Chapter 42 Urgent date
RENEE
I frowned, “What are you talking about?<b>” </b>
“Of course I already know that you aren’t rted to Naomi and I also know you take her as your Grandmother.Catherine told her that you tied the knot with Marcelo because of her. After getting married, you became Marcelo’s ve, aughingstock in the social circul Naomi, all anxious, rushed to see you.”
Andrew’s words slithered in, injecting venom <b>into </b>my heart and squeezing the air out of me.
“Renee,the truth is, you hurt Naomi!!
Andrew had sought me out for this very reason, he knew what had happened from the start. It was no coincidence that he came driving around KM Group knowing I woulde running out and that I would need a ride.
Otherwise, how could there have been such a coincidental encounter where I happened to bump into him?
My lips quivered as I asked, “How… How could Catherine stoop so low?”
Naomi didn’t deserve this!Naomi had also taken good care of Catherine.
Even if their ties weren’t tight, Catherine shouldn’t have been so cruel to an elderly woman.
In a sudden epiphany, I recalled Catherine’s phone call.
Catherine hoped that I would regret what I had done.
Little did I expect that she would harm an elderly <b>woman</b>.
“Renee<b>, </b>we both <b>know </b>why you married Marcelo,” Andrew continued, reveling in my disarray. “You werepelled to marry that loser to square off the Hudson family’s debt.”
I stared up at him<b>,</b>angrily.
“True, I <b>was </bpelled, “I retorted<b>, </b>finding the situation absurd. “And where were you when I was being pushed into wedlock by the Hudson family? Busy bedding another woman!”
Forced or not, Marcelo was a far better choice than this scoundrel.
*MARCELO*
A few meters <b>away</b>, at the corner.
I observed Renee with my cousin, <b>or </b>rather, with her ex–fiancé, holding hands!
What the hell!
So, Renee wasn’t just pressured into marrying me,she also had her heart broken by Andrew’s infidelity.
Renee married me out of necessity, not deserving to be treated like this.
1 turned around and left.
Luke was waiting for me by the car.
Seeing me descending, Luke rushed over. “Mr. King, it’s only been ten minutes. Why the hasty exit? Where is Mrs King?”
Luke nced over my shoulder as he spoke, but he obviously didn’t see Rence. Shut up! Don’t talk about her to me! “I snapped as I got into my Maybach.
Luke felt that there was a problem with the atmosphere and refrained from saying anything further
Upon <b>hearing </b>about Renee’s hospital visit, Marcelo swiftly left the party and hurried over, even though he was already near <b>the </b>banquet hall gate.
This was the first time Luke saw him ditching an engagement <i>for </i>
a womanst minute.
As a result, Marcelo took a trip to the in–patient department, and now he was all fired up.
Luke couldn’t put his finger on what set Marcelo off, but he sensed it had something to do with Renee.
When Marcelo’s temper red, he wore this stone–cold expression, the quiet before the storm. Yet, as Luke edged closer, he could feel the stifling gloom surrounding Marcelo.
“Renee, I’ve told you Marcelo’s a no–go. You can only count on me,” Andrew proimed, tilting his head and expecting Renee to cave in.
“Let me be!“!
With her icy, razor–sharp gaze, Renee untangled Andrew’s fingers, one by one.
“Don’t you want to save Naomi?” Andrew gawked at Rence in disbelief.
Saving Naomi was undoubtedly on Renee’s agenda, but that didn’t mean she’d be at Andrew’s beck and call.
“You want to share a bed with me?“Renee suddenly chuckled, saying, “Head to the riverbank bushes at night and check if the toads there resemble you.”
“Renee, you’re asking for trouble.Come to me while I’m asking nicely!”
Andrew couldn’t believe that Renee had the audacity topare him to a toad.
He snarled, “Alright, be stubborn. Just wait for your grandma’s final curtain call!”
After Andrew stormed off, Renee promptly called Ro.
For the moment, Renee kept Catherine out of the loop. Instead, she briefed Ro directly on Naomi’s situation, hoping Ro <b>could </b>talk some sense into Andrew.
But <b>Ro’s </b>response was curt. “Life and death follow their own script. That woman is too fucking old. Who operates on her doesn’t matter. Besides, surgery might not be <b>a </b>silver bullet. No need to waste money on
Renee got it.
For Ro, this wasn’t a sweet deal. He was not yet Andrew’s father–in–<bw</b>. If he pulled a favor card now, it wouldn’t bode well for future favor negotiations with Andrew.
That was Ro, a man driven by profit.
Renee stayed up outside the ward all night. The air dried her <b>rain</b>–soaked clothes and hair, leaving her looking a tad disheveled.
She didn’t want to bow to that scoundrel Andrew, but she couldn’t stand by and watch Naomi fade
away.
The next day, the attending doctor approached Renee with two business cards. “<b>Miss</b><b>, </b>aside from Professor Wells, you have two other options, Adrian King and Wyatt Moore. Both are Professor Wells prized pupils, but Wyatt booked for surgery unill next year. Getting an appointinent with him is a tall order.
Renee squeezed her eyes shut, a headache looming
These options weren’t anything close to what she wanted.
Adrian was Andrew’s cousin, fully under Andrew’s thunb.
Wyatt, on the other hand, was Damian’s big brother and the heir to the Moore’s family.
Andrew must have tipped off Adrian. If Andrew wasn’t on board, Adrian wouldn’t lift a finger for Naomi. As for Wyatt, he was a top–notch brain surgeon.
Renee trusted Wyatt’s medical skills more.
But…
Renee and Wyatt weren’t exactly bosom buddies. What was worse, she had been locking horns with Damian and shed with him during theirst encounter. The source of theirst tiff? A dice fiasco.
Now, the only glimmer of hopey in Marcelo. Only he could pull it.
Without wasting a heartbeat, Renee wanted to call Marcelo, it struck her then that she hadn’t saved his number.
Luckily, she had Luke’s number.
“Mrs. King “The call was quickly connected.
“Is Marcelo around? I have something pressing to talk about with him. Is he avable?” Renee asked,urgently.
Luke shot a quick nce at the lone drinker on the sofa not too far off.
It seemed Marcelo wasn’t too keen on a chat.
After a moment’s pause, Luke said, “Hold on a second.”
He covered the receiver, sauntered over, and murmured, “Mr. King, Mrs. King wants a word with you.”
“Tell her to fuck off!” Marcelo’s smirked, downing a ss of whisky.
Could she hunt him down whenever she <b>pleased</b><b>? </b>
Marcelo smacked his lips, recalling Renee holding Andrews hand the previous night.
Luke had little choice but to convey the message. “Mrs. King, Mr. King is tied up right now.” The reason for Luke keeping Rence on hold earlier was pretty clear–Marcelo had turned her down.
Renee’s rapport with Marcelo had been on the mend a few days ago, but now, the tables had turned. She was left wondering what she had done to ruffle Marcelo’s feathers.
They had been getting along well.
Then it hit her–she stood Marcelo up on their styling appointment from the day before. Unbelievably, it seemed he <b>was </b>holding a grudge about it!
“Could you tell me where Marcelo is? I can wait if he’s upied,” Renee pleaded.
Nana’s situation was urgent.
Luke hesitated, then after a brief pause, gave an address. “Dove Ind.”
Dove Ind, an artificial construct set amidst ake in Critport, was known for itsvish expenses. It boasted facilities for horse racing, golf, spas, racing, discos, and more.
The ind’s most notorious feature <b>was </b>its extravagant club, surpassing, even Venue Bar in opulence and decadence.
Guided by Luke’s directions, Renee located the VIP room.
As she entered, the wild party scene overwhelmed her. The room was crowded with men and women, including Jason who had juste back from his business trip and Damian, reminding her of thevish party at Venus Bar. The difference was, on that night, Marcelo was beside her, without any other women.
Renee had once believed the rumors of Marcelo’s aloof nature.
But now, he was nked by two women, one elegant and refined, the other alluring and sensual, both from high- ranking families.
One was pouring him a drink; the other whispered in his ear. Upon Renee’s arrival, everyone turned in surprise.
“So, it’s Miss Hudson who intrudes without a clue,” the refined woman remarked with a tone of derision
Renee ignored the sarcasm, focusing on Marcelo. “I need to speak with you. Are you avable?”
Her breathlessness indicated she had rushed here.
Murmurs spread through the crowd, with someone whispering, “<b>Looks </b>like Renee really set her sights on Mr. King.”
Marcelo responded with a mocking–smile.
The elegant woman taunted, “Miss Hudson<b>, </b>aren’t you observant? Can’t you see Mr. King is upied?”
Suddenly recalling something, the woman’s curiosity piqued. “Wait, weren’t you once engaged to Andrew? And now you’re approaching Mr. King…Goodness!”
Before she could say more,Marcelo abruptly picked up a crystal ss from the table and smashed it near her feet, startling everyone.
“Fuck off!” he spat disdainfully.
What a sharp–tongued bitch!
The <b>woman</b>, shaken, quickly stepped back, confused about how she had provoked Marcelo.
Among the <b>crowd</b>, only Jason and Luke knew the full story: Renee was not just Andrew’s ex–fiancée, but also Marcelo’s current wife.
The <b>woman’s </bments were perilously close to crossing a line.
“Mr. King, if you’re busy, I can wait outside. I’ll stay as long as necessary.” Renee maintained herposure, ignoring the cutting remarks.
This was a rare instance of humility from her, unseen in the past two decades.
The room fell into an uneasy silence. Everyone’s eyes were on Marcelo, his expression dark and unreadable. Renee’s audacity in confronting Marcelo was unusual.
Anyone who knew him understood his temper was not to be tested lightly.
“Just enjoy our fun,” Marcelo ordered coldly.
The others exchanged nces, quickly acting as If Renee hadn’t appeared. Some deftly shifted the conversation, and the lively atmosphere soon resumed.
Jason, not deeply involved in their social circle, quietly asked Damian, “Does Alyssa have a history with Marcelo’s… uh, Renee?”
Damian nodded. “Back in school, people often said Alyssa <b>was </b>just a poor copy of Renee. Imagine the resentment.” Alyssa Ramsey was the dignifieddy in question.
Jason, sensing something more, looked at Damian quizzically. “Damian, why do I get the feeling you’re quite familiar with Rence?”
Damian, momentarily thrown off by Jason’s inquisitive look, regained hisposure. “We’ve always been at odds since high school. It is said that knowing your enemy well ensures victory. So, naturally, I’m familiar with her.”
Jason simply replied with a “Yeah,” not pressing further. He then leaned towards Marcelo, whispering, wife’s outside waiting.” He subtly nodded towards the door!
“four
Marcelo, after finishing his whiskey, looked up and noticed Renee’s silhouette standing outside.
Her figure was slender <b>and </b>poised, radiating <b>a </b>dignified air even from a distance.
Yet, here she was, seeking assistance.
Around the room, the party continued superficially, but many couldn’t help stealing nces outside, particrly the men, their gazes almost lingering.
Minutester, to everyone’s surprise, Marcelo’s wheelchair headed towards the exit.
“Mr. King?” someone called, but Marcelo didn’t respond.
His wheelchair continued outside, and Renee caught up, asking, “Marcelo, where are you going?”
He moved through a private hallway, heading up to the third floor, away from the disco’s pounding music and lively atmosphere.
The third floor was serene, with only the soft sound of footsteps on the carpet.
Reaching a room, Marcelo appeared impatient with Renee’s pace. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her inst
Renee stumbled and fell onto the carpet.
The door mmed <b>shut </b>with a resounding bang.
“Marcelo, <b>you</b>…<b>” </b>
Renee began, but before she could finish; Marcelo, no longer in his wheelchair, grasped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.
A wave of frustration washed over her, yet she remembered her purpose for being there.
Renee inhaled deeply, striving to remainposed. “Marce not showing up. There’s a significant reason I needed to see
“Urgent issue?” Marcelo cut her off.
His smile was tinged with mockery. “Urgent date with Andr
Renee inhaled deeply, striving to remainposed. “Marcelo, I had an urgent issuest night, and I’m sorry for
not showing up. There’s a significant reason I needed to see Wyatt, and I…”
“Urgent issue?” Marcelo cut her off.
His smile was tinged with mockery. “Urgent date with Anderw?”