Chapter 12: The Villa Sales Center
Chapter 12: The Villa Sales Center
The taxi gradually slowed before stopping at the entrance of an elegant estate district.
Charles stepped out and looked ahead.
Towering decorative gates welcomed visitors into one of Ashenford City’s most prestigious residential communities.
Beyond the gates stood rows of luxurious villas surrounded by carefully maintained gardens.
The streets were spotless.
Trees lined both sides of the roads.
Every villa had its own private courtyard.
The atmosphere was peaceful.
Charles looked down at the address on his phone before looking back at the entrance.
“This should be the place.”
After paying the driver, he walked through the entrance.
Not far ahead stood a magnificent glass building.
Above its entrance were large golden letters.
Silver Maple Residences Sales Center
People walked in and out carrying brochures and documents.
Most wore expensive suits or luxury brands.
Luxury cars filled the parking area outside.
Charles quietly pushed open the glass doors.
The sales center was spacious.
Scale models of the entire residential community occupied the center of the hall.
Elegant villa designs surrounded the display.
A large reception desk stood near the entrance.
Several sales consultants were busy speaking with clients.
Charles walked toward a nearby table where a beautifully printed catalogue rested.
He picked it up.
Inside were detailed photographs of every available villa.
Each page contained floor plans, garden layouts, and prices.
Charles flipped through the pages one by one.
At that moment…
A woman in her late twenties approached.
She wore a fitted business suit and an employee badge.
Her eyes swept over Charles from head to toe.
The plain clothes.
The ordinary shoes.
The lack of any expensive watch or accessories.
A trace of doubt flashed across her face.
She forced a professional smile.
“Good morning.”
“Are you… looking for someone?”
Charles closed the catalogue.
“I’m here to buy a villa.”
The woman’s smile stiffened.
“Buy… a villa?”
Charles nodded.
“Yes.”
She looked at him again.
This time, she didn’t bother hiding her disbelief.
“Sir…”
“Are you certain you’re in the right place?”
Charles calmly replied,
“I believe so.”
She folded her arms.
“This is the Silver Maple Residences Sales Center.”
“We only sell private villas.”
Charles nodded once more.
“I know.”
The saleswoman sighed quietly.
“I’m afraid this isn’t the place for you.”
“If you’re looking for rental apartments…”
“There are several agencies a few streets away.”
Charles remained composed.
“I said…”
“I’m here to buy a villa.”
The saleswoman’s patience began wearing thin.
“Sir.”
“Our villas start at over $1.2 million.”
“I don’t think we have anything within your budget.”
Without waiting for an answer…
She gave a polite but dismissive smile.
“If you’ll excuse me…”
“I have customers who require my attention.”
She turned around and walked away.
Not far from Charles…
A middle-aged couple sat across from another sales consultant.
Both looked to be in their early fifties.
The man wore a neatly pressed shirt that had clearly been worn for years.
His wife held a worn leather handbag close to her chest.
Their clothes were clean.
Simple.
Modest.
The expressions on their faces carried both excitement…
And nervousness.
The consultant smiled apologetically.
“I’m truly sorry.”
“But company policy requires at least fifty percent of the purchase price as the initial payment.”
The man’s hopeful expression slowly faded.
“…Fifty percent?”
The consultant nodded.
“The remaining balance can then be paid in installments over the agreed period.”
The woman lowered her head.
They had worked for decades.
Carefully saving every dollar they could.
Their dream had always been the same.
To spend the rest of their lives in a small villa of their own.
The husband forced a smile.
“We…”
“We’re still a little short.”
The consultant offered an apologetic nod.
“I understand.”
“But unfortunately…”
“The policy applies to everyone.”
The couple quietly looked at each other.
Neither spoke.
The disappointment in their eyes was impossible to hide.
Elsewhere in the showroom…
Several wealthy clients had noticed Charles standing alone.
One young man chuckled.
“Did you see him?”
“He actually said he came here to buy a villa.”
His companion laughed.
“With those clothes?”
“That’s confidence.”
A woman wearing designer sunglasses shook her head.
“Young people these days…”
“They care more about pretending to be rich than actually working.”
Another customer smirked.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he walked in just to take pictures.”
Someone else added,
“Security should really pay more attention.”
Soft laughter spread through the showroom.
Charles heard every word.
Yet his expression never changed.
He quietly continued turning the pages of the catalogue.
As though none of it concerned him.
Across the room…
The saleswoman who had dismissed him continued enthusiastically introducing luxury villas to another wealthy-looking family.
Her smile was far brighter than before.
In her mind…
Someone dressed like Charles could never become a customer.
Why waste valuable time?
Meanwhile…
The middle-aged couple slowly stood from their seats.
Their shoulders looked heavier than when they had arrived.
Years of hard work.
Years of saving.
Yet their dream home still seemed just beyond reach.
Charles happened to glance in their direction.
He noticed the disappointment in their faces.
Then…
His eyes quietly returned to the catalogue in his hands.
The page before him displayed a beautifully designed lakeside villa.
He read every detail carefully.
Without saying a word.