“Also, Master, I had Lila Duffy purchase the Slatin Imperial Haven. I’ll send you the address and the villa’s door code shortly,” said The Raven King.
“I’ll visit Slatin to see a dear friend of my mother first. Keep the house; I’ll handle myself. No need for a reception-let her focus on Titan Holdings’ business,” Flynn replied calmly.
“Once I’ve resolved Aunt Mabel’s matters, I’ll visit Titan Holdings to assess their progress in Slatin.”
Flynn disliked ostentation. To him, expanding business was far more meaningful than indulging in extravagance. Surrounding the Clark family with economic pressure was the real priority.
Tessa Watson’s birthday was only a few days away, and Flynn wanted the Clark family to experience utter despair that day. The present he was preparing had to be weighty enough.
After ending the call, The Raven King sent over the location and code for the Imperial Haven. Flynn glanced at the message, pocketed his phone, and returned to the car. He took a quick look at the GPS.
“Indigo Grove Estate? Did you buy a house in Slatin? That place isn’t exactly cheap,” Flynn remarked, slightly surprised. He was about to mention heading to the Imperial Haven, but Rose had already taken care of it.
In just three days since they decided to expand into Slatin, she had already secured a place to stay.
Rose smiled faintly. “I’m so broke that all I have left is money. What’s the point of keeping it if I don’t spend it?”
The business battle in Niarak had brought Sharp’s Group over $200 billion in profit, with Rose earning a $60 billion bonus. A $20 million villa was nothing to her. She had already sent someone to purchase it two days ago.
“Besides,” Rose added with a mix of jest and sincerity, “Lord Valerian Nox’s residence can’t be shabby.”
Flynn raised an eyebrow. “I have a share in this too? That’s unnecessary. I can stay at-”
“Don’t even think about it!” Rose cut him off. “Scarlet’s watching the company for me, and I’m watching you for her. You want to live alone? Not happening!”
She continued with a brief introduction: “Indigo Grove Estate has a spacious interior-eleven rooms, six bathrooms, three floors above ground, and two below. You’ll stay on the first floor, Molly and I will be on the third, and we’re enforcing a nighttime curfew.”
Molly chimed in, “The curfew only applies to you, not Ms. Sharp or me.”
“What? Why?” Flynn protested, visibly annoyed.
Molly rolled her eyes, her tone dripping with mockery. “Because you’re irresistible, and Slatin is full of beautiful women. Socialites are everywhere.”
“Are you serious? I came to Slatin for business!” Flynn snapped, his face darkening with frustration.
The idea of being monitored by two women didn’t sit well with him.
This was the treatment Lord Valerian Nox received? Where could he air his grievances?
If the thugs on Demon Island heard about this, he’d be the laughingstock. And if The Raven King found out? The man would probably laugh himself to tears under his blanket.
“You can still handle business and flirt, can’t you? With your charm, you could attract three women just by going grocery shopping,” Molly retorted.
Even in a small place like Niarak, Flynn had been like a fish in water, effortlessly drawing admirers. In a city like Slatin, where women would undoubtedly go wild upon learning his identity, who knew what chaos he might cause?
Flynn sighed, leaning back in his seat, choosing silence over arguing further.
The Porsche soon entered Slatin, arriving at Indigo Grove Estate by 6:00 PM.
The villa was located in the southern suburbs of Slatin’s city center, surrounded by lush bamboo groves and peach orchards. The scenery was serene and picturesque, with the city center just a fifteen-minute drive away.
Everything inside was fully furnished. Although it wasn’t a new villa, it had been directly transferred from its previous owner. Judging by the interior design and the variety of flowers in the garden, the previous owner was likely a woman.
After familiarizing himself with the surroundings, Flynn drove to Aunt Mabel’s house using the address provided by Aunt Jessica.
“Be back by 10:30 PM, or I’m telling Scarlet!” Molly shouted from the villa’s doorway as Flynn drove off.
Bellevue Gardens.
A rundown neighborhood.
The walls were peeling, and the buildings looked like they were at least thirty years old.
Flynn knocked on the door of a small apartment. A thin, middle-aged woman opened it. She was of medium height and build, dressed simply yet tastefully. She looked at Flynn with a mix of curiosity and caution.
“May I ask who you are?” she inquired.
“Aunt Mabel, I’m Flynn, Adrianna’s son,” Flynn said with a gentle smile, glancing briefly inside.
The apartment was small, a two-bedroom unit with worn furniture, but it was meticulously maintained. It was clear this was a household that valued cleanliness.
“Flynn!” Mabel Sweetwood’s tired eyes lit up as she grabbed Flynn’s hands and examined him closely.
“You have your mother’s eyes!” Like everyone who had known Adrianna, Mabel’s first comment was about Flynn’s eyes.
But her own eyes quickly welled up with tears as memories of Adrianna surfaced.
“Aunt Mabel, these are peanuts Aunt Jessica asked me to bring for you,” Flynn said, motioning to the large woven bag leaning against the doorframe.
“Raw peanuts are good for the stomach. Jessica knows mine isn’t great-how thoughtful of her,” Mabel said, her voice tinged with gratitude.
“Thank you for bringing them all this way. Come in, come in!” She ushered Flynn inside and hurried to pour him a glass of water.
At that moment, a middle-aged man emerged from the kitchen, holding a freshly washed peach. He gave Flynn a once-over.
“Oh! James, this is Flynn, Adrianna’s son. I told you about him the other day,” Mabel explained quickly.
“Flynn, this is James.”
“Mia, come out! We have a guest!”
Mabel placed the water on the table and gestured for introductions.
“James, nice to meet you.” Flynn placed the bag of peanuts near the entryway and walked over with a friendly smile.
James, however, walked straight to the sofa, sat down, and bit into his peach. “I know who you are,” he said coldly. “You used your mother’s medical book to help Sharp’s Group win a business battle, right? Made a ton of money, and all you brought was a bag of peanuts? What a way to show gratitude.”
Flynn froze momentarily.
Mabel’s face stiffened as she glared at James. “What’s wrong with you? Flynn coming to see me is already more than enough!”
Just then, a girl stepped out of the bedroom.
She wore a thin gray sweater paired with fitted dark blue jeans. Her figure was slender, her legs long and straight. Her hair was tied back in a simple ponytail, with soft curls cascading over her shoulders. Her features were delicate and refined, her eyes as clear as a tranquil lake.
Standing in the doorway, she frowned slightly at the unfamiliar visitor.
“Mia, this is Flynn, Adrianna’s son,” Mabel introduced eagerly.
“Flynn, this is my daughter, Mia.”
From the moment she saw Flynn, Mabel had been visibly excited. Even though they had never met before, her affection for him was evident, likely because of her deep bond with Adrianna.
She had risked a great deal back then to help Adrianna and her son escape Slatin.
“Hello,” Mia said softly, taking a seat nearby.
Her expression was calm, almost distant, as if her mind was preoccupied with something far away.
Mabel pulled Flynn to the sofa and handed him a glass of water. Flynn, in turn, took out a bank card and smiled.
“Aunt Mabel, I’m terrible at buying gifts. I thought giving money would be more practical. Here’s $10 million-please, you must accept it.”
“What?! Ten million dollars?” James’s eyes widened in shock…