In Michael’s view, someone like Leo, who lived off others, should be easily trampled upon. But now, he not only moved into the Cloud Dream Mountain villa but also made Jessica and even the old Mrs. Henley hesitate to cross him. It was truly a case of “the grass is always greener on the other side.”
“Michael, I have to admit that as a professional freeloader, Leo has been quite successful. However, this is as far as he goes in life. Leo can’t be compared to you. I believe with your abilities, you might move into the Cloud Dream Mountain villas someday,” Jeffrey comforted.
Michael nodded in agreement. Although Cloud Dream Mountain was considered one of the best villa communities in Langstel, it was far from impressive compared to major cities like London or New York. With his entry into Azure Cloud Group, he might build a successful career in the future.
As long as he entered Azure Cloud Group and used it as a stepping stone, he might achieve great success in the future. Leo, on the other hand, could only live off women’s wealth for his entire life, so how could he compare to him?
In the villa’s living room, Teresa’s face had regained its composure, but her mind was still pondering the matter of the Cloud Dream Mountain villa.
The old Mrs. Henley watched Martin closely, “Martin, tell me more about the villa. What’s the deal?”
“Mom…”
“I didn’t ask for your opinion, did I?” the old Mrs. Henley interrupted, her gaze shifting to Jessica as she snapped in annoyance.
Jessica, who had fabricated the reasons for buying the villa, worried that Martin might reveal something inappropriate. She tried to explain, but the old Mrs. Henley silenced her.
With things having reached this point, there was only one path forward. Martin looked at the old Mrs. Henley and said, “Mom, when Dad was alive, he set aside 200 million as a dowry for Sophia. The money frozen for five years and were only unfrozen last month. We used that money to purchase Villa Number Nine in Cloud Dream Mountain.”
The old Mrs. Henley regarded Martin with suspicion, her aging eyes shifting slightly. She then said, “If it was purchased with the 200 million your father left for Sophia, then this villa cannot be exclusively owned by your family.”
Upon hearing this, Jessica instantly grasped the old Mrs. Henley’s intention – she wanted to live here! If the old Mrs. Henley moved in, Jessica’s family status would surely plummet. Just imagine, waking up every morning to face a cantankerous old lady and having to wait on her, enduring her frequent mood swings. Could life still be enjoyable under such circumstances?
Jessica had been puzzled earlier by why the old Mrs. Henley hadn’t pursued Leo for making Bruno kneel on durian fruit. It turned out she had her sights set on moving into Villa Number Nine in Cloud Dream Mountain!
In all her years married into the Henley family, Jessica had come to understand the old Mrs. Henley’s temperament well. As the old lady aged, she didn’t become senile; instead, she became even shrewder. If the old Mrs. Henley moved in, all the Henley family relatives would probably clamor to follow suit. That would be truly terrifying.
No, this must not be allowed. Jessica was determined to crush the old lady’s desire.
“Mom, the money used to buy the villa was the inheritance your husband left for Sophia, and it has nothing to do with anyone else. Besides, the villa, though spacious, has limited rooms, and it’s just enough for our family to live in…” Martin tried to explain.
Before Jessica could finish her sentence, she was interrupted by the old Mrs. Henley, who scolded, “Jessica, let me warn you again. Don’t speak when I haven’t asked you to. Do you want to test my patience?”
Frustrated, Jessica felt a burning rage inside her but dared not confront the old Mrs. Henley, who had an icy stare that made her lose her courage.
Leo stepped forward and calmly stated, “Grandma, if you want to live here, or if you want other family members to move in, that’s not impossible. However, you should probably check with the villa community’s property management first to see if they’re willing to grant you access.”
“Ridiculous! Even if the property management has a connection with Azure Cloud Group, they have no authority to deny me access to a villa purchased by my son!” Teresa dismissed Leo’s suggestion with contempt.
“Is that so? While the property management may not have the authority to stop you, I do!” Leo said confidently, raising eyebrows among the family members.
A strange silence fell over the room as everyone stared at Leo, uncertain if he had suddenly gone mad.
As Jessica simmered with frustration, she cast an approving glance at Leo’s assertiveness. After all, as long as it prevented the old Mrs. Henley from moving in, Leo could create all the commotion he wanted.
Fanny wasted no time in taunting, “Leo, have you lost your mind? The money to buy this house was from our grandfather. It’s only right for grandma to want to live here. You, as a gold-digging upstart, shouldn’t even be here.”
The old Mrs. Henley’s sharp eyes remained fixed on Leo, and she sneered, “Just you? A worthless freeloader who married into our Henley family?”
Leo’s tone remained calm but resolute as he replied, “Yes, just me. Because I believe you have no right to live here.”
“Ridiculous!” The old Mrs. Henley was furious and let out a curse. “Do you really think your words hold any weight in this house?”
Leo stood his ground and replied, “It’s actually quite relevant, because this number nine villa is indeed purchased by me. As the owner, I have the authority to decide who can live here!”
Leo’s response silenced the room, and you could hear a pin drop. The old Mrs. Henley’s face contorted into an unpleasant smile, as if she had just heard the most absurd joke.
“Leo, I seriously doubt your intelligence. Didn’t you hear earlier that this house was bought with the money our grandfather left? You have no connection to it whatsoever. Yet, you shamelessly claim it’s yours. How childish and laughable!” Fanny jeered.
Leo remained silent and walked over to the TV cabinet. He retrieved a small red booklet from inside and returned to the old Mrs. Henley, slamming it onto the coffee table.
All eyes in the room fixated on the small red booklet with the national emblem on its cover and golden characters: Real Estate Ownership Certificate!
For a brief moment, the room was filled with stunned silence. Fanny stepped forward, trembling, and took the certificate from Leo’s hand. She opened it, revealing the page listing the property owner: Leo Bloomer!
The old Mrs. Henley, shocked but not defeated, snatched the certificate from Fanny’s hand and thoroughly examined it. It was genuine!
Jessica, who had been secretly pleased with Leo’s assertiveness, couldn’t help but feel a small pang of admiration for her unconventional son-in-law.
Infuriated but cornered, the old Mrs. Henley had no choice but to leave with her family members in tow.
The old Mrs. Henley was also deeply saddened because her dream of living in Cloud Dream Mountain was shattered by Leo. Upon learning that Martin’s family had purchased a villa in Cloud Dream Mountain, Teresa had already planned to spend her retirement years there. However, she never expected this turn of events.