Secret Wife, Real Billionaire

Chapter 52 Her husband’s wealth

That afternoon, Renee’s phone rang with news from the hospital.

The hospital staff informed her that Naomi had been discharged.

Rence expressed her gratitude and, still worried about Naomi, considered making plans to visit the Hudsons.

However, her thoughts were interrupted by a call from Grace.

Grace invited her to dinner at the Hudsons’ house.

A dinner invitation out of the blue?

Renee sensed there might be more to this than a simple meal with the Hudson family.

After more than a month away, Renee returned to the Hudson family villa. It felt like a place she once knew well,

yet now it seemed alien.

Everything and everyone had changed.

A maid escorted Rence inside.

“Can you believe it? Nana made a killing from this illness! Grace was gleefully counting money in the living room,

toggling between a calculator and jotting down notes “Look at this one, only twenty thousand. Stingy, right?

And this person sent so much nourishment. I'll send it up to your room later, Catherine.”

“Thanks, Mom!“Catherine, seated beside Grace, smiled, helping with the tally.

This bout of Naomi’s illness had becan unexpected windfall for them, judging by the sympathy gifts

amassed

so they decided to start taking care of her in hopes that people would continue gifting her stuff.

But no one knew that the anonymous person who send gifts and money was Marcelo.

And he did that all because of Renee,

Renee's face turned steely.

The maid announced, “Mrs. Hudson, Miss Hudson has arrived.”

Grace's smile waned at the sight of Renee. Inspecting her from head to toe, she asked, “You cwithout

anything?”

Renee simply nodded.

She had intentionally arrived without a gift.

Grace and Rocco didn’t merit anything more from her!

A scowl crossed Grace's face. “How impolite!”

Catherine's eyes sparkled with malice, clearly relishing Renee’s discomfort.

“Where's Nana?” Renee looked around, not finding Naomi.

Grace gestured for the maid to show Renee the way.

Naomi was in a guest room beside the first-floor storeroom, bandaged and frail in bed. Her eyes brightened upon

seeing Renee.

“Renee!”

As Naomi attempted to rise, Renee rushed to her ald.

Nana, please rest. You're staying here now.“Renee surveyed the dismal, sparsely furnished room. It was unfit for

anyone, let alone Naomi.

“It’s fine here.”Naomi’s smile was weak. “This has been my hfor the longest of tand it beats a nursing

home.”

But to Renee, this was worse than any nursing home.

A deep sorrow filled her, witnessing Naomi’s resigned acceptance and feeling her own powerlessness.

Renee spent sttalking with Naomi.

A knock soon came. “Miss Hudson, dinner is ready. We'll laring Nana's meal shortly.” Exiting Naomi’s room,

Renee noted the two empty chairs at the dining table.

“Is it just you? Where's Marcelo?” Rocco inquired with a frown.

“He’s busy with work.“Renee responded.

“Too busy, or just unwilling to cto a family gathering with you?” Catherine chimed in spitefully. “Mr. King

that bought you that expensive bracelet set. We thought he cared about you.Seems it was all for show. You

know, t set would look great on Mom. Didn't that occur to you?”

Grace shared the ssentiment. Indeed, that bracelet set was extravagantly luxurious for Renee; it would

have been better used to demonstrate her respect for her elders!

Grace shot Renee a sardonic look. “Give it to me? She couldn't even bring a single piece of fruit when she

returned.

“The jewelry isn’t mine,” Renee clarified.

She needed to set the record straight, or Grace would never let the matter rest..

Despite witnessing Renee sign for the jewelry, Catherine remained convinced that Marcelo wouldn't genuinely

gift something so precious to Renee. It had to be a facade.

“You're useless!“Rocco’s demeanor darkened. “Failing to secure even a small gift, huh? How do you expect to

capture his heart? We've nurtured you all these years for nothing!”

Rocco had rushed hearly, eager to meet Marcelo and possibly gain sadvantage.

He had always thought that Marcelo could at least be a millionaire but not a billionaire.

Now that it was obvious that he was a billionaire,he firmly believed that a man who spent three billion so

casually had valuable connections!

And what happened?

Forget about connections; Marcelo didn’t even make an appearance!

Renee kept silent, concentrating on her meal.

She had long recognized Grace and Rocco's true nature and cast aside any expectations of them. With no

expectations cno disappointment.

“Even if you disregard us, you should at least honor Nana, right, Renee?“Grace’s agenda for summoning Renee

and bringing Naomi back hbecclear.

“You've seen Nana's condition. She needs constant care and nutritional support.”

Conveniently, Grace failed to mention that Renee had already paid for Naomi’s recent medical bills and arranged

for Wyatt's surgical intervention.

Renee read between the lines of Grace's plea.

They were after her husband’s money!

The Hudson family’s finances had been tight lately, forcing Grace to be frugal.

“Do you intend to keep Nana here instead of a nursing facility?” Renee inquired directly.

“Yes,” Grace confirmed, though her expression soured.

They needed to use that old woman.

“How much do you need?” Renee asked, not one for subtleties.

Grace's face lit up. “I hear you've landed a deal with KM Group. We won't press you too hard. Just a million for

Nana's care should suffice.”

Renee was previously taken aback by the audacity of Catherine's “mere two billion” comment.

Now it seemed that audacity was a family trait!

JAR

As Renee remained silent, Catherine sneered. “Maybe Renee doesn’t have that kind of cash.

Her earnings can’t possibly compete with one of my photo shoots. All those years of upbringing seem wasted.”

At this, Rocco furiously tossed his fork and stormed off.

He couldn't stand the sight of such a failure!

Grace persisted, “If you lack funds, surely your partner has more than enough.Renee, this is about your Nana's

well-being. Consider it carefully.”

“I'll provide the funds, “Renee responded. “But | have one condition.”

“What is it?”

“That silver necklace Catherine wore when she returned, | want it.”

Catherine had flaunted a silver necklace, initially believed to be a Hudson family heirloom. However, it turned

out to be unrelated.

“It’s just a necklace, take it!“Catherine dismissed with a wave. She found the accessory distasteful, regardless of

its material.

“And clear out your belongings while you're at it,” Grace added, eager to repurpose Renee's room. After the

meal, Renee's ascended to her old room to gather her things.

It was once filled with dresses and jewelry, tokens from influential acquaintances. Now, all that held any worth

had vanished.

The dresses had been destroyed by her own hands.

The jewelry and other presents had fallen into Catherine's clutches.

“Renee, don’t even think about taking what's not yours.“Catherine leaned casually against the doorway, eyeing

Renee's every move.

Renee packed lightly; a small kraft-paper box sufficed for her few possessions.

Naomi, unwell, had already retreated to sleep.

Box in hand, Renee departed the villa, severing ties with the place.

Yet, she acknowledged the bond wasn’t fully severed.

Naomi remained her Achilles’ heel.

“Renee, wait!”

Catherine's voice rang out as Renee neared the gate, her tone laced with fury.

“My sapphire brooch is missing. Did you steal it?” she accused.

The sun was setting, and the neighborhood was alive with evening strollers. Onlookers quickly focused on the

unfolding .