Chapter 235 What A Mess
Heather smiled and continued, "Isn't Alistair and Bella living in a big mansion? They can arrange for all the relatives to stay there! It's got several floors, luxurious decor, and all the amenities like central heating and air conditioning. Not just a dozen people, even more can fit!"
He continued, "The key is that the back door of the Stardust Enclave Villas is very close to the hotel where the birthday party is being held. Just a few steps away, no need for transportation!"
The more Heather talked, the more she felt it was a good idea, nodding continuously.
She forgot that her own house was also in that neighborhood and just as suitable.
Alistair finally found an opportunity to speak.
He had tried to speak several times before but either couldn't get a word in or was interrupted just as he opened his mouth. "I was actually thinking the same thing. Since it's inconvenient for Maurice and Jared, I discussed it with Bella, and we decided to have the relatives stay at our place."
After all, it was only for three days.
Zoey had already said so much, and Heather was a cunning person. Even if Bella was reluctant, she had no choice but to agree through gritted teeth.
Bella was currently working on a new book. She had already discussed the outline with Elmer and was still revising it. She was used to a quiet environment for her creative work, so she found it inconvenient.
Though Bella felt uncomfortable, it wasn't unacceptable. "Don't worry, we'll take good care of the relatives and friends."
She said while driving, "The people are already staying at our place. Your dad is busy entertaining guests and can't get away, so I had to come pick you up."
Camilla nodded, "Mom, I rarely see you drive, but you're pretty good at it."
At this point, Camilla hadn't realized the seriousness of the situation.
Bella lifted her chin, "Of course! I learn things quickly!"
Stardust Enclave Villas.
"Alistair, is this house yours? It's so grand!" The elderly woman, Julia, with a face full of wrinkles and gray hair, looked about the same age as Zoey but was actually Alistair's great-aunt.
"Oh my! Is this a lamp? Why is there a ring of feathers around it? Plucked from a goose? I must say, it looks quite novel! Where's the switch? Let me turn it on. Huh? Is it just an ordinary lamp? I thought the feathers would make it brighter!"
Alistair was already starting to sweat. "The feathers are just for decoration, they don't serve any purpose."
"Then why put a ring of feathers if they don't serve any purpose? Oh! There's a vase here! It looks really nice. I remember your grandpa used to like putting calendars and vases around, but none as pretty as this. It must be expensive, right?"
Julia, who had lost all her teeth, spoke with a lisp, but it didn't stop her from looking around and touching everything, always adding a comment.
"Come on, there's some snacks here! Didn't you say you were hungry? Help yourself. Alistair lives in such a big house, he won't be stingy with a little food!" Julia turned to call her grandson and then smiled at Alistair, "Right, Alistair?"
Alistair replied, "Yes, yes, make yourself at home."
Julia usually lived in the countryside and had come to the city two days early for the birthday party, bringing her whole family along.
After all, with free food and lodging and a chance to enjoy the city, nobody would refuse.
Maurice had been lucky in his early years, started his own company, made money, and brought Ryan and Zoey to the city to take care of them.
Jared was also doing well, with a relaxed and respectable job, and had married his boss's daughter.
Only Alistair was a bit behind. Despite graduating from a prestigious university, he ended up as a teacher.
It sounded good, but it didn't make much money!
Julia had often thought to herself, 'Not all of Zoey's children turned out successful! But now, Alistair has also made it?'
The more Julia thought about it, the more jealous she felt, urging her grandson to eat more.
Since they were here, they might as well eat more!
Besides Julia's family of eight, there was another family, Alistair's aunt Elena, who also brought her whole family.
Elena's reaction upon entering was similar to Julia's, looking around in amazement. "Alistair, you've really made it, huh?"
"Can you make this much money as a teacher now?" Elena asked in a low voice, hinting, "Is there some illegal income involved?"
Alistair shook his head and waved his hands, "Absolutely not! I get a fixed salary every month, there's no illegal income."
"You're treating me like an outsider, aren't you? Just tell me the truth. Without illegal income, how could you afford such a beautiful villa?"
Alistair scratched his head. "I really don't make much money, but my wife and daughter do. This villa was bought by the two of them, it has nothing to do with me. I don't have much ability, just a bit of luck to marry a good wife and have a good daughter."
Elena was speechless.
She touched the railing, then sat on the sofa to test its elasticity, finally stopping in front of the vase that Julia had already admired. "Alistair, this is really nice. Is it an antique?"
Alistair knew Elena well enough to understand that she meant, 'I like this vase, but I won't say it. You should offer it to me.'
He opened his mouth to say the vase was just a thirty-dollar purchase from a market, but Elena had already moved her excited gaze elsewhere.
"Oh my! This thing shoots flames upward."
Alistair said, "It's a fireplace."
"Yes, yes! A fireplace! Getting one of these must cost a lot, right? Oh, and that..."
Alistair watched Elena running around, not even changing her shoes, leaving muddy footprints on the floor as if she had just come from the fields.
He took a deep breath and maintained his smile.
"Grandma, this TV can play games! I want to play games! Play games!" A child on the sofa was jumping around with a remote control, shouting and gesturing.
The noise was piercing.
Alistair pinched his brow, feeling his temples throbbing.
He inadvertently looked back and saw that the puzzle he had spent over a month completing on the bookshelf was now in pieces, with some pieces even missing.
He let out a bitter laugh.
What a mess.
Looking around, the spacious villa was almost filled with adults, elderly, and children. Some were chatting, some were eating fruit, and children were running around, their laughter filling the house.
It was chaotic.
Alistair thought about the fact that there were still two more days of this and felt his eyelid twitching uncontrollably.
Although Bella had already warned her, Camilla was still shocked the moment she stepped into the house.
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