He had been ordered by Nanako to come to Aurous Hill in advance in order to purchase a mansion in Aurous Hill for Nanako first.However, he had visited a lot of villa districts and looked at a lot of villas for sale over the past few days, and alas, the villas were still far from what Nanako wanted. For Nanako, she liked the houses of ancient Japanese aristocrats. Although Japan had a small area and was crowded, the houses of ancient Japanese aristocrats were surprisingly large and comparable to the general scale of the royal residence in Eastcliff. However, that kind of house was rare in modern Oskia and there were also some protected royal residences in Eastcliff, which was really difficult to find in Aurous Hill.Moreover, even if such a large house could be found, most of these houses were in disrepair, and some of the super-large villas had adopted a pompous European style. The rich might like this kind of resplendent decoration, but Nanako felt that this kind of decoration
When Hiroshi heard this, he quickly asked, “How long do I need to wait if she still can’t make up her mind for a while?”The salesgirl explained, “Under normal circumstances, there is a right of first refusal within twenty-four hours after the payment of the initial booking fee. If the final payment has not been made after twenty-four hours, it will then be considered a waiver.”“Twenty-four hours?” Hiroshi was a little depressed as he said, “Twenty-four hours is too long... I have to buy it today.”“Well...” The salesgirl was also somewhat embarrassed for a while before she spoke up, “Sir, that is not the only unit left for our apartment. We still have eight units in that building that have not been sold. The apartment unit is the same type, but they are just located on different floors. You will be able to see the river view as long as you’re on the sixth floor and above, so there’s really no big difference.”“If you like high-rise buildings, we also have a good unit on the secon
She was about to go and call the concierge department when Hiroshi saw Marianne. He took the initiative to greet her and said, “Hello, Miss, may I ask if you’re interested to purchase the unit on the top floor?”Marianne looked at the other party in surprise and some vigilance, and she frowned as she asked, “What’s the matter? Is there something wrong?”Hiroshi quickly explained, “Miss, it’s like this. I also fancy the unit, and I actually want to buy it quite urgently. If you’re willing to let me have this unit, I’m willing to pay you a transfer fee of a million dollars!”Not only Marianne but even Madam Marilyn and the sales executive at the side were dumbfounded as soon as Hiroshi said this. The three of them had simply gone in to sign the booking fee agreement and pay the booking fee, and it had only taken them a few minutes, less than ten minutes in total.Unexpectedly, another person had appeared at this moment, wanting to buy the same unit.The other party’s purchase inte
The sales executive as well as a number of salespeople were completely dumbfounded.It was not that they had not seen people fighting for properties before. When the villas had first been opened for sale, there were indeed some customers who had started to fight for the properties right on the spot.The fighting would often develop into frustration and violent fights.They had never encountered someone like Hiroshi, who was willing to give the other party one million dollars as soon as he spoke up.They also did not expect Marianne to refuse his offer directlyFrom their point of view, this was one million dollars without any cost involved. Anyone would have to think about it if they could earn one million dollars for nothing, right?She had come to view a property and then spent ten minutes paying the booking fee to be able to earn a million dollars directly. This kind of thing was simply akin to having something fall into one’s lap directly. However, not to mention one millio
Marianne was still completely unmoved. She turned to look at Hiroshi and said seriously, “Sir, the reason why I didn’t get angry at you is because I think that you’re quite sincere and are a gentleman, but if you continue pestering me in this manner, I probably will not be able to communicate with you with this friendly attitude anymore.”Hiroshi instantly understood.The young woman in front of him must be a young lady who was not short of money whatsoever and did not take money to heart at all. It was estimated that her net worth and assets were not much worse compared to his own young lady.What was the point of offering a premium of ten million dollars when facing such a woman other than being able to make an offer? Even if it was thirty million or fifty million dollars, it was impossible for her to take him seriously, and he would only end up looking foolish if he continued holding on.He could only sigh in desperation and say apologetically, “I’m sorry, Miss. I was too reck
Hiroshi followed the salesgirl and took a car to Building 1 after paying one million dollars for the booking fee.Marianne had already preceded him and gone to the apartment unit on the top floor with Madam Marilyn.Madam Marilyn, who was still feeling ashamed of her own overconfidence just now, followed Marianne and could not help but speak up, saying, “Miss Marianne, fortunately, you have foresight. You didn’t heed my advice just now and paid the booking fee in advance. Otherwise, that person just now would have bought this apartment unit...”Marianne smiled slightly and said, “Madam Marilyn, don’t say that. I don’t have any foresight. I’m just relatively cautious. Perhaps there are ninety-nine out of a hundred times where my cautiousness ends up being useless, but in my opinion, it’s worth it if my cautiousness comes in handy even once.”Madam Marilyn nodded slightly. She actually felt extremely amazed even though she had a calm expression.Having been a housekeeper for so long
Madam Marilyn noticed that Marianne did not even look around the apartment after entering but simply stood in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window to look at the river view, so she could not help but remind her, “Miss Marianne, do you want to take a look at the layout of the house so I can help you if you’re not satisfied with anything or if there’s anything you would like to adjust.”“Oh, okay...” Marianne came back to her senses and looked around the whole apartment with Madam Marilyn. This apartment unit was not too big. It was more than two hundred square meters with four bedrooms, one of which had been renovated into a study room. In addition, there was also a reception hall on the side of the Yaak River. The developer had already added sports equipment to the apartment unit, which could be considered a relatively decent fitness area, and one could also see the view of the river from the sofa in the living room because of the floor-to-ceiling windows on the front wall. F
That night, after Marianne had settled the newly purchased household necessities, she returned to Scarlet Pinnacle Manor with Madam Marilyn. Both Logan and his wife were also very happy when they learned that Marianne had been hired. He asked the servants to organize an elaborate celebration feast at home as a celebration for Marianne.To Logan’s surprise, Vera, who never liked such festivities, also joined in happily. At the dinner table, Logan said to Marianne, “Marianne, if you have nothing to do when you come to Aurous Hill to work in the future, you can come and live at Scarlet Pinnacle Manor and ask Marilyn to arrange a big room for you!”Marianne hurriedly said, “Lord Carrick, Madam Marilyn accompanied me to buy a house in Aurous Hill in the afternoon, and the university will also provide me with an apartment in the future.”Logan said in surprise, “You already bought a house? It’s safer for you to live here, and it’d be more convenient for you to live here with Marilyn
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
"Mr. Wilson, what you boys did was truly heinous!" Don Arnold growled. "I scolded Zachary myself when I found out, and I was the one who told him to post that statement!"Jacob was shocked. "But why, Don Arnold? Are you friends with Raymond Cole?""Never met the guy," Don Arnold replied.That left Jacob even more confused. "Then why are you taking his side?""I've been doing my best to clean up my image over the past couple of years," Don Albert replied coolly. "I rarely get involved in mob business or anything illicit, and everyone in Aurous Hill knows that Zachary is my right-hand man, yet he confessed to committing such a heinous crime behind my back. What is that if not sullying my reputation?"Jacob was left reeling as he didn't expect Don Albert to be so serious, but he quickly explained, "I'm sorry. I didn't expect it to affect you so terribly… It's all Zachary's fault! I wouldn't have been aware that Raymond had returned at all, but he just had to tell me and come up with
At this point, Don Albert could very well be Jacob's personal messiah.Even if he did threaten Zachary with calling Charlie persistently, he actually wouldn't dare call Charlie.After all, how would he start explaining that he was involved in a crime? And telling Charlie was basically telling his daughter—what would they think of him after this? Would he ever be able to hold his head high in the family again?As such, his only option now was to ask Don Albert and see if he would help.What he didn't know was that Don Albert was with Charlie, who had already anticipated Jacob's move.When Jacob realized he couldn't stop Zachary, Jacob would find someone who could, and Don Albert was the best man for the job!To no surprise, Don Albert's phone soon started ringing with a call from Jacob.Don Albert didn't answer right away, however, instead turning toward Charlie as he asked gingerly, "So, shall I stick to your script, Master Wade?"Seeing Charlie nod, he pressed on, "Should I
As soon as Jacob sent the voice message, Mr. Bay called.Jacob quickly answered, asking nervously, "How are things over there, Mr. Bay?""How, you ask…?" Mr. Bay sighed in exasperation. "The entire Calligraphy and Painting Association was demanding your dismissal as soon as Zachary Evans posted his statement, thinking that you have no business being the administrative vice president let alone have a place in the association."Even those officials came asking me questions, and you know how they are—gossipers, every last one of them, always finding out about the juicy stuff instantly even if it's really no big deal. The only excuse I have to stop them is that we don't have the facts, but this issue still needs to be taken care of."So, be straight with me. Were you a part of this? If you don't, do you have any definitive evidence that can refute Zachary's claims?""I… Uh…" Jacob stammered, unable to answer.He certainly wanted to say no, but he had no evidence to back himself up.
Jacob bellowed furiously, "Raymond Cole made over 19 million dollars! From my bronze sculpture! Yet you're telling me to refund that 300 thousand too?! You're just fucking with me, aren't you?!""Well, if you don't like it, just do what you like, then," Zachary replied calmly and quickly hung up before Jacob could answer.Jacob was left twitching and shaking endlessly, and there was no telling if it was from rage or fear.Beside him, Elaine quickly asked, "What did Zachary say, dear? Can he get that bronze sculpture back?"Caught by surprise at her question, Jacob flinched, and his phone slipped out of his grasp.As it seemed to hover in the air, he tried to catch it twice but failed, but Elaine managed to grab it.It was then that she noticed that he was sweating all over his face, and she promptly asked, "What's wrong, dear?"Coming to his senses, Jacob's eyes went wide with rage. "Zachary is trying to kill me! He leaked the whole thing to his Twitter page—it's like he's pulli