Michael remained silent, his stern gaze fixed on Carl, waiting for his response.Renee looked down at her bleeding palms, feeling no pain.She was already too humiliated, too hurt.But the killing blow was yet to come.Carl's eyes, deep as an abyss, swept over Renee, his face showing nothing but endless frost and ice."It's none of my concern."Her wounded palm rubbed against her coat repeatedly, grinding debris deeper into her flesh, but Renee was numb to it all.Travis smoothly pulled the rigid Renee closer, smiling: "Thank you for your blessing, Uncle."To outsiders, it might have seemed like genuine affection.But only Renee knew he was just trying to win against someone.Unfortunately, he was completely wrong.Carl didn't care about her at all.Michael's gaze shifted between Renee and Travis, showing less anger than when he'd thought she was involved with Carl.He only reprimanded: "Impossible! The Greys don't accept people of loose morals."Loose morals?Renee dug
Renee had taken the small knife from the living room's coffee table fruit bowl.She'd sensed Carl would come.And he did, but he blocked her knife.He effortlessly caught the blade, rendering her pushing useless.Renee's eyes were red, filled with hatred, but her face was ashen as she bit her lip.The bite marks on her lips drew blood.Carl stared at her, his eyes unfathomable.Just as her strength was failing, he released his grip. The knife slashed across his palm, drawing blood.Renee froze.Carl merely asked coolly: "Satisfied?""You're insane!"Renee threw the knife away and tried to leave.He grabbed her neck from behind, spun her around, and pulled her close, forcing a dominating kiss.Renee's eyes widened as she beat against him, but he was unmoved, kissing her even harder.Rain dripped from his hair, running down his cheeks. His eyes seemed misty, like deep fog hiding something she couldn't understand.As the rain grew heavier, pelting them both, Renee shivered.
The wounds looked raw and bloody.When Renee tried to pull away, Carl forced her closer, his strong arm wrapping around her back, trapping her against him.“Don’t move. Do you want to lose your hand?” His low, steady voice brushed hotly against her ear, making it clear that she had no choice but to comply.At the mention of her hand, Renee stopped resisting. Ever since she’d left the mansion, the wound on her hand had been throbbing with pain, so much so that she hadn’t even registered what Susanne had said to her earlier.Carl took out saline solution from the first aid kit: "This will hurt."Before Renee could process his words, he began cleaning the wounds. The pain made her scalp tingle, her fingers trembling.It felt like something burrowing into her flesh.When she tried to pull away, unable to bear it, his grip only tightened.Then she felt an odd sensation around the wound.Looking down, she saw Carl gently stroking the skin around the area while cleaning it, trying to
But you...Before Carl could finish, Renee fought back violently.All her hurt and resentment exploded at once - she didn't care what he had to say.She just wanted to escape him."Uncle Carl, don't bother explaining! I don't care! I don't care about Travis, and I certainly don't care about you! I've had enough!"She shouted, missing the dangerous glint in Carl's eyes.His gaze darkened as he gripped her chin, forcing it up: "Don't care?"Under his stare, Renee trembled with fear but she gritted her teeth and nodded with defiance."Yes! I don't-"He didn't let her finish, gripping her chin and kissing her fiercely like a storm.She raised her hands to resist but he pinned them against the window, gripping tighter until her wounds stung.He was doing it deliberately. He wanted her to feel the pain.Renee whimpered in pain as his breathing grew hotter.Renee let out a muffled gasp, but Carl’s breathing only grew hotter. His eyes held her captive as he deepened the kiss, taki
"There's no one else, okay?!"Renee glared at Carl, breathing heavily.Even angry, she looked alluring.Her eyes were misty, the corners red, fighting back tears with trembling lashes - even her tearful gaze was intoxicating.Her wet shirt clung to her skin, half-revealing, testing any man's self-control.Carl's eyes darkened further, his fist clenching until his knuckles turned white.Finally, he closed his eyes and threw her a dry towel."Cover yourself."Renee hesitated, once again unable to read him.But there was no time to think - she just wanted to wrap herself up quickly.As she grabbed the towel, a sharp snap broke the silence.Her bra strap, worn for over a year, had broken during the struggle.Right in front of Carl.Whoosh!She pulled the towel over herself - and her head."Ahem..."Carl cleared his throat hoarsely, his clenched fist aching.Yet he could still feel her warmth on his fingertips.He shouldn't have held back earlier!...The car stopped out
As Renee turned, a shadow fell over her, cornering her against the wall.Carl played with the towel, his disheveled hair giving his face a dangerous edge.When she tried to move away, she was immediately pulled against his solid chest.Her unspoken explanation was silenced by a fleeting kiss.The touch was gentle, as if she were made of glass.This tenderness unsettled Renee more than his previous intensity, leaving her too confused to even push him away.Against her lips, he whispered: "Boyfriend?""I was lying...""Quiet."He cut her off, knowing what she'd say.His kiss deepened slowly, making her world spin.Renee's mind went blank, time seeming to stop, though her heart raced in confusion.Suddenly, she pushed Carl away and sneezed.Achoo!Carl narrowed his eyes at her, his face tense as he strode into the apartment.Renee changed her shoes and followed, clutching his coat tight.Carl emerged from the bathroom, commanding: "Take a shower."With her nose starting t
Annie looked up, her eyes full of concern and hope.Carl stayed silent, unwilling to answer the same question twice.He turned to leave.Annie watched his retreating figure, her palms sweaty as she rushed after him, grabbing his arm.“Carl, did Renee say something about me?"Carl's gaze remained cold: "What could she have said?"Under his stare, Annie felt nothing - no emotion, as if she were insignificant.No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't read him.Realizing her mistake, she quickly smiled."Nothing. I just worried about the misunderstandings at the studio. You know how young girls can hold grudges.""Is that so?"Though Carl's response was brief, to Annie it felt like he'd taken Renee's side.She didn't dare show her concern, just smiled sweetly, wringing her hands."I'm overthinking. I'll clear things up with her next time.""Mm."Carl got in his car and left without looking back.Annie watched his car disappear, her face full of resentment.Nearby, the Si
Despite taking medicine and going to bed early, Renee's night was filled with jumbled dreams.The fragments made no sense, leaving her exhausted in the morning.Rubbing her head, Renee checked the time and rushed to get ready.At the entryway, she noticed the scarf felt different.Unfolding it, she saw Carl's name embroidered in gold thread, still gleaming.She froze.Hadn't Carl said this scarf was too important to give away?What was he playing at?Renee's first thought was that Carl was trying to use her again.She angrily threw his scarf down but couldn't find her own anywhere.Just then, her work group chat notified her of a meeting in an hour.Grinding her teeth, she had to wear his scarf to hide the marks on her neck.In the elevator, she ran into her neighbor.Remembering last night, Renee couldn't meet her eyes.Her neighbor glanced at Renee's reddened lips and smiled knowingly."Running late?""Yes," Renee nodded, embarrassed."Can't blame you with such a mac