Chapter 020

"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