Gladys thought bitterly, why didn’t this little devil die of his illness when he was younger?
"What are you all standing there for?" Gladys pointed at Angela and the two boys, demanding, "Throw them out! I am the client here, an owner at Victoria Apartments. Are you just going to stand by and let your clients be bullied?"
"Yes, yes," the manager and the salesperson, about to call security to remove them, were interrupted when Mike approached.
Seeing Angela surrounded, he asked displeased, "What’s going on?"
The manager explained, "This lady has not provided proof of funds and does not qualify to purchase a house."
Before Mike could say anything, Carlos, having ended a phone call, returned and looked around asking, "What’s happening?"
"They're about to kick Ms. Parker out."
The manager quickly explained, "Sir, at Victoria Apartments we have rigorous criteria for our clients who need to provide a proof of funds report before purchasing…"
Carlos interjected, "I don’t need such a document."
The manager said, "Unless you are making a full cash purchase..."
Eyeing Angela skeptically, the manager didn’t think she looked like someone who could instantly fork over a hundred million dollars.
Carlos replied, "A house that costs four hundred thousand dollars per square meter. Do I need a loan?"
At this revelation, Gladys was fuming.
Such bold words from this man! But looking dignified and upper class, he could easily afford to pay in full for a house at Victoria Apartments. How wealthy must he be?
She glanced at Jacob Green. The Green family, considered distinguished in New Jersey, had purchased their marital home at Victoria Apartments with a fifty percent down payment. Yet affording a down payment of over sixty million dollars displayed a financial strength many envied.
Gladys looked at Carlos once more, recognizing the suit he wore; an Armani bespoke number worth one hundred and twenty thousand dollars.
Who was he? And what was his relationship with Angela?
Carlos looked at Angela, "Have you chosen one?"
Angela asked, "Why are you asking me?"
"It was one of your requests, wasn’t it?" Carlos replied.
Angela was speechless.
She had only asked for a different place to stay, not to buy an entire house. And buying... in her name? Could she make such a decision?
"The last 280 square meter unit is sold out," Angela mentioned, thinking Carlos wouldn’t spend hundreds of millions for the 400 square meter flat just for her request.
Gladys, unable to bear it any longer, mocked, "What kind of play are you two acting in? The last 280 square meter flat was just booked by me, for my marriage home! If you can't afford it, just leave!"
Rumor had it that the 360 and 400 square meter units at Victoria Apartments were designed for the crème de la crème of the elite. Ordinary wealthy families couldn't afford them, which is why only three had sold so far—because they were too expensive. After all, a hundred and sixty million dollars could purchase multiple nice estates in different parts of New Jersey.
Carlos gave Gladys a cold glance.
With just one look, Gladys felt frozen to the ground, like her heart had skipped a beat.
The coldness in the eyes of this man was intimidating. Though he was expressionless, his innate authority carried a fearsome pressure.
"Are you speaking to me?" Carlos questioned.
Gladys briefly lost her nerve, "I... I meant her!" She pointed at Angela. "What's she doing here if she can't afford a house?"
"I never said I was the buyer," Angela retorted.
"If not the 280, then we'll take the 400," Carlos decided.
The moment the words left his mouth, everyone was stunned into silence, processing what had just been said. A few seconds later, all were completely taken aback.
"Full payment," Carlos added, turning to Mike, "take it from my private account."
Full payment?
The manager, cautiously asked, "Sir, are you serious?"
"I don’t have time for jokes," Carlos responded flatly.
"The price per square meter for this unit ranges from four hundred thousand to four hundred and thirty thousand dollars... And may I know your name, sir?"
"My surname is ‘Murphy’," Carlos said.
Seeing he wasn’t joking, the manager, revitalized like he’d been injected with adrenaline, rushed to say, "Will you be making the full payment today or... are you signing a purchase contract today?"
"Today," Carlos abruptly pointed at Angela, "register it under her name."
And now, Angela was the one dumbfounded. She frowned, looking at Carlos incredulously as she processed the information, "Under my name?"
Was he buying this house for her?
It suddenly made sense why Mike had told her to bring her identification earlier. Then Angela remembering Carlos’s words—that she wouldn’t be at a loss for owing him a favor.
But was his favor too costly?
Perhaps, to Carlos, a house worth one hundred and sixty million dollars was nothing.
As President of Magic Strategy Group and the future heir to the Murphy Group, Carlos could turn New Jersey upside down with a flick of his wrist.
Eddie was somewhat skeptical upon hearing this. Although the man seemed quite generous, a 160 million dollar house wasn't cheap. Would he later use this as leverage to impose harsh demands on Mommy?
But then again, it occurred to him…
Either way, Mommy wouldn't lose out.
Mike approached the manager and said, "We'll proceed directly with the formalities."
"You are…?"
"I'm this gentleman's assistant." Mike said, taking out his briefcase. "Our sir has other important appointments. This property should be registered under this lady's name, and I will make the payment."
Carlos said to Angela, "You stay and handle the procedures, I have matters to attend to." Then, picking up Sidney, he prepared to leave.
Sidney looked back at Angela with a reluctant gaze.
Carlos said, "You'll see her this evening." The little guy really can't bear to be away from her even for a moment.
Upon hearing he would see Angela in the evening, Sidney obediently leaned on Carlos's shoulder and stayed still.
Even after Carlos left with Sidney in arms, Gladys was still in shock, feeling as if she had been slapped across the face by an invisible hand.
Beside her, Jacob asked, "Gladys, who exactly is she?"
Gritting her teeth, Gladys interrogated Angela with an ashen face, "Who is that man, and what is your relationship with him?"
Angela replied, "I'm under no obligation to answer you."
Suddenly raising her voice, Gladys exclaimed, "Are you being kept? Shameless at such a young age!"
Her voice was too loud.
For a moment, everyone in the sales hall looked towards Angela with a mix of inquisitive, disdainful, contemptuous, and curious stares.
Angela let out a cold laugh, turned around, and retorted sarcastically, "Kept? Even if I were, my worth would still be far above yours."
Gladys's expression grew even uglier.