Carlos produced a check, "If you're willing, I’ll pay you a top hourly wage, and having you care for Sidney is convenient. He carries my werewolf lineage; he can turn into a wolf when emotions run high."
Angela didn't object to looking after Sidney, but her job and the need to provide for Eddie left her with no additional time to care for another child.
Moreover, Sidney was incredibly precious to her. Assuming the role of his nanny could potentially lead to complications, and the Murphys might not be forgiving if anything went awry. It was a weighty responsibility she was not prepared to shoulder.
Carlos mentioned, “I heard you want Eddie to attend Woodberry School."
Angela froze, then, realizing, questioned angrily, "You've been investigating me?"
Carlos confirmed, "I conducted a background check. I won't allow a stranger into the Murphy Mansion. Your marriage to me was in accordance with your father's wishes. After our divorce, the Parker Group disowned you. You've been raising Eddie on your own for seven years, dealing with his health issues that have incurred millions in medical expenses. It wasn't until this year that you managed to clear your debts. Now, you're unemployed. Given your financial situation, sending Eddie to Woodberry School is beyond your means."
Angela frowned slightly.
Carlos continued, "Angela, you owe me a favor, and it won’t go unrewarded."
"I don't want your money, but I have three conditions," Angela thought for a moment, then said, "Three conditions."
Carlos raised an eyebrow, "Let's hear them."
"First, I want Eddie admitted to Woodberry School, and you can surely manage that," Angela stated.
Carlos held up a finger, "Next?"
"Second, I will treat Sidney like my own, and you will treat Eddie equally well, to compensate for what he might miss from you," Angela added.
Carlos held up another finger, asking, "And?"
"Third, I don't want to live in the Murphy Mansion. I dislike large houses. You must arrange other accommodation."
Carlos held up a third finger.
"There’s something else," Angela continued, "You can't interfere with my personal life."
"That’s four conditions," Carlos pointed out.
"That's it. Accept them and I'll agree to take care of Sidney."
"Fine, I accept," Carlos responded.
He sat down on the sofa, saying, "One, give me a week to arrange Eddie's admission; two, I'll be as generous and strict with Eddie as I am with Sidney; three, I'll arrange alternative accommodation within a week; four, I have no interest in your private life, meddling even less so. But a reminder, Sidney is very self-conscious about his wolf identity. If he transforms, please don’t show any alarm."
"You can count on me, as long as he doesn't become a man-eating werewolf, it won't scare me."
Angela descended the stairs slowly and approached Sidney, "Sidney, I'll stay with you and take care of you, okay?"
Upon hearing this, Sidney's eyes sparkled with joy and he nodded emphatically.
Eddie was somewhat astonished. He doubted, "Why did Mommy suddenly agree to stay?"
Could she have struck some deal with Carlos?
"From now on, Eddie, you and Sidney need to get along okay?" Angela asked.
Eddie and Sidney exchanged glances, "It's not out of the question, but, Mommy, won’t you divide your love for me, giving some to Sidney?"
Angela replied, "Mommy loves you but will also share half of her love with Sidney."
Eddie’s eyes betrayed a flicker of disappointment.
He was willing to share everything with Sidney, except for his love for Angela, as he felt a strong sense of ownership over it and was hesitant to share.
*****
It must be acknowledged that Carlos's efficiency was impressive.
Within three days, Angela received the enrollment notification from Woodberry School. Accompanying the notification was a custom backpack from Woodberry School, along with two school officials. Their visit was twofold; first, to collect Eddie's personal information, and second, to take his measurements for two sets of tailor made uniforms.
However, in stark contrast, Angela's resume consistently met with rejection. Despite having self-studied and obtained numerous certifications over seven years, her academic background was a significant hindrance, particularly with foreign companies, where credentials were highly valued.
Just after Eddie had been measured and returned to his room, he saw Angela hanging up the phone, looking somewhat dejected.
"Mummy?" He approached her. "What's wrong, Mummy? Why are you unhappy?"
Angela stroked his head. "Mummy wants to give Eddie the best life and work hard to support you, but... all the resumes I've submitted have been rejected."
"They're blind to talent," Eddie remarked. "They don't realize how capable Mummy is."
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Angela said.
The servant entered, addressing Angela, "Ms. Parker, Mr. Murphy asks that you come downstairs."
"For what?" Angela inquired.
The servant shook his head. "I don't know. Mr. Murphy only told me to ask you to come downstairs."
As Angela and Eddie descended the stairs, they saw Mike waiting in the living room. Recognizing him as Carlos's assistant, Angela felt curious.
"Ms. Parker!" Mike approached her and said, "Mr. Murphy and Sidney are already in the car waiting for you."
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see once you're in the car."
Angela, holding Eddie's hand, walked outside where a Bentley was parked, its door open. Carlos was in the back seat with a laptop on his lap, fingers gliding over the touchpad. Sidney, dressed elegantly, sat beside him, sharing Carlos's stern expression. Yet upon seeing Angela, a spark appeared in Sidney's eyes.
Boarding the car with Eddie, Angela asked, "Where are we headed?"
Carlos swiveled the laptop screen toward her, revealing the official website of a real estate office, Victoria Apartments. The displayed price was a staggering four hundred thousand dollars per square meter for a luxury house, undoubtedly placing it in the top tier of mansions.
At the Victoria Apartments' sales office, the salesperson laid out several floor plans before Angela and Carlos. "These are our three most sought after floor plans—400, 360, and 280 square meters, all spacious flats with excellent locations and broad vistas," she explained, all the while assessing Carlos, unaware of his true status but sensing his innate nobility, indicative of wealth and distinction.
Angela was astonished.
A 400 square meter flat—that must be incredibly spacious!
Sensing her bewilderment and admiration, the salesperson promptly added, "The 400 square meter layout alone offers a hundred square meters for the living and dining area, with a five bedroom, three living room design, and each room is an en-suite with its own bathroom and walk-in closet."
A property priced at four hundred thousand dollars per square meter, 400 square meters in total, meant a staggering sum of 160 million dollars.
Carlos’s phone rang, and he rose to answer the call, telling Angela, "You take a look first."
Angela was speechless.
Why had he brought her here?
She couldn't afford it.
Noticing Carlos had stepped away, the salesperson tentatively asked, "Ma'am, is he your husband?"
Angela shook her head, responding, "No."
The salesperson was taken aback, questioning, "Then what is your relationship?"
"He's my ex-husband," Angela said.