As someone who thrived in this kind of industry, Lily had been in a lot of situations where men looked down on her and her women subordinates.
Some men think that women became successful because of the help of their equally influential partner. In some cases, this is true. Some women in power have husbands or partners backing them. Cleaning the messes that they made on their way to success. But this is different from Lily's case.
"Anyway… if you want, you can double the price my father will surely pay for it." Adalind said confidently. "Everything has a price, Miss Lily. I'm sure even your… emotional attachments have one."
In response, Lily smiled. "That is true. If I am in need of money… I would surely take your offer. But…" she made a deliberate pause. "I am in a position where my current finances are already enough to fund my extravagant lifestyle until I turned a hundred. So… no. Thank you very much though. But there are a lot of houses in this neighborhood. Maybe you can ask someone to sell you their mansion."
"Well… I can only hope that you will reconsider this decision." Adalind rose from her seat. "I will try to talk to other people, maybe they will consider selling their houses in this place. I mean… I would really want to become your neighbor."
Lily pursed her lips. She then looked at the maid and instructed her to walk Adalind out of the mansion. "Yang Mi?" Lily uttered as she watched Adalind's disappearing back. "Do you have the information of the people who are attending Grandmother's house?" she asked. The house that she inherited from Grandmother Ye was surrounded by tall gates. Additionally, the image of the roses was not posted online. There is no way that Adalind would know about it unless she deliberately asked someone about the information.
"Yes, they are the same people attending the mansions in this neighborhood." Yang Mi answered. Since most people in this neighborhood are traveling because of their business, they hire some companies to maintain their houses. This is a normal thing for the people in this neighborhood.
"I see." Lily nodded. "So that Adalind was snooping around." She concluded. Her grandmother's mansion was not for sale. There is no way that Adalind would know about its view or flowers if… she did not intentionally ask someone about Lily and Zhou Jingren. "Do you know what company they are from?"
"They are a small company that was…" Yang Mi checked her laptop. "That was bought by Liu's a couple of months ago."
"Liu Family?" Lily uttered. "I see… It seems that Adalind found some friends." She smiled before rising from her seat. "Ask the maid to throw away the cake and prepare some of our imported teas. I want to visit the Liu Family. And fire that company. Find another one to maintain my grandmother's house."
Yang Mi nodded in response. She stared at Lily who was already walking towards their room. Yang Mi always thought that Lily does not like the house that she inherited from her grandmother. However, it seems that she was wrong. She immediately did Lily's orders before going to Lily's room.
"The tea is ready." She uttered while eyeing Lily's blood-red dress. "Shall I inform the president that we are dropping by at the Liu Family's house?" Yang Mi asked.
"Hm. Tell him I will still meet him for lunch." Lily uttered as she grabbed the handbag that she just received from Europe. She then walked out of her room with Yang Mi in tow.
...
Liu Residence
"Is that so?" Liu Chin lifted an eyebrow. "What a waste, then. She is not really using the house. Is she planning to just leave it under the care of some strangers?"
"I don't know." Adalind shrugged. She took a sip of her coffee.
"Well… if you want, I can ask my husband to find a good house for you in this neighborhood." Madam Liu smiled. "I am sure there are a few people who would sell their houses… with the right price."
"But… the pictures that you showed me was really lovely. I would really like that house that Lily owns. Do you … Do you think you can help me convince her to sell the house?" Adalind asked.
"That woman is really hateful. If you want to convince her, then you must be careful." Madam He scowled as she remembered her last meeting with Lily. The conversation was too hateful. She really felt angry for days! Good thing her husband bought her a new purse, or she would not even go out to attend Old Man Yu's funeral.
"You should not misinterpret Lily." Adalind smiled. "She is from the business world. Someone who is used to talking and interacting with men. It is only normal that she would have such a forceful personality." Adalind's words sounded kind and gentle. However, if one would dissect her carefully, it was a very misleading statement.
Talking and interacting with men?
As expected, the housewives before her did not miss the meaning of her words. Madam Liu instantly frowned while Madam He rolled her eyes in disgust.
"She is very smart and manipulative." Adalind continued. "Of course… this is only normal for someone who grew up with nothing but her grandmother. I mean… a child still needed to have the love and affection that real parents offer, right?" she smiled as she sneered inwardly.
The pretentious women before her instantly nodded their heads. Seeing this, Adalind was not able to stop the sinister glint in her eyes. Adalind never expected that manipulating these group of women could be this easy.
"I agree." Madam Liu said. "Our upbringing always affects us when we grow up. To be honest… I quite pity Lily." She said. "I also heard from my husband that her domineering grandmother alone raised her." She shook her head. "She lacks love and attention. Isn't she… pitiful?"
...
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