CHAPTER 8: CHAPTER 8: WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND?

After a downpour, the plants in the courtyard exuded a natural fragrance, frogs from the pond climbed ashore croaking loudly, and bugs happily emerged from the grass, composing a symphony of nature under the peaceful night.

Renee Winslow lay in bed, smelling the fresh scent of plants and listening to the beautiful sounds of insects, her tense mood gradually relaxing and becoming calm.

Just as she was about to fall asleep, Caleb Yates’s voice came from outside the door: "Renee, are you asleep?"

Renee Winslow’s just-relaxed mood became tense again, her body stiffened. She didn’t speak, pretending to be asleep.

The door was pushed open, and Caleb Yates walked into the room.

Renee Winslow tightly closed her eyes, making an effort to steady her breathing.

Caleb Yates lay beside her, held her for a while, sat up, and left, closing the door behind him.

Renee Winslow let out a long sigh of relief, she had prepared herself for making a big scene if Caleb Yates forced her, fortunately, he didn’t do that, otherwise, it wouldn’t have been good for her if things escalated.

Her mood completely relaxed, and she soon fell asleep.

Knock knock knock——

The next morning, there was a knock at the door, and Renee Winslow covered her head with the blanket.

Caleb Yates pushed the door open and walked in, pulled the blanket off her head, looked at her delicate and charming little face, his Adam’s apple moved, suppressing his impulse.

"Get up, my third uncle wants us to have breakfast at his place." He curled his finger to scratch her cute little nose.

Renee Winslow sat up irritably: "Why do we have to go to your third uncle’s place?"

Caleb Yates was also annoyed, scratching his head: "All of our servants had a day off, no one is cooking, only there are people at my third uncle’s place."

Renee Winslow: "Weren’t they all here yesterday?"

Caleb Yates: "My third uncle gave them the day off, it was yesterday night. Once the servants left, Miles Lynch and Stanley Yates realized something was off, and they both left too."

Renee Winslow: "... Then why didn’t you leave last night?"

It would have been much better, she wouldn’t have to go and face Jack Yates with him.

Caleb Yates: "How could I leave? This is my home, with my third uncle back, I have to stay home for at least one night, Stanley Yates and Miles Lynch are guests, they don’t have to stay here, but I can’t, I must stay home."

Renee Winslow bit her lip and turned her back to him.

Caleb Yates grabbed her arm and pulled her: "Hurry up, my third uncle is from the military academy, stayed in the army for several years, and still maintains the military style, he hates people who sleep in."

Renee Winslow angrily punched the blanket: "Your third uncle, your third uncle, is your third uncle some kind of monarch? I’m not going, send me back to school right now!"

Caleb Yates patted her fluffy hair with a smile: "Alright, alright, don’t be mad, we’ll leave right after breakfast. My third uncle is actually quite good, yesterday I went to see him, thought he would scold me, but he asked me over to arrange for me to work in the company, let the head of the marketing department personally mentor me."

Renee Winslow secretly rejoiced, lucky she didn’t tell Caleb Yates what she thought last night.

See? After all, it’s an uncle-nephew relationship, Jack Yates wouldn’t openly blame Caleb Yates for bringing her back, he even arranged for his nephew to gain experience in the company.

If she had told Caleb Yates that his third uncle didn’t want them together, wouldn’t she have been a troublemaker?

Renee Winslow felt sulky inside, very upset. Clearly, it was Caleb Yates who insisted on pestering her, coercing and enticing her into a relationship. However, his family intentionally embarrassed her, making it seem like she shamelessly clung to Caleb Yates.

"Leave, I want to get changed." Renee Winslow grew more agitated the more she thought about it, her mood towards Caleb Yates didn’t improve.

Caleb Yates assumed she was simply grumpy from lack of sleep, patted her head with a grin, stood up, and walked out.

Renee Winslow covered her eyes with the blanket, stopping herself from crying out loud.

After washing her face, her eyes were still red, revealing she had cried.

"What’s wrong?" Caleb Yates grabbed her hand, "Scared to tears?"

Renee Winslow shook off his hand: "No, I’m not scared of him, why would I cry?"

The West Wing, first-floor dining room.

Breakfast had already been set up for over ten minutes, long past Jack Yates’s usual mealtime.

Butler Pierce glanced at Jack Yates who was sitting on the sofa reading files, and spoke in a respectful tone: "Sir, please go ahead and eat. Young Master Sanders is at an age where he loves sleeping in, he might take a while to come over."

Jack Yates lifted his head, his tone cold: "At his age, I was already stationed on the border in The Northwest."

Butler Pierce laughed and flattered: "Sir is a soldier, and an excellent one who has earned multiple first-class merits, not a normal person can compare, not even Young Master Sanders, even among other soldiers, many can’t match you, sir. It’s rare to meet someone as disciplined as you, in The Quadrangle among the young noblemen, it’s only been you all these years."

Jack Yates’s expression remained calm, showing no hint of joy from the praise.

Feeling the conversation might’ve taken one wrong turn, Butler Pierce half-jokingly added: "Besides, Young Master Sanders is at an age to be vigorous, and has just gotten a girlfriend, getting up late is quite normal."

With a loud smack, the file slammed heavily onto the table.

Jack Yates’s face was dark, glaring sharply at Butler Pierce: "You’ve said quite a lot today."

Renee Winslow followed Caleb Yates, just stepping into the room, and saw Jack Yates angrily flinging the file.

Don’t mention her, even Caleb Yates shivered.

Caleb Yates braced himself and spoke, "What’s going on? Who made Uncle Jack angry?"

Jack Yates said indifferently, "Leave, half a month’s salary deducted."

Renee Winslow: "..."

What happened? Half a month’s salary deducted just like that!

What Renee Winslow didn’t know was that even with half a month’s salary deducted, Butler Pierce’s salary was several times higher than the average person’s.

Butler Pierce repeatedly apologized and carefully retreated.

Jack Yates didn’t give Renee Winslow even half a glance, nor did he look at Caleb Yates, as he operated his wheelchair toward the dining room.

Caleb Yates quickly followed, holding onto the wheelchair from behind. Even though Jack didn’t need him to push, Caleb still helped out of filial duty.

The wheelchair stopped at the dining table, Jack Yates picked up the utensils, eating coldly and silently, as chilly as an ice sculpture.

Renee Winslow sat next to Caleb Yates, and Jack Yates sat opposite her. She continuously lowered her head, not daring to look at Jack Yates.

No one spoke, only the sound of utensils clashing, the dining room atmosphere was as oppressive as a funeral.

Jack Yates was the first to finish eating, elegantly wiped his mouth, and slid the wheelchair away.

Caleb Yates quickly put down his utensils and followed, continuing to assist with the wheelchair, "Uncle Jack, can I go to the company tomorrow?"

Jack Yates: "You have something to do today?"

Caleb Yates glanced at Renee Winslow, "I’m taking Renee over to my place today, then I want to stay with her for another day."

Jack Yates turned to look at Renee Winslow, "Miss Winslow agreed yesterday to stay here to help me with the newborn kittens."

Renee Winslow: "..."

What? When did she agree? Besides, he didn’t mention taking care of kittens to her.

Caleb Yates looked at Renee Winslow in shock, "Why didn’t you tell me about this?"

Renee Winslow stood up, "Mr. Yates, yesterday you..."

Jack Yates interrupted her, "What were my exact words yesterday, did Miss Winslow forget?"

Renee Winslow: "..."

Jack Yates narrowed his eyes, "If Miss Winslow has forgotten, I have a video here."

Video? Renee Winslow shuddered, remembering the scene sitting on Jack Yates’ lap, held by the waist. Although he quickly helped her up, how could she let Caleb Yates see that?

In Caleb Yates’ admiration for Jack Yates, he would never think Jack was scheming against her but would believe she deliberately tried to seduce Jack.

Renee Winslow angrily gripped her chopsticks tightly, her face reddened, "I remember! Mr. Yates said I was gentle, attentive, and kind, and wanted to hire me for a high price to look after your cat!"

Caleb Yates: "..."

Jack Yates smiled faintly, "Miss Winslow has a good memory."

Caleb Yates asked in surprise, "Why didn’t you tell me yesterday?"

Renee Winslow evasively avoided his gaze, "I wasn’t sure if Mr. Yates was joking or serious, so I didn’t tell you."

Jack Yates coldly glanced at Caleb Yates, "Go to work, don’t be late."

Caleb Yates still wanted to resist a little, Jack Yates’ eyes flashed, "Still not leaving?"

"Then, I’ll go now, please take care of Renee for me, Uncle Jack."

Jack Yates replied indifferently, "Okay."

As soon as Caleb Yates left, Renee Winslow couldn’t hold on anymore, like a deflated balloon, she slumped back into the chair.

Her eighteen years of life, though poor, were simple, how could she have experienced such tumultuous events?

Even though she was somewhat clever, facing a profound and powerful man like Jack Yates, her little cleverness was futile.

The only thing she could do now was to show weakness and state her position, so she pouted her lips and softly began to cry, "Mr. Yates, I understand your intention, don’t worry, I’ll leave immediately, and won’t trouble Caleb Yates anymore."

The wheelchair slid in front of her, distinct fingers lifted her chin, "What do you understand?"

Renee Winslow froze, tear-filled eyes looking up at the man before her, at that moment, she seemingly saw a touch of gentleness on his cold and fierce face, was it an illusion caused by her blurred vision?

After a brief daze, she shockingly widened her eyes.

Jack Yates felt the soft and delicate texture at his fingertips, his heart throbbed, thumb pressed her flushed lips, gently rubbing, "Stay to take care of the cat for me, okay?"