“This place is very beautiful,” Mrs. Brooke ignored Charlotte’s complaints. She stared at the greenery that seemed to breath in the aroma of the hot sun. The sea of flowers reminded her of her own grandmother’s garden in Wales.
“This place is too hot.” Charlotte uttered. “Why would Adalind want to live in a place like this?”
“She wanted to get close to another married man.” Mrs. Brooke answered. Aside from that, there was no way Adalind would choose such a hot place to live in.
“I will die from the heat.” Charlotte continued. “Plus, people here are really disrespectful— “
“Asians are known for their respectful behavior, Charlotte.” She interrupted her. “Just because you didn’t get your way, does not mean you were disrespected.”
“You— “
“I presume you are here to try and buy this place?” Lily’s words interrupted the two’s conversation. They turned their head towards Lily who stood there in a white, knee- length dress.
“Of course we are. This place is for sale. Do you think we came here just to sight see?” Sarcasm laced Charlotte’s words.
“This is not for sale. I already told your daughter the same thing.”
“We saw it online.”
“That ad was fake. Created by some malicious people. We already took it down and we are going to sue the agency who entertained you.” Lily sat opposite to them. She held her hair, preventing it from being blown away by the wind and smiled at Charlotte. “This house is an inheritance. It is very important to me. This is not up for discussion.”
Mrs. Brooke stared at Lily’s smiling face. She could already feel the way Lily’s mood changed after she had her lunch. Women, she thought inwardly. They are just lovely little creatures aren’t they?
“Demand a price.” Charlotte lifted her chin in arrogance. “I will pay you in full.” Isn’t this just an old house? It Is always easy to build a house like this. “I am sure the money I will pay you would be enough for you to build a house like this. My daughter likes this house so I am buying it.”
Lily examined Charlotte. Even the way the woman spoke reminded her of Adalind. How interesting, Lily thought. Both Adalind and Charlotte seemed too self absorbed that they don’t really know what is the meaning behind the word ‘important’.
“Everything has a price. I’m sure you know that.” Charlotte continued. “Don’t worry, I can afford it.”
Lily pursed her lips in response. She then eyed the approaching Chef Yang who was bringing various drinks and waited for him to finish putting the glasses on the table before speaking again. “No.” She uttered in a low voice.
“What do you mean?” Charlotte asked in confusion.
“No.” She repeated. “I’m not selling it and the next time you will come to this place, my lawyers will contact you for harassment.”
“But why?”
“Alright… Charlotte that’s enough.” Mrs. Brooke chimed in. She looked at Lily. “Look Mrs. Zhou, we both know this house is sentimental to you. However, my stepdaughter is insistent on owning this house. Why don’t we have a compromise? I know you have your own mansion so maybe you can rent this place to us instead?”
Lily shook her head. She sipped her lemonade before she eyed the roses in front of them. “No.” She said. “This is a pretty simple word. And it is not up for discussion.”
“Then… I will let my husband call your husband. Don’t blame me…” Charlotte started.
“My husband is already talking to yours.” Lily eyed Charlotte. “Apparently, they know each other from a conference in New York? Small world, isn’t it?”
“Considering Adalind’s accident was your fault, you should— “
“Excuse me?” Lily asked the blond woman.
“I said… it was your fault my daughter tripped. You shouldn’t have been there in the first place.”
Lily fought the urge to laugh. She looked at Mrs. Brooke who seemed too embarrassed to even meet Lily’s eyes. “Is this woman serious?” she asked.
“She is.” Mrs. Brooke nodded and turned towards Charlotte. “I think we should just go? Mrs. Zhou here said this house is not for sale. Maybe we should start looking for a condo downtown. There are other high end places in Hong Kong too… If you really want to spend your money, you can even buy Adalind an island just at the coast of Hong Kong.”
“Mrs. Brooke is actually right. Hong Kong is a very beautiful city. The Peak is not the only place she can live. If she really wanted a high end place then I suggest…”
“I am not looking for your opinion. Since my daughter wants this place… then I will buy it for her. She has been working so hard for all this timeh only to have her foot damaged because of you. She deserves to live in this house.”
“Well…” Lily turned towards Lin Luyang who was standing a few feet away from them. Zhou Jingren insisted that Lily should not be left alone while talking to these women. So the twins were assigned to stand close to Lily while their two bodyguards are also nearby watching them. “Luyang… give it to her.”
In response, Lin Luyang handed a stack of magazines to Charlotte and Mrs. Brooke.
“What’s this?” Mrs. Brooke asked.
“Magazines for all the businessmen in Hong Kong.” Lily smiled. Seeing the confusion in their eyes, she continued. “Married businessmen with their addresses.” Slowly, her smile turned into a malicious grin. “Hong Kong is full of rich and married men. Adalind would surely love to choose the best. Tell her these magazines are the best resource. Then she can decide where to live.”
She added. “Of course, tell her she can live wherever she wants. But she should choose a place closer to the married man that caught her attention. You know… for her hobby.”
….
Proofreader: Dragon777
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