Chapter 487 The Recipe Given to the Garcia Family
At 5 PM, James arrived at Cloud Residence.
The Garcia family might not be the top family in Sovereign City, but they were worth billions. They not only had their own estate but also a place to entertain guests called Cloud Residence.
When James arrived at Suite 3, he saw his parents happily enjoying afternoon tea, while Samantha was tidying up his room.
"Hey Mom, Dad, what's got you two so happy?" James greeted them and then looked at Michelle with a smile. "Mom, it's been a while since I've seen you smile like this."
Michelle looked different now. No matter how happy she used to be, there was always a hint of worry in her eyes. But now, she seemed completely at ease.
Virgil chuckled, "It's been over twenty years since we came back home. How could we not be happy?"
"Yeah, it's a joy," Michelle said as she poured James a glass of water. "On our way here, your dad and I were worried that after twenty years, everyone would be distant."
"But to our surprise, they were very welcoming. They even let us stay at Cloud Residence, which is reserved for VIPs."
Michelle shared every detail of their warm reception with James, unable to hide her excitement about returning to the family.
"Really?" James narrowed his eyes slightly. "That's quite unexpected."
Although James was as kind-hearted as Michelle, he had learned to be more cautious over the years.
In his view, Michelle, who had been kicked out of the family over twenty years ago, couldn't possibly be welcomed back with open arms. There should have been more estrangement.
No one had pleaded for her when she was expelled, and no one had contacted her afterward, not even when she was seriously ill—the Garcia family had little to no affection for her back then.
Given their coldness twenty years ago, how could they be so warm now?
But James didn't want to dampen Michelle's spirits, so he let her enjoy a few happy days.
"Mom, did they tell you when we can see Great Grandma?" James asked with a smile. "They said her health isn't good, and they would arrange for us to visit her."
Great Grandma had two sons: Michelle's father, James's grandfather, and Michelle's uncle.
The former had a dwindling family line, leaving only Michelle, while the latter had a large, thriving family. So, the Garcia family was mostly under their control.
Michelle smiled, "I already had Great Grandma's black tea recipe sent to her."
James's body tensed. "You gave the recipe to them?"
"Yes, your uncle said he was going to change Grandma's medicine at dusk and could take it to her."
Michelle ate a piece of cantaloupe. "So, I let him take it."
James couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you worried he might claim the recipe as their own?"
Michelle paused slightly, then forced a smile. "I don't think so. He has been so kind to us. Why would he have bad intentions?"
"People aren't that bad, and the recipe was meant for them anyway." Michelle tried to reassure him. "James, I think we should look on the bright side."
James sipped his water. "I hope so."
"They're not that kind of people," Michelle insisted, seeing James's concern. "They've been really good to us. He even said that I'm still part of the Garcia family."
"He plans to buy me a house, saying even though we've settled in Rosewood City, Sovereign City should still have a place for me."
She shared the good news with James. "We'll go to the real estate office in a couple of days to finalize it."
Virgil chimed in, "That's right. He insisted your mom accept it. That house is worth over five million dollars! And he even got upset when we refused."
Michelle gently patted James's head. "I plan to accept it, so we have a place to stay when we visit Sovereign City."
This time, the warm reception and the resolution of past grievances made Michelle happier than ever, hoping for more frequent visits in the future.
"Going to the real estate office..." James murmured as he sipped his drink. "I hope he really gives you a house."
After some small talk, James went to the fridge to find something to eat. As his parents said, they had prepared a lot of food.
James grabbed a piece of bread and started munching.
Just then, his phone vibrated. He put on his earbuds and retreated to his room to take the call.
"James, I did what you asked. I found out who owns the Apricot Blossom Forest in Sovereign City." Patrick's booming voice came through. "Guess who it is?"
James replied quietly, "My mom!"
"Haha, you got it right. Looks like you already had a hunch." Patrick laughed heartily. "I did some digging. That land was a gift from your grandfather for her eighteenth birthday, bought for a million dollars back then."
"That area is now part of Sovereign City's new district and could become the new city center. Those hundred acres are worth at least five billion dollars now, and I'd be happy to buy it."
"If it goes up for auction, it could fetch ten billion dollars. With some tax adjustments and connections, you could build a sixty-story office building there."
"The Garcia family only took your grandparents' assets and Michelle's company shares back then, forgetting about the Apricot Blossom Forest."
"Or maybe they just didn't see its potential, as it was in the middle of nowhere. Who could have predicted it would become a new district decades later?"
"Anyway, your mom has full ownership of the Apricot Blossom Forest." He added with a hint of amusement, "Is she caught up in a family inheritance battle?"
"Well, I guess she has no choice," James sighed, then his smile turned sly. "Help me draft a contract..."
Patrick readily agreed.
Soon, the contract was prepared according to James's instructions, and Patrick had a lawyer in Sovereign City deliver it to James.
That evening, the Garcia family had a lavish dinner delivered from a restaurant.
While Michelle was busy setting the table, James approached her with a legally binding document.
"Mom, I got you a retirement insurance policy. Just need your signature."
He had also made copies of her ID and other documents.
"Retirement insurance? I already have one. Why get another?" Michelle was puzzled but trusted James, so she picked up the pen and signed.
After she signed, James narrowed his eyes slightly.
The show was about to begin.
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