Chapter 44: Going to the Todd Mansion
The Todd mansion was located in Akloit’s wealthy area – a luxurious medieval European-style villa with neat white buildings clustered together. From afar, it looked visually stunning and grandiose.
In this day and age where land prices in Akloit were sky-high, all of these houses belonged to the Todd family, showing just how wealthy they were.
As the car drove into the courtyard, a large fountain came into view with a bronze female statue standing in its center.
As the music started playing, a circular water curtain sprayed out of the fountain, splashing water all around.
The small path paved with cobblestones extended to the entrance of the mansion, with flowers and trees planted on both sides, creating a lush greenery.
In the car, Layne looked down at his black clothes and wore a pair of handmade cloth shoes with ordinary soles. His silver hair gave him an air of scholarly elegance.
Cheyenne glanced at him and furrowed her brows. “Grandpa, didn’t I ask you to wear the suit I prepared for you?” she asked. “Why did you wear these old clothes and shoes that have been collecting dust in your closet?”
Those shoes were made by his late wife more than twenty years ago. The white edges had turned yellowish over time but luckily they were black on top so it wasn’t too noticeable.
Layne just smiled nonchalantly. “You don’t understand,” he said. “The more low-key we are, the more at ease the Todd family will be.”
“But Granduncle is here,” Cheyenne pointed out. “Being low-key doesn’t seem to have any use.”
Layne nodded in agreement as he looked at his granddaughter standing tall before him with poise and gracefulness.
“I am here to treat his illness; so I should be low-key,” he said calmly. “As for you, Cheyenne, just follow your instincts when we get there.”
“Okay.”
The car stopped and Cheyenne helped her grandfather out while facing curious or disdainful gazes from others around them who watched them approach slowly.
At the entrance, Adrian wore a black suit and meticulously styled hair, following closely behind a middle-aged man. The man appeared to be in his fifties but was well-maintained and looked like he was in his early forties.
Tall and lean, with handsome features and a short stubble that added to his mature charm. He wore a silver-gray handmade suit with an expensive Armani shirt, even the tie had a fish-tail-shaped ruby clip. The details were exquisite and luxurious.
When the man’s gaze fell on them, it was scrutinizing. His eyebrows furrowed unconsciously as he asked skeptically, “Are you sure you didn’t invite the wrong person?”
Adrian stood respectfully behind him and replied softly, “Please rest assured, Master Kai. I am certain they can do it. If Layne cannot cure Master Iker, I’m afraid no one else in this world can.”
Over the years Kai had traveled both domestically and internationally seeking out so-called renowned doctors, but none of them could cure Iker. Now that there was hope again, he wouldn’t mind letting the grandfather and granddaughter in front of him to give it a try.
“Hello, old Mr. Edwards! I’m Kai Todd!” said the man walking up to them, extending his hand for Layne to shake.
Layne shook hands with him politely before replying, “Mr. Todd is too kind. I’m just here to see how things are going. As for specifics, we’ll have to wait until I see your son first.”
“Of course,” Kai personally led the two into the luxurious hall, where the decoration seemed to highlight the Todd family’s great wealth even more.
At the entrance were a pair of half-height ancient blue and white porcelain vases with double earsNôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
Upon entering, a white marble floor was laid out, and Swarovski’s rotating crystal chandelier emitted warm yellow light. The lights were bright.
The golden walls and gold-carved mural made the entire space decorated elegantly and interestingly.
As soon as they sat down on the sofa, a maid in uniform brought tea quickly.
“Old Mr. Edwards, When I heard that you promised to come and see Iker for treatment, I am really grateful.”
“Here, let me offer you tea instead of wine as a toast.”
Saying this, Kai took up his teacup, held it in mid-air, and took a sip lightly.
“Mr. Todd, let’s skip those formalities.” Layne finished speaking before taking a sip of tea to show his appreciation.
Kai’s gaze turned slightly towards Cheyenne beside Layne. He was even more amazed when he saw her good appearance.
“Is this Miss Lawrence, your granddaughter?”
Cheyenne sat upright on the sofa with her waist straightened; her long skirt revealed slender legs crossed diagonally on top of each other.
With an elegant smile, Cheyenne looked at Kai and replied, “Hello, Mr. Kai, I’m Cheyenne Lawrence.”
“Good,” he responded.
Cheyenne, Kelvin Foley’s former wife. Kai had attended her wedding to Kelvin years ago. He still had some impression of the bride.
“Miss Lawrence, you’ve become even more beautiful.”
As they chatted for a few moments longer, Layne was about to mention that he wanted to see Master Iker but his thoughts were soon interrupted by the sound of high heels clicking on the floor outside. It sounded like there was more than one person approaching.
In no time at all, three figures appeared before Cheyenne.
The woman leading them wore a long red dress. Her curly hair was pinned up behind her head and she wore a string of black pearls around her neck that shone brightly in the light.
She appeared to be in her forties with fair skin and delicate features that were quite ordinary except for a mole on her chin.
The woman standing on her left looked two years older but dressed plainly in a light purple floral dress carrying an vintage-style handbag as she curiously eyed Cheyenne.
On the woman’s right side was a much younger woman, wearing a white tank top and denim shorts, with long slender legs in high heels. She had golden blonde hair and silver hoop earrings, looking like she could be the daughter of the two older women next to her.
To Cheyenne’s surprise, as soon as the young woman entered the room, she ran over to Kai with a sweet voice calling out “Darling”. She sat directly on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck like a spoiled child asking for candy.
They turned out to be a couple! Cheyenne almost spit out her tea at this thought, but managed to hold it back.
Suddenly she remembered the information offered by Omari saying that Kai had four wives. And this lady must be Erica Fields, his youngest wife.