<b>Chapter </b><b>39 </b><b>Renee’s </b><b>decision </b>


    <b>*</b>MARCELO*


    She seemed serious about wanting to talk to me so I crossed my arins and asked.


    “What’s this about, Renee?”


    She moved closer to me and brought out a recording.


    I frowned as she yed the recording.


    “Congrattions to our first ce winner, Renee Hudson..


    “Mr Glenn, I’ve agreed to your offer to endorse STAR.I’ll even reduce my f*e by three million dors, on one condition… Renee Hudson must not be your coborative stylist.”


    “We announce Alicia Miguel as the selected stylist.Thank you to the other four stylists for participating.”


    I watched as Renee turned off the recording and then she said to me.


    “Mr King,KM Group’s policy states that the top scorer in the final interview bes the co–stylist for yourpany.Isn’t it irregr for an employee to alter the rules for personal gain?I truly believed that I <b>had </b>a shot at KM Group because it had always prided itself about being fair and giving equal chances to all.This contradicts those values, doesn’t it?“Her stern,business–focused demeanor dispelled the flicker of oddness I had just began to


    sense.


    I then understood that this feeling was pity.


    But my sympathy seemed to be misced because Renee wasn’t a woman to be taken lightly.


    Studying her for a couple of minutes, I moved closer to her and cupped her chin.


    “Are you threatening me?”


    “I am only revealing the truth to you and show you how business should really be done!” She retorted.


    “Renee,both capital and connections are resources.”


    “True,no matter the era,capital and connections will sometimes supersede talent and ability.“She paused and continued.


    “I am not trying to change societal norms.I just want fairness but…”


    “There’s a risk that escting this could harm KM Group.Our ie post–marriage is joint property.A scandal might lead to a drop in GT Group’s stock and profits, which would reduce our ie.This would affect my interests too,right? I’m essentially helping you address thepany’s negative atmosphere.”


    She looked at me,squarely.


    Her expression suggested she expected gratitude for her efforts in getting that conversation recorded.


    I let go of her face, trying to hide my amusement of this situation.


    Though, she was threatening me, I didn’t really mind being at the receiving end.


    “So what’s your n to cleanse this situation?” I asked her


    She stared up at me.“It’s yourpany and your duty.I expect you to do the needful.”


    320


    <b>I </b>smirked.


    She was being practical, just stating fact.


    I took off my tie and began to unfasten my cufflinks.


    “I’m offering you a chance.What punishment do you want me to give to those two cunning beings?<b>” </b>


    *RENEE*


    I blinked.


    He was letting me pick out a punishment?


    “Can I really do that?“I asked, cautiously.


    “Yes. You were greatly wronged today so I’ll do whatever you want to make it right.”


    Well, wrongdoers should always be punished, right?


    I crossed my arms and made my decision.


    “Firstly,Catherine and Mr Glennpromised thepany for personal gain.They should be dismissed. Youpany must sever ties with them.Secondly, yourpany has unfairly stripped me of my rightful benefits.I expect a fitting exnation.How you exin it reflects yourpany’s sincerity.If you feel like I’m overreacting or asking for too much, feel free to disregard what I want.It’s yourpany at the end of the day.“I concluded. He just stared at me with a smirk on his face and then he headed upstairs.


    I took it as maybe he felt I was asking for too much.


    But I knew I wasn’t!


    Catherine had no right to take this opportunity from me!


    The following day, I was surprised to receive a conciliatory call from KM Group’s interview team.


    They apologized and admitted to some mimunications and expressed their hope for me to join them as a cooperating stylist for the uing season.


    When the call ended, I was all smiles.


    I didn’t expect that Marcelo would indeed do what I asked.


    Even if this was the perks that came from my husband owning thepany.


    I was still overjoyed because I knew I deserved this.


    At noon, Luke gave me a call,informing me toe by thepany and sign the contract.


    He wanted me to go KM Group’s headquarters!


    I was taken aback by the sudden invitation but I agreed to visit the Group’s legal department.


    When I got there, I was greeted by the sound of a heated discussion from within.


    <b>“</b><b>We </b>just signed the contract yesterday, and the endorsement announcement was made. Why the sudden change<b>?</b><b>” </b>Catherine’s agent, a sharp woman in her thirties, was demanding an exnation, clearly <b>not </b>willing to back down. Catherine, impably dressed and made up as though bracing for a battle, sat on the sofa with a sullen <b>expression</b>. A representative from the legal departiment exined, “Mr Glenn from the brand department independently decided to sign with Miss Hudson, which contradicts thepany’s consensus. Therefore, we’ve chosen to terminate the contract. Although this was Mr Glenn’s error we’re prepared topensate for the breach.”


    He added with a smile, “This situation hasn’t really harmed you. Miss Hudson hasn’t begun any endorsements with us, but she will receivepensation.”


    His tone implied Catherine wasing out ahead financially.


    Catherine infuriated, abandoned her usualposed public image. “Do you think I’m after money? This is humiliating. Everyone knows I was the chosen spokesperson. With the contract now void, what are my fans and the public going to think?”


    The agent seized the moment. “We made numerous concessions to sign this contract, yet you reneged the very next day. If you act unjustly, don’t expect us to sit idly by. Imagine the bacsh if the public learns you breached the contract for no reason. It would surely tarnish yourpany’s reputation, wouldn’t it?”


    Clearly, this was a subtle threat.


    The legal department representative couldn’t help but chuckle. “Let’s set the record straight. It was you who hyped the endorsement news about Miss Hudson. Any public bacsh should be directed at yourselves, not thepany.”


    His implication was clear: they were responsible for their own overreach.


    “Moreover, Miss Hudson reduced her endorsement f*e by three million just to exclude a stylist. If that news leaked, I wonder who’d suffer more from the fallout.”


    Catherine, seething, fixed her gaze on the representative. “Do you even know who I am?”


    “Miss Hudson, if you wish to throw your weight around, I’d suggest returning to the Hudson family.”


    The president had already deemed Catherine unfit to work in hispany. His word was final, rendering Catherine’s status irrelevant.


    The Hudson family held no sway over KM Group.They didn’t even know the owner.


    Renee’sughter echoed from the doorway of the legal department.


    Caught off guard, everyone turned to her as she apologized half–heartedly, “Sorry. I couldn’t help myself.”


    Catherine, already fuming, demanded, “Renee,what brings you here?”


    “I’m here to sign a contract.” Renee smiled coyly.


    “What contract?“Catherine’s anxiety spiked.


    ? ?


    At that moment, a legal staff member approached Renee. “Miss Hudson, your contract is ready. Please, this way.”


    Renee, ncing back at Catherine, said, “I’m signing the contract that not even a three million dor discount could prevent.”


    “How…how could this be?“Catherine eximed in disbelief “Didn’t KM Group already choose someone else as their contract stylist?”


    But nobody responded to her queries.


    She had been so sure she had ruined this chance for Renee.


    How did things backfire on her?!