Chapter 23 Catherine’s plan.
*RENER
Marcelo’s suite, located in the eastern wing of the main courtyard was a spacious blend of traditional and modern. styles, meticulously detailed.
While Marcelo went to take care of other things,I began to read a book I had picked up from a shelf.
After a few minutes, there was a knock on the door,interruping me from my reading.
Marcelo must be back.
I stood up and opened the door. I was taken aback to see Andrew at the door.
Seriously?
Did he come to find me here?
Can’t Catherine just control her boyfriend?
Andrew keeps wanting to cause trouble for me at any opportunity!
Can’t she keep him on a leash on something?
“You barely know Marcelo yet you’re sticking by his side like glue.If you really know the kind of person he is, you’d run far away.”
I rolled my eyes. “Are you done?”
*Renee,listen…”
“I do not want to talk or listen to you.“I made to lock the door but Andrew blocked it with his foot.
“Wait!Do you know where he is right now?He’s visiting the ashes of his brother,Sebastian You know,Seb died in a fire.”
I blinked.
I didn’t know that.
But I also didn’t want to keep talking to Andrew right now If Marcelo were to see him here.It would lead to more misunderstandings.
“If you don’t leave now, I’ll call the guards of you.“I warned
But he ignored me and continued. “Do you know that Marcelo killed his brother After their father passed, it was only reasonable for Sebastian to take over the family business as the eldest son but Marcelo didn’t want that.He had always been evil since he was little. He set the fire that killed his own brother and now, he had the audacity to visit his brother’s ashes.I’m only telling you this,Renee so you can know how vile he is.A man who could murder his own brother, think of what he could do to you if you cross him.”
Marcelo killed his own brother?
I knew Marcelo was mean but not this mean,right?
I recalled when he had left me outside with his dogs.Those dogs could have killed me.
Was he really that mean?
TAG
+25 BONUS
Chapter 23 Catherine’s plan
I heard he kills people but there really hasn’t been any clear evidence about it.
Just gossips and rumors.
My eyes narrowed and I processed Andrew’s revelation,searching his face for any sign that he could be lying
I knew Andrew was full of lies but he couldn’t go as far as accusing Marcelo of killing his own brother,right?
Pleased with her reaction, Andrew leaned against the door frame, certained that Renee would regret her connection to Marcelo.
“Renee, I’ve told you before, Marcelo is dangerous. He should have been in prison, but he avoided it by claiming a mental breakdown, “Andrew said. “Under that condition, his actions weren’t legally punishable.”
Only those close to the King family knew this secret. It had been used to marginalize Marcelo within the family.
Expecting Renee to react with fear or regret, Andrew was taken aback when she responded calmly, “Is that all?”
Her composure shook him to his core. His mouth left agape
“You can leave now. I am not interested in your accusations against my husband.”
Andrew, frustrated and red–faced, blurted out, “Renee, I’m telling you this because of our past. Didn’t you see how he hurt my mother? He’s violent and unstable. He’s either a serial killer or mentally III!”
Deep down inside, Renee felt Felicia had gotten what she deserved.
If Marcelo hadn’t acted, Renee herself would have stood up to her.
“Mr. King, “Hence said, her tone teasing. “Your frequent attempts to speak with me make me wonder… Do you still have feelings for me?”
“What? I still have feelings for you?! That’s nonsense!” Andrea retorted with indignation. “I can have any woman I want. You come from a low background. Why would you think I care about you? Don’t flatter yourself!”
“Then get lost!” She sneered.
There was no use being polite to someone as shameless as Andrew.
Andrew, infuriated, had not anticipated Renee’s unwavering loyalty to Marcelo, even after revealing such a scandalous secret.
What did Marcelo have that made him so special?
He left in a huff, his anger palpable.
RENEE
As I moved to close the door, I caught a glimpse of a pink dress hiding behind a pillar in the corridor.
Catherine was wearing pink today.
Not wanting another confrontation, I quickly shut the door,
Andrew’s allegations about Marcelo haunted my thoughts.
Marcelo was responsible for his brother’s death?
#26 BONUS
Chapter 23 Catherin
It seemed impossible.
Even though I wasn’t one to gossip or conclude,I strongly ht that Marcelo and his brother may have had a strong bond.
However, Andrew had no reason to lie about it.
It could easily be verified by any member of the Kings family.
Marcelo only appeared at dinner.
Following the family’s tradition, the men and women dined separately.
The conversation flowed smoothly around me, but I found myself somewhat isolated.
I didn’t mind the solitude, finding solace in the quiet My eyes occasionally wandered to where Marcelo sat, amidst the chatter at the men’s table.
In his wheelchair, his presence was markedly different from the other men. His stern features and detached demeanor set him apart, giving him an almost godlike aura of detachment.
Meanwhile, Renee’s dining manners were a study in grace, turning each movement into an almost artistic display Catherine, ever since she had joined the King family had tried to emulate Renee’s poise but never quite captured her effortless elegance.
Watching Renee only intensified Catherine’s envy.
She was determined not to let Renee, who had already taken so much from her life, encroach on her relationship
- 100.
After dinner, Grandpa Paul summoned Gary and Marcelo to the study.
On her way back to her room, Renee was confronted by Catherine.
“Want to know the truth about Sebastian’s death? Meet me at eight tonight,“Catherine offered.
“How are you privy to King family matters?” Renee narrowed her eyes.
Catherine, a recent addition to the King household, was unlikely to be well–versed in the intricacies of the elites, let alone the secrets of the King family.
“That’s none of your concern, “Catherine retorted, her smile tinged with malice. “You can choose to ignore this, but consider what might happen if Marcelo loses control one day.”
Renee regarded her silently for a moment before asking, “Where should I meet you?”
The guest room is in the west wing ”
Rence doubted Catherine’s dramatic claim about Marcelo’s danger.
If Marcelo were truly unstable, it was unlikely that someone as shrewd as Jason would remain in his alliance.
Curious about Catherine’s motives, Renee decided to see what ploy she had in store.
Late at night, at exactly eight o’clock, the Kings‘ house was shrouded in quiet solemnity.
Chapter 23 Catherine’s
Renee navigated the moonlit hallways, passing ornate doorways, to the location Catherine had specified.
The area was dedicated to guest rooms, but one room, distinctively lit, caught her attention. Upon entering, she found Catherine seated, with two glasses of wine on the table.
Catherine offered her a glass. “Let’s talk over a drink.”
“I don’t drink,” Renee replied, eyeing the glass.
“Renee, you won’t even honor me by sharing a drink, and yet you expect me to share the Kings family’s secrets?” Catherine sneered, implying that she would withhold information If Renee refused to drink.
Renee, masking her suspicion, took the glass.
Catherine’s impatience surpassed Renee’s expectations. Wasn’t it blatantly clear that the wine had been drugged?
As Renee was about to drink, she paused, pretending to hear something at the door. “I think someone’s outside.”
Startled, Catherine set her glass down and hurried to check
She couldn’t risk anyone overhearing their conversation.
Seizing the moment, Renee quickly switched the glasses.
Upon returning, Catherine said, “There’s no–one there.”
“I must’ve just imagined it,” Renee said, urging Catherine to drink first.
Catherine, confident in her plan, took a sip from her glass.
She didn’t drug her own glass.
“Can you tell me now?“Renee asked, sipping her wine.
“You’re so gullible, Renee. I don’t know anything. If there’s someone to blame, it’s you! You brought this on yourself!“Catherine taunted, dashing out of the room and locking it from outside.
She anticipated the effects of the drug to take hold of Renee soon, eagerly awaiting the ensuing drama.
In the room, tranquility settled once more, only to be broken by distant snoring from behind the bookshelf.
Curious, Renee tiptoed over.
There, sprawled on a large bed hidden by the bookshelf, was a middle–aged, overweight man, deeply asleep.
The man, reeking of alcohol, was one of the King family’s distant relatives.
Catherine’s scheme became clear: She wanted Renee drugged and locked in a room with a drunk man. If she had sex with the man under the influence of the drug, it could ruin her reputation, painting her as unfaithful to Marcelo and attracting the scorn of both the King family and the public.
Catherine was indeed devious.
Finding the door locked, Renee opened the window, revealing a vast pond outside.
Catherine had chosen this room carefully, making escape seem impossible.
Only one way out: Swim.
Refusing to be cornered, Renee jumped into the pond.
Chapter 23
With a loud splash, she vanished into the dark waters.
Renee chose to swim to the spot closest to Marcelo’s room
Soaked and uncomfortable, she made her way in the shower in Marcelo’s room.
When she opened the door, her eyes widened in shock.
For a moment, she was motionless, her gaze unintentionally taking in Marcelo’s well–defined chest and abs.
“Seen enough?”
His cold voice cut through the steam. Then a grey towel flew toward her, covering her eyes. Brought abruptly back to reality, Rence blinked, her eyelashes fluttering against the towel. Her mind, however, lingered on the unexpected sight she had just seen.
Well…It seemed as if a man’s height was linked to the size of his dick.
Marcelo was impressively proportioned, She wondered if the image would haunt her dreams. “You should lock the door when you’re showering,” she mumbled, regaining her composure. Inside, her heart raced uncontrollably. Marcelo, now modestly wrapped in a towel, loomed over her with a foreboding expression, as if any further defiance from Renee might lead to her getting thrown out.
Feeling awkward, Renee touched her nose. “I wasn’t pecking, honestly.”
Did she think that he was an idiot?
His frosty gaze remained fixed on her as she looked down, trying to think of a way to defuse the tension. Suddenly, he spoke. “As Mrs King, you could peek.”
Renee felt him move closer.
Her in
Her instincts kicked in and she tried to step back.
However, before she could move, Marcelo firmly grasped her wrist.
She could feel the intense heat emanating from his hand, a reminder of the typically higher body temperature in
men.
It felt unusually warm.
“Marcelo!” she began to protest, but her hand inadvertently brushed against the towel around his waist, her fingers momentarily grazing his toned abs.
The sensation of his muscle texture, and the heat from his skin sent a jolt through her.
She tried to pull away, but his grip was firm.
“Mrs. King, you can do more than just peek; you can touch it as well.” Marcelo observed, catching Renee’s stunned and wide–eyed expression.
Her eyes mirrored her helpless state, contrasting her usual calm demeanor.
“No!”
For crying out loud! She didn’t want to touch him!
Renee shook her head vigorously, struggling to free herself, “Let me go!”
But in her effort to escape, she accidentally collided with Marcelo.
“Aht”
To avoid falling, she instinctively reached out, one handelching his broad shoulder, the other grabbing his arm
The lingering water droplets on his skin were unmistakable
Close to him, she could sense every detail of his physique,
“Finished touching yet?” Marcelo asked, standing rigidly and making no move to assist her. Without looking up, Renee could picture the disdain in his eyes.
She bit her lower lips, nervously.
“How much longer do you plan to keep your hands on me?” Marcelo’s impatience was evident.
Internally cursing, Renee feltmortified. She quickly withdrew her hands, steadying herself against the wall.
“You were the one who said I could touch,” she mumbled, trying to sound confident despite her stutter.
Marcelo observed her, noting her flushed face and averted gaze
This was interesting
He never knew she had a shy side.
He briefly surveyed her drenched state. With a tone of disdain, he remarked, “Clean yourself up. You’re a mess.”
With that, he strode out of the bathroom.
After he left, Renee locked the door, leaned against the wall, and let out a frustrated sigh.
Why had she gone straight to the bathroom?
Why hadn’t she knocked first?
After showering, Renee realized another serious problem.
She hadn’t brought any clean clothes with her!
What was she going to wear?!
interesting at all
