<b>Chapter </b><b>130 </b>The <b>unexpected </b><b>presence </b>
The lecture was split into three segments.
Howard, the host, kicked off the event.Renee followed, sharing her study experiences and tips, Finally, it was time for students to ask their questions.
Renee finished her talk without a problem. The audience, being of a simr age, eagerly participated, asking mostly about study techniques and personal growth.
Wearing a mask,Catherine sat in the corner of thest row. Surveying the crowded room of over five hundred people, with some even standing in the aisles, her expression darkened.
Was Renee really that popr?
Had these people forgotten the scandal Herman revealed about Renee?
Renee randomly picked someone from the audience.
The chosen guy stood up, all smiles, and asked, “Renee, can I ask something unrted to studies or major?”
“Sure, go ahead.” Renee didn’t care.
“What’s your opinion of Howard? This is his first time serving as a host for someone since bing the president of the student union.”
Students at this age loved to stir the pot, as they were doing now.
“Come on, Renee! Tell us! What’s your take on Howard?”
“Howard is the most handsome guy at ourw school!”
“Renee, you’ve got us all curious!”
Howard was caught off guard for a moment, his panic mixed with a sense of excitement that kept him from instantly shutting down these troublemaking students.
Renee, holding the microphone, nced at Howard and carefully considered her response.
Noticing Renee’s prolonged silence, Howard felt a twinge of disappointment, though he kept it hidden.
In a tone that was both yful and serious, he warned, “Everyone, please don’t speak nonsense. If you scare Renee away, you might never get any more lectures!”
Feeling relieved by Howard’s words, Renee smiled and replied, “I’m truly honored to have Howard as my host. I have every confidence that he will achieve great things. And when he returns to give lectures, the future student union president can also have the privilege of hosting for him.”
Her response was so well–crafted that it left the gossiping students without anything more to say. Just then, Renee noticed someone watching.
Marcelo was positioned quietly at the back door, observing the scene.
Didn’t Marcelo mention that he wasn’ting? Why was he here?
Renee, rapidly went over her words and actions in her head, and the embarrassment welled up inside her.
All at once, she recalled the students‘ teasing and an unexinable sense of guilt washed over her.
Underneath the stage, Catherine anxiously gripped the metal logo on her Chanel bag, squeezing it until her
Chapter 130 The unexpected presence
fingernails stung so intensely that they began to bleed, snapping her back to reality.
<b>In </b>Catherine’s eyes, this so–called student union president clearly liked Renee, just because she got a pretty face!
“Time for thest question!” Howard tookmand of the situation.
Numerous students raised their hands, eager for a chance.
Renee was about to choose someone when a girl in a mask, sitting in thest row, stood up.
“Renee, I heard that the Herod family went bankrupt because of your doings. Is that true? This pattern seems familiar; didn’t Herman also meet a sad fate because he had feelings for you?”
Renee recognized the girl immediately.
It was Catherine!
Renee was also shocked, as she hadn’t been keeping a close eye on the stock markettely and had no clue about the Herod family’s situation.
The students started to murmur among themselves.
“What’s the deal with the Herod family? How does that connect to Herman?”
“Who’s the girl with the mask? Looks like she’s here to make trouble.”
“I’ve heard about a bigpany close to bankruptcy, and the owner’sst name is Herod.”
“That’s quite a coincidence… This is kind of scary!”
For a moment, the students looked at Renee with a new level of suspicion.
The downfall of a majorpany affected people’s everyday lives, and it waspletely different from the moral mistakes and tax evasion by the celebrity Herman.
Howard signaled to the student council to intervene with Catherine.
As they approached, Catherine sneered dismissively, “What? Does the University champion freedom and democracy but shut down questioning?”
Her words were a direct challenge to the university’s core values.
The student council members hesitated, unsure of how to respond, and turned to Howard for direction.
. Next to the back door, the Dean, wearing an awkward smile addressed Marcelo, “Mr. King, I’m so sorry you had
to see this.”
It was said that Marcelo had heard about a gifted recent graduate giving a lecture and decided to drop by. The principal was ttered, seeing it as an honor for the school.
But he hadn’t anticipated another incident like the one during the school anniversary.
Noticing Marcelo’s silent observation of Renee, the Dean was worried about Marcelo impression of this outstanding student. “Mr. King, please don’t worry, Renee is beyond reproach in both character and skill! You…”
“I know, “He interrupted.
The Dean was stunned. “Huh?”
Marcelo dialed a number and told the person on the line, “Get her here in two minutes.”
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Chapter 130 The unexpected prosenice
Remembering how Marcelo had acted in his past meetings with Renee, the Dean finally picked up on something, saying, “Mr. King, you and Renee…Do you know each other??
“Yes, “Marcelo confirmed, “She is my wife.”
The Dean was caught off guard. What Marcelo had said came as a bombshell to him.
He was dumbfounded.
The Dean struggled to ept it. “She…Renee’s only twenty two…”
A young woman of her age typically hadn’t even finished her undergraduate studies or have just finished
How did Renee get married to Marcelo?
His disapproval was clear, so Marcelo rified to the Dean, ‘She’s legally old enough to be married,isn’t she?”
In the broadcasting studio-
“Catherine,” Renee addressed her by name, “The rumor about Herman is supported by police evidence. Are you questioning the police’s integrity and fairness? As for the Herod family… Apany’s sess or failure depends on its business strategy, core strengths, cash flow, and supply chain integration. You’re a finance student. Shouldn’t you know these?”
“Is that Catherine? The famous one?”
“Why is there a finance student here? Shouldn’t they be in Professor Walters‘ ss today<i>? </i>How dare she skip ss?”
“Renee has a point. It’s quite a challenge to bring down apany that’s listed on the stock market, isn’t it?”
“I got the impression that Catherine had something against Renee at thest school event, but I figured it was just my imagination.”
Catherine didn’t grasp any of that talk about cash flow and supply chains.
But one thing was crystal clear to her: these naive schoolmates were once again easily influenced by Renee’s words!
Catherine was bing unbearable for Renee, prompting Renee to y her trump card. “Catherine, if you have a personal issue with me, let’s sort it out in private. But please, don’t bring your personal drama into this school event just like your boyfriend did.”
The students were witnessing the drama unfold before them.
“Catherine has a boyfriend? I thought she always said she was single?”
“Come on, how many celebrities are actually single?”
“One of my wealthy friends told me Catherine’s definitely not single. She has a bunch of male admirers!”
“Just like your boyfriend…Renee’s words carry a hidden message!”
Catherine’s face contorted with panic in an instant.
Among those in their social circle, it was no secret that she had a boyfriend. Still, they kept it a secret from the public – having someone like Andrew as a boyfriend was a badge of honor, as everyone respected her for being the beloved of the King’a family’s favorite grandson.
Chapter 130 The unexpected presence
But things took a different turn when it was out in the public for everyone to know!
It could ruin her career!
Thest thing an idol wanted was for their dating life made public!
“Renee, what’s all this nonsense you’re saying?“Catherine attempted to keep herposure, her eyes blinking with a hint of guilt.
Before Renee could respond, someone burst into the broadcasting studio.
It was Laura!
Laura nced at Renee, then noticed Catherine in the back immediately realizing why Marcelo had sent for her earlier.
She walked confidently to the front.
“Excuse me, who are you?” a student union member asked her.
“Laura Herod,” Laura replied, adding, “I’m the daughter of the chairman of the so–called bankrupt Herod Group.”
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Chapter 131 Very young