Chapter 428 I'm Being Narrow-minded
Seeing that Marigold and the others were really going to take him home, James couldn't help but laugh, but he didn't pay them any mind.
After circling half the lake and passing through the wetland park, James arrived at the entrance of Leo Villa.
In the dead of night, the villa's outline was still visible, even if the details were obscured.
The building was imposing, like a dragon, especially with the lights casting shadows that made it look like a black dragon ready to soar. It was visually stunning.
A gemstone-embedded orb at the entrance emitted a soft glow, illuminating the front yard and giving it a dreamlike quality.
Just as James was about to open the door, his phone vibrated. It was Milo calling.
Not wanting to hang up on him, James apologized to the group and stepped aside to take the call.
"This villa is really something, so refreshing."
"Of course, it's the Rivera family's property. Phoenix Manor, Leo Villa, all top-notch places."
Looking at Leo Villa, Ivy, Vance, and Marigold couldn't help but express their admiration.
Coralie's eyes widened. Although she had passed by during the day, the villa at night was even more impressive, like a dragon about to take flight.
She had to admit, her own Swan Villa paled in comparison to Leo Villa.
Seeing James pretending to be on the phone, she couldn't help but find it amusing and disdainful. "Is this really necessary?"
"Alright, alright, let's head back. The lights are on inside; we don't want to disturb the owner." Seeing Marigold and the guests chatting, Bruce glanced at James and waved his hands to disperse the crowd. "Let's go back."
He didn't want James to lose face too much.
He had hoped that James wouldn't have the nerve to come here if he was bluffing.
But seeing James take a phone call, he was completely disappointed, thinking James was using the call as a cover.
Disappointed, Bruce could only help maintain James's last shred of dignity.
"Why should we leave?" Marigold wasn't giving Bruce any face today.
"We're here to take James home, and he hasn't gone inside yet. How can we leave? We need to make sure he gets home safely."
"Besides, you're his uncle, and I'm his aunt. Shouldn't he invite us in for a visit if he's living in such a luxurious villa?"
"Even if we don't stay the night, we should at least have a drink."
"If you want to leave, go ahead. We'll wait for James to finish his call and invite us in."
Marigold was determined to make James feel humiliated, to teach him the cost of bragging, and to show him that the Howard family wasn't to be trifled with.
"How old are you, still holding a grudge against James?" Bruce was angry. "Is this really necessary?"
"Mr. Howard, don't be mad. You can't blame Aunt Marigold for this." Vance chimed in with a smile. "We came here because James said he lived at Leo Villa, and we wanted to see it for ourselves."
"Yeah, James was the one showing off, so we joined in the fun." Ivy also smiled playfully at James, who had just finished his call.
"James, done with your call? Should we wait a bit longer?"
"Didn't you say Leo Villa was yours? Hurry up and open the door. What are you standing there for?"
"Forgot your keys? Isn't a villa like this supposed to have a password or fingerprint scanner to open the door? Do you really need a key or access card?"
She feigned confusion, causing her female companions to giggle and look at James with even more disdain.
Coralie remained silent, not defending James. He deserved to be mocked for being caught in a lie.
Bruce sighed deeply. "James, just admit you were wrong."
He hoped James would be sincere. "We're all family here. We know your situation. Keeping up appearances is pointless and only makes people dislike you more."
James put away his phone and smiled without saying a word. He then pressed his palm and entered a code on the door.
With a loud click, the door swung open, and a pleasant electronic voice greeted them.
"Welcome home, sir."
The lights on either side of the entrance lit up.
Before Bruce and Ivy could react, the main door of the villa opened, and Samantha walked out, looking curious.
"James, why didn't you come in?" Samantha asked, stepping out to see what the commotion was about. She had seen James on the security cameras and wondered why he hadn't come inside.
Marigold was stunned. "You're the one who broke my gemstone. Is this villa really where James lives?"
Bruce and Coralie were equally shocked. James being able to open the door was surprising enough, but Samantha's appearance confirmed that James indeed lived here.
Samantha had only been in Glowing Oasis for a few days, and her presence at Leo Villa could only mean that James had arranged for her to stay here, which meant he truly owned the villa. Otherwise, he wouldn't dare to house her here.
Seeing Bruce and Marigold, Samantha was momentarily taken aback. "Mr. Howard, Mrs. Howard, Ms. Howard, hello," she greeted them politely. "Nice to see you again."
"Samantha, they brought me home and wanted to see the villa," James said with a smile. "Could you make some coffee? I'll entertain them."
"Sure." Samantha nodded and then ran back inside to make coffee.
Soon, the entire garden was illuminated, and the main building shone brightly. James waved to Bruce and the others. "Uncle Bruce, come inside. It's cold out here."
The entrance of the villa fell silent. Everyone stared at James in shock, as if he were an alien. They couldn't believe that James could actually enter Leo Villa and live here. This was the Rivera family's property. When did James get so close to them?
Marigold felt her cheeks burn, as if she had been slapped hard. "This can't be. It's impossible."
Coralie covered her mouth, her face a mix of surprise and disbelief, with a hint of anger in her eyes. How could James live here? How could he deserve to live in a place like this? Her sense of superiority shattered instantly. Her position at Wish Group and the money she made from streaming were nothing compared to Leo Villa. This villa was worth over a billion dollars and represented significant status. Only the new president of the Mystic Alliance could compare.
Vance was also speechless.
"Uncle Bruce, come on in," James calmly invited Bruce and the others inside. "Have some coffee."
Bruce, as if in a dream, stepped into Leo Villa. "James, is this house really yours? Did Mr. Rivera really give it to you?"
Inside the villa's hall, Samantha served them expensive Blue Mountain coffee, but Bruce couldn't take a sip. He was both shocked and embarrassed. He had been disappointed in James so many times, only to realize he was the one who had let James down.
Marigold and Ivy were also speechless, staring at James as if trying to find a clue.
James smiled calmly at them. "If Mr. Rivera hadn't given it to me, would I dare live here?"
At this, Marigold and the others nodded instinctively. The Rivera family's property wasn't something you could just take over. As for borrowing it, being able to borrow a billion-dollar villa from the Rivera family also showed James's extraordinary abilities. At least, they couldn't borrow it.
"James, I'm sorry. I misunderstood you," Bruce said, shaking James's hand firmly. "I was the one who was self-righteous."
A mix of surprise, embarrassment, regret, and relief filled his heart.
James smiled. "Uncle Bruce, it's my fault for not explaining things clearly."
Bruce shook his head. "No, it's my narrow-mindedness, looking at you with prejudice like Marigold."
"Uncle Bruce, let's not dwell on it. It's nothing. We're family, after all," James interrupted Bruce's self-reproach with a smile. "Come, have some coffee and take a tour of the villa."
Bruce nodded lightly.
In less than ten minutes, Marigold and the others left in a hurry. It wasn't that they didn't want to tour Leo Villa, but the more they saw, the more they felt their dignity slipping away.
"James, you're something else," Bruce remarked awkwardly outside. "I underestimated you."
He exchanged a few polite words with the guests and then took his wife and daughter home. Marigold and Coralie pursed their lips, their emotions complex, unusually silent.
However, no one noticed that Ivy had disappeared.
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