CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 41: YOU’RE NOT ALLOWED TO LIKE JACK YATES!

Renee Winslow suppressed her wildly beating heart, feeling a heavy sense of guilt as she looked around to ensure no one was near before she cautiously spoke.

"What are you doing here?"

Before Caleb Yates could reply, she quickly asked again, "What are you doing here?"

Caleb Yates excitedly grabbed her hand, his flirtatious eyes seemed to be burning, looking at her with a fiery gaze, his voice low and suppressed: "Renee, how have you been this past month? Has Jack Yates bullied you?"

Renee Winslow pulled her hand away, glanced back a few times, and replied softly, "I’m doing well. He’s been good to me and hasn’t bullied me. But you, what are you doing in Afrim?"

Caleb Yates grabbed her hand again, answering her question with another: "Renee, have you fallen for Jack Yates? Have you?"

Renee Winslow pulled her hand away again, stepped back, and said with a guilty conscience, "I, I haven’t."

After saying that, she realized she shouldn’t feel guilty. There’s nothing to feel guilty about; she genuinely didn’t like Jack Yates, and even if she did, it wouldn’t matter. She hadn’t wronged Caleb Yates.

Caleb Yates was displeased with Renee Winslow’s indifference towards him, feeling provoked by her instinctive distancing, and he pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.

He almost crazily suppressed his voice and emotions, growling lowly, "Renee Winslow, you can’t like Jack Yates. You’re my girlfriend, mine! You can only like me!"

Renee Winslow pushed him forcefully, "Caleb Yates, let go, if Jack Yates comes out and sees us..."

Before she could finish, Caleb Yates covered her mouth with his hand and quickly dragged her to the bushes, forcefully holding her down.

Through the gaps in the bushes, Renee Winslow saw Jack Yates walk out from a tent, seemingly looking for her, turning his head to look around. Her heart raced with tension, almost leaping out of her chest.

Caleb Yates released his hand, whispered softly in her ear, "Renee, just endure for another year. I’ll return to Northcity then, and I’ll definitely take you away from Jack, making him pay dearly."

Renee Winslow keenly caught the phrase "take back," and internally scoffed, realizing she was just an object to be fought over by these two men.

However, she softly asked, "What exactly are you doing here?"

Caleb Yates said, "I came here to partner up for business, and at the same time, to train as a mercenary. Once I’m successful, I’ll go back and take revenge on Jack Yates!"

Renee Winslow shuddered at this, feeling like the Yates family was simply insane.

She sighed helplessly, "Let me go. Jack Yates will come looking for us, and if he sees us together, neither of us will have it easy."

Caleb Yates released his grip from her waist, reluctantly ruffling her hair, "Alright, when you go back, don’t tell him you saw me, or he’ll get mad at you. I don’t want him to hurt you."

Renee Winslow replied, "Okay." Before leaving, she gently reminded, "Caleb Yates, you must be careful too. Afrim’s chaotic; there’s fighting all over these past two years. Make sure you stay alive and return to Northcity."

Caleb Yates was touched, his throat choked with emotion, "I knew you still cared about me, Renee. Don’t worry. For you, I’ll make sure to return safe and sound."

Renee Winslow walked out from the bushes, deliberately pretending to take a leisurely stroll, taking a detour before walking towards the tent Jack Yates had exited, then lifted her head, beaming as she ran towards Jack Yates.

"Are you done?" She looked at Jack Yates with a joyful smile.

Jack Yates saw her insincere smile devoid of warmth, finding it particularly glaring.

He took Renee Winslow’s hand, his thumb caressing the back of her hand, casually asking, "Where did you go?"

Renee Winslow smiled, saying, "I didn’t go anywhere, just lingered around here."

Jack Yates glanced nonchalantly at the bushes where Caleb Yates was hiding, the corners of his lips curling up, "I thought you ran into someone you know."

Renee Winslow’s heart skipped a beat in fear, awkwardly laughing, "What are you talking about? I’m a stranger here; who would I run into?"

Jack Yates hooked her waist with his hand, pulling her into his arms, pinching her delicate chin with his fingers, "Renee, don’t lie to me."

Renee Winslow swatted his hand away, deliberately turning her back in anger, "If you think I’m lying, then just kick me out."

Jack Yates laughed, hugging her, resting his chin on her shoulder, turning his head to nibble at her earlobe, "Alright, I’m teasing you. Don’t get angry; I’ll take you gemstone gambling tonight."

Renee Winslow wasn’t angry; she was just feeling guilty, her eyes unconsciously drifting towards the bushes where Caleb Yates was hiding.

Jack Yates, holding her and speaking sweet words of intimacy, also glanced towards the bushes where Caleb Yates was hidden.

He squinted slightly, his sharp eyes staring at the bushes, his gaze churning like dark ink.