Chapter 97:
I also applied makeup to complement my outfit, taking extra care to control my movements slowly to mask my impatience. As I straightened my back, I worried about my clothes getting wrinkled.
After nearly three hours of driving, we finally arrived at Herbert’s parents’ house at eleven o’clock. I stood nervously in front of a luxurious detached villa.
The location was perfect. The noisy city was only 200 meters away, yet it felt incredibly peaceful here. It was also very close to the city hall, with a park beside a lake nearby. The villa wasn’t very large, but the walls were tall, about the height of two stories. Moreover, less than 50 meters away, there was a guardhouse, a police car, and a soldier standing guard. Every detail of this place reflected the extraordinary status of its owner. I couldn’t help but clench my fists.
At that moment, Herbert came over and took my hand. He smiled and said, “You’re usually very bold. Why are you so nervous today?”
I immediately lifted my chin and replied, “I’m not nervous! I’m just a little uncomfortable with this unfamiliar environment.”
By then, Frank had already reached the door and pressed the doorbell, holding the gift that Herbert had specially prepared.
Soon, a young maid opened the door and greeted Herbert respectfully, “Mr. Herbert, you’re back.”
I could sense the maid glancing at me. She seemed a little curious but didn’t greet me. I didn’t mind, of course—it was my first time here, so it was normal for the maid not to know me.
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Just as I was about to follow Herbert in, he spoke to the maid.
“This is my wife. You should call her Mrs. Herbert.”
Herbert’s tone was a little more serious, and the maid immediately bowed respectfully to me.
“Greetings, Mrs. Herbert!”
That made me even more nervous. No one had ever been so respectful to me before. As we stepped through the gate, we passed a delicate sculpture. Surrounding it was a neat lawn, with a small path made of pebbles running through the middle. On the left side of the yard stood a large grapevine. Beneath the vine was a table and stools carved from stone. On the right side of the yard, there was a tall parasol tree that stood out. The yard was surrounded by various flowers and plants, creating a stunningly beautiful and serene atmosphere.
It was the first time I had ever seen such an exquisite and well-kept courtyard.
Then, I followed Herbert inside the villa, knowing that soon, I would meet his parents.
Bella’s POV:
The interior decoration of the villa was even more impressive. It felt as though I had entered a palace, and my heart began to beat faster.
I looked ahead and saw a middle-aged man in his fifties sitting on the sofa. He wore gold-rimmed glasses, black trousers, and a white shirt, giving him the appearance of a senior official. He must be Herbert’s father, Derian Wharton.
Herbert’s father wasn’t as serious or cold as Herbert. He smiled warmly, exuding a gentlemanly charm, and his demeanor was easygoing. A few meters away from him in the living room, there was a sofa with a completely different décor style from the rest of the villa. A middle-aged woman sat on it.
She appeared to be in her fifties, but her skin was smooth and fair, her eyebrows thin and arched, and her makeup slightly heavy—probably to hide some fine lines on her face. Despite her appearance, she carried herself with a strict air. This must be Herbert’s mother, McKenna Winter.
