MainNovelChapter 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 playful pout, tugging Lily’s hand as she complained, “See? He's scaring 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, Blanc had pulled Victor into the study and given him a stern scolding.
When Victor later cdown and spotted Renee, a flicker of something strange crossed his expression. But it
was gone in an instant, replaced with his usual calm gravity. “Renee, you're back. How long do you plan on
staying?”
“My mother and | decided we're staying here for good-we won't be leaving again,” Renee answered cheerfully.
Blanc’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.
“Lily1”
Renee's sweet voice chimed from behind her.
“Wow, these roses are beautiful! Did you plant them yourself?”
Lily smiled faintly. She loved flowers, yes-back when she and John had shared a home, she'd planted plenty.
But here, in the vast estate of the Luke family, the gardens were tended by professionals. One rose garden alone
was as large as a basketball court. If she'd tried to do it herself, she'd have worked herself to death.
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15:15 Wed, Sep 17
Chapter 541 Hidden Thorns
She answered honestly, “The gardeners take care of them. | 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 | planted 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 everlasting devotion.
Maybe Renee had spoken without thinking. Maybe, when she and James had planted it, they hadn't given the
symbolism much weight.
But Lily was his girlfriend now. Hearing another woman reminisce about planting 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 place 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 accident 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
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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 rue NapgT
Pl make her! of marriage,
nohe could make her want a future.
James's name, his reputation, had always been too large 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 of companionshipES Ag
knew him she kb weHirh too well. He
chu Idri't possibly love another
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No, it had to be Lily. That shameless
woman must have used som fick,
trapping i) ih to eae forcing
hr Way into his life, rising by virtue of
the child she carried. The content is
on novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Renee's fists curled at her sides, her smile long gone.
She would never allow Lily to steal the place that belonged to her.
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