Chapter 20 No choice
*RENEE*
Sarah had told me about what was going on online regarding me and Catherine.
But I’ve never paid any mind to the comparison.
Hell, I didn’t want to be compared to anyone.
I just wanted to live my life on my terms.
And now, I was focused on an opportunity with KM Group,Which was currently seeking a stylist for their new quarterly project.
KM Group was a global powerhouse which was recently expanding into the domestic market, they held significant influence enough to make even the King family cautious in their approach.
A collaboration with KM group would offer me a shield against the Hudsons who were constantly trying to ruin
my name.
Towards evening, I descended the stairs to find Chad deep in conversation with Marcelo. Upon noticing me,Chad said to me.
“Oh Mrs King, we were just talking about you.”
I walked closer to them,curiously. “Did I do something wrong?”
“Of course not. There’s a banquet at the King’s family house tomorrow and both you and Mr King are invited.”
“Me?“I glanced at Marcelo.
I knew Marcelo’s relationship with his extended family was strained and got a lot worse when his father passed,I was sure he didn’t want to be around them.
Plus, I doubted if he wanted me accompanying him to the King family event.
The invitation seemed more like a trap.
“What’s with that look? You don’t want to go?“Marcelo asked me.
“I don’t.“I shook my head.
I firmly believe that I would always be a nominal Mrs King Sure, a few of his family members knew that he was married to me but I wasn’t ready to meet the rest given his tense ties with his family.
Was there any need to meet the rest of his family.
But then again,we were married and it was inevitable.
It was only right I met his family.
“You do know that you have no choice in this,right?“He asked.
I nodded.
I knew.
I had to do everything he wants. That was what I signed up for.
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Chapter 20 No thrice
*MARCELO⭑
I sat in my wheelchair as I stared at Renee walking down from the stairs.
She was clad in a long dress which was subtly adorned with moon–white pattern, perfectly suitable for meeting
the elders.
Her look was elegant and poised,making her look so graceli
Yet, the dress seemed too striking
I had never been attractive to anyone.I just found everyoneve ever met normal in terms of their looks.
But this woman wasn’t normal and it bothered me so mucli
She exhibited a rang of personas, gentle and serene, yet capable of anger, cunning and charm.
She was in every aspect, an arresting presence.
The thought of Andrew being with her before soured my mood.I didn’t feel to notice how he looked at her at the mall the other day.
I knew he still wanted her.
Even if I had no feelings for Renee, I didn’t appreciate others coveting what was mine!
“MARCELO*
As we got into the car, I noticed Marcelo looked angrier than usual.
He was dressed,casually and knowing his strained relationship with his family,it clicked for me.
“Marcelo,this attire isn’t to impress the King family.Observing proper etiquette is key for a confident defense.If we appear disrespectful, it gives them an excuse to criticize.”
Moreover, for a stylist like me,maintaining a professional image was fundamental.
“You have just graduated, yet you are surprisingly seasoned huh.“Marcelo remarked with a hint of scom.
I can’t believe he found my words nonsensical.
I eyed him and then looked away.
One can never get through him.
1 froze when I suddenly felt him move a stray strand of my hair and tucked it behind my ear.
I slowly turned my head to stare at him.
He seemed to realize what he was doing for he quickly took his hand away.
I swallowed, feeling off–balance.
The Kings family house was located in the suburbs, an imposing structure dating back a century, its grandeur preserved through continuous renovations
As we arrived, I was struck by the solemnity of the historic mansion.
Chapter 20 No choice
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“Mr King, Mrs King.“The servants greeted us, respectfully.
One led the way while another pushed Marcelo’s wheelchalt.
The mansion had been modified for Marcelo’s accessibility with threshold removed and wheelchair–friendly paths modified.
Jessica was surprisingly strict with her son I figured as she was his mother, they might be extremely close but they appeared to have a strained relationship as well.
What was wrong with this family?
Laughter and conversation filled the hall,a vast area of several hundred square meters.About thirty close relatives of the Kings family’s were present, the women congregated on one side, the men on the other.
In the center, an accent painting and an imperial gift plaque were displayed, flanked by two mahogany chairs.
I noticed the room fell into a brief silence when Marcelo and I entered.
“Marcelo!“Someone called out.
“This is unacceptable!Everyone’s been waiting!” An elderly man, over seventy scolded,his gaze sharp and critical.
I glanced at Marcelo who nonchalantly gestured at his wheelchair. “I can move around as fast as everyone you know.”
I frowned.
What an excuse!
I tried not to laugh imagining their faces if they found out that this man could walk,perfectly.
Andrew’s gaze lingers on Renee, still in awe of her beauty.
It was his first time seeing her in a traditional dress.Her graceful demeanor, paired with her striking features was breathtaking.
“It’s okay, Dad.We should be used to Marcelo’s lateness by now.He never keeps to time.“Said a well–dressed middle–aged man,offering a cup of coffee to the older man.
He smiled at Marcelo, his tone hinting at familiarity.
“I’m Marcelo’s closest uncle yet he always gives me the cold shoulder. “Gary let out.
He was Andrew’s Dad.
“Closest uncle,really?Marcelo sneered.“Cut the bullshit, Gary You’re just a fucking stranger to me.”
“Don’t speak to my father like that!” Andrew shot at Marcelo.
Felicia,his mother held his shoulder trying to calm him down.
“Calm down, Drew.We all know how bad tempered Marcelo s.Speaking of strangers,who’s this?“She pointed at Renee. “Should she even be here?”
Renee now understood Marcelo’s earlier disdain Someone was always ready to cause trouble,even if you were polite or simply minding your business.
Various looks were cast towards Renee, some mocking,some curious,some disdainful and some outright
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Chapter 20 No chcien
ridiculous.
“Rence.“Catherine, present as Andrew’s girlfriend, stood beside Felicia as she watched the scene unfold,
Felicia already knew who Renee was to Marcelo so she said
“Oh,isn’t this the wench your parents raised? The one who keeps trying to be the real Miss Hudson.”
Renee scoffed.“The Hudson title might have held value a month ago but sadly, it doesn’t to me anymore.“She shot
back
Laughters rippled through the crowd.
Renee,standing by Marcelo’s side as his wife knew that any Insult to her was an insult to him.
She was well aware that she and Marcelo were on the same boat now.
She placed her hand on his wheelchair and continued, calmly.
“I’m Mrs King now. Why would I still compete for the irrelevant title of Miss Hudson?”
Her statement was irrefutable.
The prestige of the King family far outstripped that of the Hudsons.
The significance of being Mrs King overshadowed her previous status.
Marcelo looked down unable to hide the flicker of amusement in his eyes.
His mother did great this time.
He had to finally thank her for choosing this woman,
His mother was once like this, tough and graceful but having lost her husband and Marcelo’s elder brother, Jessica had withdrew to a shell.
The woman felt that the only way to protect Marcelo,the only child and family she had left was to be submissive and respectful to the rest of the King family.
Marcelo didn’t like this about his mother but he had to understand.
And now he was glad that Renee was not easily intimidated.
Andrew, irked by Renee’s alliance with Marcelo remarked, mockingly.
“Marcelo, I see that you have a taste for the woman I rejected. How pathetic.”
Renee had grown tired of his sly remark,he constantly had something stupid to say.
And since Marcelo appeared to be upset about Andrew’s words, she had to put him in his place.
“Andrew Marcelo is your oldest cousin and you should try to be respectful to him and to me.Plus, you never rejected me I rejected you because I had to find a great man Well, the past doesn’t matter anymore, what matters now is the present of which I am Marcelo’s wife.“Turning her attention to Gary,she added,sharply.
“Mr King, rather than scrutinizing my husband, perhaps you should try disciplining your own son and teach him
so manners.”
Her words seemed to struck a nerve in Andrew’s family.
Felicia marched towards Renee, furiously.
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Chapter 20 No choice
“How dare you talk to my Imsband and son that way?Who do you think you are?!”
As she raised up her hand to hit Renee, Marcelo reached for a cup of coffee nearby and splashed the counter on her.
Felicia moved back, screaming in shock and pain.
A shocked silenced enveloped the hall.
