Secret Wife, Real Billionaire

Chapter 61 Fully aware

True merit shines through one’s work.

Renee's recent styling of Ivan and Brandon catapulted her to overnight fin fashion circles. Soon, top studios

sought her for their male clients. Renee, however, declined, citing her ongoing collaboration with KM Group. She

knew focusing solely on male styling could pigeonhole her career.

On the first sunny weekend post-winter, Renee relaxed in a rocking chair by the French window, soaking in the

warmth.

“Mrs. King, the Miguels are here for Mr. King, “Chad informed her.

Renee, nearly dozing off, mumbled, “Inform Marcelo about it.”

“Mr. King’s in a meeting, “Chad replied.

Realizing Chad's implication, Renee sat up. She was being asked to host the Miguels.

“Let them in.” She sighed. Hosting wasn’t her preference, but staying at Marcelo’s house meant lending a hand

occasionally.

Renee had the staff ready tea and snacks. Soon, she heard Chad ushering the guests.

“Mr. Miguel, Miss Miguel, please, this way. Mr. King is occupied, so...”

Alyssa cut him off with a shocked outburst. “Renee? What are you doing here?”

Alyssa’s latest appearance at fashion week left her the target of mockery. Critics questioned her role as the face

of STAR Jewelry Thankfully, KM Group, who provided the stylist, didn’t hold Alyssa accountable for the brand's

tarnished image.

Yet, Alyssa laid the blsquarely on Renee.

Had Renee not been involved, she wouldn't have changed stylists, leading to her being overshadowed by Ivan.

Renee was the root of all issues, Alyssa believed.

“Mr. Miguel, Miss Miguel, please take a seat.” Renee had assumed Chad meant the elder Miguels when

mentioning the family. Had she known Alyssa would be there, she would've retreated to her room.

Renee’s nonchalant hosting irked Alyssa further. “Renee, how can you faceafter what you've caused? I've

been the laughingstock because of you.”

Renee regarded Alyssa with disbelief.

What

was Alyssa ranting about?

“Miss Hudson, are you here for Mr. King

“Miguel inquired with a grin.

“No.” Renee relished Alyssa’s frustration as she declared, “I live here.”

Renee aimed to infuriate Alyssa.

“Liar!” Alyssa lashed out in disbelief. “What kind of woman lives with a man without any good reason?”

Renee decided she had no obligation to entertain Alyssa,

“Does my life bother you so much? Or are you just jealous?“Renee paused, then chuckled. “Miss Miguel,you

really want to be in my shoes,don’t you?”

“Stop it,Renee!“Alyssa’s face reddened. “You're the one who wants to be in my shoes. You want to marry into

wealth by all means since you weren't born in it! What do you have besides your looks?”

“Isn't that enough?“Renee retorted earnestly.

As Alyssa was about to retort, a deep voice interrupted from upstal “Is this amusing to you?” Descending in his

wheelchair,

Marcelo’s stern demeanor and top buttoned shirt exuded authority

Alyssa felt an implicit endorsement in his words.

Both Magnus and Alyssa were taken aback, realizing Marcelo’s wards were intimately directed at Renee.

“Not at all.” Renee excused herself upstairs, leaving Marcelo with his guests.

“Mr. King, about Renee...” Alyssa wanted to speak ill of Renee now that she had the opportunity.

“Alyssa, be quiet,” Magnus interjected sharply.

With years of business experience and numerous affairs, Magnus recognized Marcelo’s special regard for Renee.

With an apologetic smile, he addressed Marcelo. “I apologize for my daughter's lack of restraint.” Magnus hadn't

corrected Alyssa'’s tirade earlier. He had just watched his daughter trade words with Renee.

Marcelo looked at Magnus coolly. “Your apology should be directed elsewhere.”

Magnus knew he owed Renee an apology.

Yet, as a seasoned business mogul and a man of over fifty, how could he lower himself to apologize to someone

he viewed as a gold digger? His pride wouldn't allow it.

But Marcelo’s imposing presence forced his hand.

“I apologize, Miss Hudson. Alyssa...”

“No worries,” Renee, standing midway up the stairs, cut him off. She turned deliberately to Alyssa and remarked,

“By the way, Miss Miguel, the chocolate you brought was delightful and delicious. Marcelo didn’t enjoy it, though.

Perhaps next tyou could just gift it to me.”

“My chocolates!Renee...you...they weren't for you!” Alyssa sputtered, her anger nearly bringing her to tears.

Renee couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a quick smile flicker across Marcelo’s face, which promptly vanished as

he turned to

Magnus.

Observing Renee ascend the final stair, Magnus felt a surge of unease and cautiously ventured, “Mr. King, about

you and Miss

Hudson...”

“My wife is quite mischievous,” Marcelo interjected smoothly. “Please, Mr. Miguel, don’t take it to heart.”

His words were a deft deflection, yet they carried

unmistakable weight.

Renee had just reached the final step when she turned in shock.

Alyssa and Magnus seemed frozen.

Renee couldn't believe that Marcelo had declared her his wife in front of them.

He openly embraced their union.

A barrier in Renee’s heart shattered.

A brisk breeze brushed past her and her pulse somehow quickened

She acknowledged Marcelo as her husband yet hesitated to fully commit, craving a clear affirmation.

She had never had a family and never had real love from anyone.

But now, Marcelo’s affirmation of her status as his wife made hercognize a genuine connection between them.

Trembling, she averted her gaze, swiftly entering the study to conceal her turmoil.

Marcelo’s icy tone filled the room. “Mr. Miguel, | expected a reason for your failure in parenting today.”

Abruptly pulled back to reality, Magnus and Alyssa suddenly understood that they had chere to offer an

apology.

A deep chill ran through both of them.

Renee, oblivious to Marcelo’s conversation with Magnus and Renee, had just finished her latest image design.

Standing on the balcony to rest her eyes, she watched Magnus and Alyssa walk out of the main building with

heavy hearts.

Upon opening the door and stepping out, Renee unexpectedly encountered Marcelo coming up the stairs.

Inevitably, they bumped into each other.

Blinking back surprise, Renee managed to say, “You... You just informed them that we are married?”

“What's wrong with that? Aren't we married?” Marcelo asked in a gentle tone.

Renee cast her eyes downward, replying softly, “Well, that’s right.

She sought only to affirm the truth.

As night enveloped the house, the continuous sound of crashing water filled the space.

It went on for about an hour.

Renee listened carefully for any sound outside the bathroom. Hearing someone enter the room, she quickly

turned off the

shower.

“Marcelo?” she called out softly.

“Yes,” He responded, having just returned from the study and detecting the nervousness in her voice.

“Uh...I didn’t bring any clothes in...” She explained from behind the door, “Could you please fetch my

nightgown? And...my underwear.”

Marcelo, fully aware of the change in Renee, remembered that since she moved into the master bedroom, she

had always made sure to bring her change of clothes before entering the bathroom.

It was unlike her to enter without her clothes.

What had brought about this change in her behavior?

“Which one would you prefer?” He asked, standing by the bathroom door, his voice calm and measured.

“Just any one of them,” Renee replied.

As she looked at herself in the mirror, Renee noticed how curvaceous her figure was. Every inch of her skin was

exquisite and beautiful.

She had always been fully aware of her advantages, whether it was her skin or her figure.