At the Grey Mansion,Upon Renee's return, she immediately fell into a deep sleep. Eventually, hunger roused her, and with limited mobility, she called out towards the door."Mom?""Uncle Patrick?"There was no response. Thinking her voice might not have carried, she reached for her phone but noticed a note on the bedside table instead."Mom's out with your uncle for a business dinner. I've left some snacks for you if you get hungry."Opening the tray, she found three small pastries.Susanne seemed to think she had a bird's appetite.Renee finished the pastries in two bites, but her stomach still rumbled.Reluctantly, she picked up the intercom and called the kitchen."Auntie, is there anything else to eat?""The chef's off duty," the maid replied airily, followed by a yawn, hinting at her impending sleep."I see."Hanging up, Renee chided herself for the futile effort.The Grey family's servants never took her seriously. Why would they prepare food for her in the middle of the night?L
As Renee attempted to speak, Carl swiftly covered her mouth, bringing his face close to hers.In the moonlight, his handsome features appeared sharp, and his eyes were captivating and dangerously mesmerizing.Despite Renee's efforts to pry his hand away, he remained unfazed.In response, she glared at him and bit down on his fingers.However, Carl simply furrowed his brow and refused to release her.Just then, footsteps could be heard echoing from the hallway outside."Who's there?""Could it be that thief from the Master Patrick household stealing food? She just called asking for a snack. It's the middle of the night – doesn't she know her place? As if she deserves anything."Stealing?This had always been Renee's position in the Grey household.She wasn't entitled to anything; even taking a morsel was considered theft.As she lowered her gaze, avoiding his eyes, Renee felt utterly humiliated.Suddenly, the approaching staff snapped her back to reality, and she signaled to
As Renee wrestled with conflicting images in her mind, the scent of calming tea wafted under her nose.She looked up to find a steaming cup of herbal tea beside her.After a few seconds of bewilderment, she glanced back at Carl.He held cutlery in one hand, the other tucked into his pocket. His crisp shirt accentuated his broad shoulders and slim waist.He seemed nonchalant, yet exuded an unapproachable aura.This image struggled to align with the one in her memories.Renee silently sipped her tea. Moments later, Carl placed a plate of pasta in front of her."Eat."Renee snapped back to reality, pressing her lips together and shaking her head. "No need, I'm not hungry anymore..."Her stomach betrayed her, growling loudly, causing her cheeks to flush.Carl held the bowl, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Shall I feed you?"Knowing he meant what he said, Renee quickly took the plate.Neither spoke after that.Carl stepped back, leaning against the stove to light a cigarette, wat
"Ms. Lacey, it's bad news. The private room is empty. The waiter said they left over two hours ago.""Who arranged this dinner?" Renee asked urgently."It was... Mrs. Simmons, Ms. Simmons' mother. She said she wanted to introduce a big client and apologize to you.""Apologize to me? Without inviting me? What kind of apology is that?" Renee stood up, ignoring her foot pain. "Go to the manager right now. Tell them to save the security footage. Do you know any other drivers in the Grey household who are on good terms with you?""Yes.""Please ask one of them to drive me there.""No problem, Ms. Lacey."Hanging up, Renee threw on a coat and limped quickly to the mansion's entrance.The driver was already waiting.As soon as she got in, they sped towards the restaurant.Jackson, who was about to leave the Grey estate, saw Renee getting into the car and quickly dialed Carl's number.Carl was changing clothes, his shirt unbuttoned as he answered the phone."What is it?""Ms. Lace
Renee followed the signs to the private rooms, with David by her side, scanning their surroundings. "Ms. Lacey, what if the manager doesn't cooperate?" David asked. Renee halted outside a room, her face hardening with determination."Whether he cooperates or not, I'll make him cooperate today!" she declared. With that, she strode toward the hotel's fire alarm and forcefully pressed it.Instantly, alarms blared throughout the hotel, and everyone rushed toward the exits.Renee and David, however, headed in the opposite direction, searching inward. Even after checking the innermost rooms, they found no trace of Susanne and Patrick, not even a familiar face."Ms. Lacey, we still can't find them," David reported. Renee's palms grew sweaty, her body weakening.Could her rebirth not prevent the accident that had befallen Susanne and Patrick?As panic set in, a waiter burst out from a nearby door.Renee grabbed her, pointing at the door. "What's in there?""It connects to the k
It was Jackson.He lowered his leg and stepped aside.A man in all black approached, seemingly restraining something under the harsh fluorescent light, exuding danger.He glanced at Renee on the ground, then pulled her up.Renee winced in pain; her palms had been scraped raw from the fall.The man's eyes swept over her wounds, his deep voice resonating, "Don't move.""But my mom and Uncle Patrick..."Renee tried to pull away to rescue them from the garbage room.Carl signaled to David and Jackson, who rushed in.He forcefully pulled Renee behind him and said, "How can you save anyone like this? Wait here."Then, turning his signet ring, he approached the manager. His deep eyes gleamed with menace.Seeing who had arrived, the manager didn't dare make a sound despite his pain. "M-Mr. Grey."Carl looked down at the manager's sycophantic behavior and placed his polished Oxford shoe on the manager's twisted ankle."Ah!" The manager couldn't hold back his scream."Lies come wit
On the other end of the line, Annie laughed dismissively."What do I want? No wonder you're clueless. How could a woman from the gutter like your mother raise a decent daughter? She's turned you into nothing but a gold-digging tramp. As the future Mrs. Grey, shouldn't I clean up this mess?""You love taking what isn't yours? Well, I'll make you spit it all back out, just the way you took it!""Feeling bad now? You little witch! You deserve every bit of this!"Annie burst into laughter, as if wishing her words could turn into daggers to cut Renee to pieces.Where was the gentle, elegant image the public knew?Renee lowered her eyes, her voice cold. "After all that, you still haven't said what exactly you want.""It's simple. Give up your spot at Mandy's studio. If you do, I promise I'll treat you well from now on, and... your mother too."Annie's freshly manicured nails tapped against her phone screen, making a clicking sound.Contempt mixed with threat in her voice."Annie, I
Renee turned around, meeting Carl's cold eyes."No calling the police."His voice carried an undeniable authority.Under the harsh fluorescent light, his dark eyes accentuated his dangerously handsome face, piercing and severe.Renee clenched her fists, her shoulders trembling. Her face was pale and ashen as she struggled to ask, "Why? Just because they're from the Simmons family? Do we deserve this?""Why am I always the one sacrificed when something goes wrong?""EVERY SINGLE TIME..."Carl remained silent, his expression unnervingly calm.Renee, however, was like a hysterical madwoman. She lowered her gaze, staring at their shoes.A pair of sneakers and a pair of handcrafted leather oxfords - a stark reminder that they were never meant to intersect.She laughed bitterly at herself, mocking her own futile efforts."Fine. No police. I hope you never regret this decision, Uncle Carl."She snatched back her phone and stormed into the hospital room, slamming the door shut.Ja