In the evening, after dinner cooked by Nora, Jessica took the opportunity of Sophia and Nora chatting to call Leo into another guest room and closed the door.
“Mom, what do you want to say?” Leo asked, frowning.
Jessica didn’t beat around the bush and said directly, “Leo, even though you bought this villa, Sophia is your legal wife. When do you plan to add Sophia’s name to the property deed?”
Leo calmly smiled, “As long as Sophia is happy, I can put only her name on the property deed.”
Jessica hadn’t expected Leo to agree so readily. This was a considerable fortune, and he gave it away without blinking an eye?
Originally, Jessica had intended to haggle with Leo, but now it seemed to be straightforward.
“Since you’ve said that, let’s find a time to get this done,” Jessica ordered in a commanding tone.
Leo’s lips curled into a wry smile. “Do you want to do this so you can kick me out of Cloud Dream Mountain Villa? I can assure you that you will regret it.”
“Ha!” Jessica gave him a contemptuous look. “Leo, I don’t know where you got the money to buy the villa, but I’m certain you don’t have much left now. Don’t pretend to be wealthy in front of me.”
“Is that so? Let me tell you the truth, I can buy ten villas like Cloud Dream Mountain in one go,” Leo responded.
Jessica scoffed, “Oh, now you’re getting good at boasting. Well, even if you can buy ten, even if you have money, I still wouldn’t be interested.”
Leo merely chuckled.
Jessica stared at him, “What does that smug expression mean?”
“I’m warning you seriously. If you try to sabotage or interfere with my relationship with Sophia, I will kick you out of this villa without mercy,” Leo warned and turned to leave the guest room.
Watching Leo’s departing figure, Jessica spitefully muttered, “Good for nothing. Just you wait. Once you change the name on that property deed to Sophia, I’ll deal with you properly.”
After Sophia emerged from Nora’s room, Jessica pulled her into her room.
“Mom, what’s with all the secrecy?” Sophia inquired curiously.
With a sly grin, Jessica replied, “I’ve already talked to Leo. He’s willing to change the name on the villa’s property deed to yours. You should find a time to deal with this.”
Upon hearing those words, Sophia’s face immediately darkened. “Mom, why did you…?”
“How about that? I’m quite the mastermind, huh?” Jessica said smugly.
“Mom, I’ve told you before, I won’t do it,” Sophia said coldly.
“You stubborn girl, are you out of your mind? I went to great lengths to make him agree. I’m doing this for your own good. If you don’t follow through, then don’t call me your mother!” Jessica crossed her arms, expressing her dissatisfaction. She was convinced that her approach would make Sophia compromise.
“Mom, let me make it clear one more time-I won’t do it!” Sophia declared, decisively. She opened the door and prepared to leave.
Jessica was left stunned. She had thought her method of threatening Sophia would work, but Sophia’s refusal surprised her.
“Sophia, you stop right there!” Jessica raised her voice. “Do you not even regard me anymore?”
“Mom, if you insist on being unreasonable, do I need to join in? I’ve made myself clear. I hope you’ll put away these schemes, or else you can move out,” Sophia stated, her tone unwavering, and she left without looking back.
“You…” Jessica pointed at Sophia, too infuriated to find words.
In the bedroom, after they had washed up, they lay on the bed, the atmosphere warm.
“Leo, I know my mom is giving you a hard time,” Sophia said softly.
“It’s alright. It’s not too much of a bother. It’s only right to add your name to the property deed since you’re my legal wife,” Leo replied.
Sophia was a bit puzzled. “Don’t you understand why my mom wants us to do this? How can you just agree?”
“I know exactly why she’s doing this, but I trust you. And as long as you’re happy, I’ll do whatever you want,” Leo said with a smile.
Sophia was touched by Leo’s words, and she leaned in to give him a quick kiss on the lips before quickly covering her face with the blanket.
Leo was momentarily surprised but then smirked and joined her under the covers.
Next was the moment to enjoy the taste of the lipstick.
—
Location: The Henley family estate.
Bruno paced back and forth in the backyard, his right hand occasionally rubbing his chin as if contemplating something.
In recent times, Bruno hadn’t been having an easy time because there was no fun. He had expected Sophia to remain down after the last incident with Sophia’s cosmetics and Merano Group’s substandard products. However, that scandal had inadvertently turned into free publicity for Sophia’s cosmetics company. Now, Sophia’s company was growing rapidly, and it was rumored that several cosmetics companies wanted to collaborate with her.
This made Bruno envious and frustrated. He had even sent spies to Sophia’s company, but despite their efforts, they couldn’t find any dirt on her.
This situation created an underlying sense of crisis for Bruno. After all, the group still had a board of directors, and Bruno wouldn’t feel safe until he became the chairman.
He couldn’t passively wait any longer. He had to take control of the situation.
“Old woman, why aren’t you dead yet? If you live to be a hundred, do I have to wait for another thirty years?” Bruno was in a bad mood.
Suddenly, his phone rang, interrupting his thoughts. He glanced at the caller ID, which displayed “Patrick Gregory.”
Patrick? Bruno was surprised. Patrick was Ford Gregory’s younger brother and the current General Manager of Spring Wind Cosmetics.
What did this guy want?
Bruno answered the call, saying, “Hello, Mr. Gregory.”
“Mr. Henley, I heard that you’re not satisfied with Sophia Cosmetics. Is that true?” Patrick asked from the other end of the line.
Bruno frowned. “What’s it to you?”