Chapter 541 Hidden Thorns

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    “Renee, enough.” James’s warning cut sharp and cold, a clear signal he didn’t want her ruining his image in front of Lily.

    But Rence brushed it off with a yful pout, tugging Lily’s hand as sheined, “See? bHe’s /bscaring me again! Lily, you have to teach James a lesson for me–stand up for me!”

    Grace chuckled at the scene.

    Because of Nancy’s bond with Susan, Grace had always treated Susan with warmth. Susan had cared for James for three years during his childhood, and Grace had never forgotten that kindness. Seeing Susan’s daughter get along so well with Lily, she felt content.

    Meanwhile, upstairs, nc had pulled Victor into the study and given him a stern scolding.

    When Victorter came down and spotted Renee, a flicker of something strange crossed his expression. But it was gone in an instant, reced with his usual calm gravity. “Renee, you’re back. How long do you n on staying?”

    “My mother and I decided we’re staying here for good–we won’t be leaving again,” Renee answered cheerfully.

    nc’s brows drew together briefly. But when he noticed Nancy’s delight at her words, he said nothing further.

    After breakfast, the men of the Luke family all left for their busy schedules.

    Lily, with no pressing matters, chatted with Grace for a while, then went for a stroll through the back garden.

    “Lily!”

    Renee’s sweet voice chimed from behind her.

    “Wow, these roses are beautiful! Did you nt them yourself?”

    Lily smiled faintly. She loved flowers, yes–back when she and John had shared a home, she’d nted plenty.

    But here, in the vast estate of the Luke family, the gardens were tended by professionals. One rose garden alone was asrge as a basketball court. If she’d tried to do it herself, she’d have worked herself to death.

    15:15 Wed, bSep /b17

    Chapter 541 Hidden Thorns

    She answered honestly, “The gardeners take care of them. I don’t help much”

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    But Rence was no longer listening. Her eyes had caught on a tall tree a little farther away.

    She ran toward it, face alight with joy. “I can’t believe the wintersweet tree James and I nted is still here—and it’s grown so big!”

    “It’s blooming too… the flowers are gorgeous, and the scent is wonderful!”

    Her tone was bright, innocent, brimming with girlish charm.

    But Lily’s chest prickled as if pierced by a needle.

    The wintersweet–also called the love tree, the tree of eternal union. A symbol of evesting devotion.

    Maybe Renee had spoken without thinking. Maybe, when she and James had nted it, they hadn’t given the symbolism much weight.

    But Lily was his girlfriend now. Hearing another woman reminisce about nting a love tree with him was unsettling.

    Or perhaps it wasn’t just the words. Perhaps it was Renee herself. Something about her left Lily uneasy, even beneath her dazzling smile.

    But with the elders doting on her, and with Susan being James’s beloved godmother, Lily had no intention of stirring conflict.

    So she excused herself politely and walked away, choosing distance over confrontation.

    As Lily’s figure retreated, Renee’s bright, innocent smile faded. In its ce rose a shadow of burning resentment.

    She loathed Lily.

    James had been the first boy she had ever liked–the only one. He had always cherished Susan, and she had believed, with childish certainty, that she and James were destined to be together forever.

    She had been ready to confess her feelings. But the very night before, he had been in the car ident that left him a vegetable.

    The doctors had told her he might never wake.

    She had panicked, torn apart between love and fear. In her eyes, a vegetable was no different

    Chapter 541 Hidden Thorns

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    from the dead. She had been young, too young to tie her life to a man who would never open his eyes again.

    So she had forced herself to let go. Forced herself to ignore his name, his face, his existence.

    She met men abroad–many of them. But none stirred her heart. None could make her think of marriage, none could make her want a future.

    James’s name, his reputation, had always been toorge to escape. Even when she tried, his shadow lingered.

    Then, just days ago, she saw the news–he had woken up.

    Her heart had leapt. She had flown back, desperate to rekindle the story she thought was theirs.

    But he already had someone else. And worse–that woman was carrying his child.

    She refused to believe it.

    They had grown up together, bound by years ofpanionship. She knew him–she knew him too well. He couldn’t possibly love another woman.

    No, it had to be Lily. That shameless woman must have used some trick, trapping him with pregnancy, forcing her way into his life, rising by virtue of the child she carried.

    Renee’s fists curled at her sides, her smile long gone.

    She would never allow Lily to steal the ce that belonged to her.