Secret Wife Real Billionaire (by Ela) novel Chapter 47

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?”

Marcelo responded calmly, “Go ahead.”

Money was the least of his concerns.

Renee toyed with the paddle, a mischievous glint in her eye, as if plotting a minor scheme.

“Mr. King, I’m quite skilled at spending. Are you sure?”

Marcelo’s laugh carried a challenge, as if daring her to prove it.

“Trust me,Renee. You can’t spend as much as I’ve earned.And even if you do spend everything which is highly impossible, it’ll be worth it.”

Renee blushed.

Why was he being so sweet?

Andrew, unable to hear their exchange, could only watch as Renee and Marcelo shared a close, seemingly intimate

conversation.

His previous taunt now seemed self–mocking

“Drew?” Catherine’s voice, laced with suspicion, broke his trance.

Her insecurities about Andrew’s past with Renee, combined with Renee’s allure, always lingered.

Especially as he still saw her as Renee in his bed.

Andrew turned his attention Catherine, reassuringly squeezing her hand. “Bid on whatever you like, babe. It’s on

me.”

Andrew’s assurance was met with a delighted kiss from Catherine.“You’re the best, Drew! I love you!”

Andrew vividly recalled that despite Marcelo’s significant shareholding in the King Group, this year’s dividends

hadn’t been distributed yet. He surmised that Marcelo, lacing a dominant role in the family, might not have the means to compete in such a high–end auction, where starting bids were in the millions.

His 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 purchases.

He intended to expose Marcelo as ineffectual. He solely bellived that Marcelo only source of income was from the King family business.

Nearby attendees sensed the tension between these four but were unclear about the identity of the man in the wheelchair. They refrained from intervening.

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

However, the arrival of a rare, limited edition leather bag stirred excitement among the women present.

Catherine, bidding aggressively, drove the price of a bag, initially worth less than ten million, up to thirty million.

“The bid stands at thirty million for lady number seven,” the auctioneer announced, referring to Catherine.

At this moment, Renee, who had been observing quietly, raised her paddle, each lift typically indicating a two- million increment.

Catherine, visibly annoyed, countered with a higher bid.

Renee immediately raised her paddle.

In mere seconds, the bid escalated from thirty to forty million.

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

Renee, unfazed, countered, “Running low on funds, Miss Hudson?” Her words carried a taunting edge.

Andrew, with an arm around Catherine’s waist and a slight filt of his chin, addressed Renee confidently, “I’ll cover the cost. I can afford anything my woman wants.”

His intention was to display to Renee the lavish lifestyle Catherine enjoyed with him, where she could have anything she desired.

Their display sparked comments from other affluent young men in the room.

“Andrew’s showing off his wealth again. Go ahead, Miss Hudson, bid away!”

“Ssshh! Not so loud! Imagine how Renee must feel hearing this.”

“She must be devastated! Haha.”

Their words, tinged with irony, didn’t deter Renee, who continued bidding.

The auction attendees were drawn to the spectacle unfolding, between Catherine and Renee,known to many as t legitimate and disputed heiresses of the Hudson family.

After several bids, Catherine’s initial thirty–million offer escalated to fifty–six million, at which point Renee ceased bidding

“Lady number seven wins this rare Hermès bag for fifty–six million,” the auctioneer declared,

to waste

Catherine, basking in her victory, couldn’t resist a jab at Rejjee. “Good thing you stopped, Renee. No need to everyone’s time.”

Renee remained unfazed, her attention turning to the next them being presented. A subtle smile played on her lips, her profile radiating elegance under the warm lighting

Marcelo, observing her, was surprised by her sudden halt in bidding.

“Why 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 suddenly withdraw.

Renee, eyeing the next item nonchalantly, replied, “I simply didn’t like it.”

Realizing Rence had no interest in the bag, Marcelo quickly grasped her tactic.

Renee had no real interest in the bag, her bidding was a strategic move.

Her aim was to inflate the price, compelling Catherine to overspend.

Throughout the evening, Renee consistently bid on items Catherine showed interest in, forcing her to pay exorbitantly.

Catherine appeared almost foolish, falling for Renee’s strategy.

A sapphire ring, initially valued at four million, escalated to twenty–eight million due to Renee’s interference, even though Catherine could have secured it for eighteen million.

Similarly, a gown priced at eight and a half million soared to forty million because of Renee’s bidding.

“Renee, I 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 fifty million. Her words were a veiled accusation, painting Renee as a usurper of her life and achievements.

Renee remained composed, her smile widening.

She offered, “Congratulations!” There was no hint of anger in her voice.

Her smile, sly and triumphant, caught Marcelo’s attention for a moment longer than usual.

Renee seemed delighted at making Andrew spend more, a reaction Marcelo found childish.

Despite the circumstances, Marcelo found Renee’s actions surprisingly gratifying

Catherine, basking in her perceived victory, was too elated to observe the subtle displeasure on Andrew’s face.

Andrew,typically liberal with his spending on women, found the night’s expenses far exceeding his expectations.

Concerned about maintaining his image, he found himself unable to intervene or correct Catherine in front of the gathered crowd.

She was going to make him broke tonight.

As the auction neared its conclusion, the final three top–tier items were presented.

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

Andrew, among others, was visibly interested in the winery

However, Marcelo abruptly entered the bidding with an astonishing offer of one billion, swiftly concluding the auction before anyone else could react.

Renee, in disbelief, impulsively clutched Marcelo’s sleeve, despite their recent disagreements. She whispered in

shock, “Marcelo, are you out of your mind? The winery, at its best, is worth half a billion!”

Five hundred million, not another cent more!

Marcelo, noticing Renee’s grip on his sleeve, chose not to ask her to let go. “Mrs. King, consider this as me letting you know that I am a billionaire so spend my money.”

Renee was speechless, her earlier attempts at inflating auction prices paling in comparison to Marcelo’s lavish expenditure.

She knew he was wealthy because he owned KM Group but a lot of people didn’t know that and so they often underestimated him.

Now, she could finally see how wealthy he was.

She then noticed Andrew’s frustration.

Renee recalled Andrew’s fondness for collecting red wine. True to her memory, when she glanced his way, she observed Andrew clenching his teeth, a clear sign of his unresolved frustration.

Renee shared in Marcelo’s sense of amusement, realizing that the extravagant spending wasn’t coming from her pocket. Moreover, seeing Andrew’s discomfort added to her enjoyment. Why not relish the moment?