bChapter /bb190 /bThe rumors

    “Vivian, was Light the brand you defaulted on?”

    “Yes.” Vivian fought back her anxiety. “Is there an issue, Marcelo?”

    The sudden mention caught her off guard.

    “Renee’s the stylist for the Light fashion show,” Marcelo revealed.

    Vivian’s heart raced, her hands tensing beneath the table as she struggled to contain her rm. She had purposefully not told Marcelo that her previous coboration was with Light, the same brand Renee had worked for.

    Subconsciously insecure, Vivian feared his loyalty to Renee might influence his decisions. So, she had asked for his favor without disclosing the full context.

    “I knew that,” Vivian replied, regaining herposure. “I wasn’t aware she was involved untilter. Had I known, I wouldn’t have broken the contract, despite my challenges. It’s a relief the show was sessful; I’d feel terrible if I’d caused any harm to Renee.”

    Marcelo’s face remained unreadable.

    He toyed with a cigar, showing no intention to light it.

    Vivian’s anxiety grew.

    She ventured, “Does she hold a grudge for that? I’ve apologized, but it seems she hasn’t forgiven

    me…”

    Her voice trailed off, and she looked down, feigning distress.

    Marcelo had anticipated Renee’s refusal to ept the apology.

    Despite her youth, Renee was principled.

    She could overlookck of talent but not theck of effort.

    Simrly, breaching a contract was a serious professionalpse in Renee’s eyes, something she couldn’t overlook.

    Vivian expected Marcelo’s constion, thinking her words painted Renee as unreasonable. Yet, Marcelo’s reaction, orck thereof, puzzled her.

    Then it dawned on her.

    Marcelo’s aloof demeanor wasn’t exclusive to her; he was distant with everyone. Perhaps he already harbored negative feelings towards Renee without outwardly disying them.

    **

    Sarah returned. She was on the verge of knocking when she noticed that the door was slightly open.

    A wave of concern washed over her, fearing something might have gone wrong with Renee. Upon

    Chapter 199 The rumor.“

    opening the door, Sarah’s worry tuined to relief.

    +15 bBONUS /b

    Renee was lying on the sofa, busy with her phone.

    Just as Sarah was about to speak, she realized something was wrong with Renee.

    Renee didn’t even notice that she had entered the door.

    Renee’s face, lit by her phone, cast uneven shadows giving her a somewhat lonely appearance.” Renee?” Sarah called out gently, not wanting to startle her.

    However, Renee didn’t answer.

    Sarah approached swiftly, touching her shoulder and calling her name again, gently.

    Startled, Renee looked up from the sofa, appearing wakened from a nightmare. Her eyes were wide and tearful, revealing both confusion and fragility, much like a lost child.

    Sarah was taken aback by her look. “Renee, what’s wrong with you?”

    Renée blinked, regaining focus. “When did you return?”

    Noticing her own troubled state, Renee quickly turned off her phone, calmed her emotions, and asked, “Is Marvin’s issue sorted out?”

    “Yes, he’s back now,” Sarah answered, her gaze drifting to the sofa’s corner.

    Renee followed her look.

    Marcelo had rushed out, leaving his trench coat behind.

    “Marcelo was here a moment ago,” Renee said.

    Sarah instantly noticed the hickeys on Renee’s neck and immediately understood what had happened.

    “

    It was clear Marcelo and Renee had just made out, but why did Renee appear so distressed and hurt?

    “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” Sarah asked gently and calmly as she squatted down in front of

    her.

    Renee’s tension eased as she embraced Sarah and said, “Sarah, I can’t bear to see him anymore.” Her voice was low and soft, filled with sorrow.

    “It’s alright, you don’t have to see him then,” Sarah reassured her, stroking her back gently, then added, “If you don’t want to see him, then we’ll make sure you don’t.”

    Once Renee had gone to sleep, Sarah went into the bathroom and opened T*****r on her phone with a serious expression.

    Sarah had glimpsed Renee’s phone on the T*****r app just as she turned it off.

    Sarah didn’t need to search any further; the top trending headline was, “Vivian Lambert and Marcelo King.”

    Chapter 100 The counte

    ***** +15 BONUS

    The article detailed, “Renowned jewelry designer Vivian Lambert and KM Group’s president Marcelo King were seen leaving a hospital together Rumors suggest Vivian had a pregnancy test before they walked into a luxury hotel. They might be getting married soon.”

    Apanying the article was a photo showing Vivian and Marcelo at a private hospital’s entrance.

    Vivian’s face was clearly visible. Marcelo, seated in a wheelchair, had only part of his face showing, yet it was distinctive.

    Then, some individuals disclosed additional insider information.

    “Not long ago, Paul King, the leader of the King Group, personally requested that Marcelo apany Vivian at his birthday celebration. Vivian is the grand daughter–inw Paul has his eye on for Marcelo.”

    “A rtive of mine works at the Kings‘ house. They mentioned witnessing Vivian paying her respects to a deceased member of the King family with them. Her bond with the King family must be special.”

    “The Lambert and King families have always been close. Vivian and Marcelo, having grown up together, naturally might develop feelings for each other?”

    “Remember that Vivian recently joined Harvillston? The point is: It’s Marcelo’spany!”

    “When Vivian held her own art exhibition in Tormeto, Marcelo made a special trip just to be there. These two must be really in love.”

    “Wow! Having been close since childhood, protecting each other over the years, and now they’re a couple. It’s so romantic. I’m totally rooting for Vivian and Marcelo.”

    “I’m just eager to know when they will get married. I’m obsessed with their love story.”

    When Sarah saw thesements, her heart sank. She wondered how heartbroken Renee must have felt seeing them.

    rea

    Taking a deep breath, Sarah tried to calm her rising anger. She was thankful she wasn’t in the bedroom when she saw the news. Otherwise, she might have lost her temperpletely.

    Sarah clicked into a forum and noticed that the discussion about this topic had gained quite some attention.

    Compared to open tforms like T*****r, the content on this members–only forum felt more confidential.

    “I’ve always suspected something was off about Vivian’s sudden return. Is it all because of Marcelo?”

    “Hold on, am I mistaken? Isn’t Marcelo currently in a rtionship with Renee?”

    “Now that Vivian’s back, it looks like Renee’s out of the picture. Everyone in our circle is aware of Marcelo’s care for Vivian over the years.”

    +10 BONUS

    “If Marcelo is back on bhis /bfeet, Vivian doesn’t deserve him, right? Viviani isn’t the biological daughter of the Lambert family…”

    “Even though she’s from a coteral branch, Vivian is still part of the Lambert family. Have you seen any other distant Lambert rtive as close to the main family as Vivian? She’s fortunate, being not much older than the youngest Lambert daughter who passed away. Otherwise, Vivian might not have received much attention from the main Lambert family.”

    “The youngest daughter of the Lambert family is missing. She is not dead. Be cautious with your words, or Daniel Lambert might teach you a lesson

    “Renee is probably feeling the worst. She has been in love with Marcelo for so long, yet it looks like he is going to break up with her soon.”

    As soon as Sarah left the room, Renee, who was pretending to be asleep, suddenly opened her eyes. Shortly after Marcelo had left, she had stumbled upon the rumors about him and Vivian.

    This wasn’t the first time Vivian and Marcelo were rumored to be involved, and it still seemed disgusting.

    The rumors were so detailed that every word seemed true.

    The timing of these rumors was suspicious. They started circting just as Marcelo left, suggesting that Renee was the oneing between Marcelo and Vivian.

    If she hadn’t suddenly married him, Vivian would have been the natural choice to marry him, considering the marriage alliance between the King and Lambert families and the close ties between Marcelo and Vivian.

    For a moment, Renee was unsure whether to feel sorry for herself for being wronglybeled the viin or for her unrealistic expectations in love.

    Her heart ached so much that it was hard for her to breathe.

    Tears streamed from the corners of her eyes to her temples.

    ****

    *****

    The following day, there were no sses scheduled. Renee woke up early, nning to head to the library.

    At first, Sarah was still pretty out of it, but when she heard that Renee was going out, she suddenly woke up.

    Right after waking up, people often show their true emotions. Renee instantly noticed the concern on Sarah’s face.

    “Do you know everything?” Renee asked, trying to sound nonchnt.