“My grandma has passed away, and that’s all you can think about? I thought you came here tofort me?” Ste stood with her arms crossed. Her eyes grew dark and cold.


    Before Renz had a chance to answer, the light in the doorway was blocked by Cathryn and Keith.


    “Speak of the devil! We were just talking about you two,” Renz said. He had met Cathryn but only heard about Keith. The only reason he came tonight was so he could meet Keith in person.


    Cathryn looked at Ste and noticed her eyes were red and swollen. Cathryn went over and gave her a hug. She nced at Renz and said, “You must be Renz? Nice to meet you!” She was only trying to be polite. This was the second time she had met him, and she had hoped it would be herst. Cathryn remembered what her grandma said about him, and without thinking, she said, “she was right.”


    “What did you say?” Ste asked. “Oh, nothing! I just remembered something,” Cathryn giggled softly as she thought about her grandma.Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    Renz and Ste were in love. He fell in love with her personality and her work ethic. He thought they would bepatible in all aspects of life. They were seriously thinking about getting married, but Renz didn’t like Ste’s family. He looked down on them. He never told Ste how he really felt because he didn’t want to upset her.


    The first time he went to Ste’s grandmother’s house, Renz couldn’t stand the smell or the way her grandma looked at him. It made him feel ufortable, and he made an excuse and left. After his visit with Ste’s family, Renz’s intentions were to break up with her. He was just about to do it when Ste got the call about her grandma passing away.


    Renz tossed the thoughts in his head. ‘Maybe I shouldn’t break up with Ste. There may be some benefits if I stay with her. Keith has a lot of powerful connections, and if I can get on his good side…’ Seeing Ste cry, his heart started to break. ‘Maybe I do love her,’ he thought.


    Cathryn stepped back, and Keith put his arm around her waist, “Hello, I’m Keith,” he said and shook both Renz and Ste’s hands.


    “Ste has told me a lot about you,” Renz said. “I also work for a management consulting firm. I’m looking for an opportunity to grow my career. The Stark Industries is so big, I was wondering if there would be a position for me?”


    Keith couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He passed Renz his business card, “This really isn’t an appropriate time to talk. Give me a call when I return to Dous City.”


    “Thank you. I’m looking forward to it.” Renz leaned against the door. ‘What could be better than knowing the president of thepany? All I need is one foot in the door, and I can climb my way to the top. The future looks promising,’ he thought.


    Felt his heart pounding in his chest. He took a deep breath and stepped toward Cathryn. He looked at her bracelet and said, “That’s a beautiful bracelet. It looks expensive.” Renz thought it must have been worth thousands of dors.


    “It was a gift from Keith, and I have no idea how much it’s worth,” Cathryn said.


    Renz grinned, “Expensive indeed! But I guess being the president of the Po Group, money is no issue?” He nced from Cathryn to Keith and waited for their reaction.


    “Renz, would youe and help me?” Ste interrupted. She was insulted by his implications towards Keith. Ste grabbed him by the arm and took Renz into another room, “How dare you talk to Keith like that and of all days? It’s my grandma’s funeral.”


    “Dear, sweet Ste. I’m doing this for our future. Can you think of a better way to further my career?” he asked.


    “No, I guess not!” Ste felt like a fool, and she remembered something her grandmother had told her. A wave of sadness came over her. Hearing footsteps, Ste turned around and peeked out the door.


    “Is everything okay?” Cathryn asked. Looking at Cathryn, the memories came flooding back from when they were little girls. The room Ste and Renz were in was one of the ces they used to hide in when they yed hide and seek. Thinking about it, conflicting feelings of bitterness consumed Ste.


    Renz didn’t hear theming, and he wasn’t sure how much of their conversation they overheard. By the expression on Cathryn’s face, Renz could see she was upset. His tone changed, “Cathryn, I wasforting Ste. I’m so sorry for your loss.”


    “Get out!” Cathryn spoke in a low but stern voice. It was enough to get her point across.


    The smile froze on Renz’s face. His first reaction was to argue back, but he looked at Keith and saw how agitated he was. He simply suppressed his anger and said, “I don’t understand? What did I do?” No one ever spoke to him the way Cathryn did. Renz nced at Cathryn, Keith, and Ste.


    “What are you talking about?” Ste asked in a cold voice. She started to leave the room, and Cathryn grabbed her arm.


    Realizing Ste was shaking, Cathryn said, “Ste, what are you doing?”


    Renz kept his cool and said under his breath, “Don’t say a word.” His hands were clenched into a fist. “Tell me! What did I do?” he asked again.


    “I think you should listen to Cathryn. You better leave and think you should do it right now!” Keith answered.


    Understanding that this highborn was not for him to reach, Renz’s smile stopped and instantly changed his look.


    “Well, since I’m not weed, I don’t have to stay here. And you, Ste Lee, let’s just stop this from here.”


    Ste’s fingers shook again, but she stood there still and did not say anything. Renz turned back and out.


    She stared at his back until it disappeared from her sight. She felt her body floating before she began to sway and suddenly squatted on the ground. Frightened, Cathryn reached out and held her.