Travis's secretary felt her legs give out as if someone had kicked her behind the knees. Losing her balance, she spilled the entire cup of tea onto Travis and the lunch box.Travis frowned slightly.The secretary quickly apologized, “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to!”At that moment, Carl stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray. “I’m here to ask you to take a business trip to Seaside City. The documents are on your desk. Make sure to review them.”Travis glanced at the file Carl had placed on his desk and nodded. “Got it.”Carl turned and left without another word.Inside the office, Travis took the handkerchief from the secretary, his expression remaining gentle.“Go ahead and prepare for the trip.”“Yes, sir.” The secretary bowed slightly before exiting the office.Travis’s eyes lingered on the stained lunch box on his desk, his gaze growing darker.In the elevator, Jackson fiddled with a small stone in his hand. “Mr. Grey, you asked me to come along just for this…”“Hmm?”
Mandy thought for a moment and then cautiously said, "In that case, the three of you new interns should each prepare a design draft. We’ll all go together to meet Ms. Johnson."“Got it,” Renee and Lucy responded in unison.Annie confidently added, “Ms. Xander, you really don’t have to worry about us. I’ll set up a meeting with Ms. Johnson and take Renee and Lucy along. You can focus on your other work.”Mandy, who indeed had a packed schedule, nodded in agreement.After the meeting, several people surrounded Annie with admiration.“Annie, you really are Mr. Grey’s fiancée. You know everyone important.”“Not really,” Annie replied, glancing at Renee with a hint of smugness in her eyes.Renee ignored her and walked out with Lucy, carrying her things.Lucy muttered, “Renee, if you had such powerful connections, your design would definitely surpass hers.”“Lucy, that’s enough,” Renee interrupted, feeling that sometimes Lucy’s words were a bit off.Back at her desk, Renee was tryi
Annie thought Carl would be disgusted to see Renee behaving so casually. Instead, he remained calm, his elegant fingers resting against his temple as he flipped through the documents on his lap with cold indifference.“Did you bring me here just to watch this?” His deep voice carried a chilling undertone, as if he were addressing an incompetent subordinate rather than his fiancée.Annie clenched her fists so tightly that she almost bit through her lip, but she didn’t dare to argue.At that moment, she caught a glimpse of something in the rearview mirror that made her eyes widen. Renee was...Seeing Carl about to look up, Annie quickly reached out and grabbed his arm.“Mr. Grey, I called you here to discuss Ms. Johnson from Hillside Estates,” she said hurriedly.“I know you’ve been negotiating with her recently. Our studio has connections with her too. If you take me to meet her, I can definitely come up with a design that will satisfy her, which would also help with your business
Why is Renee always so popular?The next moment, Wendy lifted her tear-filled eyes and looked at the male colleague beside her. With a slight sway, she fell into his arms, hiding her face.“I’m sorry, I get a bit carsick sitting in the back,” she said softly.The man, faced with a woman throwing herself into his arms, had no resistance and immediately smiled, wrapping his arm around her.“It’s okay, I’ll hold you steady.”“Thank you, you’re so kind.” Wendy forced herself to sound grateful, determined to tarnish Renee’s image in Carl’s mind.…Inside the cab, Renee exhaled in relief. “Thanks, Lucy.”Lucy patted her chest and explained, “No problem, but be careful with that friend of yours. She went around telling everyone this morning that she’s your best friend. A lot of male colleagues are trying to get close to you through her.”“I know,” Renee replied, her expression calm. Wendy’s behavior didn’t surprise her at all.“Oh, by the way, I saw Wendy chatting with a male collea
"Renee, please don’t say that. Uncle Carl has his reasons for everything. Just take care of yourself while I’m away," Travis replied hastily, trying to reassure her.So she was right.Renee clenched her phone, a wave of anger surging through her. Carl was so ruthless that he was willing to remove anyone who helped her, just to protect Annie.Travis had been sent on so many business trips, one after another, gradually being pushed away from the core of the Grey family’s power, until he, the eldest grandson of the family, was eventually exiled abroad. Carl truly was a cold and heartless man.Standing in the chilly wind, Renee lowered her head and said softly, “I’m sorry, Travis. It’s my fault you’re in this situation.”“Don’t be silly. You’re overthinking this. Maybe Uncle Carl is just really busy negotiating with Ms. Johnson from Hillside Estates, and he can’t go himself, so he’s sending me instead,” Travis said, still defending Carl.But Renee picked up on the familiar name.“Ms
The man hit the ground with a thud.Renee looked up, startled, to see Carl approaching. His eyes held a playful yet menacing gleam.“Quite popular with the guys, aren’t you?” His deep voice carried a hint of mockery.It was Carl.Renee shifted her stance, realizing she couldn’t take him on directly. She decided to switch tactics, lifting her leg to kick him. But Carl was quick; he caught her leg mid-air and pulled her closer with ease. Her clothes brushed against his belt buckle, which only made her angrier.“Let go!” she demanded.“No gratitude at all,” Carl murmured, his voice low and rough.“I don’t need your help! I can handle this myself!” she shot back.Before she could say more, Wendy and the others arrived, their footsteps echoing in the narrow, dimly lit alley. Renee’s heart pounded in her chest.Just as they were about to reach them, Carl kicked the unconscious man deeper into the shadows and grabbed Renee’s chin, pulling her into a sudden, forceful kiss.“Mmph!” Renee’s eyes
After escaping, Renee didn’t dare stay at a hotel near the school. Instead, she chose one closer to the studio. Before getting into the cab, she glanced back at the intersection.A luxury car had pulled up. Carl, dressed all in black, stepped out and slid into the vehicle. The car window rolled down just a crack, revealing a pair of dark eyes watching her, brimming with a dangerous calmness in the night.It was as if he was telling her: You can't get away.A chill ran down Renee’s spine. She turned around and got into the cab without looking back.Meanwhile, Jackson entered the car as well.“Mr. Grey, Miss Lacey reported those guys for drunk driving and even provided Wendy Sanders’ name.”Carl, seated in the back, slowly rotated the ring on his finger and raised an eyebrow.“She’s getting smarter now. With the way she used to be, anyone could have taken advantage of her.”“She’s someone who needs to be kept hidden.”Jackson frowned and cautiously asked, “Mr. Grey, about Miss L
Just then, Annie arrived. After being briefed on what had happened, she frowned and shot a disapproving look at Wendy.Idiot, she thought. Can’t even handle something this simple without causing trouble.Seeing that everyone was there, Renee knew it was time to wrap things up. She mimicked Wendy's earlier tone, speaking with feigned concern, "Wendy, you should apologize quickly. If this gets out, it won’t be good for you or the company. After all, you were the one who went out drinking with them. Isn’t that right, Miss Simmons?"She directed the question at Annie. In her past life, Annie and Wendy had teamed up countless times to frame her. Now it was their turn to get a taste of their own medicine.Everyone turned to Annie, knowing her words carried weight as Carl's fiancée. Not wanting to get involved in this mess, Annie forced a gentle smile. "Wendy, apologize now. As a woman, you should be more careful in the future."Wendy stared at Annie in disbelief, her bruised face turnin