INICIAR SESIÓN"Alright, it's just a painting. Let's eat."Although Quinton acted indifferent about the painting and urged Renee and Joanne to keep eating, he was actually very concerned. He kept trying to recall where he'd seen it before.Suddenly, a memory surfaced in his mind. It was the first time he ever saw the painting. The realization hit him so hard that his plate slipped from his hand and crashed on the floor."What's wrong, Quinton? Did you recall something?" Renee noticed how distracted he seemed and asked in a nervous tone."N-Nothing." Quinton grabbed another plate and kept his head down while he ate. He didn't seem to want her to notice his strange behavior. "Hurry up and eat."Renee could tell he was intentionally hiding something, but she didn't press further. They were both distracted for the rest of the meal.Soon, it was time to pick up the kids from school.Recently, Renee had been busy with Azure Group, so Quinton and Joanne had been the ones picking them up.She assumed
Renee looked at Quinton curiously when she noticed his serious expression. "What's wrong, Quinton? Do you have thoughts about this?" Quinton frowned. It seemed like he was struggling to recall something. "I feel like I've seen this painting before.""You've seen it too?"Renee's heart skipped a beat. She looked troubled. "How could you have seen it? This painting had always been part of Mom's personal collection. It'd been in our old house the entire time. Before we reunited, you'd never even had contact with the Everheart family."Quinton shook his head. Fragmented memories seemed to enter his mind. It left him feeling confused."I don't know. I just feel like I've seen it before. I need to think."He stared at the painting while trying to recall more. Suddenly, he froze as if he had uncovered an unbelievable secret."What is it? Did you recall something?" Renee sensed something was off with Quinton and quickly asked.Quinton avoided her gaze and changed the subject. "How a
"Hey, I'm fine. Don't touch me. Don't…"Joanne clearly wasn't used to Quinton's touch. Standing on the stool, she instinctively resisted, but she lost her balance in the process and fell straight into his arms.They locked eyes. For a moment, it felt like time itself had stopped.The way Joanne looked at Quinton was unlike the fear and hesitation she used to have. There was now something else mixed in.Meanwhile, from the way Quinton looked at her, it was obvious his heart went out to her.Renee stood off to the side like an audience member in a romcom flick. She covered her mouth to hide her grin, and she was screaming on the inside. 'They're truly childhood sweethearts. I'm so here for this!'"Ahem! Quinton, aren't your arms getting tired? If they are, maybe you should put Joanne down first."Renee finally spoke up after a few minutes. Seeing how the two were locked in the same pose, she decided she had to interrupt."Oh! Right, right!"The two of them snapped out of it at
"Of course!" Joanne exclaimed.Although she had no idea what kind of help Renee needed, she happily followed Renee into the bedroom.After tidying up for a while, Renee carefully retrieved an ancient painting from a box. She began studying the room and trying to decide where to hang it."Wow, this painting is beautiful! The woman in it has such an elegant presence," Joanne said.She leaned in to look at the painting. She was just as captivated as Renee and Leia had been before."Yeah. Chase gave it to me. I want to hang it in my room. Where do you think it would look best?"Renee treated the painting like family. She was determined to place it just right."Over here. Right across the window. When the sun comes in, the light will hit it perfectly. It'll look even better."Joanne pointed to the wall directly across from the window. That section of the wall happened to be empty. It was almost as if it had been left empty for this exact painting."We really do think alike. That's
In the end, Renee returned to Everheart Manor with the painting.After Renee had spent a night out camping, everything was back to normal at Everheart Manor.Her kids were growing up fast, and they were becoming more sensible by the day. They hardly caused any trouble for the adults anymore.By the time Renee got home, they had already gone to school. Quinton and Joanne had taken them there together and were now returning side by side.At a glance, the kids almost looked like they were born to the both of them."Quinton, Joanne, thank you for helping me take care of Adie and Abby these past few days. I honestly don't know what I would've done without you."Looking at Quinton and Joanne, Renee's gratitude was written all over her face.Ever since Margaret's accident, she had been like a headless chicken. She was juggling the company's affairs on one hand while managing the kids' daily needs on the other. She even had to find time to investigate the truth behind the Everheart fami
"Huh? So this painting actually has that much of a story behind it?" Leia blurted out.As she listened to Renee, her curiosity instantly flared up.She studied the painting carefully. What once seemed ordinary now felt unusually intriguing."I think there must be some kind of secret hidden in this painting. Otherwise, why would your mom play a game like that with you?"Leia rubbed her chin. It looked as if she had turned into a detective who spoke with absolute certainty."I think so too. This painting definitely isn't simple. I was too young back then and didn't think much of it. By the time I actually wanted to study it properly, the Everheart family had already fallen. I guess this painting was sold off during that time."Renee let out a long sigh. Looking at the painting felt like stepping into a time machine. It took her back to the days when the Everheart family was still thriving.Back then, everything had been wonderful. Her parents and grandpa were still alive and well.
"What?" Quinton frowned and thought about that briefly before he shook his head. "No, you're wrong. To be more specific, you're like a lived-in husband.""Ahem!" Quinton's words choked Renee before she could swallow. She helplessly covered her forehead. "You guys are very imaginative."She was not
"Quinton, what do you mean?" Renee looked at Quinton in confusion and felt that there was another meaning in the latter's words. She wanted to act steadily and consolidate their family's business, but Quinton felt that she was merely pretending."Nothing." Quinton avoided her gaze and sighed. "I
"Well said! I agree!" Renee agreed with Stefan's words and almost applauded him.Although they were separated, they were once in love with each other. They always shared the same opinions on important affairs."You don't have to worry about the school. I'm sure the principal will do me a favor and
When Renee and Quinton were gone for a while, Margaret finally failed to hold back and vomited some blood."Aunt Margaret!"Seeing that, Caia felt very sorry for Margaret. She hurriedly helped Margaret to her feet. "Let me help you to rest. You can't tire yourself, given your health. Let me give







