The Billionaire Gardener

Chapter Eight

That evening, Andre and Victor Sterling convened at Rovers Royale, the epitome of luxury within Rovers County. It stood as the grandest among all Rovers hotels, exclusively frequented by the crème de la crème.

It marked a departure from their usual business meetings at Rovers Group. While Victor had represented Mr. Rovers’s interests in numerous business dealings, Andre, as a representative of Summers Luxury Automobiles, had never interacted with him beyond the professional realm. This casual meeting was the first time they connected on a more personal level. Although Andre sought the meeting for genuine conversation, Victor was more in need of someone to talk to than a personal interest in Andre.

Andre and Victor were meeting casually for the first time. It had always been business meetings at Rovers Group. Victor had represented Mr. Rovers’s interests in many business meetings of which Andre was part as a representative of Summers Luxury Automobiles. None knew the other beyond the business level. When Andre called to meet with him, Victor was eager to meet up because he was looking for someone to talk to, not because he was interested in Andre as a person.

"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me within a short notice. The news of the anonymous successor left me and my family stunned."

"I don’t think anyone is as stunned as I am. I am supposed to be celebrating my inheritance now. I already made plans for an evening party here to celebrate. But, here I am, still a common Executive Director. Plans in vain! After years of dedicated service to Mr. Rovers, it's hard to fathom the betrayal I feel right now."

"Do you entertain the possibility of the attorney manipulating the will?"

"At first, I suspected foul play, but upon reflection, it seems the will was executed as intended. We watched Mr. Rovers' validation speech at the meeting; only the successor's name was deliberately obscured. That must be the work of Attorney Smith and the weird successor who is too afraid to come into the open and face me."

"Do you harbor suspicions toward anyone?"

"Not at all. All indications suggest he had no surviving family; his wife and kids perished in a plane crash a few years ago, and he lost his parents at a tender age."

"Have you considered the prospect of a distant relation?"

"I'm unaware of any, but I intend to conduct further investigations."

“I am willing to help. It is what my grandmother would want.”

Outside Rovers Royale, Ralph gracefully exited the owner’s corner of a luxurious car and moved to the other side to escort his wife out. Once they were both standing outside, Ralph instructed the driver to depart.

“I will call you when we are ready to leave.”

“Yes, sir,” and the driver drove off.

“He even used ‘sir’ for you? Ralph? You haven't answered the questions I have been asking you. Where did you get the money to order such a luxury, and what surprises are you cooking? Is that not the money you planned to use for Grandpa’s memorial gift that you're spending like this?” Diana looked worried and confused, her mind filled with numerous questions.

“I will answer your questions when we get back home. For now, let’s enjoy the moment. I have not taken you out like this before, have I?”

Diana admired the beautiful scenery in front of her. Rovers Royale lived up to its reputation. This would be her first time entering this pinnacle of luxury. She had always admired it from afar. Maybe she should just enjoy the moment as Ralph suggested and forget about where he got the money he was spending.

Ralph took her hand and led her gracefully towards the entrance.

“Hey! Stop! Where are you going?” Asked one of the security guards on duty.

Ralph smiled. “We are going in, of course.”

“Are you aware this is not just some cheap hotel for people like you?”

“Don’t judge me by my appearance. Treat me as one of your customers and allow me in. You are delaying me and my damsel.”

“And what is someone like you doing with such a beautiful lady?” Turned to Diana “My lady, have you been abducted? I can call the cops immediately.”

Diana was getting impatient. She whispered to Ralph, “Ralph, let’s just go back home. The protocol here is very strict, and what you think you have may not even get us a common bottled water.”

“Be patient. I have more than enough.”

“So, why isn’t he letting us in? People will soon gather to mock us. Please, let’s go.”

“Leave now before it’s too late. I suspect you are a criminal who has hypnotized this young lady,” the security guard insisted.

“Keep quiet! That’s my husband, not an abductor!” Diana blurted out in frustration.

“Why are you people standing in the way?”

Diana recognized the voice first. Stuart Young! Her back was to him, so she turned sideways to hide her face.

“Welcome, Mr. Young. You may go in,” greeted the security guard. Stuart looked closely at the figure by the entrance.

“Diana? Of course, it’s you. Merely looking at your back is enough for me to know it’s you.”

“Hello, Stuart!”

“What are you doing here all alone?”

“I’m not alone. I’m here with my husband.”

Stuart realized that the man arguing with the security guard was Ralph.

“You? How dare you come here? Do you want to ridicule my sweet Diana with your broke ass?”

“Stay out of this and go your way.” Ralph ordered.

Stuart laughed. “You are such a pathetic loser. Can you even afford water here, let alone afford her a decent meal? It’s so sad that she is with you, but she’s going to be mine soon.”

“In your dream, yes. In reality, no. Anyway, I’m here to have fun with my darling wife. Single people like you can go to hell!” Ralph pulled Diana to his side even though she was reluctant.

“Make sure he does not enter. If he enters, you will regret it.” Stuart said to the security man and turned to Diana. “If you come with me, I will get you anything you want in this hotel. If you choose to stay with this loser, you will subject yourself to ridicule. Are you coming?”

Diana didn’t know what to do. She really wanted to be in the hotel but she didn’t want to leave Ralph out there, especially considering the fact that he brought her there in the first place.

Seeing Diana’s dilemma, Ralph was forced to bring out his Elite Reserve Card, which he held out for the security guard to see.

“Elite Reserve Card?” The security man gasped. Stuart was forced to stop in his tracks as he heard what the guard said. He turned back to see if it was really the card. Even Diana looked on in awe.

“Ralph? You own this card?”

“Whose card have you stolen, Ralph?” Stuart demanded.

“Is yours missing? Do you even have one?” Ralph asked in response.

Stuart flushed. Ralph was right. He was not in possession of one. Only his grandfather had one, which was even limited. Right in front of him was the unlimited Elite Reserve Card, and it belonged to Ralph?

“Well, I will be waiting here when you are finally arrested for theft.” He walked in quickly, not wanting Ralph to ridicule him more with his direct piercing questions. Diana must not find out he had been lying about having a similar card himself.

“I will allow you to go in. If it is discovered that the card does not belong to you, you will face the consequences.”

Having said this, the security guard made way for them.

Before going in, Ralph read the name on the guard’s uniform out loud, “Bright Moore!”

“Yes. That’s my name! Register it in your brain. My lady, please change your husband to a befitting one.” His advice trailed their footsteps.