Carl said nothing, glancing behind Renee. His expression became exceptionally cold, like a glacier in severe winter, forbidding approach.Renee inwardly scoffed. Typical Carl.At that moment, an authoritative, sharp voice sounded from behind."Renee Lacey, why are you standing there like an idiot? Everyone's waiting for you."It was Michael.Renee turned to see Susanne and Patrick standing behind him.Normally, these two wouldn't have the status to stand in such a central position. Who would have thought their time had come?Clearly, Michael was worried Renee might back out of going on stage."Renee..." Patrick's face was grave as he moved to protect her.Renee immediately shook her head at him. "Patrick, just stay with my mom."Under Michael's warning gaze, Renee took the stage.Calvin, wrapped in bandages, was in the audience looking smug.The reporters were eager to pounce. Before Renee could even speak, someone was already trying to pin the blame on her."Ms. Lacey, we
Reporter Riley froze, his face turning pale. He pointed at the screen frantically. "So what if it was? Doesn't this just prove that Renee gave me false information to frame Ms. Simmons?" The crowd nodded in agreement.Renee, however, calmly looked at Annie and asked, "Ms. Simmons, don't you know who really leaked this information to the reporter? Care to comment?"Annie panicked for a moment, then quickly said, "What does this have to do with me? It wasn't me!"Renee stared at her, "Ms. Simmons, did I say it was you? I'm just saying that we cleared everything up in the dean's office that day. So why didn't you clarify when the reporters and fans misunderstood me?"Annie couldn't answer and resorted to crying to cover up.Renee said kindly, "Ms. Simmons, please don't cry. It makes it seem like I'm bullying you. Why don't you just explain things publicly for me?"Asking Annie to explain for her now was practically torturing her. Annie clearly didn't want to, so she looked at Carl
Renee's calmness caught everyone by surprise.This person, once the most marginalized in the Grey family, was no longer timid or speaking with a lowered head.She stood on the stage, standing for herself.Her gaze was clear and determined, sweeping over Carl's cold and dangerous face without any trace of retreat.As the situation turned, all cameras focused on Reporter Riley and Annie.Riley, feeling uncertain, instinctively looked towards Annie.Annie frowned slightly, giving him a meaningful look.Riley loudly rebutted, "Ms. Lacey, you can't slander Ms. Simmons and me just because I asked you a few questions!"Annie, with reddened eyes, said, "Renee, I know you're angry that the school secured a competition spot for me. I just wanted an apology. I've already agreed to settle with the police. If you insist on this, I'll withdraw. I just ask that you stop making trouble. This is putting the Grey family and Carl in a difficult position."Using retreat as a strategy was Annie's most comm
However, Annie felt overwhelmed by the skeptical gazes from those around her. If she couldn't provide an explanation, her carefully maintained image would crumble.Annie pressed her lips together, a glint flashing in her eyes. She said, "Renee, have you forgotten why we're here? We're here to discuss your role in instigating someone to harm me. I gave you the chance to apologize and reach a settlement. Only with a settlement can you avoid trouble."When playing the victim didn't work, she resorted to threats.Unfortunately, she was wrong again.Renee turned to look at the female officer.The officer spoke seriously, "Ms. Simmons, we have investigated the man who intended to harm you. He has no criminal record, only a daughter who needs money for medical treatment. We checked his account and found a deposit from an overseas account that matches the surgery cost. It's only a matter of time before we trace the owner of that account. But we can clearly state that Ms. Lacey doesn't hav
"Mr. Michael Grey.""He was the one who firmly believed in my innocence and arranged this press conference for me.""Although I'm not related to the Grey family by blood, they... treat me like their own and would never harm me.""Thank you, thank you very much."Renee bowed deeply to Mr. Grey.No matter how angry Mr. Grey was, he could only smile and nod at the crowd, rendered speechless.But this move quickly defused the Grey family's public relations crisis.The press conference ended.Renee quickly caught up with the female officer, saying gratefully, "Thank you. If you hadn't found evidence against Calvin Henderson, I would have..."The officer asked her colleagues to take the others to the car first, then looked at Renee with difficulty."It wasn't me. It was Carl Grey's doing. Those girls were all found by Mr. Grey's people in just one night. Before, when we approached them, no one dared to get involved with the Henderson family.""What did you say?" Renee was so shock
Annie's face turned pale. As Carl reached for the USB drive, she snatched it, then "accidentally" dropped it on the ground.Finally, she "unintentionally" crushed the USB drive with her high heel.She apologized with a regretful expression, "I'm sorry, Carl. It wasn't on purpose. I just wanted to take it for you."Renee looked at the shattered USB drive and turned to leave.Whether Carl saw the contents or not didn't matter. What mattered was that Annie had shown her guilt.Everyone had seen it. That was enough.As she left the hall, Susanne caught up with her."Are you crazy, giving the evidence to Annie?""Mom, did you really think we could protect the evidence?" Renee asked rhetorically."You could have just played the audio earlier. Then everyone would have known Annie's true face.""Do you want to stop living in the Grey family? Do you think Carl would let us off?"Susanne underestimated Carl's feelings for Annie.In her past life, she had died because of this relation
When Renee regained consciousness, she found herself in the hospital.Her eyes fluttered open, but her mind was still foggy. She heard voices conversing by her bed."How is she?"A deep, familiar voice with a hint of danger."Mr. Grey, she's fine now. I stake my career on it - Ms. Lacey's hand will fully recover."Hand?Hearing this word, Renee slowly awakened, her half-open eyes focusing on the name tag of a white-coated figure by her bed."Head of Neurology, Dr. Francis Miller"A familiar name.She remembered.In her past life, when Annie cut her hand while cooking, Carl had anxiously called in the best neurologist to examine her.That same day, Renee had gotten an opportunity to redesign jewelry for a major brand, but her hand's nerves were severed by a fleeing robber.She had begged the hospital to find the best neurologist, only to be told the doctor had been taken by Carl to treat Annie's minor cut.She had called Carl, pleading desperately, but he had said, "Can't you stop overr
Back at school, Renee entered her dorm room and found that her roommates were still out, likely attending interviews as mentioned in the group chat. She opened her locker and squinted at the contents inside. Just as she was about to reach for something, she heard a voice behind her."Renee."Startled, Renee turned around to see Wendy rushing up to her, slapping herself hard."Renee, I'm so sorry!""I was scared of being poor, and Reporter Riley said he just wanted to use your account to say a few things. I believed him."My mom always complains that college is a waste of money, which is why I fell for it. Please have pity on me."Wendy continued slapping herself while attempting to emotionally manipulate Renee.Renee remained silent, pretending to be stunned as she watched Wendy repeatedly slap herself.Wendy didn't dare stop, only ceasing when her face turned red from the slaps. Renee finally stepped in."Stop hitting yourself. It's too late for apologies now."She looked do
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