Chapter 005

The spacious hall felt suffocating as the air around Carl chilled to an extreme, leaving everyone struggling to breathe.

He remained silent.

But everyone knew he was angry.

He took out a cigarette box, lit one, and took a drag.

Exhaling a cloud of smoke that veiled his face, he gazed at Renee through the haze, his expression unreadable.

"Get out."

Michael also waved his hand in displeasure.

Susanne helped Renee to her feet.

Renee pulled her hand away, standing straight in the center of the hall, her words firm: "Since my presence here is hindering everyone, I'll move out immediately. Mr. Grey, thank you for your care over the years."

She would leave with dignity and decisiveness.

She would no longer tiptoe around in fear as she had in her past life.

With that, Renee turned and left.

The gaze that followed her was dangerous and cold.

...

Stepping out of the hall, the side effects of multiple contraceptive pills hit her – dizziness and nausea overwhelmed her.

Renee only managed a few steps before she fainted.

When Renee woke up, Susanne was sitting by the bed, her eyes slightly red.

Seeing her awake, Susanne lightly slapped her cheek, more like a tickle than a real slap.

"Were you trying to scare me to death? You can't just take those pills recklessly!"

"Mom, it was necessary. I'd never have gotten out of the Grey house otherwise," Renee said weakly.

"You... poor child! I've always told you to mingle with rich young men. If you'd married well, you could have had a stable life."

"Like you?" Renee thought. What kind of stability was that?

Susanne seemed about to say more but stopped herself.

Just then, the door opened, and Patrick entered with a bowl of porridge.

"Renee's awake. Quickly, have some porridge. It'll settle your stomach."

Renee was about to thank him when she noticed his ear was injured, the cut looking like it had been struck by something sharp.

It must have been Michael.

He had always disliked their branch of the family, resenting his second son for being slow-witted and insisting on marrying a woman with a child.

Renee said apologetically: "Patrick, I'm sorry for causing trouble. I'll leave as soon as possible."

"Don't talk nonsense!" Susanne said, displeased.

Patrick patted her shoulder: "The doctor said Renee needs to take medicine when she wakes up. Go get some warm water."

Susanne immediately left the room.

Patrick sat by the bed, sighing softly: "Renee, do you really have to leave?"

"Patrick, staying would only cause more trouble for you and mom. I'm old enough to take care of myself now."

"It's my fault for being incompetent." Patrick slipped a card under Renee's pillow. "Don't refuse it. A young woman like you will have plenty of expenses out there. The PIN is your birthday. Be careful out there, and call your mom or me if anything happens."

Renee said gratefully: "Thank you, Patrick."

Patrick looked at Renee and said out of the blue: "Carl was acting strangely today, very unusual."

Renee asked, confused: "What do you mean?"

"When your mom cried out that you had fainted, Carl rushed out and carried you away. If the patriarch hadn't ordered someone to bring you back here, you'd still be in his quarters now."

"What?" Renee gripped the blanket in shock.

"Don't worry, Carl said he was afraid you might die in the Grey house and cause gossip."

"I see." That sounded more like Carl, Renee thought bitterly.

Last night seemed like a distant dream.

After finishing her medicine and resting for a while, Renee stood up and packed her bag.

She purposely avoided Susanne as she knew that her mother would likely break down in tears upon seeing her.

As she walked out of the Grey mansion, all the servants kept their heads down, as if they were afraid to be associated with her.

Standing under the portico, Renee watched as the sky darkened.

Finally, this long day was coming to an end. Autumn had arrived early in the city, and the evening wind carried a chilly and melancholic feeling. Renee adjusted her bag strap and quickened her pace to leave.

The Grey estate was an isolated garden-style mansion. Although it was located in the city's best area, the family had purchased all the surrounding land for privacy.

They had built a private park around it, which was occasionally opened to the public for events. However, there was no subway or bus, and taxis were rare.

Even if she walked quickly, it would take Renee twenty minutes to reach the nearest station.

She walked under the streetlights, bracing herself against the wind. After a few minutes, she heard a car horn behind her. Instinctively, she moved closer to the side of the road.

Unexpectedly, the car pulled up beside her.

"Ms. Lacey, please get in," said a familiar face as the window lowered.

It was Carl's assistant, Jackson Chancer.

Renee hesitated and glanced at the back seat, where she saw a hand with a red diamond ring tapping impatiently on a knee. It was Carl.

She didn't want any more entanglements with him, so she shook her head and said, "No need, Uncle Carl. Please go ahead." Adjusting her backpack, she continued walking.

To her surprise, Jackson quickly got out of the car and blocked her path.

With a polite smile, he calmly said, "Ms. Lacey, please get in. It's for your own good. Mr. Grey says that if someone sees you leaving like this with your luggage, it won't look good for anyone. If you refuse, I'll have to use my own methods to get you into the car."

Renee gripped her backpack tightly and looked towards the back seat window, but it was too dark to see anything.

However, she knew that Carl was watching her.

In her past life, she had experienced Carl's infamous ruthless methods firsthand.

If she resisted, who knows what he might do. Suddenly, Renee felt a chill run through her. She had fought hard for this second chance at life and didn't want to provoke Carl's anger again.

Renee nodded and walked towards the passenger seat, but Jackson ushered her into the back seat instead.

As soon as she sat down, Renee smelled alcohol in the car. Suspiciously, she looked over and saw Carl's tall frame leaning against the seat, his eyes half-closed. In the dim light, half of his face was hidden in shadow.

He looked dangerous and austere. Carl lifted his eyelids slightly and said flatly, "Leaving?"

His voice was emotionless, but it made Renee feel like there was a lump in her throat.

After a long moment, she recognized the feeling. It was just like in her past life when he punished her, saying, "Want to leave? It won't be that easy," in the same tone.

Renee suppressed her hatred and shifted slightly. Just as she was about to answer, her phone rang.

It was Susanne calling.

Renee didn't want to answer, fearing Susanne would once again complain about her not seizing opportunities.

But Carl's gaze had already fallen on her, his brow furrowing slightly.

Renee had no choice but to answer.

"Renee! Are you trying to worry me to death? Have I mistreated you? Is that why you're running away?"

Susanne's voice was choked, every word filled with helplessness.

She knew she lacked the power to protect her daughter.

"Mom, I'll take good care of myself."

"You... take care." Susanne sighed, reluctantly giving in. "Renee, why don't... I ask Patrick to set up some blind dates for you? Having a man to rely on is better than being alone out there. Patrick will surely find someone suitable for you."

Susanne was lecturing again.

Renee glanced at Carl from the corner of her eye, unable to read his expression. Feeling anxious, she hurriedly said goodbye.

Susanne, unusually assertive, pressed on: "Don't brush me off. I'm doing this for your own good. It's settled then. In a few days, you'll go on a blind date..."

"Mom! I'm hanging up."

Renee ended the call abruptly.

In her past life, Susanne had also arranged blind dates, but after the incident with Carl, those plans had fizzled out.

Speaking of Carl, had he heard?

It didn't matter if he had. He wouldn't care anyway.

But the car's interior suddenly felt like a vacuum, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Streetlights filtered through tree branches, casting dappled light through the car window, sliding across Carl's chiseled features.

Renee felt on edge, unconsciously gripping her hands tightly.

Then, a soft scoff.

"Blind date?"

"Renee, was anything you said last night true at all?"