"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
Suddenly, Annie grabbed Renee's scarf, violently pulling her forward.The movement exposed the bite marks on Renee's neck.Annie's eyes flashed with malice as she tightened her grip."Still wearing it? So eager to show everyone how shameless you are? Give it to me!""..."As pain shot through her neck, Renee immediately grabbed Annie's wrist.Being a pampered heiress, Annie was no match for Renee's strength.Renee stared at her coldly: "What's wrong? Hasn't the mighty Mr. Grey even given his future Mrs. Grey a scarf? Don't worry, you can ask for more for your wedding gift.”She forcefully pushed Annie's hand away.Annie glared venomously at Renee, then suddenly smiled coldly and fell toward the planter."Ah!"Annie screamed, clutching her head as blood trickled down her temple.Everyone rushed out of the meeting room at the noise."Miss Simmons, what happened?"Colleagues quickly helped Annie up.Annie's face was pale, her teary eyes full of hurt, yet she spoke graciousl
Renee stood there for who knows how long until Susanne's call came through."Mom.""Renee, why did Carl tell me to meet you at the hospital? What happened?" Susanne's voice was full of worry.Renee stared at the stark white ceiling, understanding Michael's intentions."Mom, it's nothing. Just wait for me there," she said wearily."Okay."After hanging up, she saw Mandy approaching."What are you all doing? Get to the meeting!"Everyone hurried into the conference room, afraid of causing trouble.Renee approached Mandy apologetically: "I'm sorry, Ms. Xander, I need to take leave.""Go ahead, sort things out first." Mandy didn't scold her, but glanced at her neck and offered her silk scarf. "Cover up."Renee looked down, realizing Annie had pulled her scarf loose, exposing the fading bite marks and obvious love marks.No wonder her colleagues had given her such strange looks.But was this her fault?Renee touched her neck, then the cursed scarf.Finally, she yanked it off
Michael stood with his hands behind his back, glancing past Renee before fixing his stern gaze on Susanne."Is this how you raised your child? Her tuition increases every year, and Patrick never denied her anything. Is this how she repays us?""All these years, we hoped you'd learn proper manners and be a good wife. You can't even raise a child properly—what are you good for?"His sharp words made Susanne bow her head lower and lower, her neck flushing red with shame, her nervous hands twisting together.Watching this scene broke Renee's heart.Anger burned through her whole body, making even her breath feel hot. Though she had done nothing wrong, guilt made her eyes sting.She knew exactly who Michael really wanted to scold.Once, Renee had genuinely looked up to Michael as her grandfather.When her mother took care of Michael during his illness, Renee had helped a lot too. But in the end, he only quietly warned her:"Don't be so calculative at such a young age."Michael tho
A moment later, outside the hospital room.Michael and Carl walked out together, father and son side by side, their presence commanding.Michael, hands behind his back, asked calmly, "You were with Annie last night?""Yes," Carl replied simply.Michael nodded. "You're not getting any younger. It's time to settle down and start a family. If Annie resolves the mine situation, don't be too hard on the Simmons family.""Understood.""That's enough, don't escort me. Go stay with Annie, and don't let yourself get distracted."Michael didn't say much, but Carl understood the deeper meaning behind his words.As soon as the elevator doors closed, Jackson emerged from a nearby door."Mr. Grey, the butler did check yesterday's security footage from that road.""Travis."Carl stood by the window and lit a cigarette, his half-closed eyes obscured by wisps of smoke.A dangerous aura emanated from him, his dark eyes burning with intensity that made even Jackson, who had served him for yea