Chapter 226

He was stunned. Why was Clifford telling him all this? He was finding it harder and harder to understand Clifford's motives.

Clifford maintained his faint, unreadable smile, betraying none of his true intentions.

Santino forced his own smile back into place. "I see. I'll head back now, then."

Clifford nodded slightly. "Go on.”

Santino tidied his desk and left for the day. As Clifford watched him go, the smile on his face deepened.

Santino drove back to the Lambert family estate as quickly as he could. When he entered their room, he found Renata holding Jaden, murmuring softly to him, but her gaze was distant and unfocused. She turned at the sound of the door opening, her expression lighting up.

"Santino, you're back?"

"Yes," he said, walking over to her and glancing at the baby in her arms. "He's asleep."

"Oh... yes, he is." Renata quickly laid the baby down in his crib and turned to Santino. "Why are you home today?"

Santino offered a gentle smile. “I just remembered you said you wanted to move. I'd forgotten all about it. Have you packed everything?"

Renata's eyes welled up. She shook her head. "Not yet. I was waiting for you."

"Have you found a place?"

"Yes, I have..."

Santino paused for a moment before adding, "Well, since I have some time now, let's just move out tonight."

Renata suddenly grabbed his hand, her gaze intense. “Santino,” she whispered, “if... if something happens to me, will you take good care of Jaden?"

Santino froze, looking at her in surprise. So, what Clifford said was true. She was really planning to make a move on Wallace's shares to bail him out.

He took a deep breath. "Renata, don't do anything foolish. You've always been the one to look after Jaden. How could I possibly manage without you?"

"I'll handle this myself," he continued, his voice soft as a spring breeze. "Stay out of it. Just stay home and take care of Jaden, okay?"

His voice was so gentle, but how could such a gentle person have such cold eyes? Still, his words of concern made tears stream down Renata's face, solidifying the decision she had already made. She managed a smile.

"Okay, I promise you. For you and for Jaden, I won't let anything happen to me," Renata said, her eyes filled with determination and a deep, unwavering love for the man before her.

It might not even come to that, she thought to herself.

Seeing her smile, Santino felt a twitch in his eyelid. Renata was a fool, a special kind of fool. He knew

that well. He didn't even need to

think to understand what she.

planning. So tragically foolish.

Was

Renata was still basking in his gentle affection, even daring to hope that her sacrifice might finally move him.

Some people are just that naive,

believing that they can earn love by making someone feel indebted to them. But it doesn't work that way. The only person she was moving was herself Her self sacrifice wouldn't change how he felt. Whether someone loves you or not is decided from the very beginning.

Santino's face was a mask of warmth, but his heart was a block of ice. He had no idea what Clifford was planning, and the feeling was utterly maddening.

Perhaps... perhaps Latisha would know something.

A glint appeared in Santino's eyes. He stood up abruptly. “Renata, I have to go out for a bit. I'll be back later."

“You're leaving again? What for?"

Santino stroked her hair, his smile turning unsettling. “Just to take care of a little work."