Secret Wife, Real Billionaire

Chapter 47 Defensive

*RENEE*

Upon hearing words, I paused, momentarily taken aback. Then, it dawned on me that he was referring to me nearly losing my temper in front of Catherine just now.

I haven’t yet decided how to respond.

In that earlier encounter, whatever I might have said would have been to my disadvantage. The focus had shifted to me, an outsider, accused of usurping Catherine’s life.

Catherine, as the legitimate Hudson heiress, naturally held the upper hand.

Marcelo stepping in had been a reprieve for me.

And now he wanted me to teach Catherine a lesson.

I smiled. He was on my side.

It was quite touching because I’ve never really had anyone on my side before.

I looked at him and murmured quietly, “Thank you.”

I was also grateful he hadn’t publicly embarrassed me that night at Dove Island club before so many eyes.

It was surprising that he actually had some good in him.

*MARCELO

I merely snorted in response.

Thanking me?

Her gratitude seemed like an afterthought to me.

I often thought of Renee as a proud, slightly spoiled kitten.

I felt an urge to tousle her hair but restrained himself.

So I just stared at her,stared at the woman who keeps captivating me senselessly.

Andrew, sitting three seats away, watched Renee and Marcelo’s display of closeness with a growing annoyance.

They were just a table away from them.He had purposely sat closely to Renee and Marcelo against Catherine’s wishes so he could gaze at Renée.

He felt like looking for trouble.

“Renee, this auction is quite upscale. If money’s tight, I could lend you some, for Catherine’s sake,” he offered, his tone laced with mockery and self–righteousness.

His comment was a double–edged sword: belittling Renee and Marcelo’s financial situation while positioning himself as Catherine’s considerate boyfriend.

He purposefully omitted mentioning Marcelo, knowing that Marcelo’s legitimate lineage as a King family member could overshadow him.

Catherine, irked by Andrew’s direct engagement with Rene, felt a twisted sense of satisfaction from his words.

She gave Renee a provocative look, then told Andrew, “If she can’t afford it, she shouldn’t be here. Lending her money would only make things worse for her.”

“Lend me money?” Renee laughed, taking the crowd by surprise. “I almost thought he was generously offering

me money.”

“Oh burn!” Laughter erupted from someone nearby.

Indeed, Andrew’s manner had implled generosity rather than a loan.

“Expecting someone with a partner to foot your bill, Renee” Catherine snapped back.

Then, Renee felt something being pressed into her hand, It was an auction paddle.

Without acknowledging Catherine and Andrew, she tried to hand it back to Marcelo. “I don’t have the means for this.”

Marcelo arched an eyebrow. “Would 1 let my wife pay for herself?”

His use of “wife” left Renee momentarily speechless.

What was he thinking?

Ignoring the term, she asked, “You’re giving me the paddle. Does this mean I can spend as I wish?”

responded calmly, “Go

least of his

toyed with the paddle, a mischievous glint in her eye, as if

quite skilled at spending. Are

as if daring her to

spend as much as I’ve earned.And even if you do

Renee blushed.

was he being so

exchange, could only watch as Renee and Marcelo

conversation.

taunt

with suspicion,

insecurities about Andrew’s past with Renee, combined with Renee’s

still saw her

her hand. “Bid

me.”

assurance was met with a delighted kiss

despite Marcelo’s significant shareholding in the King

family, might not have the means to compete

her admired man couldn’t afford such

expose Marcelo as ineffectual. He solely bellived that

attendees sensed the tension between these four but were unclear about

found little interest in

edition leather bag

bidding aggressively, drove the price of a bag, initially worth less than

bid stands at thirty million for lady number seven,” the auctioneer

had been observing quietly, raised her paddle, each lift typically indicating

visibly annoyed, countered with a

immediately raised her

escalated from thirty

have the funds, Renee? Don’t let your

countered, “Running low on funds, Miss

filt of his chin, addressed Renee confidently, “I’ll

lifestyle Catherine

from other affluent young men

again. Go ahead, Miss Hudson,

Imagine how Renee must feel hearing

be

didn’t

Renee,known to many as t legitimate and disputed heiresses of the Hudson

several bids, Catherine’s initial thirty–million offer escalated to fifty–six million, at which

number seven wins this rare Hermès bag for fifty–six

to waste

couldn’t resist a jab at Rejjee. “Good thing you stopped, Renee. No need to

remained unfazed, her attention turning to the next them being presented. A subtle smile played on her lips,

her, was surprised by her sudden halt in

did you stop bidding?” he asked. It was Renee’s first time engaging in the auction since their arrival. He hadn’t anticipated her active participation, only for her to

nonchalantly,

had no interest in the bag,

real interest in the bag, her bidding

inflate the price,

Renee consistently bid on items Catherine showed interest

appeared almost foolish, falling

valued at four million, escalated to twenty–eight million due to

half million soared to forty

understand our rivalry, but must we compete here? Just so you know. I won’t let you easily claim what’s mine anymore!“Catherine declared, securing a diamond necklace for

composed, her

was no hint of anger in her

and triumphant, caught Marcelo’s attention for a moment longer

at making Andrew spend more, a reaction

Marcelo found Renee’s actions

basking in her perceived victory, was too elated to observe the subtle displeasure

spending on women, found the night’s expenses far

unable to intervene or correct Catherine in front of

to

its conclusion, the final three

winery in Texas, an exquisite property valued at two hundred million for

among others, was visibly

the bidding with an astonishing offer of

in disbelief, impulsively clutched Marcelo’s sleeve, despite their recent

are you out of your mind? The winery, at its