Stefan looked at Renee and smiled. "What do you think, Ms. Everheart?"Renee rolled her eyes out of anger. "You're all sick. Do we even know each other that well? Why would a bunch of guys have the audacity to ask a woman to roast food for them? I…""That's true!" Stefan smiled vaguely. "After all, you used up a lot of your energy last night. It's such a pity that I…""Shut up!" Seeing how Stefan was about to take off his robe, Renee quickly cut him off. "Fine, I'll do it!"She wanted to discuss something in private with Xavier anyway.There were various ingredients, and a barbecue grill on the green field made up part of the vast backyard.The sun was blazed with fury. Stefan and the other men sat on deck chairs under the canopy and chatted.Renee, on the other hand, sat in front of the barbecue grill, roasting food for them. She had a sour expression on her face.The roasted pork belly was oozing oil, and the crispy chicken wings were coated with a layer of honey. There was a
Stefan giddily took a bite of the chicken wing while his friends observed in envy.After that, an intense spiciness began to spread from the tip of his tongue. It felt like it was being cut by a knife, and it was horrible."How does it taste, Stefan? Ms. Everheart roasted it with a lot of love. We're already drooling from just the smell…" Moses, the youngest in the group, asked with an envious look on his face."Cough!" Stefan neither chewed nor spoke. It was way too spicy.However, at this point, if he said it tasted awful, it would embarrass him too much.All these years, his ego had already been hurt enough by Renee's disappearance.This was especially true when he went searching for her on the deserted island. In the end, he had to beg for help from his family to safely return to Beach City. His friends had constantly teased him for this.Now that he finally had an opportunity to claim a small victory, he didn't want them to find out the truth just yet.Otherwise, his frien
"Hehehe…" Renee had no choice but to take a bite for show. She then lowered her voice. "Stefan, did you have to do this? Isn't it a little too cruel?""It's your own doing. I'm just returning the favor."The two pushed the chicken wing skewer back and forth while they bickered. To others, this seemed like a moment of intimacy.Moses smiled foolishly before quickly retrieving his phone to capture this 'heart-warming' moment. "Looks like the rumors on the internet are true. Stef and Ms. Everheart really do share true love. This is such a sweet photo. I have to share it on social media!"While saying this, Moses typed 'the couple I ship is real' before attaching a picture and publishing the post on social media."Hey, don't do that…" Renee felt that it had gone too far and tried to stop him.Unfortunately, Moses wasn't the only one who did this. The others did the same. Even if she wanted to stop them, it was too late.Feeling helpless, she turned to face Stefan. "Why aren't you sa
Renee's facial expression was cold and emotionless. "I don't care if he's dead or alive. Did he care if I was happy or not during the most difficult period of my life? Did he ever care if I was alive?""Well…" Xavier felt a little guilty. He silently looked down.Stefan had indeed gone too far back then. He cheated on Renee and forced her to get a divorce. His heart was practically stone-cold. Why did he have to get so close with a bitch like Briar?Even if Renee loved him from the bottom of her heart, her feelings would eventually fade.If he asked her to give Stefan another chance now, it would only be adding salt to the wound!"I'll tell you again, and please take this seriously—my relationship with Stefan has ended, and we will never get back together. Please tell your friends, Stefan included, to stop joking around like that anymore. If this happens again, I'll cut ties with all of you," Renee said sternly to make sure Xavier got her point.Xavier nodded. "Alright. I know wh
The only difference was that Renee's aura of superiority originated from her herself."Your Stefan?" Renee asked with a playful look in her eyes.Seraphina rolled her eyes. "Obviously, he's ours. Did you know that I grew up with Stef? We also share the same birthday in the same month of the same year. I was born an hour ahead of him. That's why he's like my little brother…""So?" Renee replied calmly. She wasn't sure what Seraphina was trying to say."So, I'm warning you to stay away from him. You two are already divorced. I won't tolerate you pulling any tricks on him!" Seraphina uttered fiercely."I see… What a considerate sister you are!" Renee replied with a half-hearted smile while she looked Seraphina up and down.Seraphina had a tomboy-like appearance, and her outfit was also casual. Although she didn't seem like the kind to harbor any ill intentions, her words seemed to be filled with undertones of sarcasm.Only a woman could recognize such undertones.Things were getti
The worst part was Stefan's reaction.He didn't even acknowledge Renee when he walked past her. It was as if she wasn't even there.Things felt so awkward that Xavier nearly wanted to dig a hole and hide in it."Renee, don't get mad. You know how proud Stef is. He's probably upset because you disrespected him earlier. That's why…" Xavier trailed off."It doesn't matter." Renee shrugged. She looked at Stefan and Seraphine while they walked away. "Didn't I tell you that I no longer want to have anything to do with him? Why would I get mad?""Are you really not upset at all?" Xavier cocked his head. He stared at Renee's face and teased her playfully. "Why does your facial expression seem so different?""..." Renee remained silent.To be honest, Xavier wasn't making things up.She really did get upset for a moment, but it wasn't because of Stefan. Instead, it was Seraphina's doing.This woman was so pretentious. She might seem like a tomboy-like girl who got along with Stefan as a
"..." Renee didn't say anything. She didn't agree, but she made no denial either."Hahaha! Alright. You don't have to answer me. I know what you're thinking. Just listen to me and do as I say." Xavier was determined to be the nice guy and go all the way. He decided he would try one last time to help this proud couple out.If it still didn't work this time, he'd stop caring!Back in the barbecue area, Stefan and Seraphina were roasting skewers.As a result of them sharing the same birthday, they also had a similar outlook on life, and the two had always been close. One could even go as far as to say they were best friends.However, Stefan merely thought of Seraphina as a friend. Seraphina, on the other hand, started developing romantic feelings for him when puberty hit.Just as Seraphina was about to confess her feelings for Stefan, he and Renee suddenly had a flash marriage. Their wedding took the entire Beach City by surprise.Feeling bitter about her feelings that were not rec
Xavier felt a little awkward. He felt the need to do some explaining.Renee, on the other hand, nodded proudly. "Of course. Xavier and I shared significant life experiences together and a similar outlook on life. We also have the same hobbies. Of course, we get along well!""..." Stefan's gaze turned cold. He pursed his lips and remained silent.Seraphina hopped onto her feet and pointed at Renee. "Ms. Everheart, even if I end up offending you, there are things I have to say. We're both women. We may be heartless, but there are still limits to what we should do. Don't you think you're being a bitch? You bring shame to all women!""Oh, why say so?" Renee nearly laughed.Seraphina was really good at this game. Renee hadn't even exposed her for being pretentious, and she already took the first move to defame Renee.Just as she thought… Seraphina was as tough a woman as she was smart!"You and Xavier were being too intimate just now. I don't care what your relationship with him is.