Secret Wife, Real Billionaire

“Oh burn!” Laughter erupted from someone nearby.

Indeed, Andrew’s manner had implled generosity rather than a loan.

“Expecting someone with a partner to foot your bill, Renee” 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 hand it back to Marcelo. “I don’t have the means for

this.”

Marcelo arched an eyebrow. “Would 1 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 givingthe paddle. Does this mean | can spend as | 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! | love you!”

Andrew vividly recalled that despite Marcelo’s significant shareholding in the King Group, this year’s dividends

hadn’t been distributed yet. He surmised that Marcelo, lacing 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 bellived that Marcelo only source of incwas 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, Rence found little interest in the antique calligraphy and paintings

However, the arrival of a rare, limited edition leather bag stirred excitement among the women present.

Catherine, bidding aggressively, drove the price of a bag, initially 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, Renee, 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 filt of his chin, addressed Renee confidently, “I'll

cover the cost. | can afford anything my woman wants.”

His intention was to display to Renee the lavish lifestyle Catherine enjoyed with him, where she could have

anything she desired.

Their display sparked comments from other affluent young men in the room.

“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 t

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,

to waste

Catherine, basking in her victory, couldn't resist a jab at Rejjee. “Good thing you stopped, Renee. No need to

everyone's time.”

Renee remained unfazed, her attention turning to the next them being presented. A subtle smile played on her

lips, her profile radiating elegance under the warm lighting

Marcelo, observing her, was surprised by her sudden halt in bidding.

“Why did you stop bidding?” he asked. It was Renee's first tengaging in the auction since their arrival. He

hadn’t anticipated her active participation, only for her to suddenly withdraw.

Renee, 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 strategic 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, | understand our rivalry, but must we compete here? Just so you know. | 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

shock, “Marcelo, are you out of your mind? The winery, at its best, is worth half a billion!”

Five hundred million, not another cent more!

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 | am a billionaire so spend my money.”

Renee 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 a 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 anyway.

Next up was a limited edition Koenigsegg sports car, with a starting

d 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

Renee's interference irked him deeply.

to o cover that?

“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

...ch

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

Marcelo.

Marcelo’s hand gently met Renee's, holding the auction paddle.

It was a sign to cease bidding.

This tender act momentarily stiffened Rence. 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.