Secret Wife, Real Billionaire - Chapter 160: Chapter 160

Pulling her luggage,Renee noticed Marcelo following her. "Are you driving me to the airport?" she asked.
“It's on my way,"He replied, taking a seat in the back and instructing the driver to start the car.
Renee pondered the route. The airport was near the suburbs. Where could he be going that was on the way?
She turned to him. "Don't you have work today?" Her tone carried a hint of curiosity towards Marcelo, who seemed unusually idle that morning.
With a relaxed demeanor,Marcelo replied, "Day off."
Renee shot him a doubtful look.
Was the KM Group really performing so poorly that its CEO could afford to take so many days off? She thought to herself.
Catching her skeptical glance,Marcelo gently tapped Renee’s forehead. "What's that look for?" he asked.
He suspected that he was crazy to skip work just because she was leaving the country.
Renee, rubbing her forehead, shot him a slightly aggrieved glare. But she didn't call him out on his apparent mood. Reaching the airport, she suppressed her laughter, feeling an unexpected warmth in her heart.
At the airport, farewells were a common sight.
Marcelo noticed a couple near the entrance, the woman clinging tightly to the man, her face hidden in his neck in a deeply emotional goodbye. He turned away from the scene and called out to Renee, who stepped out of the car without any apparent reluctance.
“Renee!" he called.
“Yes?"She turned, puzzled.
Marcelo frowned, gesturing towards her. She seemed completely unemotional about leaving. "What do you…?”
Renee’s words were cut short as she approached the car.Marcelo, seated in the back, reached out, grasped the back of her neck, and pulled her close.
His lips met hers in a fervent kiss, starting with an intensity like a reprimand. It slowly turned softer, transforming into a gentle goodbye.
Renee’s eyes remained wide open in shock, locked onto Marcelo’s dark eyes. She felt emotions from him that were new and profound, like invisible tendrils entangling her heart.
After a moment,he parted his lips from hers, his hand still lingering on her neck. His voice was rough as he whispered, "You can go now.”
Upon landing at the Airport of the neighboring city, Renee was immediately greeted by a representative from the Light brand. She was whisked away to her hotel to begin the hectic preparations for the upcoming show, busy as ever.
Two days later, early in the morning, the models were getting their makeup and styling done for the evening's show.
Suddenly, Jonah Hewitt's assistant burst in, panic-stricken. "Jonah, there's a problem! The partner's jewelry can't be delivered!"
Jonah, the chief costume designer for the Light show, was a man in his mid-thirties and quite handsome. He was perplexed. "How can that be? Isn't the jewelry provided by Vivian?" he inquired.
“The jewelry partner is Vivian Lambert?"Renee echoed, her concern growing. She felt uneasy when she heard Vivian’s name. She knew the show's jewelry was being styled by a prominent designer, but she didn't realize it was her. The jewelry's high value and small size meant Renee had only seen photos, not the actual pieces.
“Yes, that's her," Jonah confirmed, quickly dialing Vivian’s studio.
The call was brief, and Jonah's face darkened with every word. He hung up, looking very serious. "What happened?"Renee asked, her worry evident.
“Vivian’s agent said she thinks the designs don't match our company's style. She's pulling out and will pay the breach of contract fee," Jonah explained, his expression grim. "We've worked with her before. That's why we trusted her to deliver the jewelry on the day of the show."
Renee realized the severity of the situation. The breach of contract fee wasn't the main issue. Vivian backing out on the day of the show seemed more like a deliberate act than a genuine concern about design mismatches.
Renee had a sinking feeling. This felt personal. Vivianwas targeting her!
This was Renee’s first time leading an international show for Light. Any failure, especially now, would tarnish her career.
Jonah, now racing against time, began calling various contacts to secure alternative jewelry. He was too occupied to confront Vivian about her actions.
Meanwhile, Renee stepped aside and dialed Vivian’s number.
“Miss Lambert, this is Renee," she said as soon as the call connected.
“Miss Hudson? How did you get my contact? Did Marcelo give it to you?"Vivian sounded suspicious.
“You called me to plead for Herman once, remember? I saved your number after that call."Renee was irked by Vivian’s mention of Marcelo.
“I see. Do you need something, Miss Hudson?"Vivian’s tone was deliberate, though she was already aware of why Renee was calling, having been briefed by her agent.
Renee didn't want to waste time with pleasantries. "Miss Lambert, I'm leading the styling for this Light show. I just heard about your abrupt contract breach. You've worked with Light three times before. If there's a mismatch in design style or concept, why were the past collaborations successful?"
“The previous times were indeed fine,"Vivian responded, hinting at something else.
Renee, looking down at the carpet, chuckled softly. Her voice took on a colder edge. "Is it because I'm involved this time?"
"Miss Hudson, my lawyer will handle the negotiations with Light for the breach of contract compensation. This is not something a stylist like you should concern yourself with,"Vivian replied.
She dodged Renee’s question, firmly refusing to give Renee any leverage over her.
While her words were proper on the surface, Vivian and Renee were both aware of why Vivian did what she did.
“Miss Lambert, just to target me, you chose to alienate a top luxury brand. I'm honored by the value you see in me!"Renee’s face was cold.
She had initially admired Vivian’s talent.
But now,she would never align herself with someone who didn't value her career and aspirations.
“Miss Hudson, I don't understand what you're saying,"Vivian murmured softly, still clinging to the pretense she had done nothing wrong.
Moreover, she was certain that she wasn't alienating Light.
She was talented and everyone knew it. Sooner or later, Light would actively seek to mend their relationship. Besides, with this move, she would make it clear to Light and other brands that Renee was to be avoided!
Vivian added, "Additionally, Quincy is aware of the incident with Alma. I hope you will behave appropriately and not cause trouble for Marcelo because of your personal issues."
“How does it concern you if I make trouble for my man?"
Vivian was taken aback by Renee’s use of the term "my man" and was getting ready to respond when Renee abruptly ended the call.
Marcelo and Vivian had recently visited the cemetery to honor Sebastian’s memory.
They had just returned when Marcelo received a call from the company and had to leave. Shortly after he left, Vivian received this call from Renee.
At the moment,Vivian was livid, but she was also taking comfort in the fact that she would soon see Renee’s downfall.
The mess at Light's show was something Renee couldn't clean up.
“Miss Lambert, the master wishes to see you," a servant from the King family mansion murmured politely as he approached Vivian.
“Alright, please lead the way."Vivian quickly composed herself and followed the servant to the study.
Paul was sitting in the study, leisurely sipping his tea.
“Good day, Mr. King,"Vivian greeted him with due respect.
Paul nodded, signaling for Vivian to sit.
Vivian smiled and declined, "I'll stand, Mr. King. Please go straight to the point."
She used this tactic to create distance between herself and Paul, making it clear that she was on Marcelo’s side.
Vivian was well aware of the internal divisions within the King family.
Paul wasn't bothered by Vivian’s rudeness, as he needed a woman determined to win over Marcelo.
The more she loved Marcelo, the better!
“Vivian, do you want to be Marcelo’s wife?"Paul asked with a sly smile.