huge mistake
Renee shook her head. "I don't have an answer, and I don't want to make a guess. I'm also not in the mood to listen to your nonsense. You'd better get out of the way, or I'll run you over!"Jovan sat lazily in front of the car. He ignored Renee's warning completely. "I thought you've grown much stronger in the past few years, but you're still as much of a coward as ever. You don't even have the guts to face the truth. Don't you think it's sad that you have to lie to yourself like this?""I don't know what you're talking about!" Renee exclaimed. "I'm saying this for the last time. Get out of the way!"She placed her foot on the gas pedal. All she needed to do was step on it lightly, and Jovan would be crushed into a pulp of flesh."Hehe. Do you think you'll be able to change my dying cousin's fate by running me over?" Jovan slowly got up. He propped his arms on the hood and smiled creepily at her."Weren't you curious why I brought you to the middle of nowhere? Look around. Don't y
Jovan lifted his foot and turned sideways to look at Renee. He smiled. "I was never a gentleman, to begin with. I bring shame to the family. It's not like you've never heard about that… I couldn't do anything to Stefan when he was alive, but I can insult him all I want now that he's dead!"Renee's eyes filled with tears. "You're mad. Even if Stefan's dead, he'll always be stronger than you!"Jovan's eyes glistened briefly. He approached Renee one step at a time. "Is that so? What can he do right now? My footsteps are on his face, and I'm about to sleep with his wife in front of him. All he can do is watch. Do you call that strong?""You’re shameless!" Renee slapped Jovan hard across the face. "You're a loser. Don't ever think you can get close to me!"Renee still felt angry even though she'd said those things. She lifted one leg and kicked Jovan in the stomach."Hmph!" Jovan curled up and kneeled in front of the tomb.Renee stood behind him and stepped on his back. "This is how y
Renee couldn't be bothered to waste any more time with Jovan. She turned around, got into the car, and drove away from the gravesite.She didn't once look at Stefan's so-called tomb.That was because she believed from the bottom of her heart that he was still alive…Under the moonlight, Renee returned to Leia's apartment in the city center as quickly as she could.She had been through too much today. She was exhausted, and she could barely keep her eyes open. She wanted nothing else but a good night's sleep.As soon as she opened the door, she realized that Liam was also there, apart from Leia.After their fight in Hunt Enterprise, it felt a little awkward when they locked eyes."Ren, you're finally home. Liam almost called the cops," Leia said with a long sigh. She wrapped her arms around Renee's arm. "Are you hungry? I'll cook something for you if you are."Renee shook her head. She looked tired. "I'm not hungry. I'm just a little sleepy. I think I need a good, good rest. Goo
"I don't believe you!" Leia was still worried. She turned to look at Liam. "Liam, think of something. Ren must've experienced something devastating. Otherwise, she wouldn't be so downtrodden. Although you guys broke up, you can't just ignore her. Didn't you wait all night to talk to her after she returned? Why are you being silent?"Leia had always been hot-headed. She directly pushed Liam into Renee's room and closed the door with a bang. She then locked the door from the outside.Liam instantly panicked and tried to open the door, but it wouldn't budge. "Leia, damn it! Open the door!""I don't care. You have to make Ren feel better tonight. Otherwise, don't even think about coming out," Leia uttered. Worried that the lock might not hold, she even attached a steel bar as a latch for good measure.It couldn't be helped—her brother was too passive—if she didn't lend him a hand, he wouldn't even stand a chance!Renee and Liam were left in the large room all alone. They looked at eac
Meanwhile, at a child-friendly hotel in Beach City, Aiden sat cross-legged on a couch in one of the suites, eyes glued to Happy Sheep and the Big Gray Wolf on television.Briar brought some washed fruits to Aiden with a big smile on her face. "Adie, have some fruits. You need the vitamins."Adie smiled in an adorable manner. "Thank you, Aunt Briar. You're a beautiful and kind person. No wonder you're Mommy's good friend.""You are such a sweet-talker.""Of course. I get to eat super sweet fruits that you personally washed. My mouth naturally becomes super sweet too!" Briar couldn't stop smiling throughout her conversation with Aiden.Although she kept reminding herself that Aiden was Renee and Stefan's child and that the child would severely delay her marriage into the Hunt family, meaning he couldn't be spared, she couldn't resist his angelic smile. He was so sweet with the things he said that she couldn't help but want to be close to him. She yearned to give him good food and
Good men were scarce, and women needed to have thick skin to win them over and keep them. The more ruthless one was, the more stable one's position in the household would be. Weak women would only be discarded—even their children would end up suffering.Therefore, Briar had no other talent than competing for men.She fought hard to have Tristan and had him wrapped around her fingers.Tristan thought she was pregnant with his child but in reality… The child didn't even belong to the Hunt family.In other words, even if her baby was healthy, she wouldn't keep it.Renee happened to be the perfect scapegoat.Stefan was the man Briar had set her sights on. She was willing to pay any price to get married to him."Adie, you have to believe that I'm a good person. I would never hurt you. You should be grateful that your mother has a good friend like me," Briar said with a smile while she gently ruffled Aiden's head.She made up her mind right there and then.The kid could only blame h
Jovan awkwardly tried to comfort Renee. However, his words sounded more hurtful and made her cry even louder. "This is all your fault!" Renee raised her head, then pointed at him while bawling loudly. "Did I ever anger you? Why did you frame me? What good did it bring you?""I…" Jovan's heart softened because of how pitiful she looked when she cried profusely. However, he was a pretentious man and would not show that he had gone easy on her. Instead, he tried to provoke her even more. "You can't change anything even if you cry loudly. Austin wants nothing but to kill you and your family now. If I were you, I wouldn't be in the mood to cry. I'll brace myself to manage a funeral for them."Renee was flabbergasted. She didn't expect him to be this inhuman. She was heartbroken, but he kept hurting her. She cried even more profusely."I'll keep on crying. Let me go if you can't take it. If you don't, I'll keep on crying until you can no longer take it!"She cried loudly as if she
A major issue happened to two famous and great families. The entertainment channel and news channel kept reporting about it, let alone the financial channel.Jovan didn't have to turn to a specific channel when he turned on the TV. The screen was showing a scene related to the engagement ceremony."They…" Only then did Renee learn that while she was waiting in the makeup room for her turn to make an entrance, the atmosphere in the hall had turned very tense. Alexander and Francine argued and fought against Justin's parents in a way unsuited to their statuses. Everyone failed to wait until she made an entrance before she went missing. She saw how the situation gradually became worse. She also noticed Justin's disappointment in her and Austin's wrath. Austin finally couldn't control himself, and kidnapped Alexander and Francine. "The Hunt family has yet to make a statement about it. We also have no clue about Mr. Alexander Hunt and his wife's current circumstances. However, we
Renee said seriously, "I would like a plate of pasta with more vegetables and is not spicy. I'm afraid this is my last meal."Jovan was rendered speechless. Although Renee was being sarcastic, he still went to the kitchen to make her a delicious plate of pasta. He added some vegetables and a nice fried egg for a balanced diet. "It's done." Jovan had sent off all the servants of the mansion, leaving Renee with him. Hence, he was the one who cooked the pasta and served it to her. "Wow, you're fast." Renee wanted to get a chance to run away since she had sent him away to cook for her, but she couldn't come up with any trick.In the end, she got hungry when she saw the pasta. It was mouth-watering. She was starving!Jovan was good at cooking pasta, even though he didn't seem reliable. The pasta he made tasted like home-cooked food."Give it a try." Jovan didn't say much. He meticulously blew on the pasta and handed her a fork and spoon. Renee accepted it, eager to start eatin
Jovan watched Renee fall into a deep thought. His gaze deepened, filled with renewed ferocity.Jovan turned his wrist and said slowly, "Okay, stop overthinking. I can tell you the truth if you want to know it." Renee abruptly looked up. Her eyes were teary as she begged him, "What's the truth?" "Listen to me and stay with me." Jovan frowned. After a short contemplation, he grinned and continued, "Stay with me for ten days or half a month. Then, I'll tell you.""That's not possible!"Renee immediately refused him, growing cold. "I have to leave right away. I can't watch the two families get into a fight."If she didn't return to North City immediately to explain things, the Baldwin and Hunt families would get into a big fight. Regardless of her circumstances, she didn't want them to fight. They were good people, and she refused to see them hurt. "Just let them fight. It's just a fight among bad people. Your family can grab this chance to get back to the top. Don't you want tha
Jovan felt that he wasn't as passionate and loving as Stefan."Stop beating around the bush. Why is he trying to hold himself back? You made a scumbag sound like he'd suffered a lot!" Renee snarled.She gnashed her teeth. If her foot was not chained, she would have long beaten Jovan up for being evasive and mysterious."I think he was forced to give up his beloved woman because of his identity. He has suffered a lot." Jovan frowned, his tone laced with sympathy."What about his identity? I've already known about that. Our grandfathers decided on our marriage. What are we, Romeo and Juliet?" Renee had wondered if their families were sworn enemies. It might be the reason why Stefan was in a dilemma.However, her grandfather made the Hunts take care of her when her family was doomed. Her grandfather always wanted the best for her. He held her hand and told her that only Stefan could make her happy, and only the Hunt family could protect her. It seemed unreasonable that Stefan was
Jovan was stunned to hear Renee's words. He was so furious, he laughed."Maybe!" He agreed with her and looked at her wickedly. "Since I can't win him over, I want his beloved woman.""You're out of your mind!" Renee was disgusted as goosebumps gripped her. "I'm not his most beloved woman. He loves Briar the most. You got the wrong person. You should kidnap Briar instead. Then, you can get to him."She was acting out of spite, but she meant what she had said.In the past, she was confident that Stefan loved her the most. After so many things had happened, she was no longer as confident. Stefan eventually broke up with her because of Briar. It was enough to prove her position in his heart."Haha! Do you really think so?" Jovan shook his head, his lips a complicated smile. He seemed to be muttering to himself or hinting at something. "Unfortunately, he can't always do a good job. His romance is a mess. His most beloved woman doesn't understand him. How pathetic!""Stop mumbling!
"You're trying to take revenge on Stefan, aren't you? What did he do? Why do you hate him so much?" Renee demanded.She was particularly clueless.At the very least, she felt that Stefan and Jovan didn't have a grudge even if they couldn't get along. Besides—back then, Stefan survived because of Jovan's blood.In a sense, they should be close to each other. Stefan was able to live on because of Jovan.Yet now, Jovan wanted to ruin the one he had once risked his life to rescue."No, I don't hate him," Jovan answered honestly. "I even admire him, and I'm jealous of him. He's my role model, the pride of my family.""Then, you're envious of him!" Renee went straight to the point. "You can't defeat him, so you tried to make him disappear. When that happens, you'll feel better. No one will block you, and you'll get a chance to shine."Jovan, speechless, slowly stopped smiling. Renee had accurately guessed his innermost thoughts. Since he couldn't defeat Stefan, he would let Stefan b
The thing Renee feared the most was that Jovan's action would infuriate the Baldwins.Quinton, Adie, Abby, and Margaret were still there. If the Baldwin family wanted to do something bad, Renee's family would be in danger. Her happiness was secondary. She just wanted to ensure that her family was safe and sound.It seemed Austin was full of schemes. Though he seemed to have brought her family to live with her, he in truth just wanted hostages to control her…Unfortunately, she couldn't go back in time even though she had seen through his tricks."What's the rush?" Jovan watched Renee with a meaningful smile. "Someone will handle it even if it's a big mess. Your family will be fine. My foolish cousin won't let them be in danger. At most, the two families will fight fiercely."Renee was shocked. She glared at him, and suddenly understood something. "So you did it on purpose! You wanted to watch them fight and get something from it.""That's not my concern. Once, I was more powerf
After all, Jovan was a human being. Such direct physical pain made him shake and groan. Normally, he should get angry and try all means to make her stop biting him.However, he was not an ordinary man. Although he trembled in pain, he maintained his posture and let her bite him as if he wanted to see who would give up first.Renee kept biting him fiercely, as if her teeth would gnaw through his palm. Blood oozed out of the wound. She was full of hatred, wishing to vent her anger. "Just bite me hard as long as you're happy. I'm enjoying myself too!"Jovan looked at her, whose head was lowered as she kept biting his palm fiercely. It was a bloody scene, but his words made everything sound ambiguous. Renee noticed his underlying meaning and was disgusted. She immediately let go of his palm. "Bah! Disgusting! You're sick!"Her lips were still stained with blood. From afar, it looked like a blooming rose from afar. It looked attractive on her. Aroused, Jovan held the back of her