Charlie nodded and said, “Yes, Mr. White informed me that the work will be completed next month and we can move in then.”Claire said, “Would it be good to move in right after the renovation is completed? Shouldn’t we wait for a while for the smell of the paint and whatever to disappear first?”Elaine interjected, “Ah, it’s okay. I went to see the progress with your dad the other day. They used imported non-polluting materials for the renovation containing zero formaldehyde. There was really no smell at all in the house. In fact, they installed an air purifying system in the house that replaces fresh air twenty-four hours a day, it is very advanced and healthy!”Claire nodded without a word. She was rather indifferent and aloof about the whole idea of moving to the Thompson First villa, but Charlie was right. They would not live on the same floor as her parents after moving into the new house. In this case, they would have more privacy and personal space, unlike now, where there was
Since people were waiting for her, Elaine did not even bother to finish her meal. She quickly grabbed her bag before she took a cab to an older villa complex in Aurous Hill, the West Garden Villa.An old friend of hers lived in the vicinity of this villa complex.The West Garden Villa had been relatively prosperous and luxurious in Aurous Hill twenty years ago. However, since it was already an old villa complex, it was not as luxurious and elegant as it used to be.In the past, Elaine felt that the West Garden Villa was already very good and luxurious. Moreover, she felt that she would never be able to move into a villa like this in her lifetime.Nevertheless, things were different now. When she thought of how she was going to move into the best villa at Thompson First very soon, Elaine felt a little dismissive of the West Garden Villa.Her old friend who lived at this villa complex was called Summer Gibson, and Elaine had met her many years ago.Summer came from a pretty good fa
Summer shook her head before she smiled and said, “Actually, I am going to the United States after a while. I am going to settle down there, and I am not going to come back to Aurous Hill anymore.”At this time, Elaine asked in surprise, “How are you planning to settle down in the United States?”Summer nodded slightly before she said, “Didn’t I tell you that my son went abroad to study in the United States? He has not returned to the country after leaving for the United States. He is already married there, and my daughter-in-law is also pregnant now. My son does not intend to come back to Aurous Hill anymore. Therefore, he wants to bring me over to live with him in the United States so that I can help him to look after his children in the future.”One of the women sitting at the mahjong table suddenly blurted out, “Oh, Summer! Are you going to sell all of your houses and properties in Aurous Hill then?”Summer replied, “I will just keep one of the smaller condominiums in the urban
”Yes.” Christopher quickly explained, “This is the life insurance that my dad bought for her when he was still alive in order to leave a way out for the future generations.”After that, Christopher also said, “Why don’t you analyze and do the calculations yourself? How many more years could my mother possibly live when she is already so old? I think that she can only live for another three to five years at most. Let’s just let her live with us for another three to five years. After her death, we will be able to get our hands on the six million dollars life insurance. Don’t you think that it is very worth it?”“Yes, it is worth it!” Hannah replied as she rubbed her hands excitedly. After that, she said, “We have to take good care of your mother now. We should not allow Jacob and his family to lay their hands on your mother’s life insurance!”Christopher nodded as he smiled, “That is only natural. Don’t worry, we will not split the six million dollars with Jacob and his family when th
Summer smiled before she said, “Oh, please come in! Come in! I have not lived in this villa for many years. So, please just make yourselves at home as you look around the villa.”“Okay!” Christopher nodded before he entered the villa with Hannah. After that, he began looking at the layout and interior design of the villa.At this time, Shella, the real estate agent, smiled before she said, “Mr. Wilson, the West Garden Villa is one of the first villa complexes that was developed in Aurous Hill. The supporting facilities are all relatively complete, and it has very tight and good security. Therefore, your safety is guaranteed. The villa has an actual living area of four hundred and seventy square meters, and this fully meets all of your previous requirements…”The reason Christopher was looking forward to buying an old villa was because it would be relatively cheaper. A normal four hundred and seventy square meters villa cost at least twenty million dollars in Aurous Hill, but the cur
Truth be told, Hannah and Christopher would never have dreamt that they would run into Elaine here!Both of them really could not comprehend the situation. Why was Elaine here at the villa?Was she friends with Summer?Hannah was a little annoyed at this time.In fact, she had already planned to slaughter the price of the villa and insist on purchasing the villa for eight million dollars. If the other party disagreed with the price, she would just increase the price little by little until a maximum of nine million dollars. Hannah was confident that she would definitely be able to buy the villa for nine million dollars.However, she never would have expected Elaine to suddenly appear and attack them at this time!Besides, Elaine had always been very polite and respectful toward her. So, why was she suddenly so courageous to even mock her in front of everyone else today? When did she become so courageous?Elaine had been bullied by Christopher and Hannah ever since she had married
Christopher turned pale, and he quickly stepped forward to reprimand Elaine. “Elaine! Stop trying to criticize and insult us! No matter how depressing our situation is, we are definitely better off than you. Why don’t you take a look at your own life instead? Your husband is a piece of trash, your son-in-law is a piece of trash, and your whole family is simply pathetic!”Elaine’s eyes widened immediately, but she simply replied in disdain, “Oh! Big brother, you are right! My husband is really nothing but a piece of trash, but what else can I do? All the men in the Wilson family are nothing but garbage! Don’t you already know this in your own heart?”“You…” Christopher gritted his teeth in anger.Good for you, Elaine. I was scolding your husband, but you actually dragged my husband and son into this?!At this time, Elaine did not give Christopher any chance to continue speaking at all. She simply placed her hands on her waist as she said arrogantly, “But don’t you dare say that my p
When Elaine saw that Hannah had already raised her hands as she rushed toward her, she immediately took a few steps back as she said coldly, “Let me tell you something, Hannah. You cannot afford to offend me, so you’d better keep your hands to yourself!”At this time, Hannah replied savagely, “I can’t afford to offend a stinky woman like you?! If I do not tear your mouth apart today, my last name will not be Queen!”Elaine snorted before she retorted, “My precious son-in-law, Charlie, is very good at fighting. I believe you have not forgotten how he dealt with the bodyguards you hired or how he taught your useless son, Harold, a lesson that he would never forget? Believe it or not, if you try and provoke me today, I will just call Charlie right now. I will ask him to come here and teach both of you a lesson immediately!”Hannah shuddered as soon as she heard Elaine’s words. She became very frustrated and felt as though all the anger and hatred she was feeling was already dissipating
With those words, Jacob didn't wait any further as he turned and left Antique Street, intent on seeking legal counsel.Raymond watched him leave before returning to Treasure Measure.He wasn't going to leave, but he had said so because he didn't want to waste much time with Jacob.Still, to avoid any trouble, he turned the sign outside to 'closed' before locking the door from the inside.That was when a man suddenly arrived, asking through the glass door, "Can I still take a look inside, sir?"Raymond was ready to refuse without even turning around when he realized that it was Charlie.He turned around and saw him standing outside just as expected.Smiling, he hurried over to open the door for him. "It's been a while, Mr. Wade!"Charlie was aware that Raymond was sticking to his identity of 'Raymond Cole' who had not been in touch since Raymond had been fired from Vintage Deluxe.Charlie chuckled in turn. "It has indeed. And you're a business owner yourself now, too.""It's j
Jacob zipped toward Raymond, his attitude immediately subservient, "I'm sure you've seen what Zachary Evans posted on his Twitter page, and to be honest, it's so terrible that my position in the Calligraphy and Painting Association has been affected too. I mean, you've made a lot of money, right?"Hell, even if you donated ten million, you'd still have another ten million and 970 thousand in net profits. So, all I'd like to ask is for you to post something to disclaim Zachary's post.Jacob's words left Raymond in thought.For Jacob, just being suspected of fraud would definitely be terrible. In fact, his position in the Calligraphy and Painting Association would definitely be threatened—if not dismissed altogether—if he wasn't cleared of suspicion.Since Jacob was Charlie Wade's father-in-law, Raymond had reason not to drive Jacob over the brink.But that also begged another question—it must be under Charlie's intention for Zachary to post his confession, and that meant Charlie in
Raymond couldn't help chuckling just as Jacob finished—he had honestly never heard of anyone who demanded a refund after donating to charity, but he was certainly seeing one now.Still, the receptionist was clearly experienced and slowly explained, "Sir, it's a legal clause of the country that all donations for philanthropy purposes can not be refunded under most circumstances—""It truly was a mistake," Jacob quickly said, cutting the receptionist off. "I was going to donate thirty thousand but pressed an extra zero by mistake. Please discuss this with your management—you just have to refund 27 thousand, see?""Sorry, sir," the receptionist apologized. "But it's a strict rule that we ourselves do not get to access the funds that have been donated into our accounts. Every donation will be screened extensively, and if you consider that there was a major oversight on your part, you may seek legal counsel to appeal for a refund. If the courts back your appeal, our organization will the
Nonetheless, Jacob darted into Treasure Measure and plucked off his mask, asking nervously, "Excuse me, Mr. Cole? It's me… Jacob Wilson…"Raymond looked up, pausing for a moment before acting as if he was actually curious, "Mr. Wilson! What brings you here? Don't tell me—you want that bronze sculpture back too?""No, no, no…" Jacob quickly shook his head. "I would never… I returned all the way from Dubai to apologize!""Apologize?" Raymond smiled faintly, and he did not play dumb this time as he asked bluntly, "Did you come back because of Zachary Evan's post?"Knowing he couldn't deny it any longer, Jacob nodded, "Yeah…"Raymond nodded and said calmly, "That's unnecessary. I was the one who benefited in the end."Jacob wasn't quite keeping up—thinking that Raymond was just trying to be nice by telling him he didn't have to apologize, he quickly pulled out his phone.Tapping on it and bringing up his transaction records, he handed it to Raymond reverently, "Mr. Cole, I understan
The cabbie chuckled. "You're a local yet you're heading to Antique Street right away as soon as you land instead of going home? And you're still saying you're not trying to pick up a killer bargain deal?"Come on, man—it's not just you, I want that too. We cabbies work ourselves to death only for ten thousand per month at best while our friend over there made twenty million in one night. I could keep driving cabs for the rest of my life and still not make that much money."Jacob knew that the cabbie must be talking about Raymond and became even more miserable then, grumbling unhappily, "I'm going to Antique Street for business—I'm not trying to pick up some missed bargain.""No? Then you didn't hear what happened yesterday?"The cabbie was immediately curious, and without waiting for Jacob's answer, he exclaimed happily, "Look, man—it was so ridiculous not even Hollywood would put it in their script. There were these fools who were trying to sell an antique trader a replica, but th
It was nighttime in Dubai as Jacob dragged his weary body from the hotel back to the airport.As he was flying economy this time, he was left sitting at the hard bench near the boarding terminal, waiting for it to open.While he waited, his heart was torn as he tapped into the website of the Aurous Hill Charity Fund, found their donation account, and wired the entire 300 thousand he had made over to them.He had picked the Aurous Hill Charity Fund because the circles of antique collectors in Aurous Hill were all discussing how Raymond had donated half of the 20 million he had made to that same charity fund.After Raymond skyrocketed to prominence in Antique Street and became a star, it could not be denied that people admired his profound ability.However, there were also people who envied his skill in turning the tables just as there were those who were jealous he had made twenty million in a single night.Still, Raymond moved fast—soon after word spread that he had made twenty m
Elaine quickly asked, "Well, what if you can't get it done?"Jacob was apprehensive even as he sighed. "If they really pressed the issue, guess I can't even stay at the Calligraphy and Painting Association now… We will see. If things get bad, I'll just resign. I won't ask for much right now, just as long as I don't have to go to jail."Elaine nodded. "Then you should try to reason things out with Raymond Cole or ask for Charlie's help if push comes to shove. Being humiliated is still better than prison.""Okay!"-It was nighttime at Aurous Hill by the time Elaine and Jacob arrived at their hotel.Charlie and Claire had just had dinner, and Claire pulled out her phone, saying, "I just checked my flight app, and it says my parents should have landed two hours ago. They are probably at the hotel, so I'll check in on them with a video call."She had yet to open her WhatsApp when Elaine called her on a video call.Jacob was planning to check in with Claire and Charlie to put their
Hearing what Jacob had said, Elaine became anxious and pressed him as he hung up, "What's going on? You're leaving? But we just got here! My shoes have just caught Dubai dirt, so why are we leaving so soon—"However, Jacob was wiping the sweat off his brow as he mumbled quietly, "Well, at this point, I have to leave or I won't be vice president anymore."Elaine immediately fumed. "We've been married for half our lives, and this is supposed to be our honeymoon, yet we're just leaving? I've posted about this on social media too—there are plenty of people who're waiting for more posts on our trip!"And don't forget—we spent a lot on our flight tickets and our hotels! The hotel bookings can't be refunded either!"Jacob scowled dolefully. "Well, what can we do? Why don't you stay? I'll go home and get this sorted out first….""Well, how long would that take?" Elaine asked."How should I know?" Jacob sighed, uneasy and annoyed. "Don Albert is saying I have to go back and donate the 300
"But I spent 98 thousand on that bronze sculpture!" Jacob exclaimed in agitation before he knew it. "I made 300 thousand from it, and that means my profit was 200 thousand at best, but I'm supposed to return that to him as well?! That means I'd have lost my own capital too!""I can't help you if you can't bear to part with that money, Mr. Wilson," Don Albert said quietly. "In that case, you'll just have to handle it yourself.""Wait, wait, wait!" Jacob immediately became antsy and cried out right then, "Please, Don Albert! I'll return the money! I'll return it, alright?! The entirety of my profits—202 thousand, okay? At least let me keep the money I spent, okay?""By that reasoning, Mr. Wilson, when a phone scammer is told by the cops to return the money they've made from defrauding, should he be allowed to keep the money he spent on telco charges? ""Oh, I…" Jacob was left stumped and could not come up with an answer.Don Albert then pressed on, "Mr. Wilson, I've offered a prom