Chapter 574:

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Renee might not have known every single member of the King family well, but as a well-connected socialite, she understood the importance of recognizing key figures—and the relationships that bound influential families together.

A visible shift passed through the faces around the table.

Venus Bar belonged to Renee?

“Renee… you—” Andrew’s expression darkened as he remembered being blacklisted.

Renee glanced at him. “It’s just a small bar. Not worth mentioning.”

A small bar?

𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬 𝘰𝘯 𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘴.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Her casual dismissal stunned everyone. At first, a few people doubted her claim. But their skepticism faded as they remembered how quickly Andrew had been blacklisted after clashing with Renee at Venus Bar—while Renee and Sarah had walked away completely unharmed.

And with the revelation that Renee owned a private island, along with her other achievements, it suddenly seemed entirely plausible that she could own a thriving bar as well. In an instant, the room’s perception of her shifted.

“I’m not the focus today,” Renee said, cutting through the murmurs. “Let’s talk about what really matters.”

She turned to the middle-aged man seated beside her. “Uncle, would you mind giving up your seat for Marcelo? It wouldn’t be too much trouble, would it?”

The man—one of Gary’s allies—answered grudgingly, “Why don’t you move?”

Renee gave a small shrug. “My husband likes me sitting here.”

Marcelo’s lips curved slightly as he toyed with a strand of her hair.

She seemed to enjoy stirring things up even more than he’d intended.

What Renee didn’t know was that, when she spoke so confidently earlier, Marcelo’s mind had drifted to the mysterious figure behind the Rich Private Foundation.

With enough capital, people dared to take risks.

With enough insight, they gained the authority to speak calmly—and decisively.

Gary made a subtle gesture, and the group began shifting their seats.

He had no desire to accommodate Marcelo, but he was even more afraid that Renee would force him into giving up his own seat if they didn’t make room.

“Fine. Let’s get to the point,” Gary said at last. He shot Renee a heavy, displeased look before continuing. “Given my father’s condition, even if he wakes up, he’ll need rest and time to recover. Someone must oversee the family’s business and affairs in the meantime.”

Someone immediately spoke up. “I think you’re the right person for the role, Gary. You’ve handled many family matters and earned Paul’s trust.”

Others quickly chimed in, echoing their agreement.

It was obvious they had coordinated ahead of time to support Gary taking control. The invitation to Marcelo had been little more than a formality.

Just then, the butler stepped forward with a document in hand.

“I have an important document,” he announced, taking it from a worn leather bag. “The master has already arranged the primary responsibilities within the King family. Gary will manage the family’s internal affairs.”

Excitement flashed in Gary and Andrew’s eyes, as if the inheritance were already within reach.

Then the butler continued, “And Marcelo is designated to assume the role of CEO of King Group.”

The smug looks on Gary and Andrew’s faces froze. Murmurs rippled across the room.

The difference between controlling the family’s internal matters and holding the CEO position in the company was far too large. Paul’s decision suddenly felt wildly unfair to them.

“How can this be?” Andrew snatched the document, scanning it as if he could will it into being fake.

“This document was notarized by a reputable lawyer,” the butler said calmly, leaving no room for doubt about its authenticity.

Renee noticed the chill that crept into Marcelo’s expression.

Marcelo had only come because the butler had asked him to.

The butler was someone Paul trusted deeply—someone who had stood by Paul’s side for years, and who had once looked after a young Marcelo and Sebastian.

Marcelo had come out of respect for that history, never expecting the butler to place such a heavy responsibility on his shoulders.

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