Chapter 581:

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That meant he hadn’t shown up at Vivian’s birthday celebration at all.

Renee had no reason to doubt him. If Marcelo had appeared at Vivian’s party, Alma—always eager to stir trouble—would have definitely sent Renee a photo.

Instead of texting, Renee decided to call him.

“The ruby was from your brother, but what about the other gifts?” she asked. “I’ve heard you’ve been quite the benefactor to Vivian.”

“Renee, don’t I give you far more gifts than I ever gave her?” Marcelo shot back.

“Don’t try to change the subject,” Renee said firmly, refusing to be sidetracked.

Marcelo fell silent.

Because, in truth, he had been behind some of those gifts over the years.

𝘔оs𝘁 𝗋𝖾а𝗱 𝗍𝗵i𝘴 𝘄e𝖾𝗸 o𝗇 g𝘢𝘭𝗇𝘰𝘷𝗲𝗹ѕ.𝘤𝗈𝘮

In the past, it had been a tradition: he and his brother would each give Vivian a birthday present. Marcelo had never thought much of it—until Renee brought it up, and an unexpected sting of guilt surfaced.

“Forget it,” Renee said with a snort, making it clear she wasn’t truly furious. “I’m choosing to be magnanimous and not fight with you.”

Marcelo sighed. “From this moment on, my gifts are for you alone. Does that make you happy?”

Renee still wasn’t satisfied. Lounging on the sofa, her voice turned unexpectedly playful. “The way you say that makes me sound so unreasonable, Marcelo. Maybe I should put you back on my WhatsApp block list after all.”

Marcelo could feel a headache coming on. He hadn’t thought she was unreasonable until she said it herself—and now the word seemed to fit far too well.

Yet her childish sulking didn’t annoy him. Instead, he felt a resigned amusement. He didn’t know how to make her happy, but somehow, her complaints were oddly charming.

After the call ended, Renee looked at Vivian’s post again. This time, she found it almost funny.

It looked like a weak attempt to grab attention.

Just then, her phone rang from an unknown number.

“Hello?” she answered.

The caller stayed silent for a moment, then let out a low, pleasant laugh.

It was a man.

The voice sounded familiar, yet Renee couldn’t immediately place it.

“Miss Hudson, this is Kristopher.”

“Mr. Wright, I’m sorry. I haven’t saved your number,” Renee said, recognizing him at once.

“It’s fine,” Kristopher replied, his voice as gentle as ever. “I have an interview tomorrow, and I need a stylist. Would you be available to help?”

“Of course,” Renee agreed without hesitation. She still felt she owed Kristopher—an obligation that wasn’t just about money. It went far beyond the hundred million, rooted in the kindness they had once shared when they were younger.

The next day, after her classes, Renee hurried to a photo studio in the Central Business District.

Kristopher looked striking in a dark suit. He wasn’t in his wheelchair; instead, he was lounging comfortably on a couch. From a distance, his presence carried an intimidating edge.

But the moment he saw Renee, the coolness in his expression softened into a warm welcome.

Kristopher had a finance interview scheduled, so Renee put together a clean, professional look. The job didn’t require much—Kristopher’s features were naturally sharp, and he hardly needed makeup.

She focused on the details, smoothing his outfit and tidying his hair.

“Mr. Wright, I thought you were a photographer,” Renee said as she adjusted his hair. “Isn’t this interview about finance?”

“Photography is more of a hobby,” Kristopher replied with a grin. “Today, I’m appearing as an entrepreneur.” He paused, amused. “And I’d say you understand what it’s like to juggle multiple pursuits at once.”

Renee was momentarily speechless.

After the interview, as dinner approached, Renee suggested they go out to eat as a small gesture of thanks.

“Are you planning to cook?” Kristopher asked, sounding intrigued.

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