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
Ares LLP was the biggest law firm in the States, and only the best of the best were recruited as associates.If Jimmy got to pick ten of their partners, he was basically taking a huge chunk out of their human resources.Moreover, the partners' salaries would be very expensive. With Jimmy included, eleven of them meant over a hundred million US dollars at minimum. Ares would definitely be maimed if they had to pay that much money while losing ten of their elites! Naturally, Jimmy didn't feel confident about achieving that, and he asked Charlie, "Mr. Wade… Don't you think it's too much? Would Nate even agree to that?"Charlie shrugged. "Of course he won't agree if you're the one asking, but he would definitely say yes if it were Julien."Julien almost rolled his eyes.The man was truly ruthless, ready to inflict so much damage at the drop of a hat.Worst of all, he was going to play the villain for Charlie.Still, he said confidently, "Don't worry, Mr. Wade! I will pressure him
However, Jimmy realized something important even as he sighed in relief. "Wait, Mr. Wade… I know I should settle things in the family Stateside, but won't I be arrested upon arrival?""That's Julien's department," Charlie chuckled and turned toward the man. "Tell your butler not to send the evidence to the feds. If it has reached them already, ask to have it back and tell the feds they saw nothing."Julien promptly nodded. "I'll text him right now. You have nothing to worry about, Mr. Wade."Jimmy remained worried. "But sir, I think Nate's not going to let this slide. The man is cunning—he deliberately dug a pit so we'd fall into it, and he gathered all the dirt he could on us to be used as leverage when necessary."Charlie shook his head. "That's no big deal. Julien can make sure that you're fine even if the feds get the evidence."Julien nodded nearby. "Don't worry, Mr. Wade. The decision remains in your hands, either way. Just say the word, and it's 25 to life… otherwise, not e
The fact that Jimmy was a partner in Ares LLP already meant he had skill, while Matilda had herself been retired for years and definitely had lost her touch a little. So, having someone like Jimmy who had stayed on the frontlines all this while would definitely be no issue.And in turn, it was a good thing for Jimmy as it was better than the kennels either way.Charlie then asked Jimmy pointedly, "You say you're interested, but are you sincere about it?"Jimmy nodded without hesitation. "Yes, absolutely!""No regrets? We're talking about ten years here.""None, absolutely none!""Do you know what to say if anyone asks?""Yes, of course! I chose to further my career here in Oskia, and it was absolutely voluntary! That's what I'd say even if my family asked!"Charlie nodded. "Good. Then, you will have two weeks. Go home and set your affairs in order and report in for work afterward.""No problem!" Jimmy nodded repeatedly, actually surprised and grateful that Charlie would let hi
And yet, Julien was suddenly clapping his hands, and exclaiming excitedly, "Yes, right! We should get his wife and son over too for a happy reunion!"He then paused and quickly corrected himself, "Wait, no! I mean, they should each be caged with one empty cage separating each of their cages. They can see each other and talk, but there will be no touching. How dare he flex on me—I gotta teach him a lesson to remember!"Jimmy dropped limply on his rump, and Matilda beckoned for Paul to help him up while turning toward Julien as she pursed her lips. "Please, Mr. Rothschild… Even if you don't accept his apology, don't bring his family into this. It's against Oskian tradition—you'd insult your family's name!"Julien shrugged, not hesitating to retort, "What do your traditions have to do with me? If I mean to hurt him, forget his family—I'll drag his dogs over too!"Seeing that Julien was so furious, Charlie decided to stop him, or he might actually go through with it."That's enough, J
Holding up a thumb at Charlie, Julien exclaimed in approval, "You're right, my friend! That's far more exciting than having him jailed!"Just hearing that he would be sent to a kennel, Jimmy knew nothing would come of it—even if he didn't know the details, it was so obvious that Julien was thrilled by the very idea!Turning nervously toward Charlie, he was sobbing as he asked, "Mr. Wade…? What's this about a kennel…?"Julien chuckled coolly even before Charlie said a word. "A kennel is where you keep dogs, of course. Though there are literal dogs and metaphorical dogs, and you are the latter."Oh, don't worry. It's a really nice place where you get your own cage, and you'll be fed every day. You don't even have to work, so just sit tight and keep eating until the day you die."Jimmy's soul left his body in that instant.He was going to be locked in a cage?! That was way worse than being locked up and sent to jail! Where was the humanity around here?!Even as the thought struck h
Matilda was actually caught off guard by Jimmy's pleas, and even Paul found it hard to watch.Turning to Charlie, he said, "Please, Mr. Wade—my uncle can be a little despicable, but he is my father's brother. Please, let him have a chance to turn over a new leaf, seeing that he's earnestly repenting."While Paul spoke with Charlie, Jimmy was still confused and wondered why Paul would plead his case with Charlie instead of Julien. If there was anyone Paul should ask, it was Yolden since he was Julien's friend. So, why would he ask some young man instead of Yolden?That was when Charlie asked in curiosity, "You want to let him off? After he tried to take away your parents' legacy?"Paul smiled awkwardly. "I mean, I know the guy. He made sure to travel all this way to make a scene because he had nothing legal that could help him claim Smith Group Corporate Law from us. Otherwise, he'd have already filed the lawsuit in the States. Sure, it's a dirty move, but that's basically a des
As Julien finished, he realized something was wrong and turned toward Charlie before he knew it.Charlie held his gaze in turn, his expression quizzical and amused.Julien cleared his throat right then. "See, there are people who can order me around, but they have my utmost respect. However, a third-rate lawyer like you? Who do you think you are?"That was when Julien's butler called, and he reported respectfully as soon as the call was answered, "Sir, I've spoken with Nate Ellis, the owner of Ares LLC. He has since agreed to fire Jimmy Smith right away as well as disbar him nationwide."Julien asked, "Good. Anything else?""Well, Mr. Ellis also delivered some documents that can be used as evidence against Jimmy Smith, which he claims is enough for a lifetime sentence. If you deem it necessary, we can have it sent to the FBI.""Yes, let's go with that!" Julien replied, his tone satisfied. "And ask the director to handle it personally—I want this prick to never set foot stateside
Jimmy was sweating profusely in fear, but he argued back before he knew it, "That's impossible! Everything you say is bullshit! Gaiman simply thought he had a fair chance of winning and didn't want to pay Ares that much, and I have no idea who he partnered with, and I'm certainly not involved. Don't you try to slander me!"Nate chuckled. "Come on, Jimmy. We're all adults here, so there are things we shouldn't have to be so direct about. Mills Gaiman and your old classmate met in private many times, not to mention the private conferences you three had in secret, discussing your overall strategy and decisive points. Just so you know, Gaiman recorded every conversation, and I have the tapes with me."Jimmy's heart was left pounding as he blurted, "B-Bullshit! That's impossible!""Grow up, Jimmy," Mr.Goodman chuckled. "Every partner in every law firm always strives to rise higher, so I'm going to need as much leverage as I can. Otherwise, I'm not about to let them advance any further, e
Although the ringtone and vibration frequency were the ones Jimmy always used, this call somehow felt more urgent, leaving him exceedingly uneasy.When it abruptly stopped and left a missed call on his log, Nate Ellis soon sent a text: [Answer your damn phone this instant!]Just seeing the text left Jimmy feeling like his throat had gone dry, and as he gulped, it felt like his throat was being ripped, leaving him hurting.Still, he couldn't care less as his boss called again.Having seen the text, Jimmy didn't hesitate this time and promptly answered, watching Julien's smug face as he started tentatively, "Y-Yes, boss...?"Nate immediately yelled at him hysterically, "What the hell did you do?! Why did the Rothschilds call to complain about you?! And the complaint was from their heir apparent, at that! I worked hard for them and always toed the line for years, and I still haven't gotten a chance to meet the man, so how the fuck did you upset him?!"Jimmy's heart sank to rock bott