Chapter 208 No noise

    Despite knowing Marcelo for barely a year, Renee did not waver in her trust.

    In contrast, Jessica, his mother, had aligned with Paul, epting the narrative that Marcelo might’ve

    killed his brother.

    The Hagua auction was set tomence in a historic mansion, its architecture dating back a century.

    As the auction drew near, the mansion’s driveway was lined with luxury vehicles, though the flow of

    arrivals had dwindled.

    “Miss, may I have a look at your invitation?” A server stopped Renee.

    Caught up in the worry that Sarah was in trouble, Renee hadn’t even thought about the invitation. “I’m

    Marcelo King, and thisdy is my wife,” Marcelo announced, his hand resting reassuringly on Renee’s waist, signaling their rtionship.

    Recognizing them, the server’s demeanor instantly changed to one of apology, saying, “My apologies for the inconvenience earlier! Mr. King, Mrs. King, this way, please!”

    Renee looked at Marcelo, puzzled. “How did you manage to set this up?”

    “I have a team at mypany for just such asions; they’re not merely decorative.”

    A simple heads–up to his staff was all it took them to prepare for his and Renee’s arrival at the auction.

    Marcelo took pride in ensuring everything was arranged for her.

    Marcelo and Renee were led directly to the front row, where two seats awaited, unmarked by name tags,

    reserved for VIPs like them who might decide to attend at thest minute.

    “Why are there new arrivals now?”

    “Look, isn’t that Renee?”

    “Why would Reneee out of the blue?”

    “Remember Sarah? She’s the auctioneer tonight. Given the embarrassment she’s experiencing, do you

    honestly believe Renee would remain passive?”

    “Isn’t that…Marcelo by Renee’s side? And his legs…seem fine?”

    “Wasn’t Marcelo recently married? Why is he here with Renee? Oh, herst name is Hudson?!”

    “Is this implying what I suspect? They’re married?”

    Chapter 208 No noise

    Renee was a familiar face to many attendees.

    Marcelo had been stepping into the spotlight more often in the past half–year, and his remarkable presence left asting impression.

    Yet, seeing Marcelo, who had been known to use a wheelchair, now standing and moving freely caught everyone off guard.

    Renee, undisturbed by the surrounding murmurs, took her seat with elegance.

    Casting a defiant smile towards Quincy and Alma in the vicinity, she seemed ready for whatever challengey ahead.

    Was it Sarah they intended to embarrass?

    It remained to be seen who would have thestugh.

    The melodious strains of a grand piano in D major filled the air.

    Sarah, dressed in a stylish gown adorned with blue and white floral patterns, her hair elegantly styled in a bun, stepped into the limelight.

    In Renee’s eyes, Sarah, typicallyid–back, now exuded a refined air that outshone her.

    Sarah’s manner and subtle expressions remained impablyposed, undisturbed by the earlier auction’splete flop.

    Yet, when Sarah’s eyes roamed the crowd and settled on Renee, she froze in amazement.

    Renee, dressed simply in a sweater and jeans amidst a sea of borate attire, greeted Sarah’s nce with a cheerful bid paddle wave.

    Quincy’s expression tightened.

    Sarah’s professional demeanor made it seem as though he were a stranger seated below, a quality initially mistaken by him as simply part of her auctioneer’s grace.

    Now it seemed she simply…ignored him.

    “Up for auction is ‘Serene Moon and Precious Chrysanthemums,‘ a piece from a private collection, starting at ny million,” Sarah dered.

    Renee immediately ced a bid.

    No one countered the bid.

    The piece belonged to Renee.

    As for the auction items that followed, Renee continued to lift her paddle without anyone opposing her

    Chapter 208 No noise

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    bids.

    She acquired item after item, effortlessly.

    Within thirty minutes, she had umted purchases worth hundreds of millions of dors.

    The crowd was taken aback by Renee’s daring approach, stirring unease among them.

    Initially, they had held back from bidding as a courtesy to Quincy, anticipating their chance to bid on the itemster. However, Renee’s disregard for this tacit agreement threw them off.

    If they didn’t bid, Renee was poised to im every auction piece at its base price!

    “Okay, bidder number 7 increases the bid to 12 million, proving they’ve got great taste.” Sarah smiled.

    Her professional demeanor elicited a pleased smile from the bidder.

    “Bidder number 12 raises to 14 million! Any more bids?” Sarah inquired.

    She attempted to enliven the room with her energetic voice, showcasing her exceptional skills. “We have

    15 million…and now, thedy over there offers 17 million!”

    The bidding war picked up speed again.

    Renee decided to stop bidding.

    Watching Sarah’s poise and elegance outshine even the valuable objects being auctioned was a sight to

    behold.

    And those artifacts, with their own grace and nobility, seemed almost secondary to Sarah’s charm.

    Alma bit her lip in frustration.

    Even off the ice, Sarah still managed to be the center of attention.

    Alma turned to see Quincy watching Sarah with deep interest, sparking a twinge of jealousy.

    She hissed, “Quincy, does Sarah catch your eye more than usual?”

    “She’s always had her charm.”

    In his eyes, regardless of the career she chose, she was able to showcase her charm.

    Quincy continued nonchntly, throwing a look towards Alma, “But she isn’t mine.”

    Even though Quincy tried to sway the oue of the auction, Sarah ended it on a high note, making him. look foolish.

    Still, Quincy didn’t let it bother him, used to the ever–changing nature of social situations. Alma, on the other hand, couldn’t let it go.

    Chapter 208 No noise

    As she walked past Renee, Alma couldn’t help but mock, saying, “Showing off with money that’s not even yours, what does that say about you?”

    Alma was about to leave but found herself stuck.

    Because Renee had caught hold of her wrist.

    “Why should you care how I use my husband’s money? Is it any of your business?” Renee looked from Quincy to Alma, wearing a teasing smile, saying, “At least I’m not the one needing a man who isn’t even my fiancé to do favors for me, which is more than can be said for you.

    “Renee!” Alma’s tone shot up, filled with rage.

    Without thinking, Marcelo stepped in front of Renee for protection. “Quincy, please control your partner.”

    Quincy, cool as ever, answered, “Marcelo, you are one to talk, huh?”

    Marcelo just gave a casual shrug.

    To everyone else, it looked like Marcelo was admitting that he was the one being controlled by his partner.

    Were they interpreting it correctly?

    Alma shot back heatedly, “Let’s get one thing straight, Marcelo. If there’s any hitting to be done, it won’t be me going after Renee. She’s only pretending to be weak around you!”

    The tales of Renee taking on ten guys by herself at the Rich bar and even getting the better of Alma before were legendary.

    “So, you’re basically asking for trouble, aiming to get knocked down?” Renee sneered.

    “You! Renee, watch your mouth!”

    “Want to hear something more unpleasant?” Renee’s look turned frosty, her stance indicating she was more than ready to throw punches, not just words.

    “Miss Hudson, your order is ready.” A waiter came up, breaking the intense atmosphere.

    Alma let out a relieved breath.

    Meanwhile, Marcelo casually reached for a ck card to give to the waiter.

    But Renee stepped in first.

    She wrote a check for the amount and handed it over to the waiter.

    “Here you go.” Then she passed the card back to properly, saying, “I don’t mind when you buy me things.

    But when it’s my gifts for my friend, I insist on paying with my own money.”

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    “Hard to say whose money is really covering that check,” Alma muttered under her breath.

    Sarah moved silently, her heels making no noise at all.

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