Chapter 17 A Conspiracy

Philip seemed perturbed after the whole incident when Tyler and the group left.

Funding was the only key for him to get Ramona into his hands. Who would have expected ‘Mr. Zand’ to show up at that very moment. All of Ramona’s worries were resolved without incurring a single cent since Universal International will be reconstructing Fairview Villa.

This was a heavy blow for Philip to endure as he thought he could discuss the counterattack with his father, but Hudson was too fearful of messing with Universal International.

Philip left Kingsley Group and drove to his uncle, Justin Kingsley.

“Hey, Philip. You’re here!” Justin’s eyes squinted with his cigar on one hand he had and a charming young lady on the other.

“Uncle, there’s a favor I’d like to ask from you.” Philip looked really annoyed by the sight of that lady.

“Leave us.” Justin tapped her shoulder to nudge her out.

Only Justin and Philip were left in the office as Philip summarized the incident to Justin.

Justin was stunned, he spoke as he puffed a smoke, “Philly, from what you just said this Ramona is quite a capable one. She managed to get Universal International to help her with this. The reconstruction of Fairview Villa isn’t a small project and will cost them no less than eight million bucks.”

“Uncle, did you know Universal International belongs to the Zands. Young Master Zand is the one covering Ramona’s *ss!” Philip spitted at the mention of that name. He absolutely loathed whoever that Young Master Zand was.

“Well, Philly. Is Ramona that charming? Look at you, I think you won’t rest in peace without having her in your bag,” Justin teased him.

“See for yourself.” Philip browsed for a photo of Ramona he secretly took on his phone. The perverted Justin immediately changed his mind and began salivating like a dog after looking at her picture.

“What the f*ck! She’s hot!”

Philip just smiled while Justin suddenly thought of an idea. “Leave this to me. Do as I say and she’ll be yours.” Justin then proceeded to lay out his plan before Philip after stealing another glance at Ramona’s photo.

Philip praised after the sharing, “That’s a great idea, Uncle! Pro… You’re the pro! Hehe…”

…

Tyler immediately headed out after dropping Ramona and Susan off at home.

It had been some time since he visited his stepfather. He wanted to repay his stepfather for his upbringing since he had become rich and arrived at his stepfather’s place after getting some gifts.

His stepfather lived in a typical village in the city. It was a pity his area was not included in the city's planning, hence it would be a long time before newer houses could be built there.

After a whole night’s rain, the gravel road became muddy which caused Tyler to take great efforts before arriving at the front door of his stepfather’s house.

Two vintage bungalows that could collapse at any minor earthquake. Tyler had lived in such condition for a good number of years.

“Dad, I’m home.” Tyler walked inside the house filled with bags on his hands.

“Ty, you’re back!” Fred Zand was exceptionally happy to see him as he called out while holding a broken basin in his hands.

Tyler was not comfortable looking at his stepfather’s living conditions. It was this old man who adopted and brought him up. Without this old man, he would not have survived and lived to the present.

At the same time, someone could be heard yelling from inside the house. “Brother, rainwater... There’s a leak here!”

“Right, coming!” Tyler freed his hands off those bags and entered the house.

It was Leonora who busied herself around a pit, gathering every basin she could find around the house to collect the rainwater leaking from their roofs.

The rain fell heavily outside the house, while a drizzle was occurring inside. The house interior was cozy and had good ventilation. None of this was a stranger to Tyler as he had grown up in it.

However, some things had to change—he could not allow his stepfather to live in such conditions anymore.

“Sis, stop collecting rainwater. Let’s buy a house.” Tyler smiled.

Leonora was stunned when she asked, “Bro, we can’t afford that. It’s too expensive.”

“I have the money now, remember?”

“How can you become rich overnight? I’m skeptical of that.” Leonora was not convinced.

“Ty, you must only earn clean money. Don’t get yourself involved in illegal activities. Besides, this place is nice enough with a yard to collect some scraps.” Fred disapproved of his suggestions.

“Stop collecting scraps and enjoy your life from now on,” Tyler said as he dragged Fred and Leonora out of the house.

“Ty, where are you bringing us to?” Fred was confused.

“We’re buying a house.”

“Our house is fine… Besides, where did you get so much money to buy a house?”

“Dad, you need not ask… Just enjoy your life in your new house.” Tyler did not explain further.

They then arrived at the Washington Show Gallery.

This was the most expensive area in the city with half their development were three-story bungalows and the remaining being serviced apartments. All of them were extraordinarily expensive.

Fred was an honest and simple man, but he was not ignorant. As a long-term resident in Northbrook, he knew the prices of these properties. Even the cheapest unit would cost 10,000 per square meter. Washington Show Gallery’s properties were only affordable to the rich.

Even those considered ‘regular’ residential units were usually purchased by elites as they usually cost around 20,000 per square meter.

“Ty, what’s the meaning of this? Are you planning to buy a house here?” Fred could not believe his eyes let alone stepping into the gallery, which was of no surprise to Tyler.

His stepfather has been a prudent man his whole life who had experienced a life of poverty. Perhaps even the very thought of purchasing a house at Washington would send chills down his spine.

That was how poverty hinders the imagination.

“Tyler, stop joking with us. These houses here cost one million per unit, let alone a villa… Those probably cost tens of millions!” Leonora reminded Tyler with hopes that would change his mind so they could return home.

“Don’t worry, I can afford that,” Tyler reassured Leonora and walked toward the showroom.

Fred and Leonora were helpless and could only follow behind Tyler and entered the showroom. They both acted restrained in the showroom due to their inferiority from entering a luxurious premise without money.

Apart from two real estate agents who were entertaining customers, the rest was chit-chatting and did not bother attending Tyler even after seeing them walking inside due to the way they were dressed. It was a materialistic world with those agents only judged a book by its cover.

The Zands were not only ignored, but also despised from how dully they were dressed.

Tyler was unhappy with each agents’ attitudes. “Is there no one attending to us?” he asked loud and clear which caught the attention of a short-haired sexy lady.

“Welcome, my name’s Liz Whall and I’m the Top Sales Agent here. How can I help you?” Liz was obviously unwillingly to serve them but tried her best to sound polite. She was being immensely impatient in attending to them as she did not think of Tyler as a serious buyer.

Tyler could tell what kind of person Liz was. ‘Sigh, it feels like a crime to dress low-key these days as people only despise us for it.’

Tyler sighed. He had to admit that all those years of living with his stepfather had made him accustomed to being low-key, hence he did not know how to act ostentatiously.

“Looking for a home,” replied Tyler plainly.

Liz rolled her eyes. She knew when she saw a poor *ss ‘looking for a home’ and categorized Tyler in this group.

“The cheapest ones are 20,100 and the most expensive ones are 60,600 per meter square. Are you sure you’re at the right place?” Liz laughed at him with contempt.

Liz was getting on Tyler’s nerves as he hated the way she spoke. He frowned and warned as he did not want to dawdle another second with this woman, “Please get someone else to serve us if you don’t wish to.”

“Haha, as if you can afford it.” Liz turned around to see a girl who just came out of the washroom and waved at her. “Sherlyn, come and attend to him.”

“Yes, Liz!” Sherlyn rushed forward and greeted Tyler politely, “Good day, sir. My name is Sherlyn Turner. I’ll assist you with your visit today.”

Tyler was more satisfied with this lady’s performance. She looked like she was roughly eighteen or nineteen years old and had a sweet face, unlike the sour Liz.

Before Tyler could respond to her, a couple came in. He was a rich-looking man in his forties with a big beer belly.

“Looks like the standards here have dropped. People like him can afford a house here?” The man was unhappy to see Fred and Leonora there.

“Ay, Mr. Zaayer. You finally came. What do you think of that unit I showed you yesterday?” Liz rushed over to him as if he was her father.

“I initially planned to buy it today but I think I should reconsider my decision as it will affect my standards if just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can afford the units here.” Mr. Zaayer then rolled his eyes at Tyler.