Cindy reluctantly accepted Hera's decision, finding it unusual for an owner to be so eager to pay for staying on their own property. Normally, owners would simply waive such fees.
"I'll have my assistant send over a copy of the contract. It will be a yearly payment of $1 billion per month, totaling $12 billion annually. In my capacity as the general manager, I have the authority to offer discounts to selected clients, so I'll apply a 20% discount for you. Does that sound agreeable?"
Hera nodded in agreement, smiling warmly. While she typically didn't seek out freebies, she understood the common practice of offering discounts, which wouldn't adversely affect the company's bottom line.
After confirming with Hera, Cindy shed any remaining reservations and resumed her role as the general manager. "Then it will be a total of $9.6 billion. How would you like to pay?"
"I prefer a bank transfer, please," Hera responded promptly.
"Alright, I'll have my assistant bring the contract along with the company phone for the transfer," Cindy confirmed, nodding in agreement.
Cindy excuses herself to call out for instructions and leave Alfonse and Hera in the penthouse for a while.
"I'm glad, young miss, that the place suits your liking. If not, there are other places prepared for you to consider," Alfonse said with a warm smile.
"Other places?" Hera questioned, surprised that he could prepare such a luxurious place in a day and even have backups ready.
"Actually, all these properties were prepared long ago by Old Master Avery and are already under your name. Everything is well maintained, and you just need to choose where you'd like to stay."
Once again, Hera was astounded. So that was the situation.
Her brain seemed to malfunction for a moment before she thought, "And I have to manage this kind of wealth? I don't even know where to begin and where it ends."
No wonder a lot of people wanted to seize their wealth, this is such a hot potato. 'Tsk Tsk!'
Hera nodded in affirmation of the information shared by Alfonse. "I understand Uncle Alfonse." Even though she's still overwhelmed by all the wealth thrown at her face, knowing beforehand from Athena that she was in fact a wealthy heiress prepared her for this day.
So she was able to easily adapt to her life's changes after she came back.
Alfonse interrupted Hera's thoughts, his voice breaking her reverie. "Young miss, the Old Master wishes for you to visit him at the mansion after the house viewing. He'd like to share dinner with you."
Hera's smile widened, her enthusiasm evident in her agreement. It had been some time since she last shared a meal with her grandfather, given her busy schedule with her part-time job. She was genuinely excited for the opportunity.
Moreover, Hera pondered how she would depart from this exclusive location, given the unlikelihood of finding a taxi waiting outside and the challenge of arranging one in such a secluded area.
Cindy, displaying her efficiency, swiftly produced the contract within a mere 10 minutes and presented it to Hera. "Miss Avery, please take a moment to review the contract. If everything appears satisfactory, you may proceed to sign your name below."
Hera was amazed at her speed at doing things. "That was fast! That was impressive."
Cindy, neither boasting nor diminishing the achievement, responded, "We have a team of dedicated elite lawyers on standby here at Green Dragon Manor. This ensures that we can swiftly address any legal matters and safeguard the Manor from any potential issues."
Hera nodded approvingly as she listened to Cindy's succinct report. Cindy's precise and concise delivery demonstrated her respect for her superior without seeking personal recognition or gain from the situation.
Hera admired Cindy's work ethic and felt drawn to her. She sensed that Cindy could be a trustworthy ally, someone she could count on in the future. So she decided to keep Cindy close to her.
Hera wasted no time and swiftly completed the procedure, signing her signature on the contract without delay. Once finished, Cindy handed Hera the black card she had used to open the door earlier.
"This is the master key to the penthouse," Cindy explained as she handed Hera the black card. "After you move in, I'll assist you in registering your fingerprint on the system. That way, you won't be locked out even if you forget the card or give it to someone else."
Hera accepted the card and carefully stowed it away in her pocket. "Thank you," she said simply.
"You have exclusive access to the parking lot, specifically lot A on the ground floor," Cindy explained. "In fact, the entire lot A is designated for your use."
Hera nodded with a smile. 'I'll really need to get myself a car then.'
After briefing Hera on all the essential details, Cindy sent them off to the ground-floor garage, returning only after ensuring their departure.
After more than an hour-and-a-half drive, the silver Rolls Royce Cullinan pulled up to a gate more extravagant than the Green Dragon Manor itself, situated on the outskirts. Hera was puzzled, as she could see the opulence of the gate but couldn't discern any infrastructure beyond it, only an endless expanse of tall metal fencing. It resembled a natural barricade, imposing and impenetrable.
Beyond the gate lay a dense wall of pine trees, concealing whatever lay beyond from view.
After a few moments, they emerged from the pine forest, and Hera was taken aback. Flanking the wide road were hedges sculpted into a maze, each reaching the height of an adult's waist. The meticulously shaped labyrinth surrounded a vibrant and enchanting flower garden at its center.
The sprawling maze spanned the size of a football field, its verdant foliage stretching as far as the eye could see. Hera took a deep breath, her face awash with wonder. The picturesque sight evoked images of fairy-tale castles and royal gardens, filling her with delight.
"Young miss, do you recall when you were quite young, you loved watching 'Beauty and the Beast'?"
Hera's attention was immediately caught, and she turned to Alfonse with a nod. She remembered vividly that when she was very young, she adored watching Disney princess movies. She often expressed her dream of becoming a princess and having a grand castle and a magnificent garden, much like the one depicted in "Beauty and the Beast."
Her eyes widened. "No way!"
Seeing Hera understand what he meant, Alfonse chuckled warmly as he continued, his face glowing with memories of happier times. "When you mentioned the exquisite rose garden in that cartoon, the young master and young madam sketched together and brought this vision to life. They meticulously selected and imported a diverse array of roses and other flowers to create this enchanting space."
Hera listened attentively to Alfonse's story about her parents, a narrative she had never heard before. It stirred a mixture of emotions within her—melancholy yet deeply cherished. Realizing the extent of effort her parents had invested in her happiness, her eyes welled up with tears.
"After your adulthood banquet, they planned to unveil this surprise to you, but unfortunately..." Alfonse continued, recounting the story. "The Old Master carried on their wishes, seeking out diverse varieties of exquisite flowers from around the world and meticulously tending to this garden."
"I still recall the joy and excitement they exuded while shaping this sanctuary," Alfonse added, his voice tinged with emotion as tears welled at the corners of his eyes.
"Thank you, Uncle Alfonse, for sharing this with me. I'll make sure to spend more time with Grandpa, and I'm looking forward to exploring this beautiful garden," Hera expressed gratefully.
"If only the ancestral mansion weren't so far from my college and workplace, I'd love to live here with Grandpa," Hera mused wistfully.
Shortly after, the car came to a halt in front of a magnificent two-story building that exuded a Roman castle vibe. The mansion sprawled as wide as the front garden, leaving Hera in utter shock. 'Does Grandpa really live here all by himself? It's enormous!'
The opulence of this mansion is on an entirely different level.
Alfonse gestured for Hera to enter, and she followed absentmindedly, completely overwhelmed by the magnificence of the surroundings.
Soon after she entered, she was literally greeted by maids standing in a line on both sides. "Welcome back young miss!" They are full of respectful smiles.
At the very end awaits the Old Master Avery, holding back tears as he sees his only remaining kin standing before him, returning to where she truly belongs. "Welcome back, my princess," he says, his smile filled with affection.
Only then did Hera come back to her senses, responding with a sweet smile. "I'm back, Grandpa."
Old Master Avery felt a surge of vigor coursing through his body. After welcoming Hera and dismissing the servants to continue with the dinner preparations, he led her to his office.
Hera obediently linked her arm with her grandfather's as they strolled to the study. Though silence enveloped them, their faces radiated with warm smiles.