Lahat ng Kabanata ng Divorced, Dazzling, and Desired: Kabanata 651 - Kabanata 660

Meanwhile, Renee was in her second-floor bedroom, resting in her bed.Alison then called to wish her a happy new year, and they spent some time talking.Still, she received another call right after she hung up and was hesitant as she didn't recognize the number.But considering that it could be about work, she answered anyway. "Hello? Who's this?""It's me," the voice on the other end said after hesitating for a while.Recognizing it right away, Renee blurted, "Adam…?""I thought you wouldn't recognize me," he chuckled wryly.Surprised, Renee asked, "Have you been well?"She had truly let go of the past now and could at least see Adam as a friend.Moreover, she had been busy and worried with a ton of different things and had completely forgotten about him… or indeed had no time to care."I'm fine." Adam sighed. "Just wanted to wish you a happy new year."It was a simple greeting, but it left Renee feeling a mess of different emotions."Yeah, happy new year…" she replied, pu

Renee hence headed downstairs to greet both men.Jasper strode up to her, taking her hand as if it was only natural. "I've asked Tom to count down the new year with us."Renee raised her brow in surprise, but she could tell Jasper had a plan and nodded. "Great! The more the merrier!"She turned and smiled at Tom, who smiled back and looked between them, jealousy briefly showing in his eyes.That was when Mark called out from the third floor, "Tom, can you come to my study? I'd like to have a word."Tom nodded and told Jasper and Renee, "Take your time. I'll be heading upstairs now.""Sure," Jasper replied, and watched with Renee as Tom went in the elevator, only turning away when the doors closed.They looked up, but Mark was already gone.Tugging on Jasper's hand, Renee told him, "It's boring here. Let's go for a stroll in the garden.""Okay."They left the drawing room, hand in hand and strolled down the garden.It was snowing a lot but not terribly, and it was a pleasant

Tom rubbed his nose, his dark gaze studying Mark for a while.Then, shrugging and smiling vaguely, he asked, "Don't you think you're overdoing it?"Mark's eyes flashed with sinister coldness. "Hah! That's not on me—it's all Jasper's fault for not knowing his place."Tom raised a brow then and asked, "He's smart, a rare prodigy in business, and I've come to admire him after meeting him. Why do you hate him so much?"He was direct, unlike the vagueness Hyperia folks preferred.Mark paused, his eyes twinkling as he spoke after a while, "You don't get it—he's as ruthless as he is cunning, and he's never who you think he is. His family tried to separate him from Renee and a bloodbath ensued, and I'm not about to forget how my daughter almost got killed for it. There's no way my daughter would be happy if she marries him."Tom nodded. "Oh, really? Interesting to think how something like that could happen. Is Mrs. Whitley aware?""My daughter is too naive, and I'd rather she not know."

Sensing Renee's stare, Jasper turned and raised his brow at her, shrugging as if to say it wasn't his fault.Ava's eyes remained glued to Jasper in curiosity, tugging on his sleeve as if they were already friends. "Jasper… Can I call you Jas? Jasper's so formal. Can you tell me what's going on? They're all saying you're dead, but here you are, alive. It's a miracle…"Noticing her infatuation, Jasper quietly withdrew his hand from her grasp. "I'd rather you stick with addressing me as your brother-in-law.""What? No way." Ava shook her head, her cheeks blushing slightly. "You're not married to my sister."Thanks to her good genetics, she was exceedingly pretty with her fair skin and gorgeous almond eyes, but the freckles on her cheeks did take some points off her."Whatever." Jasper shrugged, not caring to press the issue—it didn't matter how she addressed him anyway.At the same time, Finlay sat beside Renee to chat her up. "I never could have guessed that you're Ava's sister! I'

The dinner started at six, with Mark taking the main seat at the dining table.Tom, Ava and Finlay sat to his left, while Jared, Jasper and Renee sat to his right.Watching as everyone sat, Ava asked Mark, "Shall we get started?""No yet," Mark said quietly. "There's one more.""Who? Is Mommy coming too?" Ava asked in surprise as she couldn't think of anyone else.Renee and Jasper traded glances, just as curious who it could be, when a voice spoke up. "Sorry I'm late."It was Yvie, arriving fashionably late in a green dress and a boxed bottle of red wine."Yvie!" Ava exclaimed chipperly—she had always liked Yvie. "So you're the last one."Yvie remained composed even as she felt everyone staring at her.Looking at Mark first and then Jasper, her eyes were moist with tears, and her heart seemed to ache as she went to stand beside him. "It's good to see you again, Jas."Jasper was looking at her sideways, however, playing dumb. "What are you doing here?""Yeah, well…"Yvie sig