Chapter 41 Nana’s missing
Catherine, who became a well–known figure in the entertalhment industry after being recognized as the true daughter of the influential Hudson family, <b>faced </b>intense scrutiny.
When news broke that she lost the STAR Jewelry endorsement from KM Group, the media andizens were quick to react.
Netizens mocked her online. “Just two days ago, she boasted about securing the endorsement, and now it’s just a dream.”
“Catherine, the rich heiress, right? Maybe her parents can fix this. Hahaha!”
“Here’s a funny story. Catherine imed she secured the endorsement of the upscale jewelry brand STAR.”
“How can Catherine be so shameless? Going so far as pretending to be STAR’s spokesperson?
Reading thesements, Catherine furiously smashed her phone.
Her agent let out a resigned sigh, instructed Catherine’s assistant to get a new phone, and tried to console her. Ignore thements. The inte’s memory is short. They’ll move on.”
“Why don’t we suppress thesements?“Catherine asked, frustrated.
it
The agent, weary, responded, “We did hire people <b>to </b>sway public opinion, bur 2006
Catherine, seething and far from her publicposure, shouted frantically, “It’s all Renee’s fault! She’s why I lost the endorsement and became aughingstock. I’ll make sure Renee pays for this.”
Renee had a remarkably sessful day at work.
As a rising talent in the supermodel world, the promotion ambassador had not yet reached the pinnacle of fame like some domestic superstars. However, her presence in front of the camera and her natural charisma were undeniable. Her physique was close <b>to </b>perfection, stunningly beautiful.
The scheduled photo shoot, expected tost five hours, waspleted in a mere three and <b>a </b>half.
The model’s agent, impressed with Renee’s work, asked, “Miss Hudson, would you like to join us for dinner tonight?” This invitation was a gesture of appreciation for Renee’s talent.
Renee knew that dinner could lead to a friendship, which would be beneficial for future coborations.
Regrettably, she had other ns. “I’m sorry, I’m already engaged this evening,” <b>she </b>responded, recalling her arrangement with Marcelo. “However<b>, </b>we can share W******p contacts for futuremunication<b>.</b>”
The agent agreed with enthusiasm.
While they were exchanging contact details, Renee’s phone rang.
“Renee, I advise you to step down from your role as stylist for the KM Group project.” Catherine’s voice came threateningly through the phone. “If not, you’ll regret it.”
“Catherine, you want to cause trouble again, huh?” Renee couldn’t help but smile with disdain. “Come on, the influence of the Hudson family pales inparison to the KM Group. It’s time you realized that.”
Was Renee attempting to leverage her status as a Hudson to intimidate her again?
Impossible!
“You’ve been warned. You’ll soon be sorry,” Catherine snapped before hanging up.
Renee, slightly baffled by the call, chose to disregard Catherine’s words and focused onpleting her work But half an hourter, her phone rang again.
“Hello, is this Renee Hudson? This is Southern Nursing Home calling as you’re the only one whoes to see Naomi Madrigal.”The voice was that of a worried staff member from the nursing home. “Miss Hudson, she left the nursing home unexpectedly <b>half </b>an hour ago, and we’ve lost track of her.”
“What… What did you say?“Renee’s face turned pale.
The rain was relentless outside, and the nursing home staff’s voice was fraught with worry. “It’s <b>a </b>downpour out here, and we’re really concerned about her safety! She just left all of a sudden…”
Renee couldn’t process the rest of the conversation.
Her focus shifted entirely from her work. Pulling back the beavy curtains of the photo shoot studio, she peered out. Boom!
The thunder pped loudly, apanying the rain that now cascaded down the windows, the droplets asrge as beads, streaming down the ss.
A chill ran through Renee, as if doused in icy <b>water</b>.
“Miss Hudson!”
She heard someone call out as she dashed into the rain, but she didn’t stop.
With no taxis in sight on the drenched streets, Renee couldn’t <b>wait</b>. She ran through the downpour, her mind solely on reaching the nursing home.
Why would Nana leave during such a torrential rainstorm?
“Renee!”
A Ferrari pulled up beside her. The window lowered to reveal a young man’s <b>face</b>.
Andrew looked at her with concern. “What are you doing out in this rain? You headed somewhere? I can give you a ride.”
Renee hesitated, her distrust of Andrew apparent, but a sense of urgency lingered in her eyes.
“Come on, I’ll drive you if it’s urgent, “Andrew offered, more amiable than usual. “It’s your choice.”
After a brief pause, Renee got into the car.
“To the Southern Nursing Home, please. Fast!”
The Ferrari sped off, sending sprays of water on either side,
“I didn’t expect to see <b>you </b>here,” Andrew remarked, ncing at Renee with a smile. “I thought the proud Renee wouldn’t ept a ride from me.”
But in a situation like this, her pride was secondary to her Nana’s safety.
Renee remained silent, looking out the window, her lips pressed tightly together. She didn’t want to engage in any conversation with Andrew, fearing her words might inadvertently provoke him, which wouldn’t help her current <b>predicament</b>.
Meanwhile, at the KM Group building, Lake nudged Marcelo with a reminder. “Mr. King, the banquet is about to
begin. It’s time to go.”
Marcelo, still in the same clothes, asked, “Is Rence done with her work?”
Luke realized Marcelo was waiting for his wife.
He should have said it sooner!
Luke quickly reached out to his team, but his expression soon turned awkward and uneasy.
Marcelo, growing impatient, pressed him. “Just tell <i>me</i>,”
Luke hesitated, then spoke, “They… They said…”
“What’s the matter? Spit it out.”
“They reported that Mrs. King left half an hour ago in in Andrew’s car.”
A cold aura enveloped the room, making Luke shiver as if winter had arrived.
He didn’t need to look up <b>to </b>sense Marcelo’s displeasure.
The heavy <b>rain </b>and treacherous roads dyed Renee’s journey to the Southern Nursing Home. Upon arrival, she found the nursing home’s manager in his office. When he called her earlier, his voice filled with anxiety, yet he hadn’t dispatched anyone to search for Nana.
“Miss Hudson, the rain is too heavy. We have to consider our staff’s safety. We’ll wait for the storm to pass,” he said.
Renee was livid but knew this wasn’t the time for confrontation.
If they wouldn’t search for Nana, she would,
Soaked from the downpour, Renee felt a sense of déjà vu, reminiscent of her wedding night, equally desperate and suffocating.
Ass
she searched, she stopped suddenly, her eyes fixed on a figure down the slope.
“Nana!”
Therey Naomi, drenched and motionless. A stream of blood flowed from her head<b>, </b>stark against the rain–<b>soaked </b>ground, shocking <b>Renee </b>into stillness.
At the hospital.
“The external injuries <b>are </b>not critical, but the real concern is the internal bleeding in her brain. The surgery isplex, and given her <b>age</b>, it’s beyond our capabilities. I suggest reaching out to Professor Wells. Ideally, the operation should happen within the next 72 hours.” The doctor handed Renee a business card, his tone somber.
Renee looked at Naomi in the ICU, feeling a wave of helplessness and dizziness.
Andrew, overhearing the conversation, saw an opportunity
T?D BUNUS
“Unfortunately, Professor Wells was diagnosed with stomach cancer earlier this year and is currently receiving treatment abroad. He can’t return now,” he interjected.
Renee turned to him, puzzled. “How do you know that?”
“One of my cousins is his protégé,” Andrew replied, his gaze intense. “Renee, my cousin could save your grandmother. But her fate now depends on you.”
Renee didn’t see the need about correcting him on Nana being her grandmother because to her, Nana had always been her everything.
Renee, sensing an ulterior motive, asked hesitantly, “<b>What </b>are you suggesting?”
“There’s value in the unattainable, Renee,” Andrew said, reaching for her hand. “Trade a night with me for your grandmother’s life. It’s a fair deal. After all, given your history, like drugging Catherine, you’re not exactly innocent.”
Andrew had always been captivated by Renee, the one who eluded him.
The idea of a no–strings–attached encounter was tantalizing
Only someone <b>devoid </b>of morals could propose such a thing so bluntly.
Renee tried to pull her hand away, but Andrew held it tightly.
She didn’t bother to correct his misconceptions about the drugging incident. Keeping herposure, she coldly reminded him, “Drew<b>, </b><b>she’s </b>an old housekeeper who used to work for the Hudson’s.She has no one except for me. You shouldn’t make such vile request on her behalf.Have <b>some </b>conscience<b>, </b>will you?”
“You have no idea how much I want you, Renee.I need to have a taste of you and I must have you.I don’t care if you, think it’s vile or not.“Andrew scoffed, as if he’d heard a ridiculous joke. “Renee, do you know why your grandmother suddenly left the nursing home in the first ce?”