bChapter /bb170 /bDefense method

    Only by firmly embracing this woman did he truly feel her presenceb, /bbas /bif this was the only way to ensure she wouldn’t bbe /bbtaken /bbaway /bby anyone else.

    bSeeing /bthat her protests had no effect, Renee gave in.

    She remained seated on hisp, taking a sip of milk tea from the cup she had opened and then donned disposable gloves bto /bbegin eating the fried chicken.

    Why did she have the feeling that he had be so assertive without her even

    noticing? “Marcelo…”

    “What is it?” he replied without looking up from the documents, s profile still disying its usual angr and somewhat aloof demeanor.

    “Do you like to…you know…have…make physical contact with me because you’re in love with me?” Renee had this question in mind but hesitated to voice it.

    She had noticed a change in his attitude, a growing closeness and indulgence between them. However, he had never explicitly expressed hits feelings for her, even though she had made attempts to draw those words

    In the end,Renee decided not to push further.

    She feared that asking directly might lead to a disappointing response.

    “Are you free tomorrow?” Marcelo unexpectedly inquired.

    “I’m nning to go to the shopping mall tomorrow morning to pick out an outfit for Nana, and I don’t have any other ns for tomorrow,” she said.“What do you have in mind?”

    “Tomorrow is Paul’s birthday,“Marcelo revealed, producing an invitation from his drawer. It was an invitation to Paul’s seventy -fifth birthday celebration.

    Renee hadn’t expected Marcelo to be willing to attend Paul’s birthday partyb, /bgiven theirplicated history.

    It would be considered quite charitable if he simply refrained from bringing a knife to the event. She pondered for a moment and then asked, “Will your mother be there?” It was the only possibility that came to her mind.

    If Jessica attended, Marcelo might consider going.

    “You are incredibly astute,” He remarked with a kiss to her face, praising her intelligence.

    Paul’s birthday party was set to be avish affair, with invitations extended to the elite from various circles.

    Marcelo’s absence would tarnish Paul’s reputation.

    Concerned about his pride,Paul wouldn’t let that happen. Henceb, /bhe used the leverage of Jessica to persuade Marcelo to attend. “Alright, “Renee agreed. She was eager to see Jessica and thought it might be an opportunity. “In that case, I’ll select a couple more outfits for your mother tomorrow morning.”

    As far as Renee could recall, Jessica was a woman who valued etiquette and fashion, always dressed impably.

    But Marcelo unexpectedly interrupted, saying, “Renee, you’ve got it all wrong.”

    “What?“Renee’s eyes widened in surprise at Marcelo’s revtion

    Marcelo gently brushed his fingertips against her faceb, /ba faint smile ying on his lips as he exined, “She is

    mother too.

    11

    He emphasized the connection between Renee and Jessica. With Renee been his wife, it meant that Jessica was also her mother.

    Renee’s eyshes trembled, and her heart skipped a beat.

    Chapter b170 /bbDefense /bbmethad /b

    It bwas /ba bsimple /bstatement, but it carried significant meaning. It was a bsign /bof his acknowledgment and beptance /bof bher /b

    The following bday/b, the moment Renee sat up in bedb, /bshe was greeted by Marcelo’s voice.

    b“/bYou’re up so earlyb. /bbIt /bseems like you lied to me about being tiredst night,” he teased.

    When Renee saw Marcelo sitting in the armchair beside the bed, grossed in reading documents, she found herself momentarily speechlessb.. /b

    “Howe you’re not at work?b” /b

    Marcelo bwas /bat a loss for words, a rare urrence for the CEO.

    bHe /bdidn’t offer a verbal response, but his expression disyed an undeniable pride and stubbornness.

    After all, he was the boss. So what if he didn’t go to work?

    Who would fire him?

    “I just happen to have some free time today, so I thought I’d go shopping with you,b” /bMarcelo dered without any change in his expression.

    Renee tilted her head, regarding him curiously. “Mr. Kingb, /bis it challenging to admit that you want to select some clothes for your mother?” she inquired with a hint of amusement.

    Upon their initial encounter,Renee had noticed that Marcelo didn’t seem to have a close bond with Jessica.

    He referred to her by her first name rather than as “mom” or mother.

    Renee sensed that this was a defense method he had developed so bas /bnot to be too hurt about the fact that his mother was mentally unstable.

    bX /b