As soon as their guests came inside, Dorian and Cordelia realized that their pile of luggage was still in the living room and immediately felt a bit awkward. “We apologize. We’ve just moved in and haven’t had the chance to tidy up yet.”
“Let me help you.” Jerry quickly stepped forward, grabbing the biggest suitcase there before Dorian could react. “Where should I put it?”
Dorian and Cordelia were taken aback. Who wouldn’t feel embarrassed after watching a guest do their work?
Before they could even utter a word of refusal, the other eight men rushed forward, each grabbing a piece of luggage until everything was taken. It almost looked like a heist.
“Don’t be shy with us.” Daniel picked up a large box filled with Thaddeus’ toys with a smile as bright as the sunshine on a summer’s day. “Vivienne’s parents are like our own, so please feel free to ask us for help.”
“Oh, well, thank you…” Dorian nodded, still feeling a bit stunned. However, when he saw that even Dawson was picking up a big bag, he quickly tried to stop him. “Mr. Dawson, you really shouldn’t.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve been sitting too much in the office, so now my back’s starting to ache. This will be a good chance to stretch.” Dawson chuckled while holding onto the bag.
Cordelia and Dorian exchanged glances. She was beginning to suspect that Dawson, the chairman of Alliance Enterprises, might be a bit too eccentric.
Since these men were enthusiastically helping, Dorian and Cordelia realized that they couldn’t refuse. So they let them handle all the luggage.
After everything was sorted, Dorian and Cordelia quickly offered the nine men some coffee in the living room.
Dawson gave Jerry a look as the hot coffee was served.
Jerry understood and turned to Dorian and Cordelia. “We kinda forgot to book a hotel when we came here. Could we stay here for a few days?”
The couple looked at the eight men, who were still sweaty from the work they had just done. They hadn’t even rolled down their sleeves yet. How could they say no?
This villa was only temporary for them, so they turned back to Dawson. “Mr. Dawson, what do you think?”
Dawson was pleased. He was waiting for this question and smiled. “Of course, that’s fine.”
Dorian sighed in relief, but then Dawson added, “I’ve taken quite a liking to Vivienne’s eight younger disciples. And I've never experienced living at Jade Garden Residences before, so why don't I also stay here for a few days to chat more with them?”
“Ah?” Dorian was taken aback. He wondered how a simple model house experience turned into a collective sleepover. But Dawson was his boss; he even owned the villa they were currently standing in.
How could he refuse?
Of course, he couldn’t, so he just reluctantly nodded.
Now that Dorian and Cordelia had given the okay for these men to stay, Dawson was now in a great mood and immediately declared, “I’ll take the room on the left of your daughter's.”
“I’ll take the one on the right.” Daniel quickly claimed.
Jerry stared down at the other eager men and said seriously, “Then I’ll take the one across from Vivienne.”
“I’ll take the one next to Jerry.” Brian quickly said.
“I’ll take the one on the other side of Jerry.” Donald quickly spoke before Gary could.
The Hawthorns would be staying on the third floor, and Vivienne’s room was on the second floor, which had a total of six rooms. They were all taken now.
Gary glared at Donald and had no choice but to say, “Then I’ll take the one above Vivienne’s room.”
Eric and Larry, who were slower to claim a room, had to choose one on the third floor. The last room was taken by Leopold.
Dorian and Cordelia watched, feeling completely dumbfounded, as the nine men divided up the rooms in the villa.
Vivienne must have quite a bond with her eight younger disciples for them to want rooms so close to hers.
But why was Dawson joining in?
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Million-Dollar Heart