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

was the least of

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

skilled at spending. Are

carried a challenge, as if daring her to prove

You can’t spend as much as I’ve earned.And even if you do spend everything which is highly impossible,

Renee blushed.

he being

could only watch as Renee and

conversation.

previous taunt now

voice, laced with suspicion,

with Renee, combined with Renee’s allure,

saw her as

turned his attention Catherine, reassuringly squeezing her hand. “Bid

me.”

met with a delighted kiss

that despite Marcelo’s significant shareholding

not have the

plan was to prove to Renee that her admired man couldn’t afford such luxuries, making her witness Catherine, who he supported, indulging in extravagant

intended to expose Marcelo as ineffectual. He solely bellived that Marcelo only source of income

sensed the tension between these four but were unclear about the identity of the man in the

auction began, Rence found little interest in the antique calligraphy and

a rare, limited edition leather bag stirred excitement among

drove the price of a bag, initially worth less than ten million,

at thirty million for lady number seven,” the auctioneer announced, referring

this moment, Renee, who had been observing quietly, raised her

countered with a

immediately raised her

the bid escalated from thirty

visibly irritated, half–threatened Renee. “Do you actually have the funds, Renee? Don’t let your jealousy

Miss Hudson?” Her

waist and a slight filt of his chin,

Catherine enjoyed with him, where she

other affluent

again.

how Renee

be devastated!

with irony, didn’t deter Renee, who

the spectacle unfolding, between Catherine and Renee,known

initial thirty–million offer escalated to fifty–six million, at which

Hermès bag for fifty–six million,” the

to waste

couldn’t resist a jab at Rejjee. “Good thing you

to the next them being presented. A subtle smile played on her lips, her profile radiating elegance under the

by her

the auction since their arrival. He hadn’t anticipated her active participation, only for her to suddenly

next item nonchalantly, replied,

had no interest in the bag, Marcelo

in the bag, her bidding

the

the evening, Renee consistently bid on items Catherine showed interest

foolish,

valued at four million, escalated to twenty–eight million due to Renee’s interference, even though Catherine could

at eight and a half million soared to forty million because

so you know. I won’t let you easily claim what’s mine anymore!“Catherine declared, securing a diamond necklace for fifty million. Her words were a veiled accusation, painting Renee as a usurper of her

remained composed, her smile

was no hint of anger in

smile, sly and triumphant, caught Marcelo’s attention for a moment

Andrew spend more,

found Renee’s actions

perceived victory, was too elated to observe the subtle displeasure on

liberal with his spending on women, found the night’s expenses

found himself unable to intervene or

was going to make him broke

conclusion, the final three

third–to–last item was a winery in Texas, an exquisite property valued at two hundred million for its collectible and

visibly interested in

bidding with an astonishing offer of one billion, swiftly concluding the

Marcelo’s sleeve, despite their recent disagreements. She

“Marcelo, are you out of your mind? The winery, at

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