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.
Seeing how the situation was getting intense, Xavier tried to make peace yet again."Alright, alright. I hereby announce that Renee and I are merely friends. There is nothing else going on between us. As for Stef and Seraphina, they're definitely like siblings and nothing else. Shirley and I aren't exactly together yet. Therefore, everyone's still single. We're free to be romantically involved with anyone we like!"It's rare for us to get together like this. Let's just enjoy each other's company and not cause a scene. That's something only elementary school kids would do. If everyone's on board, let's bump fists and call it a day. Alright?" Xavier extended his fist after that.Seraphina was the first to respond by bumping her fist against his.If she still held a grudge against Renee now, she'd seem too calculative.That was why she decided to change her tactic."Ms. Everheart, since it's a misunderstanding, I'll apologize to you. I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions…"I'm actua
"Oww!!! It hurts!" A piece of hot charcoal landed on Seraphina's foot and she yelped in pain.The men, who were chatting out in the open, heard the noise, and they all came running. Everyone surrounded Seraphina."What happened? Why did the grill suddenly topple over? Were you two roasting skewers or yourself?" Xavier was confused by the chaotic scene."Stop your sarcasm already. Can't you see that I burned my foot? Hurry up and help me out! What if it leaves a scar?" Seraphina grabbed her foot and clenched her jaws. She was nearly crying.Moses risked taking a beating and continued to mock her. "It's rare to see Seraphina in such a weak state. The charcoal has really done justice for us!"Seraphina swung her fist in his direction. "Moses, how could you say that? Just wait. I'm going to beat you up!"Everyone quickly stopped her. They were all worried about her burned foot, and everyone was focused on her.Christopher silently observed for a moment. "Seraphina, your wound looks
Renee looked up expectantly, but a look of disappointment and surprise soon filled her eyes."Christopher?"Christopher had his back to the sun. He looked like Prince Charming from the novel. "This is quite effective. Hurry up and use it. You don't want any scars to form!""How did you know I…" Renee had an awkward expression on her face.She was trying hard to hide the amount of pain she was in earlier. It wasn't because she was mentally strong, and it also wasn't because her skin was too thick to feel any pain.Instead, she just didn't want to appear too insignificant next to Seraphina while everyone surrounded her."I noticed your facial expression wasn't natural earlier. I figured that you were probably burned too, but I'm sure you have your reasons for not wanting it to be known," Christopher said gently, like how an older brother would. He made Renee feel very safe.Renee sighed and laughed bitterly. Without realizing it, she was opening up to him."You were all so worrie