CHAPTER 116: CHAPTER 116: "YEAH, I’M A THANKLESS WRETCH.

The weather in Northcity in September was no longer hot, but the sunlight at four in the afternoon was still a bit blinding.

Renee Winslow raised her right hand to shield her forehead, squinting as she stared at the towering, imposing skyscraper.

Jack Yates walked out of the building, striding against the golden sunlight.

Bathed in the splendid autumn light, the man’s sharply defined face was accentuated even more by the illumination, making him look like a flawless beauty stepped out of a painting.

Broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and a tall, straight figure; his finely tailored black bespoke suit made his presence even more commanding.

The moment he appeared, he attracted everyone’s gaze.

No matter their age or gender, everyone turned to look at him.

Renee was also watching him, but her gaze was cold, even tinged with anger.

Jack met the girl’s furious eyes, and his brow furrowed slightly. She’d just gotten better a month ago—why was she angry again?

When he came closer, Jack reached out to hug her.

Renee took a step back to avoid his touch, looking up at him. Although she already knew the answer, she still wanted to make sure, so she asked, "Did you buy a house for my dad?"

Jack’s lips curled: "Yes."

Renee was so angry she shouted, "Why did you do this? What exactly do you want? Do you think you’re so noble? Do you think I’ll be grateful to you?"

She fired off four questions in a row, her voice brimming with rage.

From the time he was born, no one had ever yelled at Jack like that—not even Russell Yates had ever bellowed at him in such a way.

Stunned for a moment, Jack’s lips curved in a silent, amused smile. How interesting—this little girl was getting bolder and bolder, even daring to scream at him in public now.

He only had himself to blame for spoiling her too much lately, to the point of total lawlessness.

Renee was in the grip of furious emotion, her thoughts clouded—she didn’t notice the brief chill that flashed in Jack’s eyes.

Seeing the half-smile, half-smirk on his face, Renee grew even angrier.

"My grandma called me, told me to borrow money from you so they could buy a house. I said no. I never thought she’d be so shameless as to call you herself and ask you for money."

"But why didn’t you tell me? You didn’t even discuss it with me, you just made the decision for me."

"Who do you think you are to me? What gives you the right to decide for me? Do you think by doing this I’ll feel grateful to you? Or do you think this will let you completely control me?"

What she really wanted to say was that her dad wasn’t good to her at all—she hated him so much, she didn’t want to buy them a house at all.

Her grandpa got sick, then her grandma got sick. To pay for their treatments, she’d already sacrificed herself. She simply wasn’t going to sacrifice any more for that cold, unfeeling biological father.

Jack secretly buying her dad a house didn’t move her; on the contrary, it made her angry and aggrieved.

In her eyes, since Jack was her boyfriend, he should be on her side. If she didn’t like someone, then Jack shouldn’t help them either.

But what did Jack actually do?

He didn’t even ask her opinion. He just did whatever he wanted, pretending to do it for her sake. But in reality, he never considered her feelings, never truly respected her.

That was why she was angry.

When people are mad, it’s often hard to say the real things; what comes out is all words that hurt.

After she spoke, Renee regretted it a little, but couldn’t care anymore. She even added, "Jack Yates, you really disappoint me."

"Disappoint you?" Jack let out a cold laugh. He gripped her chin hard with two fingers, his eyes fierce as he stared at her, his voice icy: "Renee Winslow, you really are a fucking ungrateful wretch!"

Renee laughed, too. Tears welled up in her eyes as she laughed, her voice trembling with suppressed sobs: "Yeah, I’m an ungrateful wretch. So stop being nice to me. It’s pointless; I won’t be grateful to you!"

Seeing her so determined to break things off, Jack felt like an iron fist had gripped his heart tightly. It hurt so badly, with a bitter edge.

His Adam’s apple bobbed again and again, jawline tensing; the man was so angry he was close to exploding, but he still forced himself not to lash out.

"Enough, stop it. It’s just a house." Jack released her, gently patting her on the head. "Be good, go back and wait for me."

Renee felt utterly drained: "...Is this about the house? What I’m really trying to say is..."

Jack’s face instantly darkened, his tone sinking: "Renee, that’s enough."

Renee: "..."

Jack didn’t give Renee any chance to talk back, and ordered the driver to take her back to her place with a hard attitude.

In that instant, all of Renee’s anger and hatred vanished. She felt like a soulless puppet, her body stiff as she got into the car, eyes lifelessly staring straight through the windshield.

The gentle autumn sunlight shone into her eyes like flames, making them sting, and tears poured uncontrollably down her face.

What did all that fighting just now amount to?

A complete joke.

Blame herself for not being clear-headed enough, for making such a rookie mistake.

She clearly knew Jack had never treated her as an equal, had never truly seen her as his girlfriend, and yet she still secretly hoped, still had the nerve to come fight with him.

Arguing—that’s something only a real couple can do. She wasn’t qualified!

Renee’s heart went quiet, calm as stagnant water.

Back at her place, she lay straight down on the living room couch—for a whole hour, she neither drank water nor moved, just curled up there, dazed and still.

Just as she was about to get up to use the bathroom, Sanga called her.

"Hello," Renee answered, her voice low and stuffy, nose thick with congestion.

Sanga said excitedly, "Shana, I joined the crew today!"

At the last audition, Sanga had passed—on her own merits—and today she formally joined the crew.

Even though she was feeling terrible, Renee still managed a smile. "Congrats."

Sanga giggled, "Come out, I’ll treat you to dinner."

Renee: "Okay, send me the address."

But as soon as she agreed, Jack came back.

Renee glanced at the man with his cold, indifferent expression, and said in a flat voice, "I’m going out for a bit to meet a friend."

Jack blurted out, "Man or woman?"