Secret Wife, Real Billionaire - Chapter 158: Chapter 158

Vivian hurried over to Alma’s side, not ready to let Renee off easily.
She hissed, "Miss Hudson! This whole thing involves Alma, Miss Curtis, and Quincy. Isn't it inappropriate for you to interfere? You were pretty tough on Alma just now. Don't you owe her an apology?"
Renee couldn't suppress a chuckle at Vivian’s indignant tone.
Even with her sarcastic edge, her beauty was undeniable.
“You're wrong about one thing, Miss Lambert. Sarah and Quincy have nothing to do with each other right now." She paused, then added, "And as for apologizing? I've made my move. Do you really think I plan to say sorry?"
“Renee, you are going too far!" Alma snapped back, her face turning red with anger.
She felt braver now that the immediate threat was gone.
“Miss Watts, I was talking to Miss Lambert. Isn't it inappropriate for you to interfere?" Renee threw Vivian’s own words back at Alma before turning to Vivian. "What do you think, Miss Lambert?"
Alma was at a loss for words.
Vivian nervously bit her lip and gripped her dress, trying hard to stay calm.
“I really hope everyone's having a good time at the party," Renee announced, waving her hand. Her arrival and exit were both unexpected.
The room fell silent.
Who could actually have fun after witnessing that?
Renee started to walk away but suddenly felt like she was missing something.
Then, it hit her, and she stopped dead in her tracks.
She turned and saw Marcelo in his wheelchair, looking at her with no expression.
His eyes seemed to question, “Did you forget me?"
She had totally forgotten about him!
Embarrassed and guilty,Renee walked back to him awkwardly.
She asked cautiously, "Are you...heading home now?"
Marcelo stared at Renee coldly for a few seconds before looking away.
He called the manager of Dove Island over and told that person to make sure everything remains calm at the bar even in his absence.
“Marcelo, are you also planning to leave?" Vivian realized Marcelo was about to leave, and she couldn't even manage a forced smile.
“Yes.”His intention was to just show up for a short while.
Renee felt a jolt of surprise.
She had asked in a casual manner, never really expecting Marcelo to decide to leave with her.
Was this not like a slap in the face for Vivian?
Ah, it felt somewhat satisfying!
Unable to resist, a small smile crept onto Renee’s lips as she took the lead in pushing his wheelchair.
It wasn't until Renee and Marcelo were completely out of sight that the shocked crowd snapped back to reality.
In a matter of hours that evening, their views on Renee had completely changed.
“Renee’s got a fierce spirit! I've never witnessed such a classy yet forceful argument!"
“Why did Renee get so mad all of a sudden?" Someone seemed confused.
“Renee and Sarah have been tight since they were kids. With Alma bad-mouthing Sarah, and some guy named Quincy mixed up in it, of course she'd be upset."
“Oh, I remember now! Back at Venus Bar, when someone spoke ill of Sarah,Renee responded immediately."
“What?! That incident at Venus Bar actually happened? Renee and Sarah stood up to a bunch of guys?"
“Wow, lucky I didn't intervene, or I would've been caught in the crossfire!"
“Who on earth told me Renee was all gentle and virtuous? Marrying her would be like signing up for domestic violence!"
Since it was January, the winter nights grew colder.
Renee couldn't help but draw her neck in against the biting wind. Luckily, the car was not parked far away. Once she climbed inside, the warmth within the car enveloped her, providing much-needed comfort.
She warmed her hands in front of the vent.
Suddenly, Marcelo, entering from the other side, took her hands.
He felt her hands, cold yet soft.
He instantly regretted making Renee push the wheelchair, which had made her hands so cold.
His usually warm palms now worked to bring back the heat to her fingers.
Renee felt her heart melt at their clasped hands, her pulse racing.
The ambiance inside the car was cozy and intimate.
Just as Renee was about to say something,Marcelo beat her to it.
“Renee," he said in a cool tone, sounding almost upset. "How about we discuss the matter of you forgetting about me and deciding to leave alone?"
The warmth between them seemed to fade in an instant, leaving Renee at a loss for words.
She felt a pang of guilt and tried to pull her hand away, but Marcelo held on, as if he was holding onto proof of her "mistake".
Renee found herself caught in Marcelo’s steady gaze. He looked like he was expecting her to confess something, which left her momentarily at a loss for words.
After a brief pause, she spoke, her voice uncertain. "I almost left because I thought you might be upset with me...for ruining Vivian’s party."
His response was a cold chuckle. "Mrs. King, at least try to make your lies sound plausible."
His demeanor clearly indicated he sided with Renee. Had he been truly upset with her, wouldn't he have allowed those young men to step in earlier?
Realizing her mistake, Renee quickly changed her explanation. "I thought you wanted to stay at the party longer."
Marcelo simply stared at her, his silence exerting a pressure that seemed to say, 'Keep going, I'm listening to your excuses.'
Finally, unable to keep up the pretense,Renee confessed, "I didn't forget about you. I was just really angry and I guess I got carried away.”
The warmth from her hands disappeared as Marcelo released them and moved to his own side of the car.
“Doesn’t that also mean you forgot about me?You were almost at the door before you remembered!It’s as if you sometimes forget that we’re married.”
Marcelo sighed heavily as he finished saying that.
Most of the times,he felt he was the only one who found Renee very important to him.
It felt as if Renee didn’t hold any strong affection for him.
“I do not forget we’re married.I like being married to you,Marcelo.I just…I was just so angry tonight.And…and don’t forget you joined Vivian’s team to take me down.”
“Don’t make it sound like something it’s not.I only joined the game to have fun with you!”
Renee bit her lips.
She knew that was true because he was all eyes on her throughout the game,and he looked very excited to play with her.
Now,they were like strangers, a stark contrast to moments before when he had been holding her hands.
His anger was palpable. Renee sighed deeply.
Outside, the city lights faded into the distance as the Rolls Royce Phantom continued its journey towards the house.
“Weren't we supposed to grab milk tea and barbecue?" Renee attempted to dissolve the tension in the car.
Marcelo didn't reply, his silence creating an invisible barrier.
Renee stole a glance at him. His profile was stern, a clear reflection of his mood.
“Marcelo, please don't be mad," she whispered, lightly rubbing his thighs,her action unintentionally flirtatious.