Among all the people present, Michael was probably feeling the most uncomfortable, apart from Sophia and Fanny.
In reality, Michael had a lingering idea: to make Sophia notice him through his impressive achievements, convince her to part ways with Leo, and choose him instead. However, this notion was currently nothing more than an unrealistic dream.
Sophia now lived in the Cloud Dream Mountain villa, and she would never spare a glance for someone like Michael. From the moment he saw Sophia today, he knew there was an insurmountable chasm between them. A high-paid executive with a million-dollar salary was a joke in the face of Cloud Dream Mountain.
Jessica took the lead in guiding everyone through a meticulous tour of the villa’s interior. Although it was her first time here, she appeared as if she were the villa’s owner. The more admiring expressions she saw, the happier Jessica felt. It greatly satisfied her vanity.
After the tour, Jessica invited everyone to sit down on the living room sofa. Although many people had come today, the spacious living room easily accommodated them all.
Jeffrey and Martin’s classmates’ praises had already made Jessica ecstatic. As for the Henley family’s relatives, they had various expressions on their faces. Some of them had considered flattering a bit, but seeing the stern look on Bruno’s face, they abandoned the thought.
Since Leo had joined the family through marriage, Jessica’s family had received countless sneers and ridicule from the relatives. But today, they were moving into the best villa in Langstel in front of all these relatives.
“Martin, tell me honestly, did your family really buy this villa?” Sean, sitting next to Martin, asked.
The shock today had been too great for Sean, and he urgently needed to understand what was going on. This Villa No. 9 was obviously acquired by someone with a mysterious identity. How had Martin’s family ended up living here?
In truth, Martin didn’t know how the villa had come into their possession either. Although his daughter Sophia had claimed that Leo had bought it, Martin, as Leo’s father-in-law, knew Leo’s capabilities very well.
Martin had no choice but to shift his gaze to Jessica.
Jessica continued, “Sean, of course, our family bought this villa with our own money. The facts are right in front of you. Are we supposed to have stolen it?”
Bruno couldn’t contain himself and spoke in a serious tone, “Aunt Jessica, we know your family’s financial situation very well. This villa is worth 200 million dollars. How could you possibly have that much money?”
Jessica’s face darkened, and she retorted, “Bruno, by the tone of your voice, it seems abnormal for our family to have money?”
“Not abnormal, but extremely abnormal, Aunt Jessica. You haven’t been involved in those things written in the criminal law, have you? Let me make it clear first, if your family has been involved in any illegal activities, don’t drag us into it. We don’t know anything,” Fanny said in a sarcastic tone, playing with words.
Jessica’s face darkened, and she became displeased. “Fanny, what’s the meaning of your words? What do you mean by ‘illegal activities’? If you keep speaking without restraint, you’re not welcome here. Leave!”
Fanny, however, was unafraid of Jessica’s warning. She crossed her arms and sneered, “Aunt Jessica, since your family hasn’t been involved in any criminal activities, why don’t you enlighten us about where the money to buy this mansion came from? Please, don’t tell me it fell from the sky.”
Jessica was momentarily at a loss for words. She genuinely didn’t know how to explain the situation. She couldn’t simply say that Leo, the newly-wed son-in-law, had purchased the mansion, as that would likely result in mockery from the Henley family relatives.
Seeing Jessica struggle to provide a reasonable explanation, Fanny seized the opportunity to press further. “Aunt Jessica, it seems you’re reluctant to share the truth. Well, let me take a guess.”
Fanny’s suggestive gaze remained fixed on Sophia as she added, “Is it possible that my dear sister Sophia has established certain… ‘special’ relationships with certain people to acquire this money?”
“What are you implying, Fanny!?” Sophia was angry. Leo couldn’t tolerate anyone tarnishing Sophia’s reputation.
Just as Leo was about to launch a counterattack, Jessica gave him a stern look and spoke ahead of him. “Since you want to know, I might as well tell you. The villa was purchased by Martin. Your Grandpa gave him a sum of money before he passed away!”
This statement was like a depth charge, causing an instant uproar.
Especially Martin, his eyes widened in astonishment. He had no idea why Jessica would come up with such a lie.
After the shock had passed, the Henley family relatives exchanged uncertain glances. The old Mr. Henley had been deceased for a long time, and they had never heard about him giving Martin any money. Could it be that Martin had discovered money secretly set aside by the old Mr. Henley?
Their minds raced with wild speculation, and the Henley family relatives became increasingly uneasy.
If the old Mr. Henley had indeed set aside money before his death, all members of the Henley family should have a share, rather than having Martin keep it all to himself.
“Jessica, what’s really going on? Don’t hide the truth. Where did the money to buy the villa come from?”
“Is it possible that you found the money the Grandpa had set aside before his death?”
“We’re all descendants of the Henley family. If Dad left behind money, we all have the right to inherit it. If your family dares to keep it all to yourselves, I’ll take you to court!”
Money had a way of stirring people’s hearts, and there was no need for someone to take the lead. The Henley family relatives united in their attack on Jessica and Martin.
However, the Henley family’s relentless questioning didn’t waver Jessica’s determination to stick to her fabricated story. She sneered and continued, “All of you, be quiet. This money has nothing to do with you!”
“This money was the dowry the late Mr. Henley left for our Sophia before his death, temporarily held by Martin. It was frozen for five years and only thawed out last month. That’s why we used it to buy the villa!”
“Dowry? Really? Why have I never heard my father mention it?” Sean expressed skepticism.
Now that the lie had been spun, Jessica had to stick to her story. She spoke confidently, “Why wouldn’t you have heard about it? Let me ask you all, who did the late Mr. Henley value the most when he was alive?”
The Henley family relatives involuntarily directed their gaze towards Sophia.
While the late Mr. Henley was alive, among the younger generation of the Henley family, Sophia was his favorite. The family’s resources had been intentionally or unintentionally skewed in her favor. If the late Mr. Henley hadn’t passed away prematurely, Sophia would have undoubtedly been the next chairperson, and there would have been no room for Bruno. This was also why Bruno viewed Sophia as a threat and wanted to remove her from the GM position.
Considering this, the idea that the late Mr. Henley had secretly left a substantial dowry for Sophia didn’t seem implausible.