Chapter 422: The Young Madam’s Inspection of The Gustin Family’s Villa (1)
“Lady of the house!”
The voices of those behind echoed in unison, shaking the air.
A small bird perched on the edge of the fountain was startled, flapping its wings as it flew off in a hurry.
“…”
Paige stood there, momentarily stunned by the sudden address.
She had heard all kinds of names in her life, good and bad, but this was the first time anyone had called her the “Lady of the House.”
This felt a bit over the top.
Jaden, standing by the car, watched the scene unfold, realizing he hadn’t adjusted his own address for her yet.
Paige stood quietly for a while, then gave a slight nod. The butler stepped forward, bowing his head, clutching a thick stack of documents in his arms.
“Lady of the house, I am Beau, the butler. You can call me Beau or Butler Beau.”
“Butler Beau,” Paige acknowledged, her gaze shifting to the files in his arms.
The butler immediately explained, “These are the internal assets of the estate. Would you prefer to review the documents first, or shall I explain as we walk?”
So thick…
It truly lived up to being the grandest estate of the Gustin family!
Paige glanced around and said, “Let’s walk while you explain, Butler Beau.”
Just reading through the documents wouldn’t be enough to familiarize herself with the estate’s vastness.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Butler Beau bowed lower, holding the thick stack of files with the steady hands of a man deeply embedded in tradition.
Paige looked at the people still standing in neat lines, each with their respective roles, and said, “You may return to your duties. Butler Beau will accompany me.”
The butler turned to them, “Return to your work, and be ready if needed.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The group, hands clasped in front, respectfully bowed once more to Paige.
“…”
Such well-trained discipline…
Paige glanced up at the towering castle-like estate and saw a man lazily leaning against the balcony railing.
He stood casually in the sunlight, holding a glass of wine. His white dress shirt-still the one he wore for their wedding-gleamed brightly under the sun, looking annoyingly bold and carefree.
When he noticed her looking his way, Enrico raised his glass in her direction, his motion smooth and devilishly charming.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.
Paige, feeling exasperated, pulled out her phone and dialed his number.
Enrico, on the balcony, effortlessly picked up his phone. Despite the distance, Paige could almost imagine his smirk, his usual air of self-satisfaction.
“Miss me already?” Enrico’s voice came through, sultry and teasing.
“Aren’t you cold wearing just a shirt in this chilly weather?” Paige tilted her head and asked, her voice full of helplessness.
“Cold?” Enrico feigned a glance at the sky, “Doesn’t feel like it.”
“…”
Alright, marriage truly seemed to be a cure-all, even for the cold.
Paige, unwilling to indulge him further, asked, “When did you get here?”
How had he beaten her to the estate?
Enrico leaned on the balcony, gazing down at her. “I got here a bit earlier than you. How’s the new house inspection going? Not easy, huh? Want your husband to help?”
Paige, thinking about the events of the previous night, replied, “No need.”
“Are you sure? I wouldn’t want you to overexert yourself,” Enrico’s tone dripped with faux concern.
Hmph.
Who exactly had made her so exhausted?
Paige hung up, then typed a message and sent it over.
**[Paige: If I successfully inspect the estate before 3 PM today, we sleep in separate beds for the next week.]**
His reply came almost instantly.
**[Enrico: Then we need to discuss what qualifies as a successful inspection.]**
Paige immediately typed back without hesitation.
**[Paige: Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you say the word ‘satisfied’ yourself. Only then will I consider the inspection successful.]**
**[Enrico: That sounds pretty challenging.]**
**[Paige: Do you want to bet?]**
She provoked him.
**[Enrico: Sure. If you lose, I’ll give you a back rub tonight.]**
“…”
Paige suddenly didn’t want to see the word “back” anymore.
With Enrico on board, Paige was suddenly filled with renewed energy. She didn’t head towards the main building but instead turned towards the garden, with Butler Beau quickly following behind, holding the files.
The garden of The Gustin family’s villa was vast, with no end in sight. Paige glanced at it, noticing many rare plants still in bloom, even in the cold season.
Butler Beau, walking behind her, began introducing the garden, “Many of the plants here were flown in from various countries to ensure the estate remains in bloom all year round…”
“How long have you worked at The Gustin family’s villa, Butler Beau?” Paige casually asked as she flipped through one of the files, walking leisurely.
“A long time. I started working here before the master of the house even took over,” the butler replied, his tone tinged with nostalgia. “The Gustin family estate has been at the pinnacle of the country for centuries. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that while presidents may come and go, the Gustin family estate has stood strong. Without this estate, the country’s economy wouldn’t be as stable as it is.”
Paige glanced at the file in her hand, which turned out to be a family genealogy, and responded lightly, “It’s a pity though, for all the vibrancy of the past, it’s now just as quiet.”
The Gustin family once had many members, but now, only Jeremy and Enrico remained as notable figures.
“Lady of the house, that’s not entirely true. As long as one talented person is born in each generation, it’s enough. Master Enrico manages the entire conglomerate very well; even the current president is in power because of him, isn’t he?” Beau replied.
“Besides…”
She raised her eyes. Butler Beau stood in front of her, his weathered face showing signs of struggle. He lowered his head and said, “Young Madam, my family has served The Gustin family for generations. The Gustin family has shown me great kindness; the former Madam gave me the opportunity to prove myself, and the Young Master has treated me generously, overlooking past issues. I…”