"We don't know what happened, and there's no point in fighting. We need to find him first!" Quinton sighed. "Nothing's confirmed yet. I was supposed to die at sea back then, but I'm standing here in front of you, aren't I?"Xavier glared at him, but gradually calmed down. "You're right, nobody knows what happened to him. He's an amazing person, so I'm sure he's fine!"After he had calmed down, he discussed the situation with Quinton and the villagers, and they started looking for Stefan around the mountains. They must see him even if he was dead. If not, it meant that there was a chance that he was still alive.-A week had passed.Renee took the medicine on time every day in Beach City. She was getting better, and could now get out of bed on her own and eat. She could even walk up and down the stairs. Owen gave her a check-up and smiled happily. "It's good news, Ms. Everheart! Your body mass index is back to normal. If everything goes smoothly, you won't even have to take the m
Both Leia and Renee walked to the back garden, where the warm sunlight and fragrance of flowers seemed to make the world a better place.Leia finally decided to bring up Stefan when she saw Renee so gloomy. "Don't worry, Ren. They're probably not back yet because that place is far away. Since we haven't heard anything yet, it's probably good news. Plus, Stefan isn't an ordinary man, and Quinton and that dog Xavier have gone to help him. I'm sure they're fine.""I know... I know they'll be fine." Renee nodded and forced a smile. "I just feel like… the weather's so nice, and the flowers will wilt if he doesn't come back soon. It'll be a waste of good time.""It's okay. Flowers will blossom again even if they wilt. It's fine as long as you're happy and healthy when you welcome him home," Leia said brightly, hoping to cheer Renee up. She felt bad because Renee was sulky all the time. "Are you worried about Xavier?" Renee asked curiously."Why should I be worried about a dog?" Leia sc
Renee chuckled. "Of course I'm happy to have you with me. I don't find you annoying. I just feel that you guys have been taking care of me all the time like I'm a baby, and it made me rely on you. I don't want to keep on being like this. It's time for me to face the world alone." "What did you say? What nonsense is that?" Leia asked anxiously, frightened by Renee's words. Both Stefan and Quinton were not around, so Leia was responsible for taking care of Renee. What if something happened to Renee, or she became even more unhappy? If that happened, Stefan and the others might hack Leia into pieces, and she might even kill herself."Do you remember the last time I left Everheart Manor?" Renee asked Leia vaguely."Let me think about it..." Leia frowned contemplatively, and realized that it had been a very long time since Renee had gone out. "It was probably the time when Shirley's fans attacked us, but that wasn't your fault. I was careless, and it gave them the opportunity to attack
"Ah... it's not a good idea to go out now. Why don't you wait a little?" Leia suggested hesitantly, but in actuality, she couldn't say no to Renee when she asked her something so coquettishly. After a while, she agreed."I heard that Miss Band is coming to Beach City for a performance at Hill Pub. Let's go check it out!" Renee said excitedly, sounding like she had just been released from prison. Miss Band was an old band from Eliwern, and it was the band she and Leia loved the most during their college days. It was an old band from Eliwern. Renee, Leia, and Liam formed a band because they idolized them, and they had then become a legend in BC University and gained a lot of fans. But a few years ago, Miss Band had disbanded, upsetting many of their fans. After being low-key for a few years, the band had now started going on tours around the world with its original members. It was such a rare chance, and Renee didn't want to miss it."Yes, we can go there but... Why don't we just watch
The pub was overcrowded, and everyone was eagerly waiting for Miss Band to appear. Leia and Renee wore dark punk clothes with large sunglasses and dreadlocks. They looked like cool young women who loved rock music."Ren, it's cramped and stuffy here. Why don't we go back?" Leia held Renee's hand firmly the whole time, and the noise nearly drowned her voice. "Okay, let's go in!" Renee didn't hear Leia. She looked happier than she had been for a long time. She kept feeling things around her as she moved through the crowd, trying to get closer to the stage. As she did so, she accidentally stepped on the foot of a young woman."Hey, what are you doing? Are you blind? You stepped on my foot!""I'm so sorry!" Renee kept nodding and apologizing. "Do you think saying sorry will help? Have you never watched a performance before? Why do you keep pushing me? What's the rush?" The lady's friend demanded as she chewed her gum, trying to seek justice for her friend. Leia bristled and immed
"Thank you." Renee breathed a sigh of relief and stood up straight using the man's support.The man was silent as if he was staring at her for a long time. After that, he whispered to her, "Do you like Miss Band?" "Yeah!" Renee adjusted her sunglasses and pretended to be calm. "Miss Band is my rock enlightenment band—I fell in love with rock because of them. To be honest, I learned from them and came up with a band myself!""I know." The man explained calmly, "I recognized you, and I'm your fan.""Really?" Renee was surprised. It had been a while since she had been in a band. Even if it was very popular back then, it was so long ago that people had probably forgotten about it. But somehow, Renee had bumped into a fan of hers."I know all your band's songs, and I can sing them all." "Well... that's quite unusual!" Renee pushed her hair behind her ear awkwardly. Back then, she had been confident and direct, but after going through so much, she'd become humble. When she was in a b
"You can't reach her? How come?" Renee held out her hand. "Give me my phone. Let me call her."However, the man refused to do so.At that moment, Renee knew that something was wrong. "Who... are you?" She asked the man coldly. "I thought you could tell from my voice...""Are you... Jovan?" Renee asked tentatively. At first, she'd found his voice familiar, but the place was very noisy, and she felt like someone as successful as Jovan wouldn't come to a pub to watch a performance.. At that moment, a lively melody came from the stage downstairs. Jovan chuckled softly. "Let's listen to the song. The music is nice, so let's not ruin the moment.""So it is you." Once Renee confirmed that it was Jovan, some of her anxiety faded. She had expected him to come find her sooner or later, and knew what to do if he did. Truthfully, she'd thought they would meet sooner, but fortunately, they had met in a nice place. She hoped they could remain on good terms. Jovan was absorbed in the mus
Renee was speechless. Of course she was aware of Jovan's feelings for her, but after everything that had happened, she didn't want to talk about it. "If I could, I'd rather have you instead. Someone else can have that lousy Hunt Enterprise!" Jovan complained as he sulkily sipped his wine, acting like a child in front of Renee. Renee's fingers tapped the table along to Miss Band's music, and she looked relaxed. Calmly, she said, "Jovan, I did owe you in the past, but I don't owe you anything now. What you want is none of my business. If you consider me a friend, please let me go back to my friend." She was no fool—she knew that her fate was in Jovan's hands today, but she still hoped that Jovan could be rational and let her go..."Yes, you don't owe it to me, but I owe it to you. Your eyes are as perfect as gemstones, and I feel guilty every day that I use them. Do you think I can pretend to be ignorant and keep on shamelessly using them?" Jovan clenched his fists and blinked back
Then, Stefan calmly placed the crab leg on the plate in front of Leia. Leia was flabbergasted. She did not dare to move. She wondered what he was doing, and if he wanted to sacrifice her."Why aren't you eating it?" Stefan looked at Leia, sounding composed. Yet, he was full of the dominance that could burn anyone.Leia swallowed and gnashed her teeth, asking Stefan, "How could you peel the crab for me? Isn't it inappropriate?" She was the most cowardly person. Usually, she looked fierce and indignant as if she wanted to punish Stefan severely. But when he came to her and looked at her, she would be very frightened. She would not dare to do anything."Why not? Someone said women shouldn't peel the prawns or crabs themselves. I'm just being a gentleman. It's nothing serious. It's just peeling the crab!" Stefan said. It was rare to see him speak so much. It was incompatible with his contradictory identity. However, it was clear that he was mocking Justin and saying how ridiculo
Both Stefan and Justin mocked each other, which made the atmosphere more awkward. Although Liam and Leia were simply watching the fun, they felt awkward, too. It made them restless.Renee was having a hard time, too. She smacked the table and said to Stefan and Justin, "You'd better stop eating. Go out and fight. The food got cold because of your endless fight."When she spoke, she sounded like a class teacher with absolute authority. Although both Stefan and Justin were dissatisfied, they fell silent and did not dare to say more. Everyone started enjoying the great food, but said nothing. It seemed a little gloomy.Renee was about to get a prawn, but Justin had already peeled it nicely for her. He dipped it in some sauce and put it in Renee's bowl. "I know you love prawns the best. I've peeled it for you. Of course, women can't peel the prawns themselves.""Oh, Mr. Baldwin. You're considerate. You're a role model among the men. Anyone who marries you will be very happy!" Le
Justin smiled and described the children's experiences, acting like a stepfather. When he talked about the children, he made it sound like they were his biological children. Stefan didn't look so good. He felt that the glass of wine was getting bitter."Well, I'm sure kids will find everything new and exciting when they go to a new place. But they'll get bored with it when time passes. They'll love their real home better." Stefan had wanted to act relaxed and casual, but he could not stop himself from refuting when he heard Justin's provocative words. "Mm?" Leia sat beside Liam and leaned against his arm, and whispered, "What are they doing? This is weird. Are they going to fight?""It's just a competition between men. They won't get into a fight." Liam kept eating and watching the fun. He merely found it amusing. As expected, Renee was greatly admired. Although she remained silent, she would always be in the limelight. Liam was amused to see people like Stefan or Justin
"How dare you!"Stefan's words instantly made Leia speechless. She had wanted to rebuke him, but he snatched the chance from her and struck her dumb.In short, he was an utter scumbag.After a moment, Leia finally managed to comment, "How shameless!" Justin had kept silent all the while. He looked at Stefan with a scrutinizing and mocking gaze. "Mr. Hunt, I admire your honesty and self-awareness. If that's the case, let's stop being reserved and have fun together!""Yes, let's have fun together. I'm shameless, too!" Liam joined in the effort to mock Stefan. He swayed his glass of wine and faked a smile. "I've known her a long time, so of course I know what shameless things Mr. Hunt has done. I think I'd better grab this chance to tell you all of them since everyone is here today."Standing at the door, Renee was worried that Liam might say more indecent things. She hurriedly stopped him. "Pipe down, Liam!" "Got it." Liam shrugged helplessly but obeyed her.Although he yea
"Do you want to leave?" Stefan saw Renee. He was calm, indifferent, and distant. His behavior stung Renee. Renee could easily recall their lovey-dovey memories. They had both risked their lives for each other and vowed to be together forever. They had two children, too. Yet, they ended up as strangers.Although Renee was heartbroken, she became competitive. She smoothed her hair and said in a similarly cold manner, "I'm going to the washroom." "Okay." Stefan did not have anything to say. He nodded and walked past Renee before heading to the dining table. "Hmph! I didn't expect you to come so boldly," Quinton sneered.At the sight of Stefan, Quinton subconsciously clenched his fists, acting like he was about to fight Stefan. On the surface, he wouldn't act aggressively because he knew Renee would stop him. "It's not easy for the few great families to get together. It's good and meaningful for us. If I refused to come, it would make me seem heartless."Stefan kept his co
Having said that, Renee lowered her head, about to leave. She didn't even have the time to bother about Adie and Abby, and told Quinton to take them home later. Her strange behavior filled Quinton with displeasure. He blocked Renee and said solemnly, "Are you afraid? Do you want to run away? People might think that you're guilty and have cheated on your husband!""No, I'm not!" Renee refuted him loudly, then explained seriously, "I'm busy. I need to handle something right away. Plus, I'm not guilty. I did nothing wrong. There's no reason for me to feel guilty." Quinton went straight to the point. "What are you afraid of since you know you're not guilty? Why do you want to run away? He should be afraid instead!""I told you. I'm not afraid of him. I'm just…" "What?" Quinton crossed his arms and looked at Renee coldly. He wanted to get to the bottom of it.Renee came up with a ridiculous yet normal excuse. "I… I recalled that the dessert shop that I want to head to is about to
Jovan called Stefan to sound the latter out. Anyway, it would be convenient for Stefan to rush over since they were both at the same spot. "I'll be right there," Stefan said. Then, he hung up.For a moment, silence washed over everyone, as if something terrible was about to happen.After taking in the new information, Leia said indignantly, "What's going on? Why does he want to come? Isn't he too shameless? How dare he come?" Although everything wasn't discussed openly, everyone knew why Stefan and Renee broke up all of a sudden, despite how lovey-dovey they were. The reason was that Stefan had cheated on Renee.Even if the adultery was faked, it was still the cause of their breakup. If Stefan were shameful or guilty, he wouldn't have agreed to come. He was going to face Renee there with their friends and family around. Certainly, it was embarrassing. "Hmph! Why not? He impersonated me, seized my business, and snatched away my woman. Plus, he led a steady life, got married
Jovan's words made the atmosphere quiet and bizarre. "Are you out of your mind, Jovan? It's already very annoying to have someone like you here. Do you have to get another annoying guy?" Leia frowned, crossing her arms. She kept scolding him.Initially, the atmosphere was considered harmonious. It was still considered fine even if there was an annoying person like Jovan. Unexpectedly, he wanted to call another, more terrible person to come here. Things would certainly go wrong. "Ms. Osborne, you're famous for talking harshly, too. You're just like me. I love it." However, Jovan was not mad at all. He grinned while waiting for Stefan to answer the call. Generally, Stefan would not answer Jovan's call. Surprisingly, he picked it up that time."What's the matter?" Jovan purposely put it on speaker mode. Stefan sounded aloof and emotionless.Jovan sounded wicked as he calmly asked Stefan, "Do you want to join a gathering, Stefan?""I'm going to hang up if you don't say anythi
In the past, Jovan had always regarded Stefan as a coward. Stefan couldn't forget about Renee, but he kept pushing Renee to another man. It seemed like Justin was more responsible, considerate, and gentle. Of course, Renee would lead a very happy, steady, and comfortable life with such a man. At the very least, Jovan felt that he could not be that meticulous and considerate. He would only drive Renee mad just to get her attention. "Hmph! Are you trying to humiliate me or yourself?" Justin didn't find that a compliment. Instead, it sounded like smockery. Jovan made it sound like Justin was a nice guy, but would not be picked by Renee. Usually, people like that had to suffer and would not end up well."I'm praising you." Jovan was helpless because of his reputation as the villain. Although he had said a lot of annoying things, he did want to compliment Justin. His love was probably as deep as Justin's, but his and Stefan's ways of loving Renee were much inferior to Justin's.