CHAPTER 20: FROM RAGS TO RICHES

My feet were heavily rooted on its ground the moment I entered the Hunt Mansion. My mind couldn’t grasp the luxury that greeted me as I trail my eyes around. The entrance hall is expansive, it is larger than life and vastly spacious with high ceilings adorned with intricate crown molding and stunning crystal chandeliers that cast a warm glow over the polished marble floors. A sweeping grand staircase with ornate railings curves gracefully to the upper floors.


The living room is a blend of elegance and comfort. Plush, oversized sofas and armchairs are arranged around a marble fireplace, creating a cozy yet lavishly exuberant atmosphere. Large windows draped with rich, heavy curtains allow natural light to flood the room, highlighting the antique furniture and art pieces that adorn the walls. I was caught in sight of the state-of-the-art paintings hanging proudly on the walls, which urged me to take a closer look at those world-class and highly magnificent masterpieces.


“They’re beautiful” Was all I could manage to say as I gazed meticulously at each frame’s details and structure.


“I see you also have an eye on paintings, Penelope,” My head hastily turned from where the voice came from. “Do you paint?” My father continued.


“No, I don’t. But I know beauty when I see one and these were all state-of-the-art. Are these personal collections?”


“They were made by your mother. Margarette was a world-renowned master artist when she was still alive, those were just some of her creations. Most of it was in Paris, purchased by some art collectors abroad.”


“Wow!”


“That’s what I used to say as well every time she finished a masterpiece and boasted to me of her achievement.”


“She must have been a great woman with the way you spoke highly of her.”


“She was indeed” He paused, heaving a deep sigh before going on. “How I wish Margarette was still around to this day. She would have been so adamantly enthralled and bewitched at the sight of you. You are really your mother’s daughter, Penelope, her twin self. You look almost exactly like her. You bore her enchanting eyes the most, it was like I am reliving her now just by merely gazing at you” He commented in a well pleased manner as his eyes were beaming with a sparkle of tears, both longing and joyful combined.


“The dining room is prepared, Sir,” Mr. McConner interrupted our little chat from behind.

“You must be famished, Penelope, come and grace our dining table with me. Then after, if you wish to rest first, Pauline, your personal aide, will show you to your room upstairs.”


We headed towards the dining room that was as immaculate and as lavish as the living room. It features a long, mahogany table that can seat up to twenty guests. The table is set with fine china and crystal glassware I had never seen before in my entire life. A second chandelier hangs above the table, and the walls are lined with hand-painted murals depicting pastoral scenes. It’s breathtakingly stunning just like the living room.


My father, with the help of his doctor, sat at the head seat. There were only two sets that were prepared on the tabletop. Aside from the one which was at the head seat, the other was set right next to it, which I presumed was my place to accommodate. True enough and as if ordered upon even without any word spoken at, one of the house servants pulled the chair for me as I drew near it. The table was filled with an abundance of dishes of different types and kinds. Even if the whole seat was occupied, I doubt if the dishes would be fully consumed with such an extreme array and amount. We ate silently at first, both assessing ourselves with each other’s presence.


The flow of conversation started when I answered his query regarding my trip here, which I responded with deep respect and preciseness.


“It was indeed a long trip, but a very comfortable one. My eyes couldn’t get enough of the sights I saw on my way here. New York City was indeed a place full of marvelous sights and highly crafted establishments unlike back there in my hometown.”


“How about your service? Was it comfortable enough? Or do you wish to use the other limousine which was more spacious and much more innovative? Or you rather prefer using sports cars, which I think suits you more with your age?”


I shot a glance at him at what I heard, speechless and in awe. How wealthy was my father to own numerous vehicles and highly expensive ones? He must be a billionaire since only billionaires could afford such a well-refined lifestyle as his.


“I beg your pardon?”


“Your service, Penelope. The one you would be using every time you travel from here to our empire or anywhere you wish to go” His words caught a lump inside my throat that prevented me from answering back. After minutes that passed, he spoke once again. “I knew these were all new to you, my dear Penelope, but I want you to become accustomed with this lifestyle, because starting this very moment you will live the way I lived. Everything I have, all that I owned, are all yours. Everything this mansion has, together with my other domestic properties and abroad, are all yours. Hunt Global Corporation, as well as its underlinings and chains of businesses, were all under you now. I already informed Attorney Sparks to arrange all the necessary documents that need your signings. She’ll have it on your desk by next week.”


“My desk?”


“That's right, Penelope. Tomorrow I’ll take you to the head office, which is in downtown, to show you your office. It would be in your disposition when you wish to start. My board will also meet you tomorrow as I will introduce you to them before the turnover takes place next week. I would also assign trusted and highly skilled secretaries to you to aid and guide you with the process.”


“Hold on, I’m having a difficult time digesting all of these right now. This seems to be so unrealistic and untrue.”


“We’ll take things slowly for you to get familiarized with everything. I’m simply telling this to you in advance, so you know what lies ahead of you as the sole legal and rightful heiress of the Hunts. Now you continue your food, so that you may rest first if you wish.”


I did what I was told, but my mind was definitely not on what I ate, it was elsewhere. It was traveling miles apart from all the details he mentioned.


As told to me after we dined, I was brought to the next floor by Pauline where it was said that my room was located. There were only two rooms occupying the second level, the one at the right wing and the other was at the left. This made me wonder why a large floor such as this could have only two rooms.


“Pauline, why are there only two rooms on this level? With the vastness of this floor, there should have been several rooms instead of only two” My curiosity begets me that made me ask such an intriguing question.


“This level, Miss Hunt, was solely intended for the master of the mansion. The right wing was where your father occupies and yours was the left wing.”


“Oh! The whole left wing was my room?”


“Yes, Miss Hunt. Now, if you may, please let me show you around your master suite” She uttered with reverence before opening the two-doored room.


The master suite, as Pauline calls it, is the epitome of luxury. The bedroom features a king-sized bed with a tufted headboard, dressed in the finest linens of luscious red and old rose. There was a private balcony that offered stunning views of the surrounding landscape outside. Still overwhelmed at the enormous and extravagant sight ahead of me, she led me to one corner where she said occupies the bathroom. The en-suite bathroom is equally impressive, with a jacuzzi tub, a walk-in shower with multiple shower heads, and a double vanity with marble countertops. The vastness of it could make another large room.


“Wow! I can’t believe this! They’re all majestic!”


“You haven’t seen half of the mansion yet, Miss Hunt, this was merely half of a quarter of the entire household. Wait until you see the other floors and the back garden.”


I hadn't fully consumed the luxury of the bathroom when she ushered me towards the other corner where a massive walk-in closet was situated. The spacious area looks more like a department store rather than a walk-in closet. Everywhere my eyes landed screams glamor and sophistication. A vast array of highly expensive clothes were meticulously and properly hanged and so were the collection of footwears neatly arranged in racks. There was a ceiling to bottom mirror at the center and also a marbled table with two furnished chairs and a duvet. The walls were painted with the same hues and color combination as with the outside of it.


I was dizzily drowning with everything around me. These were more than just a fairytale come to life, it was definitely beyond it. Words could not express how enthralled I was with the luxury around me. I felt like a princess from a far away land, from rags to riches so to speak. From being a worn out and filthy ragdoll to a wealthy and opulent heiress. Everywhere I look exudes abundance and wealthiness. I could die a content and happy woman right now.


‘Welcome to your new world, Penelope. Better get used to it, because everything you see now is all yours, just like what your father had told you. You are a Hunt now, and no one would even dare to belittle you anymore.’