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
Renee didn't go home after leaving Hunt Manor.The ridiculous incident the night before, coupled with her burned arm, left her feeling a little troubled. Undoubtedly, it had left her in a sour mood.She decided to only return home after calming down so that Margaret and her children wouldn't worry.After calling Margaret to let her know she was safe, she opened her contacts and tried looking for someone she could vent to.However, apart from Leia, she couldn't find anyone else.Thinking about how Seraphina was spoiled by everyone, she suddenly felt a little jealous.The worst part was that Leia had gone to Tahato for a vacation to get over her recent break-up. She'd only return after two weeks at the very least.While going through her contacts, she suddenly thought of someone. Her eyes lit up instantly."That's right. I can find him. He's a professional at this!"At eight in the evening, colorful lights came on all around the city. The wonderful nightlife in the city had begu
The pub owner likely didn't expect Renee to be here to redeem the man's freedom and didn't quite know what to do at that moment."Why are you hesitating? You're asking them to dance and entertain the customers to earn money, right? So what's the difference if I make a full payment?" Renee asked.She knew money couldn't solve everything, but it did, at least, have the ability to solve most. At the very least, for greedy businesspeople like these, money was their kryptonite."You are absolutely right, Ms. Everheart. But we'd still have to think about this matter thoroughly. Why don't you wait for a bit while I discuss this with my business partners? We'll give you an answer shortly," the pub owner said and left the room. Although it was her excuse to leave, she actually was reporting back to Stefan."Buy my freedom?" Stefan seemed intrigued upon hearing this.After a short pause, he ordered the pub owner, "Tell her it's possible, but there would be terms…."I understand! Don't wo
Renee still remembered where the man lived, a cheap apartment near the pub.She was initially in a bad mood earlier today, but after the accomplishment of performing the good deed of 'saving a young man's future,' her mood naturally improved.By following her memory, she arrived at Isaac's apartment unit and rang the doorbell.A while later, the door swung open as Isaac walked out in a simple white shirt and black formal pants. His handsome face was once again wearing his usual white feather mask. He looked like he had been waiting for Renee for quite some time."It's been a while, my goddess. I thought you forgot about me…" The man's voice was gentle.Renee instantly felt like spring had come and couldn't help but lift the man by the chin. She smiled and said, "How could I ever forget you, my little escort? Your last hypnosis helped me get great rest! I've long wanted to have you do that again to me, you know?""It really is an honor… Don't worry, my goddess; I will give my all
"Who cares?!" Renee felt enraged for some reason, despite her being in a good mood at the start. "Do you lack tact or something? Why would you even mention that jerk out of nowhere? It's repulsing!"Stefan's expression darkened, yet still hid his anger. "What did he do to you to make you hate him so much?""He's a jerk. That's what he is!" Renee clenched her jaw. "I slept with him for all but one night, and he's threatening me with it the next day and made me cook skewers for him and his friends… Honestly, how could he?!""Is that it?" Stefan found it hilarious. He sometimes found Renee quite complicated, so much so that it felt like he never really understood her. Yet, at times, he found her as simple-minded as a child, devoid of cunning thoughts behind those crystal eyes.This juxtaposition made his heart feel rather conflicted as well.His rationality told him he should stay away from her, yet he still subconsciously wanted to get closer. That was why he came up with the ridi
Stefan was still concentrating on treating her wounds, whereas Renee's free hand caressed his head all of a sudden, like petting a dog."Can I ask you a question, pretty boy?" Renee asked as she brushed through Stefan's hair gently.The man froze and lifted his gaze, looking at the woman who wore an odd expression, slightly alarmed. "What is it?""Oh come on, don't be so nervous, it's not like I'm going to eat you up…" Renee's face flushed as she collected herself before being completely straightforward with him. "I'd just like to know if you're really experienced with love, since you're such a popular star, especially… you know, that type of experience? Like, are you super good at it?!""What type?""We're all adults here, so don't play dumb with me now. Of course, I'm talking about sex!" Renee didn't want to beat around the bush and came forth.That was because she felt like she could be her true self in front of Isaac. She could say anything on her mind, and she didn't need to
The man placed the cotton bud and antiseptic cream aside, placing his knee onto the sofa as he trapped her between the couch. His voice was deep as he asked, “If you’re so curious, why don't we try it out?"Renee looked towards the approaching man, feeling quite nervous. She gulped hard and said feebly, "Try… what?""Didn't you say you wanted to know how it felt being intimate with other men? You know I'm experienced, so maybe I could give you the answer!" Stefan placed his arm on the backrest, using the other hand to lift the woman's chin."Yeah, but isn't that… kind of inappropriate?" Renee questioned, leaning into the couch and staying still like an obedient little rabbit.She really didn't have much experience in this field, and it would make her seem quite clumsy when compared to a professional."You're already my sugar mommy. Isn't it normal for me to provide service for you?" Stefan's eyes were fixated on Renee's cherry-red lips, his chest burning with desire.'How could t
Renee seemed to be eager to learn and gained the courage to continue on under the man's guidance.The air was filled with sexual tension, with only their panting audible through the quiet room. The atmosphere felt so hot that it could boil like water.Just as the two were about to take it to the next step, Renee restrained herself with the last bit of rationality she had left."No! We can't!" The woman stopped giving into Stefan's advances with sheer will, pushing him away as hard as she could.Her lips were now reddened as a result of their experiment. The warm lighting made her look quite attractive in this state.Naturally, Stefan's lips were no better than hers—there were still a few visible marks left by Renee, after all—evidence clearly showing all the inappropriate things that they had just done."This is… just too much! What have we done?!" Renee covered her face with both hands and whined, unable to face the man. "I'm so sorry, Isaac. I Was too reckless. I've tainted you
"I'm so thirsty!" The burning sensation of the wine made Renee thirsty. She wanted to drink some water.In the dark, she heard some rustling. The next second, something was on her lips. It seemed to be someone else's lips. She wondered if someone had secretly kissed her."Who are you?" Renee grabbed the person in front of her and interrogated angrily, "How dare you kiss me without my permission! Do you know who I am? I'll cut off your lips!""Let's see if you can do that or not." The man sounded dull and drunk, but he was also overbearing.Although Renee was drunk, she could discern who it was. She called out in the dark and tried to confirm her doubt. "Haze…?" "Yeah, it's me," Justin admitted, but he did not plan to let her go. He used a more overbearing manner and trapped her between him and the door."What do you want?" Renee panicked. She wanted to kick him away, but she did not resist when she learned that it was Justin. After she had done so many things to hurt him, s
The servant walked forward with trepidation and helped Justin back to his room. Austin's eyes were dark. He whispered to his assistant, who nodded and immediately carried out his order.After two glasses of strong wine, Renee felt dizzy and could not stand steadily. "It's weird. Is this wine this strong? I just had two glasses of it, but I feel quite dizzy." It was hard for her to exit the hall. She could not stand properly, so she supported herself against the wall."Ms. Everheart, you didn't seem well. Let me help you to get some rest." Austin's assistant caught up to her and stood behind her. He even sounded respectful. "It's… fine. I can go back to my room." Renee waved; she didn't want to trouble others. Besides, she did not want others to see how miserable she was. She had assumed that she was good at drinking and would not get drunk, but it seemed like she had overestimated herself. After two glasses of wine, she became quite drowsy. She would not easily leave if s
Renee blinked and smiled brightly at Justin, asking him, "Are you worried about me?" "No, I'm not worried about you!" Justin said angrily. "I don't want you to get killed here. I can't explain it to your brother and kids. It's hard to handle the three of them."He was not lying. Although he had befriended Quinton, Adie and Abby might make a scene there if they realized that Renee had drunk so much wine at the party. They were witty, always full of ideas.Hence, it was better not to cause trouble. Before they could make a scene and things get out of control, Justin must stop Renee. He wasn't worried about her at all. "So, you're not worried about me?" Renee's gaze turned dull as she sighed. "It looks like you didn't forgive me. So, I must drink this glass of wine." Something was wrong with Renee, or perhaps she just wanted to torture herself. It seemed like she insisted on drinking the wine. She swung off Justin's hand and gulped down the wine."You're out of your mind!" Justi
The aged white wine was strong. Ordinary people would find it hard to drink a glass of it. Yet, Renee had drunk two glasses of it consecutively. It was a little dangerous. Everyone at the dining table was initially watching the fun, but they showed Renee some pity after she drank two glasses of wine consecutively. After wiping her lips clean, Renee staggered and said to Justin, "Let me toast to you now. I've wronged you the most." Justin, sitting there, said with a poker face, "You don't have to say sorry to me. We don't hold each other any grudge. After all, we can't make others fall in love with us.""No, I must apologize to you. It's for my sake." After that, Renee used a bigger glass and filled it with wine."Whatever!" Justin frowned and ignored Renee. He had no idea what was wrong with her. He had yielded and let her off, but she stubbornly wanted to keep drinking the wine.He wondered if she had forgotten the fact that she had just recovered from a serious illness. She
Suddenly, Justin became mature and stopped making jokes. He talked steadily and was no longer emotional. It filled Austin with worry because it made him feel like Justin was an emotionless robot.In comparison, he liked Justin's previous self better. At that time, Justin was simple and sentimental. He was the grandson Austin doted on the most.Sophia grinned and commented, "Dad, you don't have to worry about Justin. Men will change. Previously, he was just a childish kid even though he was in his twenties. He didn't know how to see through people's pretense. But he's all grown up now. He knows what's right or wrong. That's a great thing!" As a mother, she naturally did not want her son to get hurt. Although she favored Renee and wanted the latter to be her daughter-in-law, she would give up since Renee had let her son down and harmed him. All she wanted was to see Renee get away from her son."Yes, you're right. People need to grow up. He has grown up a lot lately, but the price
After a while, a servant quickly came back with a bottle of wine tied with a piece of red cloth. "Sir, Madam, this bottle of white wine was brewed more than ten years ago. It comes with a rich taste and is strong. I'm sure it's suitable for Ms. Everheart to toast to everyone as a form of apology.""That's good. That's what I want." Rose accepted the heavy bottle of wine. Although it was yet to be unscrewed, she could smell its pungent scent. "I won't easily let anyone drink this. Plus… Believe it or not, a glass of this wine can knock out anyone here." Rose carried the bottle of wine and walked around the table. Finally, she stopped in front of Renee. "I'm letting a sinner like you enjoy such a great thing today. You must drink all of it. You can't waste it.""Huh? Does she have to drink it all? I'm afraid she'll vomit from drinking.""People will lose themselves with only three to five glasses of this wine. If they drink half of it, they might get alcohol poisoning no matter
If any Baldwin demanded an explanation from Renee, she would not resent them."Fine, I won't go easy on you since you said so." Rose laughed recklessly, looking malicious. Everyone knew Rose was fierce and malicious. But none of them said anything, including Justin. They behaved like onlookers and wanted to see how Rose would punish Renee. "Please go ahead." Renee nodded and sounded very calm. "Don't worry. Regardless, you were the only woman my dear grandnephew had loved and wanted to marry. So, I won't be harsh on you. If not, he won't forgive me." At that point, Rose purposely paused and wanted to see how Justin would react.However, Justin merely sat there indifferently and had no intention to get Renee out of the predicament. Hence, Rose became bolder. "Well, let's do this. You've wronged not only Justin but everyone in my family. Since you're here to apologize, you should toast to all of us. Then, we can forget about this."After that, Rose turned to Austin and asked
The party started officially at night. It was a small party, and only some close relatives of the Baldwin family attended.Austin took the main seat while his son and daughter-in-law sat in the secondary seats. Justin and the others sat accordingly.After dressing herself up, Renee attended the party in simple clothes. She looked like a young lady from a great family. Adie, Abby, and Quinton did not attend the party to avoid unnecessary disputes. Renee was the only one who attended the party. When she reached the hall, the people had already taken their seats. They sized her up maliciously and studied her as if they wanted to make her pay a heavy price."Hello, ladies and gentlemen. I got here late." Renee took a deep breath and naturally greeted everyone. She appeared composed, but she knew she was rather frightened. She never panicked when she faced such a scene alone in the past. She could easily handle it because Justin would always take her side no matter what happened.
Quinton was fine even if Renee wasn't that happy. But she must lead a steady life and live beyond a hundred years old. "Quinton, I know I owed the Baldwin family a lot, even if you didn't tell me. I won't be back if not for the sake of their kindness."Renee did not hide or lie even if Justin was around. She merely wanted Justin to hold no hope in her. "How could you be this straightforward?" Quinton had purposely brought Justin along because he wanted to bring Justin and Renee together. He felt that they could still be together since things weren't that hopeless. But the disappointing Renee ruined all possibilities easily. Kindness didn't exist between a romantic couple."It's fine." Justin looked indifferent before he snorted. "I'm glad she made things clear. It's better than being ambiguous.""I'm sorry." Renee looked at Justin. Although she had made herself clear, her guilt did not diminish. She immediately expressed her guilt and helplessness since Justin did not igno