Chapter 47 Defensive
*RENEE*
Upon hearing words, I paused, momentarily taken aback. Then, it dawned on me that he was referring to me nearly losing my temper in front of Catherine just now.
I haven’t yet decided how to respond.
In that earlier encounter, whatever I might have said would have been to my disadvantage. The focus had shifted to me, an outsider, used of usurping Catherine’s life.
Catherine, as the legitimate Hudson heiress, naturally held the upper hand.
Marcelo stepping in had been a reprieve for me.
And now he wanted me to teach Catherine a lesson.
I smiled. He was on my side.
It was quite touching because I’ve never really had anyone on my side before.
I looked at him and murmured quietly, “Thank you.”
I was also grateful he hadn’t publicly embarrassed me that night at Dove Ind club before so many eyes.
It was surprising that he actually had some good in him.
*MARCELO
I merely snorted in response.
Thanking me?
Her gratitude seemed like an afterthought to me.
I often thought of Renee as a proud, slightly spoiled kitten.
I felt an urge to tousle her hair but restrained himself.
So I just stared at her,<b>stared </b>at the woman who keeps captivating me senselessly.
Andrew, sitting three seats away, watched Renee and Marcelo’s disy of closeness with a growing annoyance.
They were just a table away from them.He had purposely sat closely to Renee and Marcelo against Catherine’s wishes so he could gaze at Renée.
He felt like looking for trouble.
“Renee, this auction is quite upscale. If money’s <b>tight</b>, I <b>could </b>lend you some, for Catherine’s sake,” he offered, his toneced with mockery and self–righteousness.
Hisment was a double–edged sword: belittling Renee and Marcelo’s financial situation while positioning himself as Catherine’s considerate boyfriend.
He purposefully omitted mentioning Marcelo, knowing that Marcelo’s legitimate lineage as a King family member could overshadow him.
Catherine, irked by Andrew’s direct engagement with Rene, felt a twisted sense of satisfaction from his words.
She gave Renee a provocative look, then told Andrew, “If she can’t afford it, she shouldn’t be here. Lending her money would only make things worse for her.”
“Lend me money?” Reneeughed, taking the crowd by surprise. “I almost thought he was generously offering
me money.”
“Oh burn!” Laughter erupted from someone nearby.
Indeed, Andrew’s manner had implled generosity rather than a loan.
“Expecting someone with a partner to foot your bill, Renee” Catherine snapped back.
Then, Renee felt something being pressed into her hand, It was an auction paddle.
Without acknowledging Catherine and Andrew, she tried to hand it back to <b>Marcelo</b>. “I don’t have the means for this.”
Marcelo arched an eyebrow. “Would 1 let my wife pay for herself?”
His use of “wife” left Renee momentarily speechless.
What was he thinking?
Ignoring the term, she asked, “You’re giving me the paddle. Does this mean I can spend as I wish?”
Marcelo responded calmly, “Go ahead.”
Money was the least of his concerns.
Renee toyed with the paddle, a mischievous glint in her eye, as if plotting a minor scheme.
“Mr. King, I’m quite skilled at spending. Are you sure<b>?</b>”
Marcelo’sugh carried a challenge, as if daring her to prove it.
“Trust me,<b>Renee</b>. You can’t spend as much as I’ve earned.And even if you do spend everything which is highly impossible, it’ll be worth it.”
Renee blushed.
Why was he being so sweet?
Andrew, unable to hear their exchange, could only watch as Renee and Marcelo shared a close, seemingly intimate
conversation.
His previous taunt now seemed self–mocking
“Drew?” Catherine’s voice,ced with suspicion, broke his trance.
Her insecurities about Andrew’s past with Renee,bined with Renee’s allure, always lingered.
Especially as he still saw her as Renee in his bed.
Andrew turned his attention Catherine, reassuringly squeezing her hand. “Bid on whatever you like, <b>babe</b>. It’s on
<b>me</b>.”
Andrew’s assurance was met with a delighted kiss from Catherine.“You’re the best, Drew! I love you!”
Andrew vividly recalled that despite Marcelo’s significant shareholding in the King Group, this year’s dividends
hadn’t been distributed yet. He surmised that Marcelo,cing a dominant role in the family, might not have the means topete in such a high–end auction, where starting bids were in the millions.
His n was to prove to Renee that her admired man couldn’t afford such luxuries, making her witness Catherine, who he supported, indulging in extravagant purchases.
He intended to expose <b>Marcelo </b>as ineffectual. He solely bellived that Marcelo only source of ie was from the King family business.
Nearby attendees sensed the tension between these four but were unclear about the identity of the man in the wheelchair. They refrained from intervening.
As the auction began, Rence found little interest in the antique calligraphy and paintings
However, the <b>arrival </b>of a rare, limited edition leather bag stirred excitement among the women present.
Catherine, bidding aggressively, drove the price of a bag, initially worth less than ten million, up to thirty million.
“The bid stands at thirty million fordy number seven,” the auctioneer announced, referring to Catherine.
At this moment, Renee, who had been observing quietly, raised her paddle, each lift typically indicating a two- million increment.
Catherine, visibly annoyed, countered with a higher bid.
Renee immediately raised her paddle.
In mere seconds, the bid <b>escted </b>from thirty to forty million.
Catherine, visibly irritated, half–threatened Renee. “Do you actually have the funds, Renee? Don’t let your jealousy get the better of you.”
Renee, unfazed, countered, “Running low on funds, Miss Hudson?” Her words carried a taunting edge.
Andrew, with an arm around Catherine’s waist and <b>a </b>slight filt of his chin, addressed Renee confidently, “I’ll cover the cost. I can afford anything my woman wants.”
His intention was to disy to Renee thevish lifestyle Catherine enjoyed with him, where she could have anything she desired.
Their disy sparkedments from other affluent young men in the room.
“Andrew’s showing off his wealth again. Go ahead, Miss Hudson, bid away!”
“Ssshh! Not so loud! Imagine how Renee must feel hearing this.”
“She must be devastated! Haha<b>.</b>”
Their words, tinged with irony, didn’t deter Renee, who continued bidding.
The auction attendees were drawn to the spectacle unfolding, between Catherine and Renee,known to many as t legitimate and disputed heiresses of the Hudson family.
After several bids, Catherine’s initial thirty–million offer escted to fifty–six million, at which point Renee ceased bidding
“Lady number seven wins this rare Hermès bag for fifty–six million,” the auctioneer dered,
to waste
Catherine, basking in her victory, couldn’t resist a jab at Rejjee. “Good thing you stopped, Renee. No need to everyone’s time<b>.</b>”
Renee remained unfazed, her attention turning to the next them being presented. A subtle smile yed on her lips, her profile radiating elegance under the warm lighting
Marcelo, observing her, was surprised by her sudden halt in bidding.
“Why did you stop bidding?” he asked. It was Renee’s first time engaging in the auction since their arrival. He hadn’t anticipated her active participation, only for her to suddenly withdraw.
Renee, eyeing the next item nonchntly, replied<b>, </b>“I simply didn’t like it.”
Realizing Rence had no interest in the bag, Marcelo quickly grasped her tactic.
Renee had no real interest in the bag, her bidding was a strategic move.
Her aim was to inte the price,pelling Catherine to overspend.
Throughout the evening, Renee consistently bid on items Catherine showed interest in, forcing her to pay exorbitantly.
Catherine appeared almost foolish, falling for Renee’s strategy.
A sapphire ring, initially valued at four million, escted to twenty–eight million due to Renee’s interference, even though Catherine could have secured it for eighteen million.
Simrly, a gown priced at eight and a half million soared to forty million because of Renee’s bidding.
“Renee, I understand our rivalry, but must wepete here? Just so you know. I won’t let you easily im what’s <b>mine </b>anymore!“Catherine dered, securing a diamond ne for fifty million. Her words were a veiled usation, painting Renee as a usurper of her life and achievements.
Renee remainedposed, her smile widening.
She offered, “Congrattions!” There was no hint of anger in her voice.
Her smile, sly and triumphant, caught Marcelo’s attention for a moment longer than usual.
Renee seemed delighted at making Andrew spend more, a reaction Marcelo found childish.
Despite the circumstances, Marcelo found Renee’s actions surprisingly gratifying
Catherine, basking in her perceived victory, was too ted to observe the subtle displeasure on Andrew’s face.
Andrew,typically liberal with his spending <b>on </b>women, found the night’s expenses far exceeding his expectations.
Concerned about maintaining his image, he found himself unable to intervene or correct Catherine <b>in </b>front of the gathered crowd.
She was going to make him broke tonight.
As the auction neared its conclusion, the final three top–tier items were presented.
The third–tost item was a winery in Texas, an exquisite property valued at two hundred million for its collectible and operational worth.
Andrew, among others, was visibly interested in the winery
However, Marcelo abruptly entered the bidding with an astonishing offer of one billion, swiftly concluding the auction before anyone else could react.
Renee, in disbelief, impulsively clutched Marcelo’s sleeve, despite their recent disagreements. She whispered in
shock, “Marcelo, are you out of your mind? The winery, at its best, is worth half a billion!”
Five hundred million, not another cent more!
Marcelo, noticing Renee’s grip on his sleeve, chose not to ask her to let go. “Mrs. King, consider this as me letting you know that I am a billionaire so spend my money.”
Renee was speechless, her earlier attempts at inting auction prices paling inparison to Marcelo’svish expenditure.
She knew he was wealthy because he owned KM Group but a lot of people didn’t know that and so they often underestimated him.
Now<b>, </b>she could finally see how wealthy he was.
She then noticed Andrew’s frustration.
Renee recalled Andrew’s fondness for collecting red wine. True to her memory, when she nced his way, she observed Andrew clenching his teeth, a clear sign of his unresolved frustration.
Renee shared in Marcelo’s sense of amusement, realizing that the extravagant spending wasn’ting from her pocket. Moreover, seeing Andrew’s difort added to her enjoyment. Why not relish the moment?
Marcelo wanted her to spend his money anyway.
Next up <b>was </b>a limited edition Koenigsegg sports car, with a starting
<i>d </i>of five hundred million.
“One billion!” Andrew immediately doubled the starting price to one billion, evidently eager to secure the car after losing the winery.
Bids escted rapidly, reaching 1.4 billion, with Andrew still leading.
At this point, Marcelo gestured for Renee to join the bidding, nudging her to raise the paddle and escte the price further.
Regardless, the funds weren’t Renee’s concern. She had the liberty to spend as she wished.
Renee casually dered, “Let’s add a hundred million.”
Andrew, gritting his teeth<b>, </b>questioned her, “Are you sure you and your friend have enough money
Renee’s interference irked him deeply<b>. </b>
to o cover that?
“Mr. King, unless you’re God, I’d advise you to focus on your own matters, “Renee retorted, toying with her auction paddle.
The surrounding crowd couldn’t suppress <b>their </b>amusement
…ch
Andrew, struggling to keep hisposure, countered, “Fine, I’ll match that then!”
Renee nced at Marcelo, seeking his cue.
The bidding had spiraled to five times the car’s worth, rendering furtherpetition meaningless.
Marcelo, reclining casually, signaled Renee to proceed.
Renee coolly stated, “We’ll raise by another hundred million.”
The stalemate persisted.
Andrew, consumed by fury, rashly bid, “Two hundred million more!” He couldn’t bear losing this treasured car to Marcelo.
Marcelo’s hand gently met Renee’s, holding the auction paddle.
It <b>was </b>a sign to cease bidding.
This tender act momentarily stiffened Rence. She discreetly withdrew her hand, crossing her arms defensively.
It was a clear sign of difort.
Marcelo’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
The auctioneer, thrilled by the escting bids, announced, “Congrattions to bidder number seven for acquiring the Koenigsegg at 1.9 billion dors!”
His excitement was fueled by his own gain from their extravagant spending.
Andrew <b>wore </b>a smug smile, casting a triumphant nce at <b>Marcelo </b>and Renee.
Yet, Renee caught a fleeting smirk on <b>Marcelo’s </b>lips.
Piecing together Marcelo’s aggressive bidding and sudden withdrawal, she whispered in realization, “Could it be that he doesn’t actually <b>have </b>the funds?”
It was a rhetorical question since she already knew the answer.
“How did you figure that out?” He asked, ncing at her.
“Because of my bidding, Catherine spent two hundred million, and with the car at 1.9 billion, the total exceeds two billion, not even ounting for taxes.Andrew has assets, butcks immediate cash flow.”
Renee reasoned that Andrew couldn’t possibly afford the car.
She noted that Marcelo never wasted efforts. Like with the winery, he would have outbid others decisively if he truly wanted it.
As Renee spoke, her eyes gleamed with the thrill of outsmarting someone and the satisfaction of her own acumen.
Marcelo had <b>the </b>impulse to pinch her cheek.
But he held back, recalling her earlier defensive gesture.