Then Leon, working from the inside, would pressure her until she had no choice but to give in.Between offering herself and the livestreamed scandal, all blame would fall on Renee, while Leon could enjoy himself and slip away unscathed.As for the woman's fate... it went without saying.So this time, Wendy, would you still play the role of the loyal lapdog?When Wendy noticed the livestream camera, she went wild, her eyes blazing red as she lunged at the paparazzi."It wasn't me! It wasn't me! It was all Ann-“Before she could finish, the stream was cut off for violating guidelines.Renee frowned, looking up just in time to see Carl tap his phone twice.She instantly understood."Uncle Carl! It was you!""Yes." Carl set down his phone and took a sip of tea.Renee stood frozen, unable to process reality for a long while.She'd been so close!If Wendy had just named Annie publicly, regardless of evidence, the public opinion alone would have been enough to shame Annie.The w
Seeing Renee arrive, Leon produced the jewelry he had ready."I've had experts examine it. The sapphire in this brooch isn't the one I gave to Renee.""I have the gem's certificate here, along with the confirmation document Renee personally signed during the handover.""This proves she had planned to take my jewel all along. Today's events were just her trap."As Leon made his accusations, Annie, standing in the crowd, gave Wendy a threatening look.Earlier, when Wendy had almost called out her name during the livestream, Annie had made sure to have a good "talk" with her before they came downstairs.Now, Wendy didn't disappoint Annie. Wrapped in a bathrobe, she stared at Renee with dark, twisted eyes.Suddenly, she burst into tears, wailing loudly."It wasn't me! Renee framed me too! I had no idea she stole Mr. Clark's jewel! Renee, how could you do this to me and Mr. Clark? I can't live with this!"With that, she hurled herself at a pillar.Before anyone could react, by the
Familiar?Well, these were all Wendy's own words.Wendy lost it, ignoring her bleeding wound as she jumped up."Turn it off! Turn it off! This is all fake! Renee is framing me!""I'm willing to have a voice analysis done to prove whether these are Wendy's words or not," Renee announced loudly."And I can confirm what Renee says is true."The speaker was none other than Mandy - the same person who had pressured Renee to charm Leon.Mandy glanced at the trembling Bella beside her, gave a cold snort, and stepped forward."I have evidence that Wendy has long harbored inappropriate feelings for Mr. Clark. Please look at the screen."The screen showed the security footage Wendy had originally used to prove her innocence.The footage clearly captured Wendy deliberately falling in front of Leon and gazing at him lovingly.This evidence had been handed to them by Wendy herself.After seeing the proof, everyone understood. Their looks of pity for Wendy vanished completely.Wendy froz
Leon grabbed at this lifeline, quickly agreeing: "Yes, yes, no wonder I can't remember any of this. It must have been when Renee got me drunk at dinner to trick me into saying these things. How can that be taken seriously?"Renee felt her heart sink, her lips parted but no sound came out, as if frozen by an invisible force.She hadn't thought it through completely.She'd anticipated Leon might deny everything, but hadn't expected him to admit to the words while twisting their context.Travis gracefully stepped down from the stage and extended his hand to Renee."Renee, I believe you wouldn't steal the jewel. There must be some misunderstanding. Trust me, I'll help you."What a clever way to appear supportive while undermining her.Renee glared at him furiously, but he continued smiling.His eyes swept over her face, finally settling on her scarf with a slight raise of his eyebrow.In a voice only she could hear, he whispered: "Renee, you can't win against me. In this world, tr
The couple pushed their way to the front unimpeded. Upon seeing Wendy collapsed on the ground, they immediately began cursing."You worthless girl! No wonder we never see you anymore - out here doing such shameful things! You've disgraced us all!" The middle-aged woman grabbed Wendy's ear and twisted it.Wincing in pain, Wendy pleaded frantically: "Mom, let go! Don't make a scene here. Let's talk outside!""Outside? No way! You can't let him get away with this for free! Your brother needs money to buy a new car! Your reputation is smeared - this man has to take responsibility!"As she berated Wendy, the woman turned her vindictive gaze toward Leon.She narrowed her eyes: "You! You old bastard! At your age, how dare you take advantage of an innocent young girl! Listen here - if you don't pay up, you'll regret it! The video's already online!"With that, Wendy's father pulled out a sickle from behind his back."Either you hand over the money today, or I'll fight to the death!"Wen
Travis approached Renee, looking worn down, with a voice that held a familiar hint of wounded pride.“Renee, are you laughing at me too? In the end, he still one step ahead.”“Mr. Grey, do you have some kind of persecution complex?” Renee shot back coolly.Travis looked stunned. “What… what did you just call me?”“I said, Mr. Grey.” Renee repeated, unfazed.“Renee, don’t be like this. Earlier, I just…”“Just saw the scarf I was wearing and wanted to use it as a way to undermine Uncle Carl, right?” Renee interrupted. “Please stop saying you have feelings for me. I can’t stand it.”She turned to leave, but Travis’s expression darkened, and he reached out, gripping her wrist to stop her.“Renee, don’t talk to me like that. You know how I feel about you.”Renee tried to pull away, but he held on tighter. With other guests milling around them, any scene they caused would only stir up gossip. After all, Carl was Travis’s uncle, and Travis had already confessed his twisted feelings t
"Let's talk inside.""No need. We have nothing to discuss," Renee said firmly, staring at him.Carl flicked his cigarette, and with slow steps, his figure became clearer, though he remained partially in shadow.He stood at the edge of light and dark, the contrast emphasizing his striking features, devastatingly handsome. When he looked up, his eyes were deep and predatory, like a beast ready to pounce on its prey.Despite her resolve, Renee couldn't help but swallow under his intense gaze.Carl checked his watch: "Your neighbor will be home from work in a few minutes. Are you sure you want to discuss our business here?""How do you know that?" Renee asked, surprised."I know what I want to know," Carl replied coolly.Just then, the elevator started descending - someone had called it from below. Renee's heart jumped.Her next-door neighbor, a female executive, usually worked late and came home around this time.They rarely interacted beyond occasional morning greetings.The o
Renee's neck stung - Carl's bite was harsh this time, as if punishing her.She didn't dare make a sound, breathing deeply and clenching her fists against the pain.Carl uncurled her fist, interlacing their fingers as his bite softened to gentle nibbles.She froze for several seconds until her neighbor's knocking snapped her back to reality."Let go," she struggled."The scarf.""I threw it away.""Renee, you know what happens when you lie to me."Carl's voice was low against her ear, carrying an undeniable authority."It's in my bag," Renee whispered.Caught in her lie, her neck flushed pink, making the love bite stand out even more. She lowered her lashes and bit her lip, unconsciously alluring.She squirmed uncomfortably, but Carl held her waist firmly."Don't move."His breathing was heavy against her ear, his tense muscles making her afraid to move.Moments later, she felt warmth around her neck.Carl rewrapped the scarf around her neck before slowly releasing her.