Chapter 570:

🍙 🍙 🍙 🍙 🍙

Felicia, as Paul’s daughter-in-law, kept her thoughts to herself. She didn’t want to upset her husband while Paul’s condition was so critical. Yet deep down, she agreed with her son. Bringing Paul to the hospital might not have been the best decision; perhaps it would have been better if he had passed away.

“What do you know?” Gary retorted. “If someone at the old mansion notifies Marcelo, imagine the trouble.”

“You’re thinking ahead, Dad,” Andrew said, impressed by his father’s caution.

“Paul suffered a sudden stroke and is still in surgery. We’re waiting for more details. According to our informants at the mansion, it happened in the study during a heated argument between Gary, Andrew, and Paul,” Luke reported as he drove, his words filling the car and leaving a heavy silence behind.

Paul had a history of high blood pressure, and everyone knew his temper could trigger serious consequences.

Marcelo remained composed when he heard about Paul’s condition. He showed no sorrow or panic. He didn’t look pleased either. It was as if he’d become indifferent to anything involving Paul.

Streetlights cast strange, uneven shadows across his face through the car window, making him seem even more distant—harder to reach.

“Marcelo.” Renee reached out and took his hand, her voice gentle.

Marcelo didn’t answer, but he squeezed her hand in return.

Her hand was soft, tender, and smooth. Yet in that delicacy, it carried a quiet kind of strength.

𝗠𝘰ѕt 𝗿𝘦𝘢𝖽 th𝗂s 𝘄𝘦е𝘬 𝘰𝘯 𝗀а𝘭n𝘰𝘃𝖾𝘭ѕ.𝗰оm

The Rolls-Royce pulled up beneath the Emergency Department sign. Luke noticed the silence in the back seat and discreetly stepped out of the car.

Renee turned to Marcelo and wrapped her arms around him.

“Do you think I’m concerned about him?” Marcelo let out a vague, humorless laugh.

“Not at all,” Renee replied, her tone gentle with understanding. “Marcelo, I get it. It’s not about being sad or worried. It’s about taking a moment to reflect.”

After all, Paul had once been part of the family Marcelo had hoped for—just as Naomi had once been part of the family Renee had longed for.

Renee knew that feeling far too well. It was like something festering in a hidden corner—out of sight most days, yet still sickening when it surfaced.

Marcelo lowered his head and kissed her hair, the gesture both comforting and quietly searching for solace. Her reassurance and acceptance steadied him, and he was grateful for her habit of making excuses for him.

“Marcelo, he’s been in there for over five hours,” Gary said anxiously when he saw Marcelo and Renee approach.

Marcelo gave the operating room door a cool glance, then sat on a nearby bench and pulled out his phone.

Renee watched him with curiosity, only to see him calmly answering work emails. She couldn’t help admiring how composed he remained. Considering he had spent the whole day with her, he really hadn’t had time to work.

Renee felt neutral about Paul, and Marcelo’s calmness made her feel even more detached. She picked up her phone as well, using it to distract herself.

Andrew could no longer hide his emotions. He clenched his fists, a heavy sense of defeat weighing on him.

Renee didn’t even look at him.

Noticing his distress, Felicia led him aside toward the fire escape.

“Are you still hung up on Renee?” Felicia scolded softly. “Has she cast a spell on you?”

“She was supposed to be with me!” Andrew snapped, bitterness rising as he blamed their breakup for his streak of bad luck.

“Without our breakup, I wouldn’t have been blacklisted by Venus Bar, mocked because of Catherine, dragged into Susanna’s mess, or turned the Lambert family against me. And because of all that, Grandpa thinks I’m not good enough—and he’s even considering making Marcelo the head of the family! Hmph!”

“You’re being too loud. Do you want Marcelo to find out that Grandpa’s critical condition had something to do with us?” Felicia snapped, quickly clapping a hand over Andrew’s mouth.

Inside, she seethed in silence, branding Renee a “temptress.”

.

.

.

Message from Noa: We’re in the final quarter of the year, my dear ones, hang in there! God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. (ɔO‿=)ɔ ♥

.