RENFE


    Marcelo’s <b>suite </b>located in the eastern wing of the main courtyard was a spacious blend of traditional and modern styles, meticulously detailed.


    While Marcelo went to take care of other things I began to read a book I had picked up from a shell.


    After a few minutes, there was a knock on the door internting me from my reading.


    Marcelo must be back.


    I stood up and opened the door. I was taken aback to see Andrew at the door.


    Seriously?


    Did hee to find me here?


    Can’t Catherine just control her boyfriend?


    Andrew keeps wanting <b>to </b>cause trouble for me at any opportunity!


    Can’t slse keep him <b>on </b>a leash on something?


    “You barely know Marcelo yet you’re sticking by his side like glue if you really know the kind of person he is,you’d run far away.”


    I rolled my eyes. “Are you done?”


    “Renee,listen…” G


    “I do not want to talk or listen to you.”1 made to lock <b>the </b>door but Andrew blocked it with his foot.


    “Wait!Do you know where he is right now?He’s visiting the ashes of his brother, Sebastian You know, Seb died <b>in </b><b>a </b>fire”


    I blinked.


    I didn’t know that


    Bur.I also didn’t want to keep talking to Andrew right now If Marcelo were to see him here. It would lead to more misunderstandings


    “If you don’t leave now, I’ll call the guards of you.“I warned.


    But he ignored me and continued. “Do you know that Marcelo killed his brother After their father passed, it was only reasonable for Sebastian to take over the family business as the eldest son but Marcelo didn’t want that. He had always been <b>evil </b>since he was little. He set the fire that killed <b>his </b>own brother and now, he had the audacity to visit his brother’s ashes I’m only telling you this, Renee so you can know how vile he is. A man who could murder his own brother, think of what he could do to you if you cross him.”


    Marcelo killed his own brother?


    I knew Marcelo was mean but not this mean, right?


    I recalled when he had left me outside with his dogs.Those dogs could have killed the


    <b>Was </b>he really that mean?


    I heard he kills people but there really hasn’t been any clear evidence about it


    Just gossips and rumors.


    My eyes narrowed and I processed Andrew’s revtion,searching his face for any sign that he could be lying


    I knew Andrew was full of lies but he couldn’t go as far as using Marcelo of killing his own <b>brother</b>,right<b>? </b>


    Pleased with her reaction, Andrew leaned against the <b>door </b>frame, certained that Rence would regret her connection to Marcelo.


    “Renee, I’ve told you before, Marcelo is dangerous. He should have been in prison, but he avoided it by iming a mental breakdown, “Andrew said. Under that condition, his actions weren’t legally punishable.”


    Only those close to the King family knew this secret. It had been used to marginalize Marcelo within the family,


    Expecting Renee to react with fear or regret, Andrew was taken aback when she responded calmly, “Is that all?“”


    Herposure shook him to his core. His mouth left agape.


    *You can leave now. I am not interested in your usations against my husband.”


    Andrew, frustrated and red–faced, blurted out, “Renee, I’m telling you this because of our past. Didn’t you see how he hurt my mother? He’s violent and tustable. <b>He’s </b>either a serial killer or mentally II”


    Deep down inside, Renee felt Felicia had gotten what she deserved.


    It Marcelo hadi’tarted Itence herself <b>would </b>have stood up to her.


    “Mr. King.“Renee said, her tone teasing, “Your frequent attempts to speak with te make me wonder… Do you still have feelings for me?


    “What I stihove Delings for ymi Thar’s use Andrea retorted with digual. I can man I want. You cover frun a how


    Andrew, infuriatest, had not anticipant fee‘ waring kayalty to Marri e al revealing such a scandataus secret


    ir nom men alt


    The left frca buff,  anger patjable,


    Med to the door, I might a glimport a pile drena liding behind a pir in the curridor.


    Moa wametung apothum prontation, Equiddy shut the door,


    dachua’a allegation about Mat my thighra,


    ???


    Margele was responelle for us better’s deat


    could easily bar ferrieday ang miter of the Wings family,


    nd his brother


    Chinahal astieng bual.


    und the s?dmale, firatinag meli


    <b>lin </b>just My eyes or rationally wandeerd to wharr


    ander the chatter at tha


    ched densament him sun, giving him as


    noted thary mid Marcelo in that a


    the hunt jellied


    secrets of the King family,


    of wine on the table.


    Catherine offered her a ss. “Let’s talk over a drink.”


    “I don’t drink,” Renee replied, eyeing the ss.


    “Renee, you won’t even honor me by sharing a drink, and yet you expect me to share the Kings family’s secrets?“Catherine sneered, implying that she would withhold Information if Renee refused to drink.


    Renee, masking her suspicion, took the ss.


    Catherine’s impatience surpassed Renee’s expectations. <b>Wasn’t </b>it tantly clear that the wine had been drugged?


    As Renee was about to drink, she passed, pretending to hear something at the door. “I think someone’s outside.”


    Startled Catherine set her ss down and hurried to check.


    She couldn’t risk anyone overhearing their conversation.


    Seizing the moment, Renee quickly switched the sses,


    Upon returning Catherine said, “There’s no one there.”


    “I must’ve just imagined it,” Renee said, urging Catherine to drink first.


    Catherine, confident in her n, took a sip from her ss.


    She didn’t drug her <b>own </b>ss.


    “Can you tell me now?“Renee asked, sipping her wine.


    “You’re so gullible, Renee. I don’t know anything. If there’s someone to me, it’s you! You brought this <b>on </b>yourself“Catherine taunted, dashing out of the room and locking it from outside.


    She anticipated the effects of the drug to take hold of Benine soon, eagerly awaiting the ensuing drama.


    In the room, tranquility settled once more, only to be broken by distant snoring from behind the bookshelf. Curious, Renee tiptoed over.


    There<b>, </b>sprawled on arge bed hidden by the bookshelf, was a middle–aged, overweight man<b>, </b>deeply asleep.


    The man, reeking <b>of </b>alcohol, was one of the King family’s distant rtives.


    was


    Catherine’s scheme became clear: She wanted Rence drugged and locked in a <b>room </b>with a drunk man. If she had sex with the man under the influence of The drug, it could ruin her reputation, painting her as unfaithful to Marcelo and attracting the  of both the King family and the public.


    Catherine was indeed devious.


    Finding the door locked, Renee opened the window, revealing a vast pond outside.


    Catherine had chosen this room carefully, making escape seem impossible


    Only one way our: Swim.


    Refusing to beered, Renee jumped into the pond.


    With a loud ssh, she vanished into the dark water..


    Renee chose to swim to the spot closest <b>to </b>Marcele’s room.


    Soaked and ufortable, she made her way to the shower in Marcelo’s room.


    When she opened the door, her eyes widened in shock


    For a moment, she was motionless, her gaze unintentionally taking in Marcelo’s well–defined chest and abs.


    “Seen enough?”


    His cold voice cut through the steam. Then a grey towel flew <b>toward </b>her, covering her eyes, Brought abruptly back to reality, Rence blinked, her eyshes ttering against the towel. Her mind, however, lingered on the unexpected <b>sight </b>she had just seen


    Well..It seemed as if a man’s height was linked to the size of his…<b>dick</b><b>. </b>


    Marcelo was…impressively proportioned. She wondered if the image would haunt her dreams. “You should lock the door when you’re showering.” she pumbled<b>, </b><b>regaining </b>herposure. Inside, her heart raced uncontrobly.


    Marcelo, now modestly wrapped in a towel, loomed over her with a foreboding expression, as if any further defiance from Renee might lead to her getting thrown out.


    Feeling awkward, Renee touched her nose. “I wasn’t peelding, honestly.”


    Did the think that he was an idiot?


    His frosty gaze remained fixed on her as she looked down, trying to think of <b>a </b>way <b>to </b>defuse the tension. Suddenly, he spoke. “As Mrs. King, you could


    Chipl


    Renee felt <b>him </b>move closer.


    Her instincts kicked in and she tried to step back.


    However, before she could move, Marcelo firmly grasped her wrist.


    She could feel the intense heat emanating from his hand, a reminder of the typically higher body temperature in men.


    It felt unusually warm.


    “Marcelo!” <b>she </b>began to protest, but her hand inadvertently brushed against the towel around his waist, her fingers momentarily grazing <b>his </b><b>t </b>


    toned abs.


    The sensation of his muscle texture, and the heat from his sidn sent a jolt through her.


    She tried to pull away, but his grip was firm.


    “Mrs. King, you can do more than just <b>pook</b>, you can touch it as well” Marcelo observed, catching Renee’s stunned and wide–eyed expression.


    Her eyes mirrored her helpless state, contrasting her usual calm demeanor.


    “No!”


    For crying out loud! She didn’t want to touch him!


    Renee shook her head vigorously, struggling to free herself. “Let me go!”


    But in her effort to escape<b>, </b>she identally <b>collided </b>with Marcelo


    To avoid falling, she instinctively reached out, one hand clutching his broad <b>shoulder</b>, the other grabbing his arm


    The lingering water droplets on his skin were unmistakable.


    Close to him, she could sense every detail of his physique.


    “Finished touching yet?” Marcelo asked, standing rigidly and malding no move to assist her. Without looking up, Renee could picture the disdain <b>in </b>his


    eyes.


    She bit her lower lips,nervously.


    “How much longer do you n to <b>keep </b>your hands on me?” Marcelo’s impatience was evident


    Internally cursing, Renee felt mortified. She quickly withdrew her hands, steadying herself against the wall


    “You were the one who said could touch,” she mumbled, trying to sound confident despite her stutter.


    <b>Marcelo </b>observed her, noting her flushed face and averted gaze


    This was interesting.


    He never knew she had <b>a </b>shy side.


    He briefly surveyed her drenched state. With a tone of disdain, he remarked, “Clean yourself up. You’re a mes


    mess,”


    With <b>that</b>, he strode out of the bathroom.


    After he left, Renee locked the door, leaned against the wall, <b>and </b>let out a frustrated sigh.


    Why had she gone straight to the bathroom?


    Why hadn’t she knocked flest?


    After showering, Renee realized another serious problem.


    She <b>hadn’t </b>brought any clean clothes with her!


    What was she going to wear?!