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.
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.
1 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 Rence.
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..
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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 implied generosity rather than a loan.
“Expecting someone with a partner to foot your bill, Rence” 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 and it back to Marcelo. “I don’t have the means for
this.”
Marcelo arched an eyebrow. “Would I 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
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hadn’t been distributed yet. He surmised that Marcelo, lacking 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 believed 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, Renee found little interest in the antique calligraphy and paintings.
However, the arrival of a rare, limited edition leather bag red excitement among the women present.
Catherine, bidding aggressively, drove the price of a bag, intially 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, Rence, 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 tilt 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 anything she desired.
Their display sparked comments from other affluent young men in the room.
d have
“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 the 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 Hermes bag for fifty–six million,” the auctioneer declared.
Catherine, basking in her victory, couldn’t resist a jab at Renee. “Good thing you stopped, Renee. No need to waste everyone’s time.”
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Rence reinalned unfazed, her attention turning to the next ein being presented. A subtle smile played on her lips, her profile radiating elegance under the warm lighting
Marcelo, observing het, was surprised by her sudden halt “Why did you stop bidding?” he asked. 11 was Renee’s first hadn’t anticipated her active participation, only for her to
bidding
me engaging in the auction since their arrival. He oddenly withdraw.
Rence, 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 strategle 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
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shock, “Marcelo, are you out of your mind? The winery, at s best, is worth half a billion!”
Five hundred million, not another cent more!
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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.”
Rence 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 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?
Marcelo wanted her to spend his money
Next up was a limited edition Koenigsegg sports car, with a starting bid of five hundred million.
“One billion!” Andrew Immediately doubled the starting price to one billion, evidently eager to secure the car after losing the winery.
Bids escalated rapidly, reaching 1.4 billion, with Andrew still leading.
At this point, Marcelo gestured for Renee to join the bidding, nudging her to raise the paddle and escalate the price further.
Regardless, the funds weren’t Renee’s concern. She had the liberty to spend as she wished.
Renee casually declared, “Let’s add a hundred million.”
Andrew, gritting his teeth, questioned her, “Are you sure you and your friend have enough money to cover that?”
Renee’s interference irked him deeply.
“Mr. King, unless you’re God, I’d advise you to focus on your own matters, “Renee retorted, toying with her auction paddle.
The surrounding crowd couldn’t suppress their amusement
Andrew, struggling to keep his composure, countered, “Fine, I’ll match that then!”
Renee glanced at Marcelo, seeking his cue.
The bidding had spiraled to five times the car’s worth, rendering further competition meaningless.
Marcelo, reclining casually, signaled Renee to proceed.
Renee coolly stated, “We’ll raise by another hundred million.”
The stalemate persisted.
Andrew, consumed by fury, rashly bid, “Two hundred million more!” He couldn’t bear losing this treasured car to
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Marcelo.
Marcelo’s hand gently met Renee’s, holding the auction paddle.
It was a sign to cease bidding.
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This tender act momentarily stiffened Renee. She discreetly withdrew her hand, crossing her arms defensively.
It was a clear sign of discomfort.
Marcelo’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
The auctioneer, thrilled by the escalating bids, announced Congratulations to bidder number seven for acquiring the Koenigsegg at 1.9 billion dollars!”
His excitement was fueled by his own gain from their extravagant spending.
Andrew wore a smug smile, casting a triumphant glance at Marcelo and Renee.
Yet, Renee caught a fleeting smirk on Marcelo’s lips.
Piecing together Marcelo’s aggressive bidding and sudden withdrawal, she whispered in realization, “Could it be that he doesn’t actually have the funds?”
It was a rhetorical question since she already knew the answer.
“How did you figure that out?“He asked, glancing at her.
“Because of my bidding, Catherine spent two hundred million, and with the car at 1.9 billion, the total exceeds two billion, not even accounting for taxes.Andrew has assets, but lacks immediate cash flow.”
Renee reasoned that Andrew couldn’t possibly afford the car.
She noted that Marcelo never wasted efforts. Like with the winery, he would have outbid others decisively if he truly wanted it.
As Renee spoke, her eyes gleamed with the thrill of outsmarting someone and the satisfaction of her own acumen. Marcelo had the impulse to pinch her cheek.
But he held back, recalling her earlier defensive gesture.
