Chapter 153

A sour bitterness welled up in Patricia Lorenz's heart.

Among the three Langley brothers, the eldest William Langley was undoubtedly the most successful. As the CEO of a listed company, he had long since left ordinary people like them far behind.

Her own family came next. Though Charles Lorenz couldn't compare to his eldest brother, he was still a manager at an inspection company with an annual salary over $300,000. Combined with her secure government job at the power bureau and their daughter Tiffany landing a stable position, they lived quite comfortably.

The youngest brother's family was the most pitiful.

What good was graduating from Harvard? He'd still ended up as just an ordinary high school teacher in their hometown, too rigid-minded to earn extra income. And Victoria Langley was a complete joke—calling herself a "writer" while being essentially unemployed.

All these years and she hadn't published a single decent book, let alone sold any film rights. Never even held a book signing—what kind of writer was that?

"Stay-at-home" would be more accurate!

This hierarchy had been perfect... until now. How could the youngest brother's family possibly afford a villa? And in Lakeside Pearl—the most exclusive development in the neighboring city?

Her own parents had scrimped their whole lives just to buy a tiny apartment. What right did the youngest brother's family have?

"Charles, what's your youngest brother been up to lately? Anything unusual?"

"How should I know?"

"Aren't you his own brother?"

"We barely interact—you're the one who told me to keep my distance."

Patricia fell silent.

She had indeed avoided associating with the youngest brother's family. Who wanted to socialize with people beneath them? She'd been afraid Victoria might ask to borrow money!

"Why are you suddenly asking about this?"

"Your brother's family quietly bought a villa. Aren't you curious?"

Charles went quiet.

Of course he was curious.

It was downright bizarre!

Like a beggar suddenly becoming a millionaire—who wouldn't want to know how?

"Didn't Victoria say Evelyn bought it..."

"Ha! Where would a girl like Evelyn Langley get that kind of money? Selling herself?"

"Don't be disgusting!"

Wait...

Money from selling herself.

Why hadn't she thought of that?

Patricia's eyes lit up, her face twisting with disdain even as jealous sparks flickered in her pupils.

She pulled out her phone and dialed a number—

"Grace? Are you busy?"

"What is it, Patricia?"

"I went to look at Lakeside Pearl today. Guess who I saw?"

Grace sounded disinterested. "Who?"

"Your sister-in-law Victoria and Evelyn!"

"They were house-hunting too?"

"House-hunting? They bought a villa outright!"

"...What?" Grace wondered if she'd misheard.