Chapter 81 She Deserved the Fifty Million Dollars
"Or a loan shark?"
Five million bucks—no way he'd save that much even if he worked forever.
Camilla, feeling kinda uneasy, said, "I haven't been just sitting around all these years; I've saved up some cash."
Right then, Bella, who'd been quiet, suddenly piped up, "How'd you save it?"
Her eyes had this sharp look.
Camilla sighed. Looked like Bella had heard some of the gossip.
"Mom, all this money's legit, earned by me. It's clean, and I spent it with a clear conscience."
She wasn't lying.
Back then, Leopold had gone against his family to be with her.
Leopold's dad, Brady Wipere, cut off all his bank cards and told Elodie not to help them out.
During the roughest times, they crammed into a tiny basement that leaked when it rained. Their bodies were cold, but their hearts were warm.
Leopold tried to start a business and needed startup cash, so Camilla went out every day doing odd jobs and saving money.
Later, through a hookup, she joined a biotech company that made beauty products. At first, she tested their stuff and gave skin data to the research team.
Then, by chance, Camilla wrote a program that helped them batch process sample data, making the previously complex statistical work simple, efficient, and way more accurate.
The company offered $500,000 to buy the program, but Camilla didn't agree right away. She went back and told Leopold, who then negotiated the price.
Leopold had a knack for business; the program eventually sold for $2 million.
With this, Camilla helped him save his first pot of gold.
With that money, Leopold started his own company, and two years later, he became a rising star in the industry.
On the day the company went public, he told Camilla, "Half of this company is yours."
That night, he handed her a $50 million check and a land transfer contract.
At that time, their relationship was strong. Camilla was surprised. "Why are you giving me this?"
"Now you have money. From now on, you're a little rich lady."
"I don't want your money, and I don't want to be a rich lady."
She only wanted to be "Mrs. Wipere" and grow old with Leopold.
But Leopold insisted on putting the check and contract in a drawer. "I never take back what I give."
Camilla didn't take it seriously. If he wanted to give it, so be it; she wouldn't take it anyway.
In the following years, although they had quarrels every now and then, Camilla never thought of taking them.
Until she finally decided to leave him.
Thinking back now, if Leopold truly loved her and wanted to marry her for life, he should have handed her stocks when the company went public, not cash and land that could be bought out in one go.
The $2 million from six years ago, plus years of companionship and care, made Camilla feel no guilt in taking the $50 million check.
But she didn't want to mention the twists and turns in front of her parents, to avoid making them worry.
Bella knew Camilla might be hiding something, but since she said "clean" and "with a clear conscience," it should be true.
"So, does this mean I can move into a villa soon?" Bella's only concern was gone, leaving only joy.
Camilla nodded, "The house is move-in ready. If you want, you can move in tonight. Except for bed linens and personal clothes, everything else is there."
"The front yard has a rock garden and fish pond, and the backyard has a pavilion. You can plant whatever flowers you want."
Alistair's eyes lit up. "Is it that big?"
"You'll see when you move in. You can start buying seeds and sod now."
"I'm ordering now! I'll get the trellis first; your mom loves wisteria, so we can guide the vines. Then I'll buy a few hydrangeas. When they bloom in May, Peter will be so jealous."
Peter was Alistair's buddy from work. They taught different subjects but bonded over their love for gardening.
Peter had moved out of Oakbrook Terrace years ago and snagged a condo nearby.
It was on the ground floor, with a tiny yard that Peter filled with flowers.
But the space was small, so he could only grow little potted plants. Big, blooming ones like hydrangeas were out of the question.
Alistair immediately started browsing on Amazon, but then paused. "What about this house when we move to the new one?"
Camilla replied, "Keep it."
"Is it necessary?" Alistair saw other teachers sell their houses after moving out.
Because of the good location near Maplewood High School, many buyers were parents from out of town.
Of course, the price was also good.
Alistair was reluctant to part with the old house but thought that selling it could help offset the cost of the villa.
Camilla knew what he was thinking but still said, "Even if we don't live here, let's keep it for now."
Alistair was puzzled. "Keep it for what?"
"You'll know when the time comes."
"You're being mysterious." Alistair muttered.
It wasn't that Camilla didn't want to say, but the fewer people knew about the demolition, the better.
If word got out, trouble would follow.
She had to thank Leopold for the information.
His company had won a bid for a large mall development project in Starlight City. Camilla accidentally found the contract in the study.
Seeing the familiar "Starlight City," she couldn't help but look through it and found that the mall's planned area included Oakbrook Terrace.
The plan was to demolish it!
Camilla said, "Just now, the sales office girl called and said we need to go back tomorrow to complete some paperwork."
Alistair said, "Can I move some of my potted plants over tomorrow?"
Camilla replied, "Of course. The villa's black box is handed over. We just need to pick a date to move in."
Bella said, "Then I'll pack some clothes to take over tomorrow."
The next day, Alistair and Bella got up early.
One was busy moving flower pots, and the other was packing clothes and shoes.
Alistair even called a Jeep. After loading the flower pots into the back, he squeezed into the front seat. "Camilla, I'll go first. Once your mom is done packing, you two head to the sales office. I'll join you after moving the plants."
"Okay."
At 10 AM, at the sales office.
Mia was already waiting at the door. Seeing her, she smiled broadly. "Ms. Learmond, over here!"
"…The paperwork is mostly done. It won't take long." Mia explained as they walked.
Indeed, it was quick. Ten minutes later, Camilla and Bella came out of the VIP reception room.
"Bella? Camilla?" Suddenly, a voice called from behind.
Bella turned around. "Jared?"
Jared, in a suit and wool coat, with his signature slicked-back hair and shiny shoes, looked more imposing than Maurice, the actual boss.
"What are you doing here?"
Bella replied, "We're here to…"
"I told you to sit and listen to the introduction…" Heather's complaint stopped abruptly when she saw Bella.
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