"Have you settled on your new residence?" Old Master Avery inquired as he settled into his office chair.
Behind him was a large French window reflecting the setting sun, casting a warm glow into the room. His office exuded an air of spaciousness and resembled a grand library. Thick books lined the shelves on both sides of the room, with a second floor also brimming with literary treasures.
His wide and sturdy study table and chair were crafted from pure mahogany, exuding a sense of elegance and durability. As he sat there, a warm smile graced his face, welcoming Hera into his office.
"I've decided on the penthouse in the Dragon Jade Building," Hera explained with enthusiasm. "I'll be moving in within the next 10 days. Grandpa, feel free to visit me there anytime. And, of course, I'll come back home to the Mansion on weekends."
Old Master Avery happily nodded. "Very well!"
He reached into the cabinet under his study table and withdrew a sleek black leather folder. With precision, he positioned it neatly in front of Hera, who stood before the table.
Perplexed, Hera accepted the folder and inquired, "What's this, Grandpa?"
"See for yourself," he replied with a mysterious smile.
Curiously, Hera opened the folder and found a list of companies, many of which were recognizable international entities that boasted annual earnings in the billions. Among them was the Green Dragon Manor, she understood that the list comprised companies under their banner.
As Hera scrolled down the list, her breathing quickened with each well-known company she encountered. Her eyes widened like saucers as she absorbed the magnitude of their holdings. Glancing back and forth between her grandfather's face and the list in her hands, she found herself uncertain of what to say or do next.
Old Master Avery broke the silence with a light chuckle, though his stern expression remained. "Since you'll be starting your heir training tomorrow, it's best for you to familiarize yourself with the companies you'll inherit and oversee in the future. While you can rely on trusted aides to manage them, it's in your best interest to understand the workings of your domain."
It took Hera a while to calm her nerves. The list sprawled across several pages, and she had only managed a cursory glance. She knew she'd have to study it carefully later to fully grasp the extent of the holdings. With so many companies listed, memorizing them all seemed like a daunting task.
"I understand, Grandpa. I'll take my time to go through it before I rest tonight," she said, offering her grandfather a reassuring smile.
He happily nodded, and Alfonse passed him a black leather briefcase. After it was opened, he turned the briefcase to face Hera. Inside were a black card and a customized black iPhone that had a cool gold dragon printed on the case.
"Is this for me Grandpa?"
He again nodded. "Indeed." He pointed at the black card. "This card will function as a membership card for all establishments under our banner and luxury brands, and it will receive all income from the companies under Avery Consortium. The funds inside have accumulated since your parents' passing. You can use them however you like."
The black card also features the same gold dragon printed on the front alongside her name.
He then pointed at the phone. "This device was customized to ensure it's hack-proof, and in case of emergencies, our team can still locate you. It boasts high-end specifications and is pretty durable compared to the one you see in the market. Both items are exclusively tailored for you."
Hera's brain was buzzing. 'Was this the privilege of being wealthy? Absolutely! It felt pretty cool!'
With just one card, she could access all the exclusive establishments and even use it for payments. And the sleek design of the phone was a cherry on top.
Unable to contain her excitement, Hera let out a silly smile in front of her grandfather, prompting the two old men to share a chuckle.
"Now then, young miss, why don't we take a little stroll?" Alfonse suggested, gesturing for Hera to follow him out.
Hera glanced at her grandfather hesitantly, but he gave her a reassuring nod. With a sigh, she decided to follow Alfonse.
They headed to an elevator, and Alfonse pressed the button for the underground level. Hera was completely clueless about their destination, so she assumed that Alfonse would give her a tour of the entire mansion, starting from the basement. However, considering the immense size of the mansion, she realized that touring the entire place would likely take more than just half a day.
When the doors opened, Alfonse stepped out, leaving Hera momentarily dazed. As she emerged from the elevator, she was greeted by a dazzling array of luxury cars. From sleek sports cars to SUVs and even limited editions, the underground space resembled a high-end car dealership.
Seeing the impressive display of luxury cars, Hera's initial surprise had worn off. The revelation of her family's wealth had been unfolding gradually, and by now, her sense of astonishment had fully subsided or maybe expired.
Though not a car aficionado, Hera couldn't help but feel delighted at the sight of the sports cars and limited editions. While she might not possess an extensive knowledge of automobiles, she appreciated the allure of these sleek machines. Having experienced the stark contrast between driving a regular car and a luxury one, she knew the difference was truly transformative, elevating the driving experience to something truly exhilarating.
"Young miss, the Old Master mentioned that you can choose up to 5 cars to use. While all of these are indeed yours, your parking space might be limited, so he suggests starting with at least 5." Alfonse explained patiently.
"W-why 5?" Hera's surprise was evident. 'Do I have to use one a day?'
As she pondered, Hera observed the array of cars before her. It dawned on her: Were these vehicles actually in use, or were they merely part of a collection? A significant portion appeared to be limited editions from various car manufacturers.
Hera let out a sigh, 'Well it's better to utilize one car each day than let them collect dust in the garage. It was a beneficial arrangement for me anyway.'
"If I'm going to choose, I might as well pick the best," Hera mused. "So, Uncle Alfonse, why don't you show me the cream of the crop in this collection?" She flashed a grin, eager to explore the finest automobiles available.
Alfonse chuckled. "Very well then, follow me." He led Hera to the innermost part of the garage, where the favorites of the collection were parked. With a sweeping gesture, he indicated the array of vehicles. "You can take your pick from here to there."
Hera carefully observed the cars as Alfonse enthusiastically explained their specifications. While he delved into the technical details, Hera's eyes were drawn to the sleek designs. She pointed to the one that most appealed to her aesthetic sensibilities. At that moment, she cared less about the specifications and more about the visual appeal. After all, sometimes girls just want something that looks good and she's no different from those girls when it comes to cars.
In the end, she opted for the Lamborghini Veneno Roadster, Bugatti La Voiture Noire, Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail, Pagani Codalunga, and Bugatti Mistral.
Alfonse nodded in agreement with Hera's choice, silently acknowledging her keen eye for aesthetics. "Would you like to customize the color or change the interior to suit your preferences?" he inquired, offering her the opportunity to further personalize her selection.
"Hmmm," she pondered, placing a finger on her chin. "I adore the amethyst color of the Rolls-Royce, so let's keep it as is. As for the Pagani, its classic design calls for a matte mint pink. The Bugatti Mistral should gleam in a sparkly navy blue, while the Lamborghini Veneno Roadster demands a flaming red. And finally, matte black suits the Bugatti La Voiture Noire perfectly."
"I'd also like the interior to be plush and comfortable, with LED ambiance pink lights accentuating the car's contours for that extra cool factor," Hera grinned like a child in a candy store.
"Got it, young miss. I'll send your selections to the shop first thing tomorrow morning for both interior and exterior customization," Alfonse confirmed.
Hera nodded in satisfaction, her excitement palpable as she anticipated driving her customized cars.
She relished driving, particularly at high speeds.
After their tour, Hera and Alfonse headed directly to the dining room where Old Master Avery awaited them at the head of the table.
Taking her place beside him, Hera noticed an array of dishes laid out, featuring her favorite seafood and vegetables. She understood this to be her grandfather's way of doting on her.
With a sweet smile, she began to serve her grandfather, carefully selecting dishes and placing them on his plate. "Grandpa, you should have this. It's good for your health, and the soup will help with blood circulation," she said as she ladled some soup into his bowl.
For the first time in years, the once quiet dining room echoed with the sound of joyous laughter. The scene brought tears to Alfonse's eyes as memories of the days when the young master and young madam graced these halls flooded his mind. Seeing his master now, smiling from ear to ear, filled him with overwhelming happiness.