CHAPTER 88: CHAPTER 88: BEING FRIENDS IS ALWAYS APPROPRIATE, ISN’T IT?

Renee Winslow didn’t dare, nor did she want to see Caleb Yates. She always remembered what Jack Yates said— even if she broke up with him, she couldn’t have any connection with Caleb Yates.

"Caleb Yates, don’t call me again in the future."

Caleb Yates was surprised: "Renee, have you really fallen for Jack Yates?"

Renee Winslow sighed helplessly, with a hint of impatience: "Caleb Yates, your family has such major issues, don’t concern yourself with me anymore."

These words were indeed a bit harsh; she was always kind and never said anything that would hurt others.

But she really couldn’t hold back this time and blurted it out uncontrollably.

After speaking, she hung up the phone directly.

Renee Winslow didn’t expect that Caleb Yates would be so single-minded, to the point of obsession.

At eleven o’clock, Renee Winslow finished work and was about to take a taxi back to her apartment. As she stepped out of KFC, she saw Caleb Yates standing outside.

After nearly a year, the two met again. It was hard to describe the feeling— neither familiar nor unfamiliar.

To be honest, she never formally dated Caleb Yates, not even close enough to be considered friends.

Seeing that Caleb Yates had actually come looking for her, anger surged within Renee Winslow, and she impulsively asked a rather impolite question: "Your father just died, aren’t you supposed to be mourning?"

Caleb Yates: "He was cremated a week ago."

His tone was calm, showing no signs of grief.

Renee Winslow said nothing more and walked straight ahead.

Caleb Yates followed her: "Where are you staying now?"

Renee Winslow: "In an apartment near the school."

Caleb Yates asked: "Did Jack Yates buy it for you?"

Renee Winslow paused: "Yes."

Caleb Yates said: "My father’s issues implicated him too. His opponents definitely won’t let him off this time."

Renee Winslow remained silent, thinking to herself, for the past ten days, Jack Yates hadn’t returned to the apartment or contacted her. Was it really because Caleb Yates’s father passed away, or did Jack Yates really intend to break up with her?

She couldn’t fathom Jack Yates’s intentions and didn’t dare to ask proactively.

Caleb Yates looked at Renee Winslow’s fair and delicate face under the lights and suddenly reached out to hug her.

Renee Winslow struggled hard: "Caleb Yates, let go!"

Caleb Yates held her tightly, speaking mournfully: "Renee, let me hug you, just for a moment."

Renee Winslow stopped struggling, her hands drooping down as she allowed Caleb Yates to hold her.

What Renee Winslow didn’t know was that a black Hongqi made of military-grade materials was parked by the roadside. The car window was one-way glass. Jack Yates sat in the back seat, a cigarette held between his long fingers, his expression stern as he watched Renee Winslow being hugged by Caleb Yates outside the window.

Caleb Yates said he would only hug for a moment, and sure enough, it was only a moment, just a few seconds before he let go.

Renee Winslow nodded to him: "I’m leaving."

Caleb Yates: "I’ll take you."

Renee Winslow decisively refused: "No need."

Caleb Yates smirked: "Are you afraid he’ll see?"

Renee Winslow frowned: "It’s too late, it’s not appropriate."

Caleb Yates: "Even if we can’t be a couple, surely we can be friends, right?"

Renee Winslow said nothing, her lips tightly pursed.

Caleb Yates raised an eyebrow: "Does he even interfere in your choice of friends?"

Renee Winslow looked at him: "Why are you trying to get me to talk? He’s your third uncle, the person you once admired and looked up to the most. You should understand him."

Caleb Yates shook his head: "I don’t understand him either, no one does."

Renee Winslow looked down at her phone, opening a ride-hailing app to call a cab.

Caleb Yates grabbed her hand: "It’s not safe to call a cab at night. I’ll take you."

Renee Winslow pushed his hand away: "Thanks, but really, there’s no need."

Caleb Yates narrowed his eyes: "Has he threatened you or been rough with you?"

Renee Winslow’s eyelashes fluttered: "No, he’s quite nice to me."

"Ha." Caleb Yates sneered, "If he’s really nice to you, would you be so afraid of him? Renee, you look like a frightened quail now."

Renee Winslow pressed her lips even tighter.

Caleb Yates continued: "I remember when you first started school, even though you were elegant and delicate, there was a bright and youthful energy in your eyes—very lively, very cute. But now..." He curled his lips, "Now you look like a withered eggplant, a dried-up bitter melon, as if you’re about to cry any moment, your eyes veiled with worry."

"Back when I pursued you, you rejected me outright. At that time, your eyes were full of light, but now, you..."

Renee Winslow interrupted him: "Enough, I’ll take your car."