Chapter 109 Get Back With
Her
Renee’s hands trembled, and for a split second, she nearly lost her grip on William’s phone. Fearing that even the slightest sound would give her away, she covered the speaker, holding her breath as if that alone could conceal her unease.
Without hesitation, she cut the call.
Before she had time to process everything, Ryland returned. His sharp eyes immediately caught the tension in her expression, and his brows furrowed in concern. “Hey, what’s wrong? I just heard some people talking about you and your ex–husband. Everything alright?”
Snapping back to reality, Renee ignored his question and instead dug through William’s suit pockets. Her fingers brushed against his phone, a wallet, and nothing more. She flipped the wallet open, skimming past a few bills and an ID card–until her gaze landed on a small, worn photograph tucked neatly inside.
“Whoa, Renee, that’s you!” Ryland blurted out in surprise.
The photo was of her at eighteen.
She was perched on a seaside rock, her body swallowed by a camouflage jacket far too big for her frame. It wasn’t hers–anyone could see that–but her smile in the picture was impossibly bright, as if nothing else in the world mattered.
That was the day she had visited William after he enlisted.
Her pulse quickened. If she remembered correctly, at the time, there had been nothing between them. She had shamelessly chased after him, making no effort to hide her feelings, but William? He had wanted nothing more than to escape her presence. He had been indifferent, distant–completely devoid of any interest in her.
So why had he kept this photo after all these years?
“Renee? You’re spacing out. You don’t look well.” Ryland pointed out, watching her closely.
“I’m fine.” Renee shook her head lightly, pushing the thoughts aside. Her eyes lifted toward William, who now stood across the room, his presence commanding even in a sea of well–dressed elites. No matter where he was, he always stood out–effortlessly,
At that exact moment, as if sensing her stare, William turned in her direction. But by then, Renee had already looked away, missing the way his gaze softened when it landed on her.
“Do you know where William is staying these days?” she asked suddenly, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her
Without hesitation, Ryland answered, “Same place as when you two were married.”
Renee’s brows knit together. William was still living there? But why?
“Look who just had the nerve to show up!” Ryland’s voice dropped to a growl.
She was about to ask who he meant, but his glare said it all. Following his line of sight, she spotted Sylvia strolling in at a leisurely pace–her arm linked with Esme’s.
Renee’s expression turned ice–cold. So, the Mitchells had pulled strings to bail Sylvía out after all. And Esme? She clung to Sylvia like she was her own flesh and blood.
“Just say the word,” Ryland muttered, his voice laced with anger. “How do you want to deal with her tonight?”
If Renee wanted, he’d make sure Sylvia left this event utterly humiliated.
“No rush.” Renee only sneered. “Great hunters wait for the perfect timing to strike.”
With that, she tipped her champagne glass back, draining it in one go.
Across the room, William’s gaze never strayed far from Renee. The moment she downed her drink so recklessly, his expression darkened. After politely excusing himself from the conversation he was engaged in, he moved toward her, intent on stopping her from drinking any more.
But before he could take another step, Esme’s voice rang out. “William!”
He halted. His expression soured the instant his eyes landed on Sylvia.
Though the police lacked concrete evidence to convict Sylvia for Felix’s kidnapping, the truth was clear to everyone. William no longer shielded her without question, nor did he see her as the fragile, soft–spoken girl who once played the victim so effortlessly.
“William,” Sylvia murmured timidly like a frightened bunny.
William’s tone grew sharper as he asked, “What are you doing here?” Didn’t I tell you not to show up?”
William had insisted Esme stay out of sight after the car accident, fearing the legal fallout. He couldn’t bear to let his own mother face the consequences, so in a moment of anger, he ordered her to stay home, away from any potential trouble.
“Your company’s annual event is a major affair. How could we possibly stay away? We were concerned you might be overwhelmed, so we came to help with the guests. If I hadn’t shown up, how would I have known you brought Renee with you?” Esme’s voice was cutting, her eyes narrowing as she locked gaze with William. “Tell me the truth, William. Do you want to get back with her?”
