Secret Wife Real Billionaire (by Ela) novel Chapter 131

Chapter 131 Very young

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Chapter 131 Very young

The unexpected arrival of Laura took everyone by surprise

Renee instinctively glanced towards the back door.

Marcelo, still seated there, appeared unfazed by Laura’s entrance, as though he had anticipated her arrival.

“Good afternoon, everyone,” Laura began, microphone in hand. “I am the daughter of the chairman of Herod Group, and Herman’s cousin. Should you doubt my identity feel free to verify my background online. I’ve come today because I’ve heard someone spreading false information about my family.”

Her gaze deliberately settled on Catherine, who was standing in the last row.

“While it’s true that Herod Group is facing some operational challenges, these issues are unrelated to Renee. The difficulties stem from internal matters within our family, which we are actively addressing. I am confident we will overcome these obstacles and emerge stronger!”

Catherine, visibly shaken, collapsed into the chair.

Why was Laura…here defending Renee?

Was she out of her mind? How could she side with Renee?

As reality sank in, Catherine noticed her classmates pointing and whispering about her.

Their looks of disgust and contempt felt like sharp slaps to her face.

She felt like a clown!

Overwhelmed with embarrassment after embarrassment, Catherine abruptly stood up and fled the room.

Howard watched her retreat, his expression thoughtful.

Despite the unforeseen disruption, the lecture concluded smoothly.

“Renee, I apologize for today’s incident. We were at fault,” Howard admitted, feeling responsible. He had suspected Catherine of being problematic but hadn’t anticipated her blatant disrespect.

At Bellbanks University, renowned for its academic integrity and strict discipline, Howard had never encountered someone like Catherine. The situation was unprecedented for him.

Renee brushed off the matter lightly. “It’s no big deal. It’s just my personal issue with Catherine.”

She didn’t blame the student union for the incident, recognizing that Catherine, as the University student, had every right to attend.

Howard, a hint of red coloring his ears, mentioned the earlier jokes. “And I hope the comments from my classmates earlier…didn’t bother you.”

It took Renee a few moments to realize he was referring to the teasing questions about himself. “It’s fine. They like to joke around. I get it!“Renee was unbothered by the playful banter.

Joke around?

Howard, upon hearing her dismissal of the matter as mere fuss, felt a twinge of disappointment. As Renee nacked up, she glanced towards the back door, noticing the absence of the man who had been there earlier.

“I have to leave now, Howard. You can message me on W******p if you need anything.” With a quick farewell, Renee headed for the back door.

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“Renee…” Howard began to speak but then stopped, his words unspoken as he sighed inwardly.

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“Hey! She’s already gone!” Howard’s roommate emerged from backstage, nudging him playfully. “Saw you having lunch with Renee today. Any progress?”

Howard replied somewhat irritably, “Did you not see there was a third person with us?”

“A good–looking guy in a wheelchair, right? Who’s he? He was all suited up.”

“Just a sponsor of the school,” Howard explained.

His roommate let out a relieved breath.

“Phew, not her boyfriend, then! He’s handsome but looks older. He can’t be her boyfriend.”

Was that so?

Howard, momentarily reassured, quickly changed the subject. “When do the final exams for the school of finance finish?”

“This week. They’ve been bombarded with homework this semester, and the final exam covers only three areas,” his roommate informed him. “Are you planning to do something about Catherine for Renee’s sake?”

He then cautioned, “Think it through. You’re a Lee, but Catherine’s no ordinary girl. Rumor has it that her boyfriend is Andrew King from the King family, and she has quite a following.”

Howard affirmed calmly, “I’m aware of what I’m doing.”

Yet, he recognized that exposing Catherine now wasn’t the best strategy.

Patience was required.

Renee, clutching her bag, hurried through the long, undivided corridor outside the back door.

Marcelo was nowhere in sight, but she found Laura leaning against a wall.

“He’s already left,” Laura said, smoothing her hair.

Marcelo had received an urgent call requiring his immediate return to KM Group.

Catching her breath, Renee managed to say, “Thank you for earlier.”

Laura dismissed her gratitude. “Don’t thank me. Marcelo said he’d spare my family’s company as long as I helped you.”

Renee, puzzled, asked, “Is he really behind your family’s troubles?”

“Not entirely.”

The Herod family had long relied on several key partnerships. Marcelo had merely hinted at discontent, prompting these allies to sever ties with the Herods, exacerbating their already precarious situation.

The Herod family, aware of their company’s issues, saw this as an opportunity to address them. Changing the subject, Laura revealed, “I’m going abroad.”

Renee, surprised, asked, “I thought you didn’t want to leave?”

Renee, being close in age to Laura, was aware of the Herod family’s earlier attempts to send Laura abroad for

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Chapter 131 Very young

education, efforts that Laura had resisted, preferring to stay at home.

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“It was his order,” Laura explained with a shrug. “I confessed my feelings to Marcelo, and he told me to stay out of his sight.”

Renee was at a loss for words. She found Marcelo’s approach somewhat overbearing

Remembering Laura’s assistance, Renee offered, “If you really don’t want to go abroad, I could talk to him for you.

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“No need,” Laura declined. “I’m not interested in a man who’s married. I confessed to him in ignorance of his marital status, but when I saw how much he goes out of his way to protect you…”

He went out of his way to protect her?

Did Laura perceive her relationship with Marcelo in that light?

Renee’s heart quickened as she reflected on Marcelo’s recent actions. His intervention in the Herod family’s affairs, his request for Laura to assist her, and his insistence on Laura leaving the country…all pointed towards a protective stance towards her.

Laura continued, “About the financial issue in my family, Marcelo intervened already. He used your name to invest his own money. You’re now a shareholder in our family business. Just wait for the dividends.”

“What?“Renee was taken aback. “Why would he…”

Resolving a listed company’s financial crisis was no small feat. It was as if Marcelo had given her a significant

sum.

“You’ll have to ask him about that,” Laura advised. “A man spending a lot on a woman doesn’t always imply affection, but a man willing to invest such an amount might not be indifferent either.”

Renee’s thoughts were still occupied with Laura’s words and the revelation that Marcelo had invested in her name as she headed back home from school.

She had witnessed Marcelo’s kindness on several occasions recently but had chosen to ignore it. Aware that she occupied the role of Mrs. King, she was uncertain about how long this status would last.

Although, she kept telling herself that one day he might abandon her and she should be ready for that but deep down,she didn’t want to let go of him.

She didn’t want to stop being Mrs King, Marcelo’s wife.

• Her desire wasn’t rooted in being part of the King family, nor was it because Marcelo led KM Group, or even his physical abilities.

Her wish was not to continue as Mrs. King of the King family, but to remain as Marcelo’s wife…Marcelo’s woman.

Looking out the taxi window, she noticed the streets adorned with festive decorations and banners proclaiming “Happy New Year.”

She smiled recalling it was December 31st, the year’s final day.

It was the evening of New Year’s Eve.

Suddenly,Renee instructed the taxi driver, “Please, let’s head to the KM Group building instead.” She then opened W******p.

Renee texted Marcelo, “What time will your workday end today?”

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Chapter 131 Very young

Within half a minute, Marcelo responded with a phone call

“What’s up?” he asked.

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