Chapter 320 Wedding Room
After nearly an hour's drive, the car arrived at a magnificent estate.
Olivia was slightly surprised.
This was a standalone estate located away from the city center, covering a vast area. The interior and exterior decorations were luxurious yet carried a touch of vintage charm.
As the car slowly drove up, she could see tall cherry blossom trees and maple trees planted along the way.
In the villa's courtyard, there was a ginkgo tree with lush branches and leaves.
Olivia also noticed that guard posts were set up at intervals along the road, with people standing watch.
This was completely private property.
Under normal circumstances, she would hardly believe that anyone could live in such a place.
But thinking that this person was Andrew, it somehow seemed natural.
This was Olivia's first time entering Andrew's private domain since coming to Harmony City for so many days. Besides curiosity in her eyes, there was also a sense of exploration about this place.
She also noticed that this place was called 'Liliana Retreat'.
If she remembered correctly, the first word seemed to be his mother's name?
Seeming to notice Olivia's gaze, Andrew slowly spoke, telling her, "This place was personally designed by my mother when she was still alive.
She was a very talented and creative woman. Not only was she skilled in piano and painting, but she was also very interested in architecture.
During college, she double-majored in architectural design and even got a doctorate degree."
As he spoke, Olivia listened carefully.
"The cherry blossoms and maple trees on both sides of the road were her favorites, but what she loved most was the ginkgo.
Every autumn, she would collect many golden ginkgo leaves to make specimens and keep them as collections."
This was actually something Olivia hadn't expected - that Andrew would suddenly talk to her about his mother.
She had never heard him mention his mom before.
Olivia's surprise wasn't well hidden.
Andrew noticed it right away.
He chuckled softly, holding Bianca with one hand and Olivia's hand with the other, saying, "Now that we're together, you can know many things about me, and I'll gradually tell you."
"Mm." Olivia nodded, really liking this feeling in her heart.
Looking at the words 'Liliana Retreat' again, she felt more emotional.
Although she didn't know about his mother's story, she had heard quite a bit of gossip.
Olivia knew that his mother's death was his pain.
She could understand why he hadn't told her before - maybe he didn't want to bring it up.
But now, he was willing to share with her, which meant he truly considered her one of his own.
Besides being happy, Olivia's heart felt full.
Because this man was really using his actions to show her how much he valued her.
Olivia also squeezed his warm hand tightly, saying, "Your mother must have been a very romantic person. The design here is especially wonderful, completely blending her clever ideas and preferences."
Hearing this, Andrew suddenly remembered something. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly as he said, "That's true, but she added all her own preferences and said this would be my wedding house. She wasn't worried that my future wife wouldn't like it."
Hearing this, Olivia's expression froze for a moment, "So, this is the future wedding house she designed for you?"
"Mm." Andrew didn't deny it, telling her, "The construction of Liliana Retreat took many years. Every time I return to Harmony City, I come here to stay for a while.
But when I'm busy, I spend more time living at the Hamilton Mansion."
As he spoke, he extended an invitation to Olivia, asking, "Want to take a tour together?"
Olivia naturally had no objection. She nodded, saying, "I'd love to."
His mother designed it, and he carefully built it - clearly Andrew valued this place deeply in his heart.
Of course she wanted to take a good look.
Andrew chuckled softly and led them inside.
Inside was just as Olivia had imagined.
Andrew's mother was a woman with great artistic talent and a romantic spirit.
The furnishings inside the villa were filled with classical artistic sense in almost every corner.
From the large-scale spatial design and furniture to the small decorative displays and murals, everything was so beautiful it felt like visiting an art gallery.
Looking around, Olivia thought, 'What kind of person could design a house like this?'
Bianca clearly loved this place too. After looking around, she asked in a sweet childlike voice, "Daddy, did Grandma arrange all of this? It's so pretty!"
Hearing her words, Andrew looked at her with gentle eyes, saying, "Yes, Bianca, do you like it here?"
Bianca nodded her little head, saying, "I love it! The paintings on the walls are so beautiful! Daddy, this one is a bit like your style, but you didn't paint it. So who did?"
The little girl was pointing at one of the paintings, her expression seeming a bit puzzled.
She had been personally taught by Andrew and was gradually developing her own views on paintings.
She also remembered Andrew's artistic style.
Andrew's deep eyes showed a hint of smile as he said, "Bianca, you're very observant. This was painted by Grandma before."
Hearing this, Bianca's eyes widened immediately, and she couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, Grandma was so amazing!"
Olivia also looked to the right with some surprise.
It was an oil painting of sunflowers. Every petal revealed a vibrant, sun-seeking spirit.
Even she, someone who didn't understand painting, could see the emotion and passion of the person who created it.
Having been around Andrew and Bianca for so long, she had picked up some knowledge through exposure.
Even if Olivia didn't fully understand, she could tell that his mother's painting skills were very strong.
Moreover, because this painting was quite old, it carried the breath of time.
If someone said this was a famous painting, people would probably believe it.
Olivia couldn't help but smile and say, "I finally know where your painting ability comes from - it's in your genes!"
Andrew didn't deny this point.
He looked at the painting on the wall with gentle eyes, telling Olivia, "These abilities of mine were indeed taught by my mother since childhood. Come on, let me take you to the collection room to see more."
Olivia was naturally willing.
This was her first time getting so close to Andrew's private life, understanding his past.
She was even hearing him personally talk about things related to his mother.
This was something she had never even thought about before.
Now that the opportunity was right in front of her, she certainly didn't want to miss the chance to understand him better.
The house was very large, and Olivia saw many more paintings on the walls.
After walking for a few minutes, they arrived at a collection room.
As soon as she entered, Olivia could see that everything in the collection room was related to his mother.
Among them were many ginkgo leaves made into various specimens, all beautifully framed.
Walking further inside, Olivia also saw that many paintings were stored here.
All of them were works by Liliana from when she was alive.
Andrew really hadn't exaggerated at all - his mother was truly an outstanding woman.
Olivia also saw stacks of architectural design drawings on the desk.
Although Andrew had already introduced them outside just now.
But the moment she saw the design drawings with her own eyes, Olivia was still shocked by the works inside.
A woman as talented as his mother - if she were still alive now, she would probably be famous throughout Harmony City, or even world-renowned, right?
Thinking of this, Olivia began to feel somewhat regretful for Liliana, and sad for Andrew.
Her emotions were detected by Andrew. The man raised his hand and rubbed her head, saying gently, "It's okay, it's all in the past."
But Olivia held onto his arm, softly telling the man, "From now on, you have me and Bianca."
Andrew's eyes deepened a few shades, the deepest part of his heart touched by these words.
When he spoke again, his voice had become somewhat hoarse, "Okay..."
Bianca couldn't understand the adults' emotions, but hearing Olivia's words, she obediently hugged Andrew's neck, telling him, "Bianca will always stay with Daddy and Mommy!"
Hearing this, Olivia and Andrew's tense emotions relaxed, and they couldn't help but laugh.
Later, after touring the collection room, Andrew picked out two paintings to give to Bianca and Olivia.
But Olivia didn't accept directly. She said somewhat hesitantly, "This doesn't seem right? Everything here is your mother's belongings."
But Andrew said, "There's nothing wrong with it. These are meeting gifts for Bianca and you. My mom would be happy about it. She's not here now, so I'll decide for her. You wouldn't refuse her, would you?"
Hearing this, Olivia smiled softly and said, "Of course not, as long as you think it's okay."
Only then was Andrew satisfied.
Afterward, he took her and Bianca to visit his studio.
Olivia was truly curious about his studio.
She had already prepared herself mentally, but when she entered, she was still shocked by the spacious room.
Andrew's studio occupied more than half of an entire floor.
From the tables to the walls, everything was covered with Andrew's works.
At first glance, the spaciousness made her almost think she had accidentally walked into some painting exhibition.
It was comparable to his mother's collection room next door.
However, there was one area facing the courtyard.
Olivia could tell that this spot was the area truly set aside for painting.
Various painting tools, paper, brushes, paints... everything was complete, all neatly arranged on shelves.
But what attracted Olivia's attention most was a completed painting on the easel.
Was that herself?
Olivia couldn't help but ask, "When was this painted?"
Andrew stood beside her, his eyes flowing and landing on her face, "When I first returned to Harmony City, I thought of you at that time and couldn't help but start painting.
It was after finishing this painting that I decided I had to bring you to Harmony City right away."