Aurora sat quietly as if the whole scene was actually a painting. This was the way she was, speaking little whether at school or during the time they had just spent together. It seemed as if no one could enter her world. She was out of place with it as well. Gemma was extremely envious of her. Aurora never fought or clamored for attention, always calm and composed. Whenever she sat down, she attracted everyone’s gaze. Who wouldn’t want to be like her if given the chance?
Aurora quietly flipped through a magazine, unaware that everyone was preparing to welcome an important figure. The general manager lined up all the managers on either side of the grand entrance, having just received word that their CEO was coming for a surprise inspection. The visit was treated with great reverence, and many were curious about this mysterious, unapproachable CEO. After all, real estate had been challenging over the past two years. Many properties had halted construction halfway due to funding issues, but their project had smoothly progressed, thanks significantly to the CEO’s substantial financial support.
Suddenly, a Bentley, the CEO’s typical car, stopped at the front. The general manager went to open the door, bowing respectfully. A long, straight leg emerged from the car, stepping onto the soft carpet in gleaming handcrafted leather shoes. The man’s simple black and white attire gave him an exceptional presence, like a celebrity walking the red carpet.
“Mr. Barnet!” Everyone instinctively bowed their heads in greeting. The aura emanating from the man was intimidating enough to keep people at bay.
“Mr. Barnet, please follow me.” The general manager quickly stepped forward to guide Julian, who observed the sales office. The sales office was luxuriously designed, representing the face of the entire property development, a project Julian was deeply invested in. As he passed the VIP lounge, he glanced inside, and his gaze locked onto something that captivated him.
“Aurora, we really are fated,” he thought. Just this morning, she had told him that she was going to see a new property, and it turned out to be his development.
“Is that lady here to buy a property?” Julian stopped at the entrance.
“Yes, Mr. Barnet. She just confirmed that she is buying a small villa.”
“Give her a 90% discount,” Julian said nonchalantly, startling everyone around him. Discounts like these were unheard of, especially in the most expensive villa area. It was almost like giving it away for free.
In truth, Julian had indeed considered giving it away, but recalling Aurora’s words that morning about her pride and her stubbornness, he decided on this approach.
“Mr. Barnet, did I hear you wrong? Did you just say a 90% discount?” The general manager was in disbelief, suspecting a misunderstanding as such discounts were unprecedented in his long real estate career.
“You heard correctly. Give her a 90% discount and add a swimming pool for her,” Julian continued, knowing well that the selected property didn’t include a pool.
“But Mr. Barnet… The chosen property doesn’t have a pool. Are we to build one?”
“No need for that. Just upgrade her to a slightly bigger one that includes a pool, Julian casually replied, knowing full well the value of every inch in that villa area.
Now, Aurora had apparently purchased a big villa with a swimming pool for just over a million dollars, a fact that she might not even believe herself if told.
“Yes…” Once the CEO had spoken, the general manager had no room for objections, though if everyone were to give away things in such a manner, it was only a matter of time before the company went bankrupt.
As Gemma was preparing the contract, she was taken aback upon hearing the request. “What? Five thousand square feet at a tenth of the price?”
“Yes, the CEO himself decreed it. It seems that lady must be an acquaintance of his. Just follow the instructions,” the general manager instructed and then added, “And if the lady asks, don’t reveal it was the CEO’s idea. Just say it’s a promotional event, and she’s the lucky one.”
The general manager felt helpless. The CEO was helping the lady without letting her know. Was he really that generous?
“I understand.” A chill passed through Gemma’s lowered eyes. Why was Aurora so lucky?
She just got an over ten-million-dollar discount, and even got her a five thousand square feet villa with a swimming pool added. Despite her resentment towards Aurora, Gemma was pleased she had made quite a profit with this deal!
Their CEO was truly generous. Why didn’t she have the same luck as a woman? Gemma reprinted the contract and entered the VIP reception room again with a forced smile.
“Miss Montgomery, the contract is ready. The general manager just messaged to say that the property size you were interested in is no longer available.”
“No longer available? You just said it was available?” Aurora set down the magazine she was holding, her face suddenly turning cold.
At that moment, the chill she emitted was terrifying. Her powerful presence seemed too mature for her age.
“Just now, the last unit was sold. The general manager is very sorry, so he’s reserved a villa with a swimming pool for you at the previous price.”
Gemma hurriedly explained, as Aurora’s expression was frighteningly stern, almost as if she could devour her the next second.
“The previous price?” Aurora raised an eyebrow. An additional swimming pool wasn’t just a matter of ten or twenty thousand dollars. What kind of real estate company would do such a thing?
“Yes, because you are our 99th lucky customer, you only need to pay ten percent of the price.”
“Ten percent?” Aurora was stunned. Had the general manager gone mad? Ninety percent off meant more than ten million dollars less, and they even added a swimming pool.
It was as if she was getting the villa for free, and Aurora, through years of hard knocks, knew well that there was no such thing as a free lunch.
“Don’t you joke with me.”
“Miss Montgomery, the general manager told me in person. How could I joke about this? I can’t afford to joke. If you don’t believe me, take a look at the contract.”
Gemma had no choice but to hand over the contract, and Aurora saw that the amounts and the size of the villa had changed.
Two thousand plus square feet had turned into over five thousand square feet, plus a swimming pool, an additional one thousand square feet.
Aurora looked at Gemma as if she were insane. “You must have the wrong contract.”
“Miss Montgomery, that’s exactly what the general manager said. You are our 99th lucky customer, so we’ve prepared this surprise for you. Even if what I say seems untrue, the contract with an official seal cannot lie. Just sign the purchase agreement, complete the procedures, and you can move in immediately.”