My eyes rounded at the thin document. Oh my god, this is my lucky day!
According to Emma, Bryson’s net worth is estimated to be far more than mine and Anthony’s combined. If our law firm successfully negotiates this deal, then we’ll never have to worry about rent ever again.
It was like we had struck gold. Although a beaming delight smeared across my face, I still couldn’t ignore the teeniest hint of worry inside me. After all, nothing good came this easy.
This jackpot, along with the rough ten million that he gave me last night, might bite me in the ass someday. What if he comes asking me for impossible favors? How am I going to refuse?
After weighing my options, a decision finally came to mind. I cracked a smile whilst gently nudging the document back to him. “We were only doing our jobs by settling your case. Moreover, you’ve already over-compensated us for our efforts. Mr. Newman will get the Finance Department to transfer the excess sum over to your personal account. As for this other matter, there’s really no need to be polite.”
Bryson’s smile faltered for a split second after hearing this. “That’s alright then. We’ll put this matter aside for the time being since your current schedule is overwhelmed. Now, I came here today because there’s this other thing I need your help with…”
I knew it! No one’s that nice for no reason.
“Go on.”
Seeing that I didn’t refuse, Bryson raised a fist over his mouth and cleared his throat while shooting an impatient gaze at his assistant.
A knowing look flashed in the assistant’s eyes as he nodded, then promptly turned to leave.
Once the door clicked shut, Bryson’s eyes darted around to ensure that it was just two of us before he finally felt safe enough to pull his phone out of his pocket.
He then unlocked his phone and raised it before me with a giddy smile.
“Ms. Stanhope, take a gander at these women and let me know if any of them catches your eye.”
Regardless of how ridiculous his request sounded, I still did as told.
The screen showed a photo album. Tapping on it, the display flickered to a photo of a stunning young woman. However, she stared at the camera vacantly as if she were a soulless zombie.
I glimpsed at the thumbnails and recognized the first few women from last night’s birthday banquet. Nonetheless, I continued to scan the following pictures.
Although the next ones all had goddess-like curves and features, they still felt mediocre as none of them stood out particularly to me.
After all, K City was an urban jungle with sky-high property prices. Hence, it wasn’t rare to see streets flooded with men and women who looked like stunning creatures.
“What do you think?” Bryson’s voice picked up pace.
This felt like I had just been asked an awkward question on a live talk show. I flashed a thin-lipped smile before treading cautiously around the topic. “I’m curious as to why you’re showing me these women, Mr. Queen.”
Bryson’s eyes widened slightly but regained composure as he explained, “It’s nothing important, but a friend of mine is looking to find a wife. And you know… a tough guy like me wouldn’t know what to look for in a woman. Plus, I don’t have many friends in K City, so I thought I’d ask you.”
His explanation made sense. However, his pursed-lip and pin-straight posture gave his intentions away.
Why would anyone take it upon themselves to wife-hunt on behalf of their friend? That “friend” is most likely referring to himself.
Back when we were dealing with Bryson’s case, I got a glimpse of his personal information. He was maybe seven or eight years older than Anthony and has illegitimate children with two of his mistresses.
Given the current laws, Bryson’s assets would be divided between him and his wife should they decide on a divorce. Hence, it wasn’t difficult to understand why he never officially married either of his two mistresses.
Bryson wasn’t considered the most attractive man since he possessed boring and ordinary features. It was painstakingly obvious that his mistresses were only after his wealth, so it wasn’t at all cruel that he refused to marry them.
However, I didn’t comment on this since it was his private life. All I could do was offer a piece of advice, “Truthfully, Mr. Queen, none of these women stand out to me.”
Bryson slumped. The lively expression on his face darkened to a stone-grey as his fingers tapped on the table. “I see… Never mind then, I suppose it’s not meant to be. I’ll have my friend reconsider.”
Judging from his soured reaction, there must be someone he likes among these women that I rejected.
Regret nipped uncomfortably at my chest. I didn’t want him to miss out on a chance at love because of my advice, so I took back my words as quickly as I said them. “Actually, all that matters when starting a relationship is how two people feel for each other and whether they get along well. So please don’t take my personal opinion of these women to heart.”
Bryson kept his phone away at this. His eyes sparkled with hope as he spoke gratefully, “Ms. Stanhope, you don’t understand how much your advice means to someone like me. I really can’t explain how grateful I am for your help, so please accept my humble thanks. I’ll buy you a meal some other day to express my gratitude. Anyways, you seem busy, so I’ll leave you to it.”
Just as he finished speaking, Bryson immediately got up and dashed out the door. I could almost picture him with a bushy tail tucked between his legs as he seemed terrified that I would question him further.
Bubbly laughter erupted from my lips after seeing tough-old-Bryson scamper off like some frazzled chipmunk. What an interesting man.
…
I collected Summer in the afternoon when her school ended and told the chauffeur to head for Moore Residence.
Once there, two rows of maids greeted us upon arrival.
“Good day, Ms. Stanhope and Ms. Summer.”
Perhaps I was overthinking, but something seemed odd about the maids’ stiff behavior. Was there really a need to line up and greet us so formally for a simple meal?
“You’re here.” Cameron must have waited for some time because she lept over to hold Summer’s hand once we entered the living room. She cooed, ”Did you miss Granny?”
“Mm-hmm! Why didn’t you ever visit?”
“Well, granny has to run a business here. How about I take you out shopping once I become rich?”
“No, I’ll earn my own money to shop!”
“Oh?” Cameron chuckled in delight, “What an ambitious grandchild I have! Alright then, I’ll wait for that day to come.”
Perhaps it was because they hadn’t seen each other for a long time, but the two chirped away like excited birds.
In the middle of the living room, Zachary lounged on the single-seated sofa with a cigar between his fingers whilst brewing some tea. His sophisticated gestures exuded the charm of a matured man, even at the age of fifty. One could easily imagine how equally suave he must have been when he was younger.
I sat down on the sofa next to his before greeting softly, “Dad.”
He hummed in acknowledgment before placing a teacup before me. “Have a taste of this green tea that we imported this year.”
“Okay.” I took a quick sip, running the warm liquid over my tongue. Then I flashed a brief smile at him once the flavor seeped in. “It’s pretty good. I can taste the notes of sweet grass in there.”
There was no response from him. He looked away and focused on refilling my cup.
Cameron intended to spend some bonding time with Summer before dinner. However, Summer had put her foot down and insisted on completing her homework in the study. At this, Cameron gave in and followed along to tutor her.
Right when they arrived upstairs, a maid’s voice called out from the front door. “Mr. Moore, the guest has arrived.”
“Invite them in.” Zachary didn’t even bat an eyelash at this sudden arrival. He blew at his tea in a relaxed and unbothered manner.
Are we not having a simple family dinner?
Just as suspicion fizzled in my head, the guest’s footsteps grew closer from behind me.
I surrendered to my burning curiosity. Turning around, I was faced with a foreign man. The only indication of his identity was the superb quality of his garments; he wore a white dress shirt underneath a sleek, black trench coat with a hand-knitted cashmere scarf around his neck.
Yet, I still couldn’t put a name to his face, no matter how hard I pried into my mind. It was evident that this man wasn’t someone I knew, nor have our lives ever intersected.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.