Secret Wife Real Billionaire (by Ela) novel Chapter 120

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Chapter 120 No record

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, is there anything you’d like to explain?” 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, “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 this large 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 she lay 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 exclaimed.

Ivan was there, hands clasped and head bowed, assuming a posture of reverence.

“The students in your school possess a curious belief that a prayer to you ensures success in any exam, given your excellence in studies. Hence, I am performing this ritual, “Ivan explained. 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

1. n. “Many students

adorned their study spaces with your portraits before facing their final exams, claiming 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, “Are we discussing the grapevine about you or your awe–inspiring track record?”

While the accolades 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 slander.

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!“Ivan comforted 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 consolation, “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 upcoming 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 available? 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 playfully. “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 in law school. I reckon he still holds that title.”

Ivan chuckled and probed further, “Who’s the better catch, him or Marcelo?”

Glaring 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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He 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, sensing Marcelo’s unmistakable annoyance towards him, couldn’t help but feel a sense of triumph.

“I let myself in, “He declared triumphantly. “I’m here for Renee, not you. She 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 the last.

Why the change?

He had observed Renee indulge in bubble tea on three occasions, 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 glances.

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 explained, “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 declaration?

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 a furtive glance 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 a guy sending Renee voice messages on W******p this afternoon.”

Marcelo’s brow furrowed.

Chapter 120 No record

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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 guy from the law school! Alas! Do you think he might have a crush on het?”

Marcelo’s countenance darkened.

“Is 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 revelations earlier in the day.

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