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
Briar stood up and went to the door. Outside stood William, her biggest admirer."I'm here for my reward!" William barged in and pressed Briar against the wall. He began kissing her passionately.Briar lifted her arms and let him do what he wanted without any expression on her face. She even seemed annoyed.After a few kisses, William found it pointless and harshly let her go."If you don't like me at all, why did you promise you would give yourself to me as a reward for completing the mission?" William asked.He pinched her cheeks with his long fingers. "You're like a log. There's no warmth and no response from you. Are you rewarding me or humiliating me?" he asked through clenched jaws.Briar sneered. "What's the rush? I've always kept my promises. If I promised you something, I'd give it to you, but not now…""What's your excuse this time?" William was losing his patience."I've considered you my one and only love interest for many years. I've never let myself forget that. B
William saw Aiden, who was fast asleep, and his expression changed instantly."Briar, are you mad? How could you do this to a child? He's still so young. He shouldn't be taken to Carmine Pawnshop… You should know when to stop! Aren't you afraid that karma will come back to bite you?"A while ago, he received an order from Briar to deliver something 'unique' to Water Dock's Carmine Pawnshop.On the surface, Carmine Pawnshop sounded like a proper pawnshop where various precious treasures from around the world were gathered, but in reality, it was a breeding ground for evil.The pawnshop's owner was mysterious and had a powerful background. He once claimed that if a pawnbroker could give him something precious, he would fulfill any of their wishes.Some traded invaluable treasures for the love they so desired, while others traded their organs for immeasurable wealth.All in all… As long as the owner was willing to accept the item one offered, one's deepest desires could be turned in
"I could say the same about you!" Briar looked at William. Just as she was about to start mocking him, she caught sight of Aiden. Her heart ached a little.She took a deep breath and clenched her fists tightly. She couldn't go easy on him!"This is the last time I'll do anything for you. I hope you can keep your promise. Delete those videos and voice recordings on your phone. We owe each other nothing after this. We'll pretend we don't even know each other!" William exclaimed before leaving the hotel with Aiden.Briar stood where she was and watched them leave. She didn't move for a very long time, and there wasn't any expression on her face, not unlike a soulless corpse.After remaining silent for a while, she squatted and began laughing like a lunatic. She even started rolling on the floor while she laughed…"Hahaha! Briar, you're such a sad case. Even that fool who loved you the most decided to leave you for good. You deserve to have nothing!"Briar clambered onto her feet and
"Leia, if you find out one day that I'm not as simple as you imagined, and I turn out to be a bad person, would you… Would you forgive me?" William asked."Why are you asking that? I knew you were up to no good… But it depends on how you define being bad. If you hurt me, I'll decide if I should forgive you based on how serious it is. However, if you hurt my friend, I will never forgive you. In my heart, Ren will always come first. She's more important to me than anyone else. If you cross this line, you and I are over for good. Do you understand?" Leia asked.To her and her brother, Renee wasn't only a good friend. She was the person who gave them a second chance at life. They treated her like their idol, and they were determined to protect her to the ends of the earth.William's facial expression froze after hearing this. He remained silent for a long while before replying. "Alright. I understand. I know what to do."Leia was confused. "What do you mean? Why are you beating around
Aiden hung up right after divulging the key information. He also switched off his phone's GPS system so that the police wouldn't find him too soon.On top of that, he intentionally left his belongings behind at the hotel when he left earlier. If the police caught Briar now, there'd be solid evidence of her crime. 'Hehe!'After William finished smoking, he returned to the car. Aiden was still sleeping. William couldn't resist sighing. "Poor kid."He filled up the petrol tank and started driving faster than before.Water Dock was even brighter at night than during the day. All types of people were out and about.Ordinary people wouldn't even dare enter this lawless place.Men would have their organs harvested, while women would be forced into prostitution. As for fair, good-looking boys like Aiden, one could only imagine the horrors that would befall him if he was caught on the streets!William's legs were shivering when he drove into this area.Unfortunately, their car stopped
"Ahh!" Aiden's voice sent William, who was already tense and nervous, screaming. "Kiddo, y-you're awake?" William stammered.Aiden rolled his eyes and started giving orders. "Idiot. I've been awake for a long time. Look ahead. Press the accelerator down all the way. Turn the car as much to the left as possible, and force your way through. Otherwise, we're both doomed!"Aiden initially wanted to pretend to be asleep, but this man didn't seem the least reliable. Although it was obvious the other party was driving their way, he still hesitated and didn't go full speed ahead. Aiden was terribly anxious."Huh? What?" William's jaw dropped. He looked ahead and realized that he ought to follow Aiden's instructions.Without thinking too much, William held onto the steering wheel tightly. "I'm going to make a rapid turn. Sit tight!"Vroom, vroom, vroom! The roar of the car's engine echoed throughout the dock. The vehicle headed toward a gap on the left, and just when it seemed they would
The one-eyed man didn't believe what Aiden said at all. He gradually lost his patience and directly picked up Aiden by his collar. "Kid, you better start telling the truth, or I'll hit you just like how I hit him!""L-Let him go!" William pressed himself onto his feet and tried to stop the one-eyed man. In the end, he was sent flying with a punch."Let me go, or you'll be in deep trouble!" Aiden shouted angrily. He fought as hard as he could, refusing to get into the one-eyed man's car."Shut up, kiddo. You deserve a beating!" Just as the one-eyed man was about to slap Aiden across the face, a car suddenly sped over and crashed into his car, sending it flying."Damn it! Who the hell…" The one-eyed man began cursing, but his knees went weak the moment he saw the car's registration. He directly went down on his knees and didn't even dare to make a sound.Aiden took the opportunity to set himself free. He slowly walked up to the heavy, off-road vehicle and looked directly at the driv
Some people felt that Stefan's reply was friendly, and that he didn't want to fight the Baldwin family. Some felt that Stefan's reply was a provocation for the Baldwin family. As the culprit, he claimed that he felt sorry for them. It was a great humiliation for the Baldwin family. "He's outrageous!" Justin roared.When he read the report, he shared the same thoughts as some of the netizens. He felt that Stefan was openly mocking him. As the winner, Stefan mocked him for failing to keep his fiancee. Justin grew mad and smashed everything in the room."What's going on?" Sophia was carrying some soup for her dear son. When she saw that scene, she became worried.A servant was standing outside the door with her head low and carefully replied, "Mr. Baldwin got angry after reading the response from Mr. Stefan Hunt. We're too afraid to stop him. Please help us, madam.""The response from Stefan Hunt?" Sophia didn't pay attention to the relevant news and had no idea what it was
Jovan looked away and snorted. "Stop daring me. It's useless. I won't let you go—at least, not now.""Then you're going to get me killed!" Renee became angry and anxious. Jovan must be crazy—there was no way to make him compromise! "I can't watch you get killed, so I can't let you go." Jovan coldly got up and exited the room.Renee watched silently as the door closed. A greater anxiety gripped her when she thought of the conflict between the Baldwin and Hunt families. She had to leave immediately, but she couldn't break free of the chain around her foot. There was no way to make Jovan compromise. She had no idea how to leave.While under great pressure, she noticed an iron art product on the bedside cabinet.A horrible idea dawned on her, but she had no idea if it would work. Jovan would probably be indifferent about it, and it might be useless. That, and she would have to pay a greater price. But she had no choice. "Forget it! I have to take this chance!" Renee took
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