Rags to Riches

Chapter 16 A Mysterious Person

"They intend to visit my future home? Did they even get my permission before planning that?" Marcus wondered, his features wrinkling in confusion.

"Why don't you join us? It's a rare opportunity since not everyone can visit the villas of Hingbrook Hills. You guys might never get this chance if not for my husband!" Zoe's face glowed proudly as she linked arms with Henry.

"Sure, I've always wanted to see that place with my own eyes!" Vivian was so excited that the words practically burst out of her mouth.

She had dreamed of visiting Hingbrook Hills' villas since she was little, so there was no way she would let this golden opportunity slip away.

Marcus agreed, too, deciding to view his newly acquired property today.

The four soon arrived outside the main gates of Hingbrook Hills' residential area.

There, a man with a round belly paced back and forth impatiently.

"Wait in the car. I'll go and greet the property caretaker real quick. Although we've shown up with two more people than what we initially planned, I'm sure he'll still let us in for my sake," Henry blandly stated but still shot a smug look at Vivian.

Zoe glanced at Henry's distancing figure. Then, she looked at Marcus, who sat in the driver's seat. "Do you see that, Marcus? That's what we call social connections! A successful man must have friends all over the world. A lazy nobody like you will ever make it big in this life!"

"Not interested in making social connections," Marcus rebuked, his lips thinning in offense.

He was the revered Drakon of the Pantheon of the Drakon. He owned more than half of the world's wealth and power.

Not to mention, leaders of various countries battled each other to win his favor.

Marcus saw no reason in making connections when he already had all that.

"Ugh, you're hopeless!" Zoe sneered before shutting her eyes, not wanting to waste her breath on someone beyond help like him.

That was when Marcus suddenly looked up at Vivian. "Oh, right, honey," he stated seriously. "Let me know if there's anything you dislike about this place. I'll have someone fix it to your liking."

Vivian's lips twitched awkwardly, and she pretended not to hear him. "Fix it?" she mused. "Does he think he's the owner of the villas here?"

Even Zoe shook her head, curling her lips even more.

…

Minutes later, the group drove past the main gates, parked, and got out to view the space.

"Stay close to me, and don't wander off! Every blade of grass and plant here costs a ridiculous amount. None of you can afford to pay if you break anything!" Henry instructed with the utmost seriousness, his brows drawn.

Vivian and Zoe nodded obediently while a bland look filled Marcus' face. He couldn't care less about the former's warning, since it was his home that they were visiting.

"Woah, look at these blooming flowers! They smell so good! This place is literally heaven on earth!" Zoe couldn't help but gasp at the villa's decor, which resembled a scene from a romantic poem.

"Yes, look at this pathway down this lush grass that slightly grows onto the edge of these stepping stones. Also, these marvelously carved statues make this place feel so regal. They must be the work of incredible sculptors!" Vivian inhaled sharply, allowing herself to be in awe of every detail around her. Her cheeks even turned a delightful shade of pink.

Despite being excited by the place, Zoe didn't forget to brag about her superiority. "It's all thanks to my darling, here! Without him, you would never get to step into this paradise, Vivian."

That fluffed Henry's ego. He jutted his chin out and replied, "Oh, hush. It's not a big deal. I merely have a friend who kindly let us visit."

"Honey, do you like this place?" Marcus asked Vivian adoringly. He couldn't care less about the two's haughtiness. At the same time, he thought about how the mere sight of this place thrilled his wife. She would definitely be over the moon on their wedding anniversary when he revealed that she was the new lady of the villas they were currently viewing.

"I love it!" Vivian's cheeks had reddened like a rare flower in bloom. It put Marcus in a slight daze while Henry practically drooled over it.

"Why the hell does this loser get to marry someone as beautiful as a fairy from the myths?" Henry glowered at Marcus, but doing so nearly scared the living daylights out of him.

It turned out that the latter had boldly stepped onto the grassy lawn.

"What the fuck? Are you deaf, Marcus? Didn't you hear when I said not to touch anything? How dare you step on the grass? Do you have a death wish?" Henry looked around to see if anyone had noticed.

His chest nearly exploded with rage as he could never afford to pay the compensation fees if anything got damaged.

"Ugh, Vivian! Put your rotten husband on a leash! As for you, Marcus, get off the grass right this instant! Otherwise, I'll call for security and have them kick you out! How could you behave so poorly?" Zoe had her hands on her waist as she lectured the two.

"Kick me out?" Marcus instantly became thrilled. So what if he stepped on the grass? He wanted to see who would dare touch a hair on his head, especially when he was the new owner of this place!

"That's right! Don't forget that my darling is the reason you can visit this place!" Zoe barked, her face distorting hideously.

Marcus arched a brow and wanted to say something back, but when he saw Vivian's smile disappear, he had no choice but to shrug and get off the grass.

…

Not long after, the group entered the villa on the lowest level of Hingbrook Hills.

"The villas at Hingbrook Hills are divided into several levels. There are four villas on the first level, which is nearer to the base of the hill. Meanwhile, the villa located at the peak is called Pinnaclepoint Estate. Many believe a remarkably powerful person occupies that specific villa. Thanks to my social connections, we can visit the ones on the first level. Again, I must remind you to not speak loudly or touch anything—especially you, Marcus! You may have a death wish, but don't you dare cause us any trouble!" Henry made it a point to glare daggers at Marcus while saying that last part.

"Oh?" Marcus provoked him deliberately. "Since your social connections benefit you so much, don't you know all of Hingbrook Hills' villas have just been acquired by a mysterious person?"