Chapter 159

"I need to discuss this with Victoria first..." William Langley gripped his phone, hesitation evident in his voice.

"Discuss?" The elderly woman's displeasure crackled through the line. "A grown man like you can't make a simple decision?"

"Mom, this isn't trivial..."

"Enough! Your father and I are coming tomorrow!" She cut him off sharply before slamming the phone down.

William sighed and set his phone aside.

"What's wrong?" Victoria stepped in from the garden, noticing her husband's troubled expression.

"Mom insists on celebrating the Lantern Festival here tomorrow..."

Victoria smiled. "Perfect. Let's invite Charles and Elizabeth too—make it a family gathering."

The next morning, Victoria headed to the farmer's market early.

By four in the afternoon, relatives began arriving.

Patricia Lorenz froze in the foyer. Though she'd heard about the villa, seeing it firsthand left a bitter taste in her mouth.

She stood speechless for a long moment.

"Stop gawking," Charles Lorenz nudged her.

"Congratulations..." Patricia forced a strained smile.

Tiffany Lorenz eyed the surroundings eagerly. "Aunt Victoria, can I look around?"

"Of course." Victoria nodded warmly.

Tiffany circled the living room twice before vanishing upstairs.

Elizabeth Melville had taken the day off, arriving with a thick red envelope.

"Such a beautiful home." She pressed the envelope into Victoria's hands.

"Elizabeth, you shouldn't—"

"Keep it. We're family."

The elderly couple followed Elizabeth inside, sinking onto the plush sectional.

Their eyes swept the space, widening at the understated luxury.

Every curated detail—selected by Evelyn and Victoria—spoke of refinement.

"William, how much did this place cost?" George Roland couldn't help asking.

"Evelyn handled the renovations. I'm not entirely sure..." William deflected modestly.

"Must be at least five million," Patricia interjected. "More than we'll earn in a lifetime."

Grace Deross stood stiffly nearby, her expression dark. "Third Brother has an exceptional daughter. No use comparing."

"Exactly," Patricia added with a pointed smile. "Evelyn's so capable. Our Tiffany could never measure up."