Chapter 51 Such wealth
They all but forgot about the watch.
The moment her fingers brushed Marcelo’s.
skin, Reneerecoiled as if she had received an electric shock
She hesitated to touch him again, especially after sensing is..intensity.
Rence had once explored adult content with <b>Sarah</b>, but theory and practice were worlds apart! “Marcelo, I’m grateful for what you did for Nana, so I’ll honor our agreement. I…”
Her words abruptly stopped as she caught Marcelo’s suddenly cold, emotionless gaze. “Agreement?” The word seemed to grind between his teeth.
Confused by his sudden shift in mood, Rence didn’t understand his displeasure.
“<b>Back </b>at the club on Dove Ind, remember?” she reminded, thinking he had forgotten.
Staring at her, Marcelo’s handsome face turned serious, realizing she was here to fulfill their agreement, not out of desire.
He wanted to continue. After all, Renee was legally his wife.
But… his pride wouldn’t let him.
dhe
Since when did he need a promise to bring a woman to his bed?
Marcelo sat up abruptly, pulling the quilt over Renee and himself.
Renee looked at him, puzzled.
“I’m not desperate for a woman’s touch, “Marcelo said coolly even if he was desperate for hers. “I don’t need someone who’s not willing.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to…“Renee started, but <b>even </b>to her ears, it sounded unconvincing-
Deep down, she knew she was reluctant.
Wouldn’t anyone prefer these moments to be spontaneous <b>and </b>natural<b>? </b>
“I’m sorry,” she said softly, her gaze lowered. “Could…you give me some time? I’m just… not quite ready.”
Marcelo seemed to find her statement amusing. “Mrs. King, you have to go through it to get ustomed ”
The gap in understanding between men and women was evident.
Renee stayed quiet, avoiding Marcelo’s gaze.
His eyes held a frightening chill.
He then scoffed and made his way to the bathroom.
“Wait!” Renee called <b>out</b>, guilt coloring her expression.
She had initiated this, yet he was the one stopping it.
Marcelo looked back, his expression dark.
Renee clung to the quilt, her voice hesitant. “I… I can…help you. I’ve <b>heard</b>… it’s not healthy to suppress these
urges.”
Marcelo’s reaction was visible, a mix of surprise and restraint. He smirked. “Go ahead<b>.</b>”
After some time, as warm water rushed over Renee’s hands she quickly turned the tap to cold water.
The chill helped her disconnect from the intensity of the recent events.
She felt a deep… regret.
The moment she finished her words, she immediately regretted it.
Was she out of her mind? Why did she offer to help him?
It must have been the stress from the Hudson family.
During the encounter, Marcelo teased her, “Mrs. King, is this the best you can do?”
What was wrong with it?
She had never done something like this before.
He could have declined, but he didn’t!
When Marcelo approached the bathroom door, he saw Renee meticulously cleaning her fingers, her face a mask of
Yet, her flushed ears betrayed her emotions.
The memory of her touch lingered in his <b>mind</b>, a stark contrast to his own.
“I’m heading to bed.” After washing, Renee awkwardly held her hands behind her back, then let them fall to her sides, realizing how forced it looked.
“Where to?”
Marcelo’s posture by the door was casual, one leg crossed over the other, effectively barring Renee’s path.
This rxed demeanor was a stark contrast to <b>his </b>usual suited, business–like appearance.
“Back to my room, of course…” Renee began, then paused as she grasped his insinuation. “You mean, I should. stay in your room?”
Marcelo nodded with an air of nonchnce. “Yes, you can.”
Huh? Renee was taken aback.
Before she could process this, he grasped her wrist, guiding her to the bed and tucking her under the quilt.
Her n to leave vanished as Marcelo joined her in bed, his presence enveloping her, leaving her no room to move.
Her mind raced with confusion.
“Marcelo…”
“Shhh.”
His eyes were already closed, signaling his readiness for sleep.
Renee’s thoughts were a whirlwind.
26
She thought that he hated people being in his room.
Now, he seemed to use her as a pillow.
And his earlier ‘you can‘ it sounded… almost as if she had pleaded to stay. Didn’t he realize her question was rhetorical?
“No, Marcelo, I didn’t mean…”
“Mrs. King, are your hands restless?”
His voice, hoarse yetzy, carried an underlying warning
There they were, together in bed…
Renee, recalling the recent intense moments and her sore hands, fell silent.
Lying next to an unfamiliar man, she felt rigid, lying t and staring at the ceiling, too apprehensive to move.
Beside Renee, Marceloy motionless<b>, </b>seemingly asleep.
Renee was perplexed. How could he fall asleep so easily?
She wondered if Marcelo had gotten used to this Had he been with other women?
But with those women…wouldn’t he risk revealing the secret of his legs?
Or did he only share his bed with a woman he fully trusted?
Had he trusted any woman before he met her?
Did he fully trust her now?
The thought somehow made Renee feel unsettled.
Eventually, sleep overtook her, and she drifted off.
Once her breathing steadied, Marcelo silently opened his eyes, observing her closely.
Renee’s skin was soft, and up close, he could even notice the fine fuzz on her <b>face</b>.
Her eyshes, thick and curly, framed <b>her </b>small, straight nose. <b>Awake</b>, she carried an air of distance, but in sleep, her lips parted slightly, adding an innocent charm to her features.
Marcelo found himself enveloped by her breath, a subtle mix of milky and floral scents, faint yet memorable.
Her softness, nestled in his arms, felt like a natural rxant, her presence both soothing andpelling.
Yet, with such allure in his embrace, Marcelo felt no joy.
He questioned his own sanity.
Why else would he indulge in the folly of keeping her in his room tonight?
Renee was simply a woman.
Marcelo snorted inwardly. Was hecking in femalepany?
Yet, holding Renee brought a uniquefort; he had felt it thest time she was drunk. Moreover, Renee was his spouse. Surely, keeping her in his room was reasonable,right?
Marcelo solved this puzzle quickly and felt a surge of relief
The following morning, Renee awoke to find herself alone.
The bed next to her was vacant, its warmth nearly gone.
ncing at the clock, it read half past eight.
For a frence stylist like her, one who cherished her sleep, this was unusually early.
She sat, bewildered for a moment, then the previous night’s events unfolded in her mind like a y, sparking her
memory.
“Oh my God!”
She ruffled her hair, agitated, then steadied herself and went to change before heading downstairs
“Good morning, Mrs. <b>King</b>!“Chad’s greeting was warm as he stood in the living room.
“Good morning,<b>Chad</b>. “Renee noted his especially <b>friendly </b>smile. “Where’s Marcelo?”
“He’s already at work.“<b>Chad </b>shared that Marcelo had instructed him not to tidy his room since Renee was still asleep.
“Oh, I see.”
Was it just her imagination<b>? </b>Something about Chad’s gaze seemed off today.
After breakfast, still reeling from the night’s shock, Renee feltpelled to confide in Sarah. Without preamble, she said, “I shared a bed with Marcelost night.”
Sarah’s response was swift. “Is his… big?”
Renee was at a loss for words<b>. </b>
“Just sharing a bed, under the <b>covers</b>, nothing more,” she rified.
“What? He is impotent?!” <b>Sarah </b>was incredulous.
Renee <b>was </b>dumbfounded, at a loss for words again.
Sarah called, eager for details.
Renee shared the essentials, leaving out less important parts like her hands‘ ordeal.
“Your tale is quite misleading, Except for ‘<b>shared </b>a bed,‘ the rest details are boring!” Sarah eximed.
<b>Renee </b>rolled her eyes. “Well, it didn’t feel boring.I was nervous…”
“<b>Oh</b>,you big baby.“Sarah interjected, then recalled, “Were you with Marcelo at the auctionst night?”
“Yes, how did you know?”
“It’s the talk of the <b>town</b>. Rumors about you apanying a wealthy, impaired patron are swirling. Inquiries about his identity abound, oblivious to the fact he’s your husband, Marcelo King!”
Renee <bughed </b>softly, cautioning her, “Never mention Marcelo’s impairment in his presence; he won’t appreciate it!”
29 BUNUS
The women continued discussing one of their husbands.
“Only a fool would do that.” <b>Sarah </b>chuckled, then added, “<b>also </b>heard that Andrew and Catherine, one feigning <b>wealth </b>and the other unting it, made ridiculous bids at the auction. The <b>social </b>circles are abuzz over their antics.
Reflecting on it, Hence couldn’t help butugh. She swirled her coffee slowly, nestled on the sofa, and drawled, Catherine does love the limelight. She’s certainly basking in it this time.”
“Well, when ites to grabbing attention, you’re the real star. Didn’t your patron drop over three billion just to see you smile at the auction?”
Renee rolled her eyes again.
What was that all about?
<b>Sarah’s </b>chuckles bubbled through the phone. “Isn’t theplete diamond set stunning?” “Enough teasing!” Benceughed along
It took Sarah a moment topose herself.
She then continued, “But really, it’s a blessing in disguise. Your marriage to Marcelo isn’t public knowledge yet, and you’ve had many people on your side. Afterst night, [bet they’ll think twice before bothering you again.”
Not many would dare challenge someone who nonchntly spent three billion on ady, even on a national scale.
Yet, this would only fuel more gossip about Renee, making her an even bigger subject of interest,especially as the former top socialite!
In the Kings‘ house, Andrew stood in the study, his face contorted with <b>anger</b>.
“Andrew, how could you? Spending hundreds of millions in one night, and continuing to bid without funds? Where’s your dignity?” Gary was at his wits end with Andrew’s recklessness.
Defiant, Andrew shot back, “Marcelo set me up! He baited me into it!”
Had Marcelo not driven up the bid, that Koenigsegg wouldn’t have cost 1.9 billion, and he would have had enough to pay for it!
“Defending yourself? Didn’t you learn? He always outsmarted you, even as kids. Why are you still falling for his tricks?” Gary’s frustration boiled over, recalling the scorn from his peers, and he struck Andrew.
The p resounded!
“Gary!“Felicia tried to intervene but was toote. She tenderly cradled his face, her eyes filled with worry.
Gary’s blow left Andrew’s cheek marked with five distinct red lines.
Felicia couldn’t hold back her reproach. “Was violence necessary? Couldn’t you have just talked to him? V
it?
“Do you think I enjoy this?” you realize the ridicule he’s brought upon himself? Upon us? Drew,
I
Gary seethed. ” we’veid the groundwork for you. We even sidelined Marcelo of his rightful ce, hoping you’d lead the King family one day. Is this how you repay our efforts?”
Andrew dropped his hand from his face, the numbness from the p lingering
He believed he wasn’t the <b>one </b>to me; Marcelo was the instigator. Yet, he held back from further arguing with Gary.
Just as he was about to offer an apology, his words halted
“Marcelo doesn’t hold sway in our family We took everythin fortune<b>?</b>” Andrew stumbled upon a significant mystery. “H considering family dividends, he shouldn’t possess that kin
Gary and Felicia looked at each other with grave expression Indeed, how did Marcelo acquire such wealth?
“Let’s have someone look into this! Where on earth did he f
Just as he was about to offer an apology, his words halted abruptly.
“Marcelo doesn’t hold sway in our family.We took everything his father owned. How did hee by such a fortune?” Andrew stumbled upon a significant mystery. “He dropped three billion at the auction effortlessly. Even considering family dividends, he shouldn’t possess that kind of liquidity!”
Gary and Felicia looked at each other with grave expressions
Indeed, how did Marcelo acquire such wealth?
“Let’s have someone look into this! Where on earth did he and so much money?”