Chapter 52 Her husband’s <b>wealth </b>
That afternoon, Renee’s phone rang with news from the <b>hospital</b>.
The hospital staff informed her that Naomi had been discharged.
Rence expressed her gratitude and, still worried about Naomi, considered making ns to visit the Hudsons. However, her thoughts were interrupted by a call from <b>Grace</b>.
Grace invited her to dinner at the Hudsons‘ house.
A dinner invitation out of the blue?
Renee sensed there might be more to this than a simple meal with the Hudson family.
After more than a month away<b>, </b>Renee returned to the Hudson family vi. It felt like a ce she once knew well, yet now it seemed alien.
Everything and everyone had changed.
A maid escorted Rence inside.
“Can you believe it? Nana made a killing from this illness! Grace was gleefully counting money in the living room, toggling between a calctor and jotting down notes “Look at this one, only twenty thousand. Stingy, right?
And <b>this </b>person <b>sent </b>so much nourishment. I’ll send it up to your roomter, Catherine.”
“Thanks, <b>Mom</b>!“Catherine, seated beside Grace, smiled, helping with the tally.
This bout of Naomi’s illness had be an unexpected windfall for them, judging by the sympathy gifts amassed
so they decided to start taking care of her in hopes that people would continue gifting her stuff.
But no one knew that the anonymous person who send gifts and money was Marcelo.
And he did that all because of Renee,
Renee’s face turned steely.
The maid announced, “Mrs. Hudson, Miss Hudson has arrived<b>.</b>”
Grace’s smile waned at the sight of Renee. Inspecting her from head to <b>toe</b>, she asked, “You came without anything?”
Renee simply nodded.
She had intentionally arrived without a gift.
<b>Grace </b>and Ro didn’t merit anything more from her!
A scowl crossed Grace’s face. “How impolite!”
Catherine’s eyes sparkled with malice, clearly relishing Renee’s difort.
“Where’s Nana?” Renee looked around, not finding <b>Naomi</b>.
Grace gestured for the maid to show Renee the way.
Naomi was in a guest room beside the first–floor storeroom, bandaged and frail in bed. Her eyes brightened upon seeing Renee.
“Renee!”
As Naomi attempted to rise, Renee rushed to her ald.
Nana, please rest. You’re staying here now.“Renee surveyed the dismal, sparsely furnished room. It was unfit for anyone, let alone Naomi.
“It’s fine here.“Naomi’s smile was weak. “This has been my home for the longest of time and it beats a nursing
home.”
But to Renee, this was worse than any nursing home.
A deep sorrow filled her, witnessing Naomi’s resigned eptance and feeling her own powerlessness.
Renee spent some time talking with Naomi.
A knock soon came. “Miss Hudson, dinner is ready. We’llring Nana’s meal shortly.” Exiting Naomi’s room, Renee noted the <b>two </b>empty chairs at the dining table.
“Is it just you? Where’s Marcelo?” Ro inquired with a frown.
“He’s busy with work.“Renee responded.
“Too busy, or just unwilling toe to a family gathering with you?” Catherine chimed in spitefully. “Mr. King
that bought you that expensive bracelet set. We thought he cared about you.Seems it was all for show. You <b>know</b>, t set would look great on Mom. Didn’t that ur to you?”
Grace shared the same sentiment. Indeed, that bracelet set was extravagantly luxurious for Renee; it would have been better used to demonstrate her respect for her elders!
Grace shot Renee a sardonic look. “Give it to me? She <b>couldn’t </b>even bring a single piece of fruit when she returned.
“The jewelry isn’t mine,” Renee rified.
She needed to set the record straight, <b>or </b>Grace would never let the matter rest..
Despite witnessing Renee sign for the jewelry, Catherine remained convinced that Marcelo wouldn’t genuinely gift something so precious to <b>Renee</b><b>. </b>It had to be a facade.
“You’re useless!“Ro’s demeanor darkened. “Failing to secure even a small gift, huh? How do you expect to capture his heart? We’ve nurtured you all these years for nothing!”
Ro had rushed home early, eager to meet Marcelo and possibly <b>gain </b>some advantage.
He had always thought that Marcelo could at least be a millionaire but not a billionaire.
Now that it was obvious that he was a billionaire,he firmly believed that a man who spent three billion so casually had valuable connections!
And what happened?
Forget about connections; Marcelo didn’t even make an appearance!
Renee kept silent, concentrating on her meal.
She had long recognized Grace and <b>Ro’s </b>true nature and cast aside any expectations of them. With no expectations came no disappointment.
“Even if you disregard us, <b>you </b>should at least honor Nana, right, Renee?“<b>Grace’s </b>agenda for summoning <b>Renee </b>and bringing Naomi back home became clear.
“You’ve seen <b>Nana’s </b>condition. She needs constant <b>care </b>and nutritional support.”
Conveniently, Grace failed to mention that Renee had already paid for Naomi’s recent medical bills and arranged for <b>Wyatt’s </b>surgical intervention.
Renee read between the lines of <b>Grace’s </b>plea.
They were after her husband’s money!
The Hudson family’s finances <b>had </b>been tighttely, forcing Grace to be frugal.
“Do you intend to keep Nana here instead of a nursing facility?” Renee inquired directly.
“Yes,” Grace confirmed, though her expression soured.
They needed to use that old woman.
“How much do you need?” Renee asked, not one for subtleties.
Grace’s face lit up. “I hear you’vended a deal with KM Group. We won’t <b>press </b>you too hard. Just a million for Nana’s care should suffice.”
Renee was previously taken aback by the audacity of <b>Catherine’s </b>“mere two billion”ment.
Now it seemed that audacity was a family trait!
JAR
As Renee remained silent, Catherine sneered. “Maybe Renee doesn’t have <b>that </b>kind of cash.
Her earnings can’t possiblypete with one of my photo shoots. All those years of upbringing seem wasted.”
At this, Ro furiously tossed his fork and stormed off.
He couldn’t stand the sight of such a failure!
Grace persisted, “If youck funds, surely your partner has <b>more </b>than enough.Renee, this is about your Nana’s well–being. Consider it carefully.‘
“I’ll provide the funds, “Renee responded. “But I have one condition.”
“What is it?”
“That silver ne Catherine wore when she returned, I want it.”
Catherine had unted a silver ne, initially believed to be a Hudson family heirloom. However, it turned out to be unrted.
“It’s just a ne, take it!“Catherine dismissed with a wave. She found the essory distasteful, regardless of its material.
“And clear out your belongings while you’re at it,” Grace added, eager to repurpose Renee’s room. After the meal, Renee’s ascended to her old room to gather her things.
It was once filled with dresses and jewelry, tokens from influential <b>acquaintances</b>. Now, all that held any worth had vanished.
The dresses had been destroyed by her <b>own </b>hands.
The jewelry and other presents had fallen into Catherine’s clutches.
“Renee, don’t even think about taking what’s not yours.“Catherine leaned casually against the doorway, eyeing
Renee’s every <b>move</b>.
Renee packed lightly; a small kraft–paper box sufficed for her few possessions.
Naomi, unwell, had already retreated to sleep.
Box in hand, Renee departed the vi, severing ties with the ce.
Yet, she acknowledged the bond wasn’t fully severed.
Naomi remained her Achilles‘ heel.
“Renee, wait!”
Catherine’s voice rang out as Renee neared the gate, her toneced with fury.
“My sapphire brooch is missing. Did you steal it?” she used.
The sun was setting, and the neighborhood <b>was </b>alive with evening strollers. Onlookers quickly focused on the unfolding drama.