Chapter 1159
The villa wasn't far. He hailed a ride online, the fare easily covered by his remaining funds, and arrived quickly. The security guards at the gated community recognized him and offered no impediment. He reached the villa without incident, triple-checking the house number.
He owned many properties—condos and villas within and outside Kingsland. He couldn't recall them all, but this villa, purchased only two years prior, was familiar. The influential Russell family, long involved in real estate, had acquired the entire development, reserving choice units for themselves upon completion. Ralph, however, rarely used his properties. He'd assumed ownership of the company would render them inconsequential, overlooking their potential value. That had changed. This house could provide shelter, or, if sold, comfortable living for some time; the proceeds might even support an ordinary person for life.
He quickly keyed in the simple passcode—his birthday, a convenient choice given the numerous properties he owned. A beep confirmed the door unlocked. Ralph's eyes brightened; he pushed the door open and stepped inside. The interior was impeccably clean, thanks to regular cleaning services. Though unoccupied for some time, it showed no signs of neglect, a stark contrast to Hannah's cramped apartment. Standing in the spacious living area, he felt a surge of triumph. Despite his predicament, his assets bolstered his confidence.
However, a sobering thought struck him. He could stay here temporarily, but Alexander would find him. What then? What if he was disowned? He had only Hannah.
He retrieved his phone. It had been mostly off for two days, checked only briefly a few times. Unanswered calls and messages from unknown numbers greeted him. His mother's silence suggested estrangement. His pride forbade begging for forgiveness, yet reality pressed upon him. He couldn't survive without resources. After a moment's reflection, he dialed the number.
"Mom?"
Margaret slept soundly after eating. Tiredness had given way to renewed energy from the meal and restful sleep. Then, the phone rang, jolting her awake. She'd reacted even before the sound, as if sensing the vibration. Initially, she wondered if it was a hallucination.