<b>Chapter 120 </b><b>No </b><b>record </b>
There was a brief hesitation on Vivian’s end, as if she feared causing trouble. “Yes. Does that upset you?”
Renee smiled to herself, curious about Vivian’s expression at that moment. “Miss Lambert, I understand you’re abroad and might not be aware of certain things. You probably don’t know that Marcelo was the one who turned Herman from a celebrity into a prisoner.”
The line went dead silent.
“Miss Lambert<b>, </b><b>is </b>there anything you’d like to exin?” Renee waited a few seconds for a response before pressing further. “Well… No,” Vivian eventually replied.
“Did Marcelo really tell you my number?” Renee continued, <b>“</b>It’s alright if you don’t want to say. I can just ask him myself.” Vivian took a deep breath and then confessed, “I asked someone else for your number. Since you mentioned Marcelo, I assumed it was him who told me. I didn’t think it was a big deal, but I didn’t expect you to read so much into it.”
Renee found Vivian’s words amusing. If she hadn’t probed further she might have misunderstood Marcelo because of Vivian’s casual assumption.
As Vivian spoke, she referred to Marcelo in a way that sounded unusually intimate.
Renee couldn’t tell if this was deliberate or not.
**
On this Sunday, Ivan, the student studying for his exams, had a half–day break. Even though it was a holiday, he wasn’t allowed to leave the house.
In thisrge estate, Ivan hardly knew anyone besides Renee and Marcelo, not even the family dog. So, he found himself seeking out Renee to pass the time.
“Renee, are you upset? What happened?“Ivan might have struggled academically, but he was quite perceptive about people’s feelings.
“No,“Renee responded. She didn’t let Vivian get the better of her in the call, even managing to irritate Vivian, but that didn’t bring her any joy.
The phone call was bothersome for her. She couldn’t pinpoint the exact source of her unease, but she was acutely aware of its presence.
Though the call ended, Renee was left with an unsettling lingering influence.
As shey on the sofa, trying to find something to do that might calm her nerves, she looked up and was taken aback. “What… What are you doing?!” she eximed.
Ivan was there, hands sped and head bowed, assuming a posture of reverence.
“The students in your school possess a curious belief that a prayer to you ensures sess in any exam, given your excellence in studies. Hence, I am performing this ritual, “Ivan exined. Reveling in the aftermath of his worshipping gesture, he couldn’t help but savor a taste of triumph.
“Where on earth did you pick up such an absurd tale?” Renee,left utterly speechless, grappled with the absurdity.
Was there a glitch in his thought process?
“The whispers traveled through the corridors of your school’s online forum,“Ivan continued wit <ol><li>n. “Many students </li></ol>
adorned their study spaces with your portraits before facing their final exams, iming it brought them luck. I figured a prayer to you might just be as effective.”
Renee found it ridiculous.
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If they had time for prayer, why couldn’t they simply dedicate themselves to actual study?
“If you’ve been perusing our school’s online forum, you must be acquainted with…“Renee hesitated, choosing her words carefully.
Ivan nterjected, <b>“</b>Are we discussing the grapevine about you or your awe–inspiring track record?”
While the des on her track record remained a puzzle to him, van couldn’t help but be awestruck. He now understood why Renee and Marcelo, both extraordinary in their own right, found each other.
“The former,” Renee admitted, shrugging her shoulders.
Under the legal pressure, Herman publicly apologized to Renee, acknowledging the falsehood and nder.
However, such apologies did little to dispel the pervasive belief in the rumors.
Whispers about Renee’s purportedly dissolute private life and her supposed mistreatment of pursuers echoed loudly across the University. The online forum of the school became a hotbed of gossip.
In the current discourse on the University forum, the focus has shifted between Renee’s track record and the swirling rumors. “Such idle chatter shouldn’t weigh on your spirit!“Ivanforted her. “Despite Marcelo being a scoundrel, he’s a wealthy, intelligent, and handsome scoundrel. You won’t tire of him in less than half a year. I doubt there’s any man around you who can outshine him.”
For a moment, Renee was at a loss for words.
His logic seemed oddly sound.
“Thank you for the constion, “She replied with a smile.
Ivan recoiled, as if confronted by a ghost. “I wasn’t consoling you!”
She was left speechless. Did this guy inherit Marcelo’s peculiar character?
Shortly thereafter, Renee received a message from Howard expressing a desire to discuss the content and structure of her uing speech.
Anxiety crept into her voice. “Can I really give a speech in this situation?”
Howard’s calm and gentle voice emanated from the voice messages. “Renee,wise minds pay no heed to baseless rumors. Trust me, it’ll be resolved soon. When are you avable? Let’s meet and go over the details. It’ll be more convenient.”
Despite responding with gratitude, Renee remained skeptical.
If quashing rumors were that straightforward, there wouldn’t be a need for online opinion influencers.
Nevertheless, she agreed to meet him the next day, acknowledging the favor he had extended. Ivan, eavesdropping intently, couldn’t resist inquiring, “Renee, is that your friend? It sounds like a guy. A schoolmate, perhaps?”
“Kind of,” she replied.
“Oh,“Ivan said, rolling his eyes yfully. “Is he handsome?”
After pondering for a moment, Rene admitted, “He’s not bad. Back when I hadn’t graduated, he was regarded as the most handsome man inw school. I reckon he still holds that title.”
Ivan chuckled and probed further, “Who’s the better catch, him or Marcelo?”
ring at him, Renee retorted, “You should focus on preparing for your exams.”
Ivan was left speechless.
Why bring this up now?
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<b>He </b>had no inclination to continue the conversation.
Upon Marcelo’s return home, he found an unexpected visitor on the sofa. He demanded, “Who allowed you to be here?” Ivan<b>, </b>sensing Marcelo’s unmistakable annoyance towards him, couldn’t help but feel a sense <b>of </b>triumph.
<b>“</b>I let myself in, “He dered triumphantly. <b>“</b>I’m here for Renee, not you. <b>She </b>even ordered bubble tea for me!”
T
Only then did Marcelo notice the two extra cups on the tea table. This time, the brand differed from thest.
Why the change?
He had observed Renee indulge in bubble tea on three asions, each time with a different brand. Perceiving the confusion on Marcelo’s face, Ivan couldn’t help but revel in his victory. “Ah, you’re quite out of touch. Don’t you appreciate the joy of bubble tea? Tonight, Renee arranged for the chef to prepare barbecue for me.”
Marcelo remained disinterested in such matters.
However, a sense of discontent arose when he observed Renee and Ivan casually enjoying bubble tea and barbecue together, as if they were close.
No one was allowed to be close to her except for him!
“Did you pass the preliminary exam yesterday?“Marcelo inquired his expression unreadable.
The smile on Ivan’s face vanished instantly.
Marcelo prompted an answer with a few piercing nces.
Ivan scratched his head, reluctantly asking, “Which subject did you ask about?”
“Whichever subject you passed in.”
“Then you don’t need to ask!“Ivan said through gritted teeth.
He had utterly failed the exam.
When Renee descended the stairs, she encountered the two men locked in an awkward stare–down.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
Marcelo exined, “Ivan says he’s heading back to study and won’t join us for dinner.”
Ivan was dumbfounded. What nonsense was Marcelo talking about?
When did he make such a deration?
Books wouldn’t flee on their own, why this sudden rush to study?
“Marcelo! My dear cousin! I have vital information to share!“Ivan wore an expression that hinted at an impending sense of regret on Marcelo’s part if he didn’t acquiesce.
Observing Marcelo’s stoic demeanor and his apparent inclination to promptly dismiss him, Ivan discreetly cast <b>a </b>furtive nce at Renee, hoping she would pick up on the subtle hint.
Was Marcelo really going to dismiss him like this, especially when it involved Renee?
“Come here.” Marcelo led Ivan to the small garden. “Go on.”
Aware that beating around the bush wouldn’t work with Marcelo, Ivan hastily divulged, “I overheard <b>a </b>guy sending Renee voice messages on W******p this afternoon.”
Marcelo’s brow furrowed.
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This was exactly the reaction Ivan was looking for.
He continued, “I inquired on your behalf. She mentioned he’s a schoolmate, the most handsome <b>guy </b>from thew school! s<b>! </b>Do you think he might have a crush on het?”
Marcelo’s countenance darkened.
<b>“</b><b>Is </b>this information crucial? Did I deceive you?“Ivan subtly hinted hat he expected to stay for the barbecue.
“Return to your room after dinner.“Marcelo let out a snort.
Satisfied, Ivan excitedly scurried back to the house.
Marcelo, lighting a cigarette, recalled Luke’s revtions earlier in the day.
“The president of the student union, Howard, is indeed the low–key <b>scion </b><b>of </b>the Lee family. He attended the same middle school as your wife and studied abroad during higli school. Your wife once participated in <b>an </b>international horse race and debatepetition during high school, and the two werepetitors in the same group. At the University, they had minimal contact. Oddly enough<b>, </b>Howard chose to forego continuing his studies at the prestigious Astoria University abroad and instead returned home to study at Bellbanks University.”
Marcelo sneered. Perhaps it was for Renee that Howard returned home.
He recalled that Renee, during her sophomore year, had the opportunity to go to Astoria University as part of a student exchange program. However, due to an unexpected crisis in Sarah’s family<b>, </b>she had to forgo the exchange.
If Renee had gone to Astoria University, she must have crossed paths with Howard.
Marcelo was relieved that didn’t happen. Now he had to make sure his wife remains his.
In the quiet of the night, Renee’s thoughts lingered on Vivian.
Meanwhile, Marcelo returned to their bedroom and found Renee sitting on the bed, her back against the plush leather cushion, her eyelids heavy, almost as if she was dozing off.
She looked incredibly adorable.
“Did you wait for me?” His mood improved. He went to Renee and fubbed her hair.
She slowly looked at him,she had never admitted this to him but she really loves it anytime he strokes her hair.
“If it’s okay with you, could… could I look at the call logs in your phone?“Renee, with shame in her eyes, couldn’t bear to look into his eyes as she asked that. “If it’s too much, just forget I asked!”
Marcelo, phone in hand, twirled it between his fingers. A slight raise of his eyebrows, he teased, “You want to check if I’m having an affair?”
“No, it’s not that.“Renee struggled to find the right words. <b>“</b>I just wanted to look, that’s all! Can I?”
His mouth curved into a smile. He tapped her head lightly with his phone before handing it over. “Sure. You should be more confident when asking me for anything. I’ll always oblige.”
Renee, surprised by his easy consent, missed the indulgent tone in his voice.
“Thank you. I’ll just look at the call log. I won’t snoop through your phone,” she exined, quickly scanning his address book.
Her heart sank when she didn’t find her name.
Vivian had mentioned not knowing it was her who had called. This meant Marcelo hadn’t sayed her number. And now, she couldn’t find her number in his call log at all.
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She asked, “You… Don’t you have thy number?<b>” </b>
From that point of view, her eyes were deep and unreadable.
“<b>Of </b>course I have it.“He responded, entering the digits of her number into his phone’s search bar
Soon enough, a phone number appeared.
Renee’s eyes caught her number,beled: My wife.
As she flipped through the call long again, slic was so focused on ding her name that she initially overlooked these two words.
Staring at Marcelo, her heart seemed to spring back to life, pounding with renewed energy. Each beat resonated within her
chest.
After a brief pause, she lowered her gaze back to his phone, scrolling through hits call history. She found the day she received the prize.
But there was no record of her call to him!
Renee looked up at Marcelo, her expression one of surprise.