Secret Wife, Real Billionaire

Chapter 51 Such wealth

They all but forgot about the watch.

The moment her fingers brushed Marcelo’s.

skin, Reneerecoiled as if she had received an electric shock

She hesitated to touch him again, especially after sensing is..intensity.

Rence had once explored adult content with Sarah, but theory and practice were worlds apart! “Marcelo, I'm

grateful for what you did for Nana, so I'll honor our agreement. I...”

Her words abruptly stopped as she caught Marcelo’s suddenly cold, emotionless gaze. “Agreement?” The word

seemed to grind between his teeth.

Confused by his sudden shift in mood, Rence didn’t understand his displeasure.

“Back at the club on Dove Island, remember?” she reminded, thinking he had forgotten.

Staring at her, Marcelo’s handsface turned serious, realizing she was here to fulfill their agreement, not out

of desire.

He wanted to continue. After all, Renee was legally his wife.

But... his pride wouldn't let him.

dhe

Since when did he need a promise to bring a woman to his bed?

Marcelo sat up abruptly, pulling the quilt over Renee and himself.

Renee looked at him, puzzled.

“I'm not desperate for a woman's touch, “Marcelo said coolly even if he was desperate for hers. “I don’t need

someone who's not willing.”

“It’s not that | don’t want to...“Renee started, but even to her ears, it sounded unconvincing-

Deep down, she knew she was reluctant.

Wouldn't anyone prefer these moments to be spontaneous and natural?

“I'm sorry,” she said softly, her gaze lowered. “Could...you givestime? I'm just... not quite ready.”

Marcelo seemed to find her statement amusing. “Mrs. King, you have to go through it to get accustomed ”

The gap in understanding between men and women was evident.

Renee stayed quiet, avoiding Marcelo’s gaze.

His eyes held a frightening chill.

He then scoffed and made his way to the bathroom.

“Wait!” Renee called out, guilt coloring her expression.

She had initiated this, yet he was the one stopping it.

Marcelo looked back, his expression dark.

Renee clung to the quilt, her voice hesitant. “I... | can...help you. I've heard... it’s not healthy to suppress these

urges.”

Marcelo’s reaction was visible, a mix of surprise and restraint. He smirked. “Go ahead.”

After stime, as warm water rushed over Renee’s hands she quickly turned the tap to cold water.

The chill helped her disconnect from the intensity of the recent events.

She felt a deep... regret.

The moment she finished her words, she immediately regretted it.

Was she out of her mind? Why did she offer to help him?

It must have been the stress from the Hudson family.

During the encounter, Marcelo teased her, “Mrs. King, is this the best you can do?”

What was wrong with it?

She had never done something like this before.

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He could have declined, but he didn’t!

When Marcelo approached the bathroom door, he saw Renee meticulously cleaning her fingers, her face a mask

of

composure.

Yet, her flushed ears betrayed her emotions.

The memory of her touch lingered in his mind, a stark contrast to his own.

“I'm heading to bed.” After washing, Renee awkwardly held her hands behind her back, then let them fall to her

sides, realizing how forced it looked.

“Where to?”

Marcelo’s posture by the door was casual, one leg crossed over the other, effectively barring Renee’s path.

This relaxed demeanor was a stark contrast to his usual suited, business-like appearance.

“Back to my room, of course...” Renee began, then paused as she grasped his insinuation. “You mean, | should.

stay in your room?”

Marcelo nodded with an air of nonchalance. “Yes, you can.”

Huh? Renee was taken aback.

Before she could process this, he grasped her wrist, guiding her to the bed and tucking her under the quilt.

Her plan to leave vanished as Marcelo joined her in bed, his presence enveloping her, leaving her no room to

move.

Her mind raced with confusion.

“Marcelo...”

“Shhh.”

His eyes were already closed, signaling his readiness for sleep.

Renee's thoughts were a whirlwind.

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She thought that he hated people being in his room.

Now, he seemed to use her as a pillow.

And his earlier ‘you can’ it sounded... almost as if she had pleaded to stay. Didn't he realize her question was

rhetorical?

“No, Marcelo, | didn’t mean...”

“Mrs. King, are your hands restless?”

His voice, hoarse yet lazy, carried an underlying warning

There they were, together in bed...

Renee, recalling the recent intense moments and her sore hands, fell silent.

Lying next to an unfamiliar man, she felt rigid, lying flat and staring at the ceiling, too apprehensive to move.

Beside Renee, Marcelo lay motionless, seemingly asleep.

Renee was perplexed. How could he fall asleep so easily?

She wondered if Marcelo had gotten used to this Had he been with other women?

But with those women...wouldn’t he risk revealing the secret of his legs?

Or did he only share his bed with a woman he fully trusted?

Had he trusted any woman before he met her?

Did he fully trust her now?

The thought somehow made Renee feel unsettled.

Eventually, sleep overtook her, and she drifted off.

Once her breathing steadied, Marcelo silently opened his eyes, observing her closely.

Renee's skin was soft, and up close, he could even notice the fine fuzz on her face.

Her eyelashes, thick and curly, framed her small, straight nose. Awake, she carried an air of distance, but in

sleep, her lips parted slightly, adding an innocent charm to her features.

Marcelo found himself enveloped by her breath, a subtle mix of milky and floral scents, faint yet memorable.

Her softness, nestled in his arms, felt like a natural relaxant, her presence both soothing and compelling.

Yet, with such allure in his embrace, Marcelo felt no joy.

He questioned his own sanity.

Why else would he indulge in the folly of keeping her in his room tonight?

Renee was simply a woman.

Marcelo snorted inwardly. Was he lacking in female company?

Yet, holding Renee brought a unique comfort; he had felt it the last tshe was drunk. Moreover, Renee was his

spouse. Surely, keeping her in his room was reasonable,right?

Marcelo solved this puzzle quickly and felt a surge of relief

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The following morning, Renee awoke to find herself alone.

The bed next to her was vacant, its warmth nearly gone.

Glancing at the clock, it read half past eight.

For a freelance stylist like her, one who cherished her sleep, this was unusually early.

She sat, bewildered for a moment, then the previous night's events unfolded in her mind like a play, sparking her

memory.

“Oh my God!”

She ruffled her hair, agitated, then steadied herself and went to change before heading downstairs

“Good morning, Mrs. King!“Chad’s greeting was warm as he stood in the living room.

“Good morning,Chad. “Renee noted his especially friendly smile. “Where's Marcelo?”

“He’s already at work.“Chad shared that Marcelo had instructed him not to tidy his room since Renee was still

asleep.

“Oh, I see.”

Was it just her imagination? Something about Chad's gaze seemed off today.

After breakfast, still reeling from the night's shock, Renee felt compelled to confide in Sarah. Without preamble,

she said, “I shared a bed with Marcelo last night.”

Sarah's response was swift. “Is his... big?”

Renee was at a loss for words.

“Just sharing a bed, under the covers, nothing more,” she clarified.

“What? He is impotent?!” Sarah was incredulous.

Renee was dumbfounded, at a loss for words again.

Sarah called, eager for details.

Renee shared the essentials, leaving out less important parts like her hands ordeal.

“Your tale is quite misleading, Except for ‘shared a bed,’ the rest details are boring!” Sarah exclaimed.

Renee rolled her eyes. “Well, it didn’t feel boring.| was nervous...”

“Oh,you big baby.“Sarah interjected, then recalled, “Were you with Marcelo at the auction last night?”

“Yes, how did you know?”

“It’s the talk of the town. Rumors about you accompanying a wealthy, impaired patron are swirling. Inquiries

about his identity abound, oblivious to the fact he’s your husband, Marcelo King!”

Renee laughed softly, cautioning her, “Never mention Marcelo’s impairment in his presence; he won't appreciate

it!”

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The women continued discussing one of their husbands.

“Only a fool would do that.” Sarah chuckled, then added, “also heard that Andrew and Catherine, one feigning

wealth and the other flaunting it, made ridiculous bids at the auction. The social circles are abuzz over their

antics.

Reflecting on it, Hence couldn't help but laugh. She swirled her coffee slowly, nestled on the sofa, and drawled,

Catherine does love the limelight. She's certainly basking in it this time.”

“Well, when it comes to grabbing attention, you're the real star. Didn't your patron drop over three billion just to

see you smile at the auction?”

Renee rolled her eyes again.

What was that all about?

Sarah's chuckles bubbled through the phone. “Isn't the complete diamond set stunning?” “Enough teasing!”

Bence laughed along

It took Sarah a moment to compose herself.

She then continued, “But really, it’s a blessing in disguise. Your marriage to Marcelo isn’t public knowledge yet,

and you've had many people on your side. After last night, [bet they'll think twice before bothering you again.”

Not many would dare challenge someone who nonchalantly spent three billion on a lady, even on a national

scale.

Yet, this would only fuel more gossip about Renee, making her an even bigger subject of interest,especially as

the former top socialite!

In the Kings’ house, Andrew stood in the study, his face contorted with anger.

“Andrew, how could you? Spending hundreds of millions in one night, and continuing to bid without funds?

Where's your dignity?” Gary was at his wits end with Andrew's recklessness.

Defiant, Andrew shot back, “Marcelo setup! He baitedinto it!”

Had Marcelo not driven up the bid, that Koenigsegg wouldn't have cost 1.9 billion, and he would have had

enough to pay for it!

“Defending yourself? Didn't you learn? He always outsmarted you, even as kids. Why are you still falling for his

tricks?” Gary's frustration boiled over, recalling the scorn from his peers, and he struck Andrew.

The slap resounded!

“Gary!“Felicia tried to intervene but was too late. She tenderly cradled his face, her eyes filled with worry.

Gary's blow left Andrew’s cheek marked with five distinct red lines.

Felicia couldn't hold back her reproach. “Was violence necessary? Couldn't you have just talked to him? V

it?

“Do you think I enjoy this?” you realize the ridicule he’s brought upon himself? Upon us? Drew,

|

Gary seethed. ” we've laid the groundwork for you. We even sidelined Marcelo of his rightful place, hoping you'd

lead the King family one day. Is this how you repay our efforts?”

Andrew dropped his hand from his face, the numbness from the slap lingering

He believed he wasn’t the one to blame; Marcelo was the instigator. Yet, he held back from further arguing with

Gary.

Just as he was about to offer an apology, his words halted

“Marcelo doesn’t hold sway in our family We took everythin fortune?” Andrew stumbled upon a significant

mystery. “H considering family dividends, he shouldn't possess that kin

Gary and Felicia looked at each other with grave expression Indeed, how did Marcelo acquire such wealth?

“Let’s have someone look into this! Where on earth did he f

Just as he was about to offer an apology, his words halted abruptly.

“Marcelo doesn’t hold sway in our family.We took everything his father owned. How did he cby such a

fortune?” Andrew stumbled upon a significant mystery. “He dropped three billion at the auction effortlessly. Even

considering family dividends, he shouldn't possess that kind of liquidity!”

Gary and Felicia looked at each other with grave expressions

Indeed, how did Marcelo acquire such wealth?

“Let's have someone look into this! Where on earth did he and so much money?”