CHAPTER 15: CHAPTER 15: A FORCED MELON IS NOT SWEET, BUT IT QUENCHES THIRST

Renee Winslow rejected Jack Yates’ request. Though it was inevitable, she still didn’t want to compromise too soon. Most importantly, she had to go back and see her grandfather personally, and ensure he was being properly treated and could be cured before she agreed to Jack’s terms.

If her grandfather wasn’t treated well or couldn’t be cured, she wouldn’t agree to Jack.

Jack naturally saw through her thoughts and didn’t push, instead arranging for her to stay in the guest room.

Before going to sleep, Renee Winslow came to the door of the master bedroom and lightly knocked on it.

Jack opened the door, "Afraid to sleep alone?"

Renee Winslow: "No, I just wanted to ask you something."

Jack stepped aside, "Come in and say it."

Renee Winslow held the door frame, "No, it’s okay. I’ll just say it here. It’s just a few words."

Jack’s eyebrows sank, "Do I look like someone who is that eager?"

Renee Winslow pressed her lips shut, saying nothing.

Jack suppressed his anger, his voice softening, "Go ahead, what is it?"

Renee Winslow gripped the door frame tightly, her fingertips turning white: "I was wondering how long I need to be with you. Is there a specific time frame?"

Jack raised an eyebrow, "How long do you want it to be?"

Renee Winslow bit her lip and tentatively said, "Two years, maybe?"

September meant her sophomore year at university starts. In two years, she’d be in her senior year and ready for internships, which would be the right time to leave Jack.

But after she asked, Jack didn’t speak. His sharp, phoenix eyes stared at her darkly.

Renee Winslow couldn’t read Jack and wasn’t sure if two years was too long or too short.

So she tested again, "How about a year? Or six months?"

"Ha," Jack chuckled coldly, "Why not say two weeks?"

Renee Winslow lowered her eyes, "Then you set a definite time?"

Jack couldn’t give her one because he never intended to let go. From the first moment he saw Renee Winslow, he only had one thought in mind: he must have her.

"Two years then." Jack replied blandly.

Renee Winslow breathed a sigh of relief and flashed a sweet smile: "Do we need to sign an additional agreement?"

Jack stepped forward, hooked her waist, and pulled her into his embrace, his gaze icy: "What, afraid I won’t keep my word?"

Renee Winslow lowered her eyes anxiously, meeting his sharp, cold gaze: "No, I’m afraid I won’t keep mine."

Jack pinched her chin with two fingers, his thumb caressing lightly: "How would you not keep it?"

Renee Winslow looked up at him and quickly delivered the already-prepared flattery: "You’re so handsome, in good shape, and wealthy. Falling in love with you would be easy. If I fell hopelessly in love with you after a while, clinging desperately, wouldn’t that make me your burden?"

The corners of Jack’s mouth twitched as if he almost laughed.

Suppressing his smile, he spoke lightly, "If you didn’t use so much ’you’, I might have believed it."

Renee Winslow: "It’s true, Mr. Yates, everything I said is true! Someone of your status would certainly need to marry someone of similar background. Even if not, you’d definitely marry a smart, beautiful, intellectual, and elegant woman who could walk shoulder-to-shoulder with you to create a wonderful future."

After saying this, she smiled self-deprecatingly: "And I am too ordinary. The only thing I can boast is my delicate looks, which will fade with age. I know myself well enough not to have greedy desires."

Jack looked at her calmly, and moments later, smiled—a faint, emotionless smile.

"That’s very good." He gently caressed her face. "I truly couldn’t marry you, and it’s wise of you to think this way. It puts my mind at ease."

The two-year agreement was reached.

The next morning, Jack arranged for someone to take Renee Winslow back to Vintara.

Her grandfather was at the Vintara Oncology Hospital, with her grandmother by his side.

Renee Winslow stayed for two days and returned to Northcity on the third day.

After returning to Northcity, she moved into Jack’s garden-style villa on Mount Jeval—Thatcher Manor.

The manor’s scale was no smaller than The Yates Family’s old residence, but with a more refined environment, akin to a Ming-Qing style garden.

The winding corridors, rock gardens, and flowing water created a picturesque scene at every step.

Moving into Thatcher Manor made Renee Winslow more determined to believe that their relationship wouldn’t last long, perhaps not even two years.

After all, Jack was already twenty-eight, and two years later, he’d be thirty. Perhaps within a year or so, he’d get married, and when he was near marriage, he’d naturally separate from her.

For now, he was just seeking temporary novelty, and once the novelty wore off, he’d lose interest.

Renee Winslow always prepared herself to leave at any time. She didn’t resist Jack’s touch, but neither did she genuinely give in.

When he hugged her, she didn’t shy away, even extending her hands to hug him back.

When he kissed her, she didn’t resist and obediently nestled in his arms, allowing him to kiss her.

But she didn’t truly invest her feelings.

Within Jack, a fire smoldered—unreleasable, unquenchable, burning intensely in his heart, nearly driving him mad.

It had been a week since he brought Renee Winslow to Thatcher Manor. Apart from kissing and hugging, he hadn’t truly had her—merely satisfying his cravings at the edges.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to; he was nearly going insane with desire. Yet, such matters needed mutual consent to be meaningful.

He could tell Renee Winslow hadn’t genuinely accepted him, purely viewing him as a domineering plunderer.

To prove he wasn’t, Jack didn’t rush things. After bringing her to Thatcher Manor, he pampered her like a little princess, ensuring every aspect of her life was exquisite.

He even hired a chef adept in Vintara cuisine to cater to her meals, and specifically employed two young, cheerful maids to accompany her.

Renee Winslow understood Jack’s sentiments, but the more he acted this way, the clearer she realized their unbalanced relationship.

Normal couples weren’t like this; she felt more like his canary.

Renee Winslow deliberately ignored this situation that felt stuck in her throat, everyday showing a calm and serene demeanor.

During the day, when Jack went to work, she’d admire the flowers, watch the fish, or study in the study.

At night, when Jack returned from work, she’d actively go to greet him, dine with him, and share a bed with him.

Yet, despite living there for a week, Jack hadn’t truly had her. Several times on the verge of losing control, he forcefully held back.

Renee Winslow’s heart churned with uncertainty, unable to understand Jack’s intentions.

After a week of unease, Renee Winslow decided to come clean today and directly ask him.

At six in the afternoon, Renee Winslow received a call from Jack. He said he had a dinner party that night, might not come back, or might come back late, so she should sleep early and not wait up for him.

Renee Winslow responded as an employee to a boss, softly and respectfully: "Okay, understood."

Jack was still in his office, leaning against the leather chair, gripping his phone so tightly that the veins were bulging on the back of his hand.

He didn’t have an actual dinner party that night. At his level, many unnecessary social engagements could be skipped, unless he chose to attend.

Simon Forrester organized tonight’s gathering, inviting him for a game of cards. It would just be a few of them.

He could go or not. Calling Renee Winslow was just to test her attitude.

Testing made things worse. It would’ve been better not to test.

After hanging up, he drove back to Thatcher Manor.

No need to wait any longer. Waiting for her willing heart would leave him waiting until his hair turned white.

After all, from the beginning, he was just a plunderer, so he might as well plunder all the way.

Unripe fruit may be unsweet, but damn, it quenches thirst!