Chapter 87 Her <b>real </b>family


    “The designs on these papers…They’re identical to Alyssa’s draft!” someone eximed in shock.


    “Alyssa, you imed your draft was createdst night. If that’s true, when did I draw it on these papers?” Renee


    sneered.


    Compared toputer drawing, Renee found hand–painting to be the richest source of inspiration. “If you take my draft to a professional agency for inspection, you’ll find that I drew it five days ago,” Renee dered.


    Anticipating Alyssa’s response, she continued, “Alyssa, don’t say anything now. Give me two minutes. After that, you can say whatever you want.”


    Renee projected herptop desktop onto the big screen, typing a few lines of code under the watchful eyes of


    everyone.


    A minuteter, a document appeared on the desktop. Clicking it revealed the same draft disyed by Alyssa. “How… how is this possible? Ipletely…” Alyssa mumbled in disbelief.


    “Youpletely deleted the original one from my desktop, right? And it couldn’t be found in the recycling bin, right?“Renee sneered, “I forgot to tell you that I developed theputer program myself, and there’s a hidden backup of my draft. Otherwise, how do you think I can casually put the work file on the desktop?”


    Pale–faced, Alyssa sank back into her chair.


    Renee had promised Alyssa a chance to speak after she finished her words.


    Yet, with trembling lips, Alyssa couldn’t utter a word.


    The sequence of events was clear to anyone with a hint of discernment. Alyssa had taken Renee’s makeup draft from Charlie’s desk and copied and deleted the original on Renee’sptop, all to giarize and eliminate herpetition.


    “I…” On the verge of copse, Alyssa looked to Joseph for help, tears streaming down her face. “Mr. Ramos… Mr. Ramos, I know I was wrong…”


    Considerable funds had been invested in the Peerless Grace crew. It required substantial effort for her to secure a spot. She was determined not to be ousted!


    Joseph’s countenance darkened. He had been on the verge of punishing Renee not long ago, and now the situation reversed. However, he couldn’t bear to witness Alyssa, who had shared his bedst night, sobbing pathetically.


    “I gave Renee a chance, so I should also give Alyssa a chance. Since it’s a misunderstanding, let it go. This matter is closed.”


    Joseph then winked at Alyssa, who snapped back to reality and tearfully pleaded, “I’m sorry, Renee. I… I made a mistake. I didn’t mean to do it. I won’t do it again…Since we used to be schoolmates, please forgive me, okay?”


    “A mistake? Alyssa was maliciously giarizing and framing you! Unbelievable! In oth ‘WS, someone like Alyssa could be fired and even face legal action. Mr. Ramos is just biased toward her! I heard she had an affair with Mr. Ramos, and now it seems true! Shame on her!”


    Susanna, clenching her fists, voiced her indignation as she and Renee went to buy coffee.


    “You know Mr. Ramos favors her. Why get so worked up?” Renee, tappir her fingers, cautioned Susanna. Susanna, be careful. It’s best not to discuss such sensitive topics with others in the future. You might end up being


    hated and plotted against.”


    After a few days of interaction, Renee learned that Susanna was straightforward and hailed from a well–off family. Despite her casual appearance with a canvas bag, Susanna aklorned herself with a Cartier diamond bracelet and a limited–edition Longines watch. She would indulge in shopping sprees andvish spending on stars whenever she had the chance.


    Susanna took it in stride, stating, “But you’re not just anyone. You’re my idol now! A beautiful, intelligent, and courageous woman like you can’t be a bad person!”


    Moreover, should Susanna find herself in any trouble, someone would undoubtedly intervene on her behalf!


    As Renee prepared to respond, she noticed someone approaching.


    Alyssa, with red–rimmed eyes from her recent tears, red at Renee with newfound hatred. She hissed, “Aren’t you proud, Renee? You took the top spot in school, and now you’re still superior to me!”


    Sensing her hostility, Renee replied, “Alyssa, we learned about professional ethics in the first ss of school. It’s more important than talent. I pity someone as devious as you! I only let you off today because you once presented my collection of works to the professor in college. But you won’t get a chance like that again. Take care of yourself!


    Kindness and resentment were always crystal clear in Renee’s mind.


    The parody of the makeup group’s antics quickly became the talk of the crew.


    Many were impressed by Renee’s quick and effective response, others admired herposure, and some were amazed that she could code.


    Renee’s name became well–known among the crew in no time.


    She got another coffee for Charlie as a thank you.


    Charlie didn’t openly support her today, but he let her speak despite Joseph’s pressure, showing his belief in her.


    Over in the big city.


    At the Dove Ind Club.


    “Marcelo, several family leaders have approached me, curious about when you’ll join the social,” Jason said, cuddling a beauty.


    “I’m not interested in social events, “Marcelo replied disinterestedly.


    Ever since people learned he was the CEO of the KM Group, he had been bombarded with event invites, which he never attended, opting instead to send gifts.


    Marcelo always excused himself from these events, citing a leg issue.


    “How’s the investigation I asked about?” Marcelo inquired of Jason.


    “There’s nothing worthwhile,” Jason answered with a shrug. “The findings suggest Nao… genuinely cared for Renee. Naomi secretly shielded Renee from Hudson’s mistreatment. She paid for Renee’s talent training andpetitions in primary school. It’s understandable that Naomi defended Catherine, since Catherine is Ro’s daughter.She might have been forced to do that.”


    Marcelo offered no response, instead asking, “What about Renee’s real family?”


    “All I discovered is that Renee was abandoned as a baby close to the Hudson’s house and they took her in.I don’t have any other info,” Jason said with a chuckle. “Marcelo, this sudden interest in Renee’s background, are you trying to help her find her family? Or, have you fallen in love with her?”


    Marcelo shot Jason a frosty re. “How did Naomi afford Renee’s talent training andpetitions without any savings? The person who abandoned Renee left no traces? It doesn’t make sense,and why should it be close to the Hudson’s house? Did the Hudsons have something to do with the person? Has no one evere for Renee all the years?”


    Jason felt Marcelo was being tough on him. “Marcelo, gossip is my forte, not deep investigations. Maybe we should wait for Levy to return. He’s better at this kind of work.”


    “Mr. King, we’re here to unwind. Forget work for a while. How about trying this wine? <b>I’ll </b>serve it to you,” said the woman in a knit red dress and elegant makeup. She was thetest star sensation.


    Marcelo surveyed the star from head to toe, his mind drifting to Renee in her red dress on her birthday.


    He couldn’t recall the dress in detail, only the stunning color thatplemented Renee’splexion.


    He had removed the red dress and tossed it onto the hotel’s carpet.


    Oh, he loved undressing her.


    Sensing Marcelo’s gaze, the star’s eyes sparkled. She leaned closer, pressing against his arm, inviting him to feel her.


    “You look awful in red,” He bluntly remarked, pushing her away in disgust.


    The sight of the red dress intensified his longing to see Renee again.