CHAPTER 144: CHAPTER 144: "I WANT TO HEAR THOSE WORDS.

Two days later, Renee Winslow safely arrived in Lyncroft under the tight escort of over a dozen bodyguards, and boarded the flight back to Northcity.

Once she was within Cathan’s borders, she felt no fear. On the plane, Renee Winslow leaned back in her seat and slept peacefully.

Benjamin Lane and Henry Hayes still accompanied her.

After the prior attack, their attitude towards Renee Winslow was noticeably less cold and distant.

Previously, they were merely following Jack Yates’s instructions, handling matters strictly professionally, responsible for protecting Renee Winslow.

Now their relationship with Renee Winslow was much smoother. As they waited for the flight at the airport, they engaged in casual conversations with her.

Benjamin and Henry were high-level bodyguards trained by Harvey Lancaster’s company, personally honed by him before Jack Yates selected them from the crowd to protect Renee Winslow.

Waking from her nap, Renee Winslow found the plane already high over Northcity, slowing down for landing.

Off the plane, Butler Pierce personally drove to pick her up.

Renee Winslow called out first, "Uncle Pierce," before feigning annoyance with a hum, "Uncle Pierce, I never thought you’d deceive me too."

Butler Pierce chuckled awkwardly, "I prepared your favorite dishes for dinner, spiced pot, boiled fish, and braised ribs."

Renee Winslow cooperated with a loud slurp, showing a very greedy expression, "Stop, you’re making my mouth water."

Back at home, Renee Winslow first went upstairs to take a shower, changed into some home cotton clothing, and went downstairs while drying her hair.

Shay handed her a glass of coconut juice, Renee Winslow glanced at it and shook her head, "You drink it, I don’t want it.

During the holidays, she’d eaten too many coconut-related foods. Now she didn’t want anything to do with them, not even coconut water.

Renee Winslow said, "I want to drink honey pomelo water."

Shay hurried to the kitchen and soon returned to the living room with a cup of honey pomelo water.

Renee Winslow took a sip, raised her thumb in praise, "Delicious." Then said, "You should drink too."

Shay picked up a large cup of coconut water, sat beside Renee Winslow, and curiously asked, "Was it fun over there?"

Renee Winslow recalled the thrilling experiences of recent days, silently curling her lips, "A brush with death."

After dinner, Renee Winslow lay in bed after washing up, her mind replaying scenes from the past few days of vacation, especially those last two days.

Because Jack Yates was injured, he could only stay in the hotel to heal, and Renee Winslow had to stay at the hotel to accompany and care for him.

Those two days were probably the most harmonious in the year-plus Renee Winslow had known Jack Yates.

From the moment she met Jack Yates, he always embodied a strong, domineering, ruthless, indifferent image in front of her, never showing a vulnerable side.

Those two days changed that; Jack Yates lay lazily in bed, in a battle-worn state, no longer overbearing. Although he often made childish, unreasonable demands, he refrained from coercive actions.

Just like the night he got shot, before the wound had even scabbed, he thought about doing that kind of thing, shamelessly suggesting she take the lead.

Renee Winslow refused, threatening to sleep separately until he gave up the idea.

And even if he hadn’t been injured, she wouldn’t have managed it that night.

He was too rough with her; each time he hurt her, she needed several days to recover.

While Renee Winslow reminisced, on the other side, in northern Meridia.

A small town in western Corazon.

Jack Yates held a cigar between his lips, legs spread wide, looking coldly arrogant at the blonde-haired, blue-eyed man opposite.

The blonde man spoke fluent English, "Mr. Yates, as for your request..."

Before the man could finish, Jack Yates’s phone rang.

Jack Yates raised his hand slightly, "Excuse me."

He picked up the phone, and upon seeing the caller ID, his sharp brow melted like ice and snow, becoming instantly gentle as he stood up and walked out.

"Are you asleep?" His deep voice carried a hint of delightful laughter.

Renee Winslow couldn’t sleep, thinking about Jack Yates flying to Meridia, assuming he was already there, and sat up to call him.

"How’s your injury healing?"

Jack Yates called her, "Renee Winslow."

Her soft voice responded, "Hmm, listening."

Jack Yates’s Adam’s apple rolled as he spoke hoarsely, "I want to hear those words."

Renee Winslow’s voice weakened, "I can’t bring myself to say it."

"If you can’t say it, then act it out, alright?" suggested Jack Yates.

Renee Winslow: "..."

Jack Yates chuckled softly, "Do it until you say it."