Annie clenched her teeth, refusing to speak.The knife blade pressed against Yvette's skin, drawing blood.Yvette screamed, "Annie! Save me! She's gone mad!"Annie bit her lip, crying as she tried to change the subject, "Renee, don't do this. I know the truth is hard to accept, but my mother is innocent."Her face flushed red as she cried dramatically, yet she wouldn't admit her mother's wrongdoing.Her hypocrisy was evident.The guests, who had known Annie for over three years and witnessed her masterful performance, were unsure who to believe.At this moment, Michael spoke up loudly."Renee, have you lost your mind? Let go of Mrs. Simmons. Do you think you can fool everyone with some fake recordings?"These words didn't hurt Renee's heart, but Patrick's.Hearing his father believe others over his own son's suffering turned Patrick's face liver-colored with anger."Dad! This is all true!""Shut up! Have you no shame? Renee, get out of here!" Mr. Grey Sr. ignored Patrick co
Hah, clear their name?"Ms. Simmons, what do you plan to tell the police? That I was provoked into a frenzy and almost killed Mrs. Simmons? Then how was I provoked? And by whom?"Hearing this, everyone cautiously glanced at Michael.Wasn't it Michael who had publicly scolded Patrick and Susanne for the Simmons women's sake, triggering Renee's outburst?Annie froze.She finally realized that Renee had been plotting since that phone call.Her family's submissive behavior earlier was just waiting for Michael to speak up!What was the point of calling the police now?To accuse Michael?"Enough!" Michael commanded sternly. "You two have had too much to drink. Go home and rest after causing such a scene.""Mr. Grey..."Annie looked at the old man in disbelief.Michael summoned the butler and returned the box containing the katana."This doesn't suit me. Take it back. Someone see our guests out."Annie and Yvette were reluctant, still hoping to salvage the situation.Michael's
"I only care about results," Carl's tone was as if he were speaking to an employee. "Do I need to teach you how to handle the aftermath?"Annie's joyful expression had not completely faded, but fear began to rise in her eyes. She nodded mechanically and said, "I... I understand. I will apologize and make amends.""Mm."Carl grunted in response and walked away.Annie's legs buckled, and she started to fall backward, but Yvette caught her."Annie, you cannot falter now. Carl has not called off the engagement. There is still a chance.""He may not have called off. but he is caring less and less about me.""So what? As long as he agrees to marry you, that is enough. Then you can rightfully deal with the women around him. When that time comes, Renee will be finished!"Yvette clutched her bleeding neck, gritting her teeth in anger.Annie snorted coldly and said, "Renee. We will see about that."Just then, a maid passed by and caught them snickering.The two of them could only slin
Renee was startled, her eyes wide with surprise as she looked at Patrick. "Uncle, why did you do that?"Patrick smiled kindly. "Dad has always held grudges against you. If he knew this incident was because of you, he would only be angrier.""Uncle, I'm sorry," Renee said, feeling guilty."It's alright, don't worry about it," Patrick reassured her, patting her head.Susanne beckoned, "Honey, I'm still hungry. Let's go to the kitchen and see if there's anything to eat.""Alright, let's go," Patrick agreed.The couple walked out of the room hand in hand.Feeling a bit stifled, Renee decided to take a walk in the garden.As she strolled through the garden, she spotted a dark figure up ahead.It was Carl.He stood by the pond, smoking, his long fingers elegant in the flickering firelight.Sunlight danced on the water's surface, casting a soft glow on his handsome face.A gentle breeze ruffled his hair, revealing eyes as deep as ink.Renee's hand tightened into a fist, feeling t
Renee couldn't believe that Carl would act so boldly toward her right in front of Travis, especially in the Grey estate. Ignoring his words, she continued struggling to free herself from his grasp. As she looked up, she found herself staring into Carl's deep, inky eyes, filled with danger and a hint of aggression. It wasn’t until he was right in front of her, disregarding Travis's presence entirely, that she realized just how close he had gotten.Feeling a surge of panic, Renee raised her hand to push him away and quickly nodded in agreement, signaling that she would go with him.Carl stopped, reached out, and removed a leaf from her hair. His voice was as cold and indifferent as ever. "There was something in your hair."Renee realized she had been tricked. She scrunched up her nose but knew there was nothing she could do. Turning to Travis, she said, "Travis, I have something to take care of, so I need to go."Travis smiled gently. "Go ahead, but take care of yourself.""Thank yo
At some point, Carl had removed her shoes and socks without her noticing."Uncle Carl, what are you doing? This is really uncomfortable!" Renee instinctively tried to pull her foot back, but he held it firmly, indifferent to any dirt or discomfort.His hands were warm against her skin, and though she didn't want to admit it, her body reacted honestly. The warmth was so soothing that her toes involuntarily curled a little.Carl continued to hold her foot, his fingers rubbing the top of it with a certain pressure—a mix of pain and ticklishness. He teased, "Uncomfortable?"Renee bit her lip, refusing to answer.Carl reached for a spray from the first-aid kit and spritzed it onto her slightly swollen ankle before applying a medicated patch.Renee watched him silently, confused as to why he was doing this.Suddenly, something clicked in her mind: Annie.Carl had promised Annie that he would prevent the recording from spreading.Almost as soon as the thought crossed her mind, Carl s
He bit her!Renee knew Carl was getting back at her for biting him earlier.She closed her eyes, bracing for pain and expecting blood. But the pain was brief. His teeth on her neck alternated between gentle and firm, almost teasing.Her body shivered as his lips moved slowly against her skin, sending chills down her spine. Suddenly, he lifted her onto a coffee table. She tried to escape, but he trapped her within his arms.Carl leaned in so close that their lips almost touched. Renee pulled back, but he held her head, drawing her closer. The near-contact between them made the air feel hot and thick."Say it again," Carl whispered.Renee pressed her lips tight, refusing to speak, frozen in place.Calmly, Carl took the flower from behind her ear and crushed it in front of her. “Hideous,” he said coldly.Was he calling the flower hideous, or her?Renee thought he meant her. Forced to meet his gaze, her long lashes fluttered, but her eyes stayed defiant. She bit her lip again. Her
Jackson noticed Renee's pale face and called out, “Miss Lacey…”Renee sneered, “Uncle Carl went to great lengths, didn't he?”“Miss Lacey, actually…” Jackson attempted to explain, but Renee had already walked away, leaving him to sigh in frustration.Back in her room, Renee headed straight for the bathroom. Looking in the mirror, she spotted a distinct red mark on her neck. The bite mark was faint, but the surrounding skin was a deep, vivid red. Anyone who saw it would know what had happened.She washed it several times, but the more she scrubbed, the redder it became. In the end, she had to give up. With a report to Annie's studio scheduled for tomorrow, it seemed she would need to cover it up with some foundation.As she pondered how to ask Susanne for some foundation, Susanne showed up unexpectedly.“Renee? Are you back? I brought you something to eat.”Hearing this, Renee quickly grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her neck before stepping out of the bathroom.Susanne eye