Chapter 119 Legal identity-
Chapter 119 Legal identity
Renee didn’t care about her image but she was worried about bringing shame to the school.
Marcelo was nning to question Rence. However, he noticed her glum expression just as he was about to speak. Her head was down, and she looked sad and dejected.
Before he could stop himself, his hand was already on hers,forting her.
Puzzled, Renee looked up at him, taken aback by the sudden gesture of tenderness.
“Mrs.King, is there something you haven’t told me?“Marcelo questioned.
“What?” Renee asked, wracking her brain.
“That someone introduced you to a man?” he reminded her.
Two secondster, Renee’s recollection flooded back.
“Herman is Maggie’s nephew. Maggie once envisioned a marriage between Herman and me,” she revealed.
As Marcelo’s countenance darkened swiftly,Renee continued deliberately,
“However, that’s not the crux of the matter. Maggie wishes to introduce me to Herman because her daughter has taken a liking
to you. Maggie simply wants me to step aside and allow her daughter to marry you.”
Observing Marcelo’s expression, Renee noted that his demeanor remained as icy as before.
“Did you not catch that? Her daughter admires you and desires to marry you.” Renee prodded Marcelo’s chest.
He took her hand and inquired, “Who is her daughter?”
Renee was momentarily speechless.
Laura Herod! Didn’t Marcelo know her?
There was only one Herod family in the circle, and Laura was renowned for her beauty and spoiled disposition.
Renee couldn’t believe that Marcelo was oblivious to Laura’s existence.
Without uttering a word,Marcelo suddenly reached for Renee’s neck.
“What are you doing?” Renee instinctively recoiled.
“Stay stili.”
Marcelo’s hands delved into the high cor of her sweater, extracting a tinum ne adorned with a ring.
The metallic texture grazed Renee’s skin. As he leaned closer, drawing them into proximity. His breath enveloped her forehead, and she didn’t dare to move.
Marcelo removed the diamond ring from the ne and slipped it back onto the ring finger of Renee’s right hand.
He lightly tapped her forehead and admonished her, “Mrs. King, learn to wield your legal identity.”
Renee’s heart raced.
She detected warmth and tenderness in Marcelo’s words.
Internally, she expressed her gratitude. “Thank you.”
At the police station, Herman’splexion turned ashen. His family was in disarray, and no one seemed to care about him.
Chapter 119 Legal identity-
The Herod family members had rushed over upon receiving the news. As Renee and Marcelo arrived, the Herods were attempting to plead for Herman.
“The other party has arrived. This is a private dispute. You can discuss and resolve it privately,” the policeman advised.
Maggie’s husband, Samuel Herod,hastened over, rubbing his hands and offering an apologetic smile to Marcelo. “Mr. King, it’s not a significant issue. We all value peace. Let’s put it behind us, shall we?”
Marcelo smiled without uttering a word.
His smile was subtle but unsettling. The sudden appearance of a faint smile on his typically stoic and cold countenance carried an air of intimidation.
Feeling the pressure, Samuel turned to Renee, perceived as the more malleable party.
“Miss Hudson, you haven’t suffered any harm or loss. How about we apologize to you? What form ofpensation would you like? Just let me know.”
The potency of public sentiment proved formidable enough to blur the lines between right and wrong. Under Herman’s influence, public opinion tarnished Renee’s reputation.
If apologies were effective, why were they still here?
It became apparent why Herman had attempted to resolve his differences with Renee earlier, offering a Hermes bag and a BMW X5. It turned out that the Herod family possessed the same disreputable tendencies.
“Mr. Herod, thewyer’s letter will be sent by Mr. King’s representatives. If you wish to handle this privately, Mr. King’s consent is indispensable, “Renee averred, turning her gaze away.
The underlying message was clear:Renee preferred Herod to negotiate with Marcelo rather than herself.
The Herod family found themselves at an impasse, unable to devise a solution.
Suddenly, Renee’s eyes shifted past Samuel,nding on Laura, standing a few meters away from Maggie. “Doesn’t Laura have a crush on Mr. King? Why not let her attempt the honey trap?”
A shadow fell upon the faces of the Herod family.
That was especially true of Laura, whoseplexion shifting to a delicate blend of pale and crimson hues. It remained uncertain whether her reaction stemmed from fear or shyness. Observing Marcelo’s apparentck of interest in her, Laura shot a resentful re at Renee.
She suspected that Renee deliberately made thement.
Renee intentionally remarked to embarrass her!
Luke nced down at the floor tiles.
To him, Renee appeared innocent yet harbored a scheming nature.
Meeting Renee’s gaze, Marcelo informed Samuel, “I’m not interested in a private resolution.”
This implied that the matter couldn’t be settled discreetly.
If the matter were resolved privately, Renee and Marcelo would inevitably end up in a confrontation. “Mr. King, what I stated is factual. I witnessed Renee intimately involved with a young man wearing a mask. My friends can vouch for this. A woman like Renee isn’t worth your effort,” Herman eximed, growing agitated as hopes of reconciliation faded.
However, Herman didn’t anticipate that the masked man Renee was with that night outside t Marcelo.
dio city’s night market was
Laura nervously awaited Marcelo’s response, knowing no man could tolerate his partner being involved with another.
Chapter 119 Legal identity
<b>Yet</b>, Marcelo responded casually, “Really? But she’s worth it, belie me.”
“Eh? What?!” Herman and the other members of Herod’s family were stunned, their eyes widened in disbelief.
Renee couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. If not for the unfortunate timing, she might have burst outughing
Samuel took the initiative to respond. “Miss Hudson, let’s have a conversation about this. I assure you, I will oversee Herman issuing a public apology to you. It’s a resolution that benefits everyone, wouldn’t you agree?”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Herod. I don’t concern myself with the benefits of you guys. “Renee, detecting Samuel’s insincerity, chose not to delve further.
Samuel’s proposed n presented no drawbacks for the Herod family and protected Maggie’s reputation.
Having conveyed their statements, Marcelo and Renee exited promptly.
Following their departure, Laura hurriedly caught up with them. “Mr. King.”
Laura, distressed yet hopeful, addressed Marcelo with a hint of desperation. “I apologize on behalf of my mother. I’m sorry. She did it for me. I…I genuinely like you. I fell in love with you the first time I saw you at Miranda’s banquet. Marcelo, I love you!”
Renee found it challenging toprehend a woman who professed love so freely.
Uninterested in fighting with Laura in Marcelo’s presence, she prodded him<b>, </b>“Mr. King, no reaction?”
Renee might not have detected the sarcasm in her words. Marcelo found it amusing and had the impulse to pinch her cheek.
He then turned his gaze toward Laura.
His eyes emitted an intensity that could be intimidating when angered, sending shivers down people’s spines. <b>Yet</b>, in moments of calm, they created an illusion of profound affection.
“Mr… Mr. King…” Laura nervously clutched her hands, meeting Marcelo’s gaze.
“Are you proposing to be my other woman?”
“What?” Laura was taken aback.
“Do you not understand?” Marcelo, holding Renee’s right hand, disyed the sparkling diamond on her ring finger for Laura to
see.
Laura’s face turned pale.
“What makes you believe you have the power to disce the woman in my hand from the position of Mrs. King?” Marcelo inquired, his tone cold.
Staring at his handsome face, Renee felt her heart rate quicken.
His words, seemingly ordinary, held a captivating charm.
Laura felt embarrassed, gritting her teeth but refusing to surrender. “I… Ie from a more prestigious family than Renee.”
But in truth, Laura paled inparison to Rep
in terms of appearance, physique, temperament, and talent. After all,Renee wouldn’t have earned the title of top socialite for so many years if Laura could rival her in these aspects.
Marcelo appeared to find Laura’s im amusing.
Without uttering a word, the irony in his expression was so unmistakable that itnded on Laura like a stinging p, leaving her with a searing sensation.
So what if Laura came from a prestigious family?
In Marcelo’s eyes, it was pointless to even bring up her family background around him.
Chapter 119 Legal identity
“You two…Are you his girlfriend? When did flris happen?” Laura was struggling to wrap her head around it. She looked flustered, directing her questions only at Renee.
Marcelo’s presence seemed to intimidate her.
“No, I’m not his girlfriend, “Renee responded. She nced at Marcelo, who remained silent. With a straightforward tone, she added, “We’re married.”
The university campus was alive that night. Groups of students strolled down the streets. Some were friends sharing jokes andughter, while others were couples, close and affectionate.
Renee, sitting in the back of the car, rolled down the window for a better view.
Marcelo noticed a hint of envy in her eyes as she observed the happy couples.
Suddenly, Renee realized Marcelo was watching her.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, a bit confused.
He returned her question with his own. “What’s wrong with you?” he inquired.
She shifted her gaze away from the students, leaned back in her seat, and closed her eyes. “I really envy them for having such a carefree college life,” she murmured.
Marcelo watched her, but neither of them seemed inclined to continue the conversation.
Luke, sitting at the front of the car, spoke up politely. “Mrs. King, I’ve seen your resume. You graduated from a top university with outstanding achievements. Why are you still envious of them?”
Renee sighed. “They have their own kind of happiness. Plus, I doubt their university had someone as terrible as Andrew.”
The thought of Andrew, especially now that she was married to Marcelo and he still bothered her, intensified her envy for the students‘ peaceful life.
Marcelo’s expression darkened as he recalled the day’s events. Andrew, Herman, and the Herod family members had crossed a line by targeting his wife.
When they got home, Renee stepped out of the car first. Marcelo asked Luke to stay, instructing him to cut off the Herold family’s funds and to investigate Howard.
The Coleman family, already weakened, was on the brink of copse.
“Yes, sir,“Luke replied.
Marcelo’s investigation was specific, he wanted to uncover any links between Howard and Renee.
***
The next morning, a phone call roused Renee from her sleep. “Hello?” she answered groggily.
“Miss Hudson, nice to meet you. I’m Vivian,” came the response.
Renee’s drowsiness vanished instantly, reced by a sharp alertness. She sat up quickly. “How did you get my number?” she
demanded.
“I got it from a friend, “Vivian replied slowly. “Miss Hudson, are you still in bed at ten in the morni
our voice sounds like…”
“What do you want?“Renee cut her off. “I don’t recall us having a close rtionship, Miss Lambert.” The onlymon link they shared was Marcelo.
Chapter 19 Legal identity
There was a brief silence on the oflier end of the line. Vivian seemed to be weighing her words.
“You don’t have to be cautious with me. Just speak your mind “Reflee’s patience was thinning Under normal circumstances, she would have ended the call by now. She had no interest in conversing with this woman.
“Alright, I’ll be direct then,” Vivian began, sounding somewhat apologetic. “I’ve heard about the unpleasant incident involving Herman and you. He’s a friend of mine. Could you perhaps handle the situation more lightly? He’s taken a liking to you. If you are not interested in him, you can just make that clear to him. I know Herman. He’s not imreasonable. Miss Hudson…”
“I’m the unreasonable one here, “Renee interrupted sharply.
“What?” Vivian sounded confused.
“In your view, if Herman isn’t unreasonable, then I must be,” Renee reasoned.
“I didn’t mean that…”
“I don’t need to know what you meant. Today, I’ll embrace being unreasonable. “Renee couldn’t help but find irony in the situation. “Miss Lambert, are you aware of what happened between me and Herman?” she asked.
“I don’t know all the details, but suing Herman over something minor seems excessive, “Vivian responded.
“Miss Lambert, if you’re not familiar with the specifics, I suggest you check the online forums of Pellbanks University. See what they’re saying about me. The harm Herman has caused to my reputation and life is far from trivial. Besides…” Renee paused, then sneered. “We have no connection. Do you really think it’s appropriate to call and advocate for someone so despicable?”
There was silence on the other end.
Renee rarely spoke with such force. She knew it was rude, but she couldn’t bear to listen to any more of Vivian’s nonsense.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that,” Vivian finally said<b>, </b>sounding aggrieved.
Renee pressed a button by her bed, and the curtains opened slowly, letting in the bright sunshine. “I do have a question for you,, Miss Lambert,” she said.
“Please, go ahead.”
“When you were hosting an art exhibition London, I called Marcelo. You answered, didn’t you?“Renee asked, absentmindedly tracing the pattern on the sheet with her other hand.
“Yes,” Vivian admitted. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize it was you.”
“Did you tell Marcelo that I called?“Renee pressed for an answer.
“Yes,” Vivian admitted.
This left Renee wondering why Marcelo hadn’t known about her call. Or did he simply not care enough to remember to call her back?
Next, Renee inquired, “Did Marcelo give you my phone number?”