Secret Wife, Real Billionaire

Chapter 189 Under his gaze

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Marcelo wrapped his arms around her waist, making it impossible for her to escape his embrace. Taking a deep breath, Renee tried her best to calm herself down.

She inquired, “Marcelo, would you believe me if I told you Vivian deliberately broke her contract because she knew I was the styling director for that big show, and she wanted to cause trouble for me?”

Renee observed his reaction.

He seemed taken aback at first, then his brow furrowed.

She noticed no signs of disgust, blame, or uncertainty on his face when he heard the news. He also didn’t seem to regret his assistance in resolving Vivian’s professional troubles.

“You don’t believe me.” With a bitter smile, Renee’s demeanor turned icy. The warmth from their earlier closeness had vanished. “Marcelo, let go of me.”

“It’s not that I don’t believe you.” Of course, Marcelo wouldn’t let her go. “Renee, it’s just that Vivian I know…”

“The Vivian you know wouldn’t do that, right?” Renee cut in, saying, “Remember at your dad’s birthday party? I mentioned that Vivian was the one who encouraged Catherine to use the champagne tower against me. You didn’t believe it then either.”

Renee felt a chilling numbness throughout her body and a deep ache in her heart. Her chest felt constricted.

She fiercely resisted, attempting to break free from his grip, as though she found the notion of remaining on his lap intolerable. Her efforts only seemed to encourage him further.

Marcelo leaned in, pushing her down onto the sofa, his one hand securing her hands.

Yet, he was gentle with her, as if trying to soothe her.

Renee glared at him.

After a few moments, she averted her gaze, turning away with an air of cold indifference.

“Renee, you’re the one who said we should talk. Stop throwing tantrums, okay?” Marcelo gently held her chin, guided her face toward him, and made her gaze into his eyes.

He couldn’t bear her refusal to meet his eyes.

“I’m throwing tantrums?” Renee laughed scornfully. “Then I’ll throw tantrums even more! Marcelo, I want you to dismiss Vivian from Harvillston. Would you do that for me?”

If Harvillston passed over Vivian for the job, the fashion world would soon start whispering. They’d inevitably unearth the old story of her contract breach with Light.

Marcelo gave Renee a puzzled look. He couldn’t fathom why she’d made such a request.

Renee had turned down a position at Harvillston herself. Why was she now intervening in Vivian’s potential hiring?

animosity towards Vivian, especially

Paul’s birthday celebration, Marcelo, perplexed by her cryptic remarks, had Luke look into any possible connection

encounter with Vivian. Lost in thought, Marcelo was jolted by the

to answer the call first

curled into a sardonic

Under

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a direct answer was his tacit refusal to

the phone call progressed, his expression grew stormy. Abruptly,

came up. I’ll see you

in a

seen the caller

It was Vivian.

and Marcelo was

steady herself. “Marcelo, are

face. “I’ll spend tomorrow morning with

want him

She said, her voice tinged with an unusual mix of pride and

to Marcelo: to choose between her, and

was also a final test

There’s an urgent matter I need to attend to,” Marcelo replied softly, trying to soothe

11

What was so urgent?

yearned to ask, yet

issue could Vivian possibly

significance of a woman’s concerns often depended on the value

nature of the urgency was

was that Marcelo labeled it

to wallow in misery or endure any more

left, the room sank into a hollow

It felt starkly vacant.

wasn’t in the

planning to stay with her tomorrow seemed now a distant

condition worsened

arriving at the hospital, Marcelo discovered the doctor was hesitant to administer any treatment without

should’ve taken better care of your mother. She’s

apologies were interrupted by sobs and