Chapter 48 No match for her
“Does Andrew’s predicament please you?” he asked, assuring she’d be upset.
Renee’s eyes spakled with delight.
Seeing her ex–fiancé in distress brought her undeniable joy
The final item was unveiled, a set of diamond bracelets.
The allure was immediate, eclipsing the previous items in desirability.
Wealthy bidders prepared to vie for it, possibly as avish L
Marcelo, without hesitation, raised his paddle. “Two billion.
His bid cast a hush over the crowd.
“What the fuck? Two billion right off the bat? Did he even leave room for others to bid?” Someone whispered, Who is that man? The one next to Renee!”
“I don’t have a clue! But such extravagance… he’s richer than Andrew!”
“That’s Marcelo King, isn’t it?”
“Impossible! Marcelo isn’t favored in the King family <b>and </b>doesn’t have that much money. Plus, Andrew didn’t even greet him when he got here.That man can not be the same Marcelo that is supposedly an outcast in the King <b>family</b><b>.</b>”
As the auction wrapped up, the winning bidders were directed to the conference room toplete payment and sign ownership transfer documents.
Andrewmented sarcastically, “One billion for a winery<b>, </b>Cousin, you certainly know how to spend money.”
He discreetly kept his voice low as he referred to Marcelo as “Cousin,” ensuring he wouldn’t be overheard.
Before Marcelo had a chance to reply, Renee interjected with a smile, “Not quite as extravagant as your girlfriend<b>, </b>though.”
She then turned her attention to Catherine<b>, </b>adding, “Miss Hudson, it seems you went <b>over </b>your budget by an extra 100 million today, just in an attempt topete with me, right?”
Catherine, defensive, shot back, “I wasn’tpeting with you. You were the one trying topete with me!”
Andrew’s heart sank hearing this.
He knew Catherine had overspent, but the reality of an additional hundred million stung.
That <b>was </b>one hundred million, not ten million<b>! </b>
Renee simply smiled, offering no furtherment.
When the time came to sign for the diamond bracelet set, Marcelo extended the pen to Renee.
Renee looked puzzled at the gesture. Marcelo exined, “s a gift for you.”
“I don’t need it.““She declined promptly.
Her mindset was clear: if there was something she truly desired, she would purchase it herself.
Marcelo seemed indifferent to her <b>refusal</b>.
He had participated in the auction to purchase her a gift, unaffected by whether or not she needed it.
The staff exchanged surprised nces, taken aback by Renee’s rejection of such avish gift. Marcelo coolly instructed Bruce, “Dispose of it then ”
“Hey!” Renee, believing Marcelo might actually do it, hastily suggested, “Give it to someone else.”
Catherine, observing the exchange, scoffed, “Hypocritical bitch!”
Andrew, watching silently, understood Renee’s sincerity. During their engagement, Renee never sought gifts and always reciprocated when she did receive them. Her refusal how wasn’t an act of pretense but a genuineck of desire for the item.
Andrew, who had once considered Renee’s simplicity and directness naive and tactless, now felt a touch of nostalgia for those traits.
Not wanting to engage with Catherine, Renee ignored her. She was worried Marcelo might actually discard the bracelet set.
Eventually, she decided to keep it, reasoning it could be stored at his house, which <b>was </b>also owned by Marcelo, and then she signed the necessary documents.
A staff member approached with a concerning update for Andrew. “Apologies, Mr. King, but your ount bnce is insufficient for the Koenigsegg bid. Would you prefer to use a check or another bank card?”
“What?” Andrew, startled and embarrassed, struggled to process the information.
It <b>hinted </b>at a pretense of wealth <b>he </b>couldn’t maintain.
The staff member exined<b>, </b>“Mr. King, your current bnce is 1.93 billion dors. Miss Hudson purchases. amount to <b>202 </b>million. The Koenigsegg bid is 1.9 billion, exceeding your total funds, and this is before taxes.”
Catherine, misunderstanding the gravity of the situation, dismissively interjected, “Just 2 billion. Don’t underestimate Mr. King.”
Andrew found himself unwilling to engage in conversation with Catherine, frustrated by her naive perspective.
Just 2 billion?
To maintain appearances, he had allocated nearly all his liquid assets for the auction. Now<b>, </b>with less than 100 million remaining, he found himself in a financial bind.
If Catherine hadn’t overbid, Andrew might have managed to cover the expense.
But with the current situation…
Renee, seizing the moment, addressed Andrew. “No need to <b>panic</b>, Mr. King. The penalty for withdrawing only 40%. If the 1.9 billion is too steep, the 500 million penalty should be more manageable for you.”
But the stark difference was clear: while 1.9 billion would secure a prized sports car, 500 million would simply vanish as a penalty, a bitter oue indeed.
is
“Renee what nonsense are you talking about?”
Catherine’s retort was cut short as she noticed Andrew’s paleplexion, her voice softening with concern. Drew, are you okay?”
2.5
“Shut the fuck up!” Andrew hissed, seething with frustration and embarrassment. Catherine was <b>the </b>reason why he was making a fool of himself!
Catherine recoiled, feeling as though she had been metaphorically pped.
Andrew’s harsh scolding in public<b>, </b>coupled with his apparent financial predicament, left her humiliated. Spection and murmurs spread among the onlookers. “Does Mr. King really not have the funds?” someone whispered.
“Hard to say. 1.9 billion is no small sum,” another replied, fueling the gossip. “We’ll see who’s truly wealthy when it’s time to settle the bill.”
Andrew, desperate to deflect, targeted Renee. “You should be more concerned about your ownpanion,” he scoffed, doubting Marcelo’s financial capacity, especially after his more extravagant spending.
But the staff promptly rified, “That gentleman has alreadypleted his payment.”
Marcelo’s swift settlement of the bill silenced any doubts about his means.
Andrew, pointing usingly at Marcelo, was incredulous. How…How is this possible…”
<b>“</b><b>Mr. </b>King, you’re being impolite, “Renee intervened smoothly.
Renee’s remark subtly highlighted Andrew’sck of manners.
Andrew, realizing his impoliteness, <b>quickly </b>retracted his hand<b>. </b>Hisplexion alternated between pale and flushed, his gaze still intensely focused on Marcelo.
He was baffled. Where did Marcelo get that much money?
Throughout the auction, Marcelo had done little else but bid on various items, seemingly relishing the process. His carefree spending had brought a sense of satisfaction to him.
Renee, too, <b>had </b>yed her part well, much to Marcelo’s amusement.
The auction house had arranged for the delivery of the items to Marcelo’s house through their security service, sparing the bidders the hassle of transporting their purchases.
After the auction, Renee walked with Marcelo towards the parking lot but stopped short of getting into the car.
“I need to talk to Catherine,” Renee informed Marcelo, hinting that he should leave first.
When Marcelo remained silent, she quickly added, “Don’t worry, I have no interest in your cousin who couldn’t manage the 2 billion. It’s just about Catherine.”
Marcelo gestured to Luke to close the car door, indicating he wouldn’t wait for Renee.
In the car, Luke, pazzled<b>, </b>asked, “Mr. King, where to next?
“Circle back in five minutes, “Marcelo instructed.
Luke was baffled by Marcelo’s request. <i>What </i>
the hell?
Why would Marcelo pretend not to care just now? Yet, now he requested him to drive the car back to the auction house five minutester.
Ultimately, Andrew faced a hefty half–billion penalty for his inability to fulfill his bid.
Andrew and Catherine exited the auction house, both visibly upset.
Andrew was frustrated for spending so much yet losing face, while Cathrine felt overshadowed by Renee again, Upon reaching the parking lot, Cathrine noticed Renee standing there, waiting. When their eyes met, Renee maintained her gaze, not looking away.
It was clear that Renee had been waiting specifically for Catherine.
“Are you going to apologize to me?” Cathrine asked with a haughty tilt of her chin. “I won’t forgive you! I’ll even tell my parents what a heartless woman you are!”
Renee, unflinching, retorted, “Are you out of your mind or are you having a daydream?”
Why would she apologize to her when Catherine was the one who was the cause of all the trouble? Trying to be patient, Renee said, “I’m here to advise you. <b>Visit </b>Nana in the hospital and apologize if you want to maintain your good image.”
In their social circle, maintaining a good image was crucial for Catherine’s prospects.
Catherine dismissed the advice with a scoff. She crossed her arms in a disy of arrogance. She taunted in a defiant tone, “I won’t visit that old woman. What can you do about it, huh? You are in no position give orders…”
Her words halted abruptly as she was thrust against the hood of a sports car by Renee. The impact was painful, immobilizing her.
Renee, towering over Catherine with a chilling presence, gazed down sternly.
Her voice icy and authoritative, Reneemanded, “You should address her fondly as Nana, you fucking bitch.”
“Renee, release me! You bastard! Ouch! You’re hurting me! Catherine protested, struggling fruitlessly against the
<b>Renee </b>tightened her hold, her tone calm yet firm. “Say “Nana“. Say it aloud! Repeat it until you get it right.”
Catherine felt belittled under Renee’s scornful look. She saw Renee as a cruel beauty.
Frightened, Catherineplied, “Na…Nana!”
“Remember, show her respect!” Renee tilted her head slightly, narrowing the distance between them. Her voice was soft yetced with a threatening undertone. “Listen, Catherine, there’s something you need to understand.Your parents took me in as a baby.It was their decision so stop hating me for it. However, please remember that I am not the one at fault in <b>this </b>incident. Treating you with respect is a choice I make. If you exploit <b>that</b>, it’s on you. Like in this situation, if I choose to assert myself, you have no choice but to ept it. Let’s keep Nana out of our disputes, alright?”
Renee, known for her supposed gentleness<b>, </b>revealed a fierce side.
Clearly, she was so violent!
Had everyone been mistaken about her?
Catherine, grudgingly acknowledging her <b>fear</b>, nodded. “I understand.<b>” </b>
“I hope you truly understand. And if Narra suffers because of you again, you’ll regret it.”
“Never again, “Catherine stammered, her legs shaking.
Renee let her go but not before one final shove against the car for emphasis.
Catherine yelped in pain.
Andrew, witnessing the scene, was utterly astounded.
He had never witnessed this formidable aspect of Renee, surpassing even the incident when she had pped him.
In his view, Renee was the epitome of elegance and gentleness, an archetype of a dignifieddy, albeit somewhat unexciting.
It was only now that Andrew realized he had barely scratched the surface of understanding Renee. “Andrew….” Catherine gazed at Andrew with a look of despair.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Andrew rushed to Catherine’s aid “Renee, this is too much!”
“Oh? Mr. King, nning to defend your girlfriend? Ready for a fight?“Renier tilted her head slightly, challenging him with her stare.
Her expression boldly said, “Fine, go ahead!”
She knew he was likely no match for her<b>. </b>
“I don’t engage in fights with women!” Andrew tried to calm his racing heart. Strangely, he found Ellie captivating at that moment.
As Renee turned to leave, she caught sight of Marcelo’s Bentley, which had silently returned and was now parked a short distance <b>away</b>.
The window lowered, revealing Marcelo’s striking features, his eyes gleaming with amusement as he observed
her.