The police acted efficiently, wasting no time in presenting the settlement agreement to Renee after she agreed to settle. One of the officers was the female officer who had taken Renee's statement earlier. Kindly, she reminded Renee, "Are you sure you've thought this through?" Renee's hand trembled slightly as she held the pen and with a bitter smile, she said, "I'm sure. Let's just get it over with." She felt she had no choice but to go along with everything, feeling like nothing more than a pawn in someone else's control. Without giving herself a chance to reconsider, Renee quickly signed her name. The officer sighed, took the agreement, and left.Shortly after, Susanne entered the room carrying a basket of fruits. Their eyes met, and Susanne's were rimmed with red from guilt. "Renee..." she began. "I know everything. Is Patrick okay?" Renee asked. Susanne wiped her tears, sighing as she took out the fruits from the basket. "He's fine, just received a scolding. You know ho
At the university gates early in the morning, there weren't many people around.Exhausted, Renee was forcefully pulled into Carl's car despite her struggles. No matter how hard she tried to resist, a strong force continued to pull her back.Looking up, she realized that he seemed to be playing with her, as if her resistance was just a ploy to attract him.Finally, she gave up and let her arms drop.Carl pulled her close, lifted her face, and gently touched her reddened forehead."Looks like you haven't learned your lesson. Why did you leave the hospital?" he asked casually, as if he hadn't been the one pushing her to settle outside the hospital room.Renee stared at him, feeling like she couldn't understand him even after two lifetimes.Seeing her silence, Carl gripped her chin more firmly.She felt like a doll in his hands, manipulated at his will.Feeling humiliated, Renee gritted her teeth and forcefully slapped his hand away.The sound echoed loudly in the car.A tense s
Renee reluctantly followed Carl to Annie's apartment.Upon exiting the elevator, they were met with a shocking scene - bloodstains scattered on the floor and red paint smeared on the door.Before Renee could react, Carl rushed into the apartment. She heard a man's agonized scream and Annie's sobbing."Carl! I'm so scared! I'm afraid..."Annie's cries snapped Renee back to reality, and she quickly entered the apartment.Inside, she saw a man lying on the floor, his face contorted in anger, blood dripping from his mouth, and tightly gripping a knife.Annie, on the other hand, cradled her bleeding arm as she weakly leaned into Carl's embrace, her face filled with sorrow.The man continued to curse Annie, calling her derogatory names and accusing her of promiscuity.Annie pleaded, "No, no, I'm not like that..."The man laughed coldly, "Don't lie! That's what everyone online is saying! Someone told me you're easy to sleep with! Besides, men are coming in and out of your apartment e
She watched helplessly as she bled, while across the room, Carl pulled Annie behind him protectively.Annie smiled from behind Carl.Seeing this, Renee's face turned pale, and she let out a bitter laugh...Soon, the police burst in."Who called the police?""I did," Carl said coldly, pointing at Renee. "Her. Take her away."The police, seeing Renee's injury, exclaimed, "There's so much blood. We need to bandage this first."Carl didn't even look at her. "I said take her away. She must face the consequences of her actions."With that, Renee was handcuffed.The concerned police officer used his personal bandage to stop the bleeding from her wound.The slight pressure made Renee break out in a cold sweat from the pain.As she was being led away, she paused briefly and said nonchalantly, "I didn't do it."As Carl looked up at her, Annie fainted.He naturally ignored Renee, carefully picking up Annie instead.Renee glanced around, suddenly realizing that Carl's presence was ev
Susanne rushed to the police station and her face turned pale with fear upon seeing Renee's injured hand."What happened? You just left the hospital. How are you in trouble again? You're a designer, your hands are crucial!"Susanne understood this, so how could Carl not? Yet he had kicked the man's knife towards her.If that's how it was, then let the chaos continue.Renee smoothed her hair and said, "I'm fine. Mom, did you find out what I asked you to look into?"Susanne held Renee's hand, tears falling as she worried. It took her a moment to respond."Yes, I did. Look."Susanne took out her phone and showed the contents only to Renee.After seeing it, Renee felt somewhat relieved. "Just as I thought."Susanne pressed her lips together. "Renee, what do we do now? The Calvin incident just ended, and you're in trouble again. With Mr. Grey's temperament, he'll surely banish you.""I'm afraid it won't be as simple as banishment."They exchanged a knowing look.Mr. Grey knew ab
"It's not that she's different from Calvin, it's that she's different from me. She's pure and noble, she's your fiancée, and I'm nothing. So I shouldn't compete with Annie, shouldn't resist, shouldn't defend myself. I should bow my head and accept my fate, I should offer myself up, I should admit my wrongs, right?"Uncle Carl, have you thought about what would happen after I do all that?"Would you really let me go?"So what should I do? Die?"Renee's words cut deep, but she laughed after saying them.She raised her injured hand towards Carl, waving it slightly. "A few millimeters more and it would have cut the nerve. Are you disappointed, Uncle Carl? If my hand was ruined, your Annie would be the school's only representative in the competition. Then the online gossip would turn into me maliciously slandering her and getting what I deserved. Mr. Grey could use that to get rid of me, while your Annie would remain the untouchable goddess."You never care about what I say or do. You
Renee composed herself and took a moment to think. Then, she leaned closer to the female officer, the only person she felt she could trust."Could you please...""Alright, I will," the officer nodded.After explaining everything, Renee finally felt at ease.To avoid putting the officer in a difficult position, she took a deep breath and said, "I've said all I need to say. I won't let you get in trouble for me. Handle this however you need to."Not wanting the kind officer to face trouble with Carl because of her, Renee obediently raised her cuffed hands.The officer hesitated, then chuckled. "Actually..."She started to speak but trailed off, leaving her sentence unfinished.Then, meaningfully, she said, "Don't you think staying here might actually be the safest option for you?""Safe?" Renee didn't quite understand but nodded anyway. "Thank you."The officer seemed to want to say more but shook her head and said nothing. She unlocked Renee's handcuffs and left the room.Som
"Ms. Lacey, as a lawyer, I have a responsibility to inform you that this is the best outcome for you," said Mr. William in a condescending tone, assuming that Renee, a seemingly helpless woman, would simply accept her fate.Renee closed the speech script and looked up at Mr. William without uttering a word.Under her unwavering gaze, Mr. William began to feel a sense of unease."What are you looking at, Ms. Lacey?" he asked, trying to regain his composure."Mr. William, if I recall correctly, you were once being blackmailed and threatened for providing free legal services to the underprivileged before the Grey family recognized your talent, correct?" Renee calmly inquired.Mr. William was taken aback. Only Carl and Mr. Grey knew about his past. How could she possibly know?Quickly regaining his composure as a lawyer accustomed to high-pressure situations, he asked, "And what is your point?""When you say these things to me, do you genuinely feel at peace with yourself? Aside fro
Renee grabbed Jack's hand just as he began to sink.His little face had turned ghostly white with fear."Don't be scared, I've got you."Renee soothed him while supporting his chin.Though only six or seven, he felt heavy, especially with his water-logged clothes. Even as an adult, she struggled.Fortunately, her light dress allowed her arms to move freely.Despite the cold, she gritted her teeth and pushed through.Renee finally managed to swim to the bank with the child, where his mother reached out tearfully."Miss, give me your hand!""Take the child first."Renee felt her strength failing, unsure how much longer she could hold him.His mother thanked her repeatedly while pulling her frozen child to safety.As she reached back for Renee, a thick branch suddenly floated downstream, striking Renee's shoulder.She grunted in pain, her numbed arm releasing the mother's hand as the branch swept her into the current."Miss! Help!" the mother screamed from the bank.Renee s
As Chris said, most people her age operated at 90% energy levels.She barely managed half.He'd even warned her to preserve what little she had.Perhaps this was the cost of her second chance at life.Renee composed herself, trying to stay focused.Carl gestured forward. "Let's move ahead.""Excellent choice, Mr. Grey. Our rare gemstone collection is there," Mr. Declan said eagerly.Carl nodded, walking past Renee.Suddenly, something warm pressed into her palm, startling her.When the others passed, she opened her hand.A pink hand warmer, about the size of her palm.Why would Carl carry something like this?"Renee." Mr. Declan called from ahead."Coming."Renee clutched the warmer and hurried to catch up.The gemstone gallery was dimly lit, with only display spotlights illuminating the cases, leaving everyone in shadows.Renee stood at the edge, politely applauding Mr. Declan's presentation.Through the shifting crowd, a cool presence approached, warm breath at her
Meanwhile.Mandy stood with Mr. Declan waiting for VIP guests, checking her phone three times without reaching Renee."Miss Xander, where's Renee? Wasn't she joining us?" Mr. Declan asked.Mandy smiled awkwardly. "She..."Suddenly, Annie appeared, positioning herself beside Mr. Declan."Renee said she wasn't feeling well and won't come."Mr. Declan frowned but said nothing, tacitly accepting Annie's presence.Though being stood up by a newcomer clearly displeased him.Annie smirked triumphantly.Just then, Renee's voice came from behind."Who said I wasn't coming?"The crowd parted as Renee appeared in a red high-slit gown, like a flame burning into everyone's vision.The shimmering fabric made her skin look like snow.Uniquely adorned with wide mesh overlay and scattered crystals.Her eyes peeked through, utterly enchanting.Annie's smile twitched.Renee smiled at her. "Miss Simmons, you must have misheard. I said I was coming right over."She edged Annie aside and tu
Luckily, Renee spotted Annie's movement in the mirror and dodged just in time.But Annie grabbed her shoulder strap and slashed.Click, click...Pearls scattered across the floor.The dress, held up by the straps, began to slip.Renee clutched her chest and stumbled backward.Annie lifted her chin proudly, smirking as she tossed the razor in the trash, then switched to a shocked expression."Oh my! Renee, how clumsy! You can't be seen like this. Better rest - don't embarrass Miss Xander. I'll take your place with Mr. Declan."With a raised eyebrow, she walked out smiling.Clutching her dress, Renee realized Annie hadn't meant to hurt her - just ruin her dress to humiliate her.She quickly crouched to gather the pearls, hoping to salvage the situation.But the building was historic, with original stone flooring - many pearls had disappeared into the cracks.She found barely a dozen, not enough for one strap.Hearing footsteps, Renee hurried out, holding her dress.She need
During the drive, Renee noticeably relaxed, feeling those watchful eyes no longer on her.The jewelry exhibition was held in a century-old cultural center on the outskirts of town, perfectly preserved inside and out.To maintain the building's historic charm, they'd skipped the red carpet. Even the press conference was held in an open courtyard.Everyone shivered in the cold while maintaining elegant smiles.Mandy joked it was "suffering for art," though everyone had secretly plastered heat packs under their formal wear.After the press conference, they moved into the warm interior.The theme was "Culture and Nature."Creative pieces lined the entrance.Beyond the standard luxury display cases, jewelry took various artistic forms.Gradient gemstone leaves and flowers, a spectacular diamond necklace designed like fireworks, and jewelry butterflies suspended on fishing lines.As Renee admired the displays, Mandy's voice brought her back.Mandy introduced a man to her and Annie
"Renee, the street food market's near the hotel. You should try the local dishes.”Renee completely lost her appetite.So Carl had gone out late at night to gather food for Annie?And stayed in her room to avoid giving his cold to delicate Annie?Renee found it laughable, yet this was exactly what Carl would do for Annie in her past life.She put down her half-eaten toast and gulped down milk."Miss Xander, I'm full. I'll go prepare for later.""Yes. I should go too - the stylist will arrive soon."Mandy also didn't want to hear Annie's chatter.As they left, Annie smiled behind her coffee cup.At the restaurant entrance, Renee ran into Carl entering with two middle-aged men.They briefly locked eyes before Renee turned away without a second glance.Annie's sweet voice drifted after them."Carl, you're here. I'm not very hungry, but I'll keep you company?""Mm."Carl put his arm around Annie and left with the men....Back in her room.Renee found the AC fixed, the ro
Carl gazed at Renee with dark eyes, like a predator ready to strike.Her breath caught. Her fair skin, flushed from the hot shower, had a rosy tint.Her misty eyes held an alluring gleam.He leaned down slowly, less demanding than usual, almost cautious.Renee stared back, mind blank, forgetting to resist.But just as Carl drew near, her nose twitched, and clarity returned.She pushed him away and turned, sneezing."Achoo!"After sneezing, Renee grabbed a tissue to wipe her nose.When she discarded it, she felt warmth - Carl had covered her with a blanket.Carl lay back, eyes closed, his voice husky. "Sleep."Renee rubbed her nose, curling up carefully at the edge of the bed.She'd make do for now - after such an eventful day, she had no energy left.Renee fell asleep almost instantly, but it was too cold.Especially with the warmth radiating from behind her while her side of the bed remained chilly.The contrast made for restless sleep.As she drifted uncomfortably, a
Warm water cascaded over his broad shoulders, droplets spraying, his body wrapped in a misty sheen.Water dripped from his tousled hair and clung to his long lashes. His half-closed eyes held a dangerous glint.Water traced the defined lines of his abs before disappearing below the towel, which seemed to conceal as much as it revealed.Renee instinctively backed away, but there was nowhere to go.She pressed her cool palm against his chest through the water.The contact burned, and when she tried to pull back, he caught her hand."Why are you so cold?""The AC outside seems broken," Renee said flatly.Annie had arranged the room. Renee had noticed issues when she arrived.On the shaded side, the AC fluctuated between hot and cold.The front desk claimed no other rooms were available, offering only a $200 voucher as compensation.Brookshire was colder than the capital - she'd need a thick coat to sleep without heating.Obviously Annie had done this deliberately, but who'd be
Renee hesitated for a moment, but before she could close the door, Carl had already stepped inside.As the door clicked shut, she came to her senses and blocked his path."This is just a standard room with one bed. There's nowhere for you to sleep.""It wouldn't be the first time we've shared a bed."Carl casually moved her arm aside and walked into the room.Renee blushed, suddenly remembering her clothes scattered on the bed. She rushed over to hastily cover them with the blanket.Sitting on the covered clothes, she gestured around. "Uncle, as you can see, it's quite basic here. You should go back - your romantic rendezvous awaits.""My romantic rendezvous? How thoughtful of you."Carl leaned against the TV cabinet, hands in pockets, his tone neutral.Renee gripped the blanket beneath her and pointed to the door. "Uncle Carl, please leave."The room fell silent for a moment. Then the bed dipped, making a soft rustling sound.Renee looked up to find his warm breath on her f