Chapter <b>114 </b><b>Her </b>mother
In the study, Renee raised her concerns to Marcelo. “You’re pushing Ivan so hard with his studies<b>. </b><b>Aren’t </b>you worried it might affect his work?”
If Ivan truly didn’t want to study, he could just endure these months.
Gazing towards the guesthouse, Marcelo replied, “If he doesn’t get into a top university, he’ll retake the entrance exam. Time is precious for professional e–sports yers.”
His approach was strict.
Too strict, Renee thought.
“But isn’t it too much for him? Only six months left and he said his grades are unsatisfactory…”
Renee found it challenging to sympathize with him, she had always been an exceptional student during her school
days.
“He’s never studied seriously before. Now, he needs to de
Renee pitied Ivan. He was miserable.
to double his efforts. It’s only fair,“Marcelo replied indifferently.
Then, she remembered something. “I’m inviting Freddy out for dinner in two days. I won’t be home for dinner.”
Freddy was in the city for à month. Since Renee had promised to treat him, she wanted to get it done sooner.
Marcelo beckoned on her toe closer.
Leaving herptop, Renee approached him<b>, </b>curious. “What is it? Need some help?”
As she neared, he grasped her wrist, guiding her into his arms.
She found herself seated on hisp, feeling the warmth of his skin and the definition of his muscles through the fabric.
Marcelo, with a light smile, teased, “Inviting an employee out to dinner?”
Renee then recalled Freddy jokingly calling her his boss.
“He…was just joking.”
“Or is he interested in you?“His expression grew
ense.
She felt a chill. She struggled to recall if she had invested in Freddy’s venture through her private ount or under the Venus Private Foundation.
Using the foundation’s name linked her too closely with it.
She initially nned to use the foundation’s name, but did things changeter?
In a rush for cross–border investment, did she write a personal check instead?
Was that what she did?
“Yes, I’m technically his boss. Well, not exactly. I’m the major shareholder, involved only in dividends, not orations. Over time, I’ve reduced my shares to 45%, and he owns 40%.”
With his current stature, Freddy could buy out Renee’s shares or start his venture. Yet, he remained grateful for Renee’s early support, generously sharing profits with her each year.
“You own the Venus Bar and a top international fashion studio. Mrs. King, how much wealth haven’t you disclosed to me?“He asked, smiling.
“Um…Nothing more, “She replied earnestly, batting her eyshes “These are minorpared to your wealth.”
Marcelo yfully pinched her cheek. “ttery won’t work on me “Then what do you want?“She retorted, her tone light.
Heughed<b>. </b>“Just curious<b>. </b>I’m not after your money.”
His interest was in knowing how capable his wife was.
JUS
That afternoon, Grace was ying cards with a group ofdies.
“Mrs. Hudson, your daughter knows Freddy? You’ve kept that quite a secret,” remarked onedy. Grace, surprised, replied, “Catherine knows Freddy? I had no idea She’s <b>not </b><b>one </b>to brag.”
Her words carried a hint of pride.
Thedy rified with a nuanced expression, “Not Catherine. I meant your adopted daughter, Renee.”
“I can’t believe you haven’t heard such a big news. Oh, I forgot. You missed Freddy’s show.” The woman to Grace’s left filled her in on the eventful happenings at Freddy’s fashion show.
“How is it possible for Renee…to be acquainted with Freddy?” Grace was so astonished that she identally nudged the card.
She had nearly forgotten about her adopted daughter, Renee.
The women at the same table exchanged nces.
“Are you truly clueless? What a shame. Securing a dress made by him is quite difficult as you have to wait in line. If Renee is still considered your daughter, you might persuade her to get you one of Freddy’s designs.”
This woman’s words dripped with sarcasm<b>, </b>taunting Grace for losing Renee, who was quite an asset.Everyone aware of the situation knew that Grace always publicly and privately demeaned and insulted Renee.
Grace’s behavior was harsh.
“I<b>, </b>I’m not feeling well. I can’t continue the card game today.” She was afraid that she would lose control of her emotions if she
stayed any longer.
She returned home, her mood stormy. Before her anger could erupt, Catherine’s aggrieved expression caught her attention.
“Catherine, what’s the matter?“Grace asked, softening her tone.
With quivering eyshes, Catherine appeared quite pitiful. She questioned Grace<b>, </b>“Mom, did you know about Renee’s close rtionship with Freddy?”
“I’ve only just found out. She never mentioned it to us.”
Grace’s irritation red up at the mention of Renee. Clearly, Renee had not been forting. Knowing someone like Freddy, a renowned designer, and keeping it from her family seemed like a deliberate act of defiance.
“If it weren’t for the fact that you and Dad raised Renee, I would have been the one receiving Freddy’s respect. But now, even when I try to borrow a dress from him, I get rejected… “Catherine clung to Grace, and cried pitifully, “Mom<b>, </b>is it that destiny just favors Renee too much?”
As fate would have it,Catherine was scheduled to appear on a red carpetter in the month.
Coincidentally, Freddy was hosting his first–ever show in the country at the same time. Catherine’s team thought it would be a great publicity move to have her wear one of Freddy’s exclusive designs, so they reached out to his studio.
To their dismay, when they requested a dress under the guise of being the fiancée of the King family’s grandson, Freddy’s team outright dismissed them.
Grace’s attention was swiftly drawn back to Catherine’s words.
Indeed, if the Hudson family hadn’t adopted Rence, she wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet Freddy.
If it weren’t for the fact that Renee had grown up with the Hudson name, it should have been Catherine who knew Freddy. And Grace wouldn’t have to endure seeing other mothers take their daughters to Freddy’s show, while she and Catherine didn’t even have an invitation.
The more Grace pondered, the more she sympathized with her disadvantaged daughter.
“Destiny should be favoring you, not her. Renee is nothing.” Grace reassured Catherine, “Don’t worry, my dear. You want a dress from Freddy, right? I’ll get it for you. We won’t just borrow one; we’ll get a custom–made dress.”
Freddy was setting up a new branch office in the city.
On the day of the dinner, as a major shareholder, Renee paid a symbolic visit to Freddy’s studio to oversee operations.
Freddy, finishing up his work, attempted to broach the subject <b>of </b>Renee’s marital life several times, but she deflected each time, saying, “It’s a basic rule for employees not to gossip about the boss<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Freddy, slightly disappointed, conceded, “Okay, but Renee, I’ve heard about the rumors concerning Vivian and your husband. Don’t take it to heart. Very few men are good.”
“Freddy, remember, you’re a man too,“She gently reminded him.
Freddy didn’t argue. “That’s why I’m not married. But, isn’t your husband upset about you having dinner with me tonight?”
“What would he have to be upset about?” Renee responded, but she couldn’t help picturing Marcelo’s stormy expression when she mentioned having dinner with Freddy.
It was as if she was betraying Marcelo.
Freddy pretended to be serious. “Thest time I saw your husband, he red at me like I was some intruder. Looked like he wanted to banish me from the country. Good thing he’s not joining us for dinner, or my digestion would surely suffer.”
Renee couldn’t help butugh. “Really? That exaggerated?”
After spending time with Marcelo, Renee hade to understand his somewhat territorial nature. His possessiveness was just as much a part of his strong character as his need to maintain his private space.
“It’s not an exaggeration. I’ve never seen a man as visibly jealous as he is.
Jealous?
Could Marcelo actually be jealous?
No way.
Renee was still pondering this when Freddy’s assistant interrupted, knocking and entering.
“Mr. Lynn<b>, </b>a woman iming to be Grace, who says she’s Renee’s mother, is asking to see you.” Freddy turned his gaze to
Renee.
The smile vanished from Renee’s face, reced by a cool indifference.
“Renee, what’s the matter? Is she an imposter?” It was the first time that Freddy had seen such an expression on Renee’s face, which made him a little scared.
“No,” Renee replied, then borated, “I’m not sure if you’ve heard any rumors about metely. While myst name is Hudson, I’m not the Hudson’s biological daughter.Grace, the woman iming to be my mother<b>, </b>is actually my adoptive mother.”
Chapter 114 Her mother
<b>“</b><b>So</b><b>, </b>she’s the adoptive mother who exploited you.” Freddy got up visibly upset.“Stay here<b>, </b><b>I’ll </b>handle this<b>.</b>” Inside the private lounge, Freddy’s demeanor shifted from confrontational to his typical unruly yet talented designer image as he mingled with the guests.
“Madam, <b>I </b>heard that you are looking for me?” At a nce, Freddy saw Grace and Catherine sitting on the sofa in the parlor <b>area</b>.
<b>Grace </b>and Catherine were engrossed in a book showcasing his designs. They were joyfully discussing which dresses they intended to purchase.
“Good day, Mr. Freddy Lynn<b>, </b>I’m Renee’s mother,” Grace greeted im with a pleasant smile. Noticing Freddy’s nce at Catherine, she quickly added, “And this is my daughter<b>, </b>Catherine She’s a talented entertainer.”
With a fake smile on her face,Catherine greeted, “Hello, Mr. Lyni
If it was in the past,Catherine might havevished Freddy with praise, but now, knowing Freddy’s high regard for Renee, she couldn’t bring herself to do so without feeling like she was indirectly ttering Renee.
Thinking of this, she couldn’t even smile. But she didn’t dare to disrespect Freddy.
Freddy looked at Catherine up and down.
So this was the Hudson family’s biological daughter?
He couldn’t help but think that Catherine paled inparison to Renee<b>. </b>It made sense now why Renee wasn’t their biological daughter – the Hudsons weren’t nearly as striking as Renee<b>. </b>
“What can I do for you today, madam?” Freddy inquired.
“We’re here to ce an order for some of yourtest dresses. Moreover, my daughter Catherine has a red carpet event in a few days. I was hoping you might have a suitable dress avable.” Grace’s statement carried a hidden meaning. “We know Renee has been a great help to you, Mr. Lynn<b>, </b>so we thought to seek your assistance.”
Right after Grace stopped talking, everyone in the studio turned their eyes towards her and Catherine. To get Freddy’s exclusive tailored dress, one had to be in line and meet certain requirements.
Ordinary members could order just once a year. Even the best members were limited to three orders annually.
Yet, here were Grace and Catherine, casually talking about several outfits and even one from the current collection. They were being pretty presumptuous.
“Renee is a special person to me and enjoys unique privileges here<b>” </b>said Freddy.
Grace and Catherine were clearly pleased with themselves, basking in the envious nces from other customers
Freddy added, “But Renee is Renee, and you are you. To me, you’re just like any other customer.”
His assistant chimed in, “Mr. Lynn, we got a request from Catherine’s team yesterday. They wanted to borrow our main summer showpiece. But Catherine doesn’t meet our criteria<b>, </b>so we had to say no.” This meant that despite being turned down, Catherine had the audacity to show up here, aiming for thetest in–stock showpiece. She was quite bold, indeed.
“Mr. Lynn, I am Renee’s mother!” Grace hissed, clearly agitated and angry.
Freddy motioned for his assistant to reim his portfolio from Grace and Catherine.
Addressing Grace, he said, “Mrs. Hudson, from what I’ve seen, you’ve been causing trouble for Renee since she <b>was </b><b>a </b>child. You’ve never acknowledged her as your daughter so why now? You’ve never really been kind to her. Renee was the one who supported me back then. This isn’t about the Hudson family of your daughter. To me, it looks like you’re trying to take advantage of Renee.”