Chapter 84
“Mr. Crawley, it’s midnight.” Kent couldn’t help but remind him..
“Hmm”
Kent didn’t say anything.
He couldn’t resist sneaking a peek at Brandon. Brandon’s handsome face was turned towards the window, his expression as calm as ever. Kent always felt that, calm as he was, something seemed missing compared to before he went abroad.
Before, Brandon’s calm was like the sea that welcomed a thousand rivers–serene and composed after weathering the years. Although he seemed a bit distant from the average Joe, he had the air of a detached. sage, high above the mundane world, merely lacking the common emotions and desires of ordinary people. Now, his calm seemed lifeless, like the stillness of death.
Kent had no clue what had happened to Brandon in Wye City and didn’t dare to pry. He only subtly advised. “Mr. Crawley, there’s no rush with work. The company’s running smoothly, and there’s no need to hurry. You’ve been on a plane for so long. Why not get over the jet lag first and give your body some rest?”
But his earnest advice was met with a calm response from Brandon. “No need.”
Kent didn’t dare to say anything more, driving smoothly, occasionally glancing at Brandon in the rearview mirror with concern.
Brandon sat in the backseat, arms crossed, his head slightly tilted towards the window.
The rear window was wide open, the cool night air rushing in with the speed of the car, messing up his hair. Brandon remained motionless throughout, calmly watching the passing traffic outside.
At this hour, the roads were mostly empty. Billboards and skyscrapers slowly turned off their lights. It was very quiet–not exactly the time to keep working.
Kent knew he shouldn’t ask, but he couldn’t help himself. “Mr. Crawley, did you run into Sophia during your time in Ephemora?”
As soon as he spoke, Brandon glanced at him.
Kent’s hands, resting on the steering wheel, broke into a sweat. Just when he thought Brandon wouldn’t reply, Brandon calmly said. “No”
Kent chuckled awkwardly. “Right, Ephemora is so vast. It’s not that easy to bump into someone you know” Brandon gave him a look and suddenly asked. “Kent, do you have a girlfriend?”
Kent laughed. “I’m so busy every day. When do I have time to date?”
After saying that, he realized that complaining about being busy in front of his boss might seem like whining. He quickly added “Mainly because I haven’t met the right person yet.”
But he saw Brandon slightly curl his lip as if in self–mockery, and then quickly hid the expression, without saying anything.
Kent was puzzled by Brandon’s question. He never talked about personal matters with him, nor about everyday life. And it wasn’t just with him; in all the years he had known Brandon, he rarely talked about anything other than work with anyone. From a normal person’s perspective, Kent actually found him a bit dull. So, he had once admired Sophia for being able to live with someone so lacking in fun. He wondered if their divorce had something to do with this.
Kent didn’t dare to ask, but as a colleague and a friend, he couldn’t resist giving Brandon a heads–up. “Mr. Crawley, life isn’t just about work. Sometimes chatting with people about everyday life, like sports, games, celebrity gossip, or even some trivial family matters can be good ways to build relationships
Brandon glanced at him and said nothing.
Kent felt like he had hit a wall and didn’t dare to continue.
When the car stopped at the company building, Kent got out to help with the luggage.
Brandon took his suitcase and looked at Kent. “Sell the WillowBrook Villa tomorrow.”
Kent was stunned. “What?”
That house was Brandon and Sophia’s marital home,
“You mean s
sell it?” Kent asked uncertainly. Sophia had dealt with her house, and now Brandon wanted to sell their marital home. Were they trying to completely erase each other from their lives?
He hoped he was misunderstanding, but Brandon replied simply. “Yes.”
Kent hesitated, wanting to urge Brandon to reconsider, but when his gaze met Brandon’s cold, almost indifferent profile, the words died on his lips.
Brandon turned and saw his hesitation. “Any more questions?”
Kent quickly shook his head. “No, I’ll take care of it tomorrow.”
Brandon and Sophia’s marital home was a mansion in a wealthy neighborhood with a full river view, great location, floor, and layout, excellent lighting and ventilation. It had always been a hot commodity among the rich and powerful, but unfortunately, those who could afford it weren’t short of money. New properties had sold out long ago, and second–hand homes rarely came on the market. So, when Brandon’s house was listed, it immediately drew a lot of potential buyers, all eager to see the place.
Brandon only entrusted Kent with the sale but didn’t give him the keys or the code. Agents kept messaging Kent on WhatsApp, asking for the keys to show the property.
Kent had to approach Brandon. “Mr. Crawley, the house is listed now, and there’s a lot of interest. Could you give me the code so the agents can take people over to see it?”
Brandon, busy at his computer, paused at the question.
Kent saw Brandon furrow his brow and then look up. “Not convenient.”
Kent thought, “So what kind of sale is this?”
Brandon looked at him. “Tell them they can’t go in. Take it or leave it.”
Kent hesitated but nodded, “Alright.”
Kent couldn’t muster Brandon’s assertiveness to tell the agents directly to take it or leave it. Instead, he chose to delicately remind them that the house wasn’t open for outsiders. If they liked it, they could buy it; if not, forget it.
He felt like he was being difficult as he said it, but despite the harshness, someone actually took the bait. Two days later, the agent notified him to sign the contract – the deposit had been paid.
When Kent spilled the beans to Brandon, he saw Brandon freeze up for a sec, like his mind hit a speed bump. Just when Kent thought Brandon was getting cold feet, Brandon snapped the file shut and said, “You guys pencil in a time, I’m only free at noon.”
The realtor was chomping at the bit to close the deal, so they set up the signing for noon that very day. Knowing Brandon was up to his ears in work, they decided to make it easy and hold the signing at the Starlight Group.
When it was go–time, Kent gave Brandon a heads–up. It wasn’t that Kent couldn’t handle it, but the house sale needed the man himself to put pen to paper. Otherwise, Brandon would have to schlep to the notary office to set up a power of attomey, and that’s a whole other ballgame compared to signing on the spot.
Brandon didn’t give Kent a hard time. He just headed downstairs to the reception mom
The realtor and the new tenant were already there waiting. As Brandon walked in, the realtor flashed a grin and handed over the purchase contract. Brandon didn’t even glance at it, just grabbed the pen and was about to sign on the dotted line, but then his hand just froze mid–air, like he hit pause right before the pen could kiss the paper.
