Chapter 19: Golden Water Bay!
The atmosphere inside the car felt noticeably heavier than before.
Hospitals had a way of casting a shadow over any conversation. The moment one was mentioned, people instinctively thought of illness, hardship, and bad news. Combined with the troubled look Luca Hale had noticed on Sophie Kennedy’s face earlier, it wasn’t difficult to guess that whatever her family was dealing with was serious.
When they arrived at the entrance of Ashford Medical Center, Luca pulled the Mercedes-Benz to a stop by the curb.
Sophie took a quiet breath before turning toward him.
"Thank you."
Luca simply shook his head, letting her know there was no need for thanks.
The Kennedy sisters stepped out of the vehicle. As Sophie walked toward the hospital entrance, her slender figure seemed even more fragile beneath the afternoon sunlight.
Luca hesitated for a moment before leaning out of the driver’s window.
"Sophie."
She stopped and looked back.
"If you’re ever in trouble, just tell me. If there’s anything I can do, I’ll help."
For a brief second, Sophie froze.
Her delicate shoulders trembled ever so slightly.
Then she turned her head and gave him a faint smile, accompanied by a small nod.
It was simple, but it carried more emotion than words could express.
Only after the Mercedes-Benz disappeared from sight did Sophie finally turn around and walk toward the hospital.
Beside her, Rachel Kennedy watched the departing vehicle.
"Brother Luca Hale is a really good person," she said softly. "And he’s amazing too."
Sophie nodded.
A gentle smile appeared on her face.
"Yes," she murmured. "He hasn’t changed at all."
---
On the drive home, Luca learned about the Kennedy family’s situation from Trish Hale.
Birth, aging, illness, and death.
No matter how wealthy or powerful someone became, these were burdens no one could completely escape.
For someone Sophie Kennedy’s age, carrying the weight of her mother’s illness, supporting her younger sister, and sacrificing her own future was far too much to bear alone.
Luca didn’t mind helping her.
Not at all.
But since Sophie hadn’t asked for help, he wasn’t going to force money into her hands.
That would only create misunderstandings, make outsiders question his motives, and perhaps wound Sophie’s pride.
After all, he could tell she was a proud person.
A girl like Sophie, with her looks and qualifications, could have chosen easier paths if all she cared about was money.
Yet she never had.
That alone spoke volumes about her character.
---
After dropping Trish off at home, the Hale family was finally reunited around the dinner table.
The atmosphere was warm and lively.
Halfway through the meal, Luca suddenly placed a luxurious gift box in front of his sister.
"Here."
Trish blinked in confusion before opening it.
The moment she saw the watch inside, her eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
"Patek Philippe?!"
Even the chicken drumstick she’d been happily chewing on lost all appeal.
She immediately set down her chopsticks and snatched up the watch.
Her face lit up with excitement.
She had wanted a watch for years, but she’d never been willing to spend that kind of money on herself.
What she never expected was that her brother wouldn’t just buy her one.
He had bought her a Patek Philippe.
Luca couldn’t help laughing.
He was honestly surprised his high-school-aged sister could recognize the brand immediately.
Kids these days really knew a lot more luxury labels than he had at their age.
Whether that was a good thing or a bad thing was another discussion entirely.
Mother Hale glanced at the watch before reminding her daughter,
"Be careful at school. Don’t lose it."
She didn’t know much about luxury brands.
Whether it was Patek Philippe or something else made little difference to her.
What she did know was that Luca adored his younger sister. Anything he bought for her would naturally be the best he could afford.
In her mind, the watch probably cost several thousand dollars already.
"Hehe, I know, Mom. Don’t worry!"
Trish was still floating on cloud nine.
She hurriedly stuffed a few more bites of food into her mouth, grabbed the watch box, and sprinted toward her bedroom.
Before shutting the door, she proudly announced,
"I’m full!"
Bang!
The bedroom door closed.
Mother Hale immediately frowned.
"Look at her! She doesn’t act like a proper young lady at all."
Then she pointed directly at Old Hale.
"It’s all your fault!"
Old Hale wore an innocent expression.
Luca lowered his head and covered his mouth, trying not to laugh.
Unfortunately, Mother Hale caught him immediately.
"Luca Hale, don’t laugh."
She narrowed her eyes.
"You’re exactly like your father. Always spoiling your sister."
"..."
The father and son exchanged helpless glances.
Some disasters were simply unavoidable.
---
After dinner, Luca leaned back in his chair and brought up the topic he’d been thinking about.
"Mom, Dad, now that Trish is home, how about we go look at houses tomorrow?"
The moment the words left his mouth, both parents visibly brightened.
Their current apartment really was too small.
For everyday life, a family of four could manage comfortably enough.
But whenever relatives visited during holidays, the place became unbearably crowded.
Not to mention the building was already over twenty years old.
Problems were beginning to appear everywhere.
More importantly, both of their children were adults now.
Sooner or later, they’d get married and start families of their own.
A bigger house would eventually become necessary.
Mother Hale thought for a moment before nodding.
"Alright."
"We’ll use the one hundred thousand dollars you transferred me and buy a larger apartment."
In a city like Ashford, where housing prices averaged around seven hundred dollars per square meter, one hundred thousand dollars could already purchase a fairly decent home.
But Luca had different plans.
An apartment wasn’t even on his list.
His goal from the beginning had been simple.
A villa.
---
The next morning, Old Hale received an urgent call from the factory and rushed off to work.
That left Luca, Mother Hale, and Trish Hale heading out together.
Luca already knew exactly where he wanted to go.
Instead of visiting ordinary developments, he drove straight to the most prestigious residential community in Ashford.
Golden Water Bay.
The moment Mother Hale saw the sign, she frowned.
"Son, why are we here?"
"Property here is incredibly expensive."
Golden Water Bay was famous throughout Ashford.
Even people who paid little attention to real estate knew the name.
"If we’re buying a house," Luca said casually, "we might as well buy the best one."
"Otherwise, twenty or thirty years from now, we’ll still be thinking about upgrading. By then it’ll be too late to regret not buying something better."
Mother Hale thought about it and nodded.
After all, whatever they bought would eventually belong to the children.
Buying something better wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
---
The moment Luca parked the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, a sales consultant was already walking toward them with a bright professional smile.
Luxury car owners truly received different treatment.
"Welcome to Golden Water Bay."
The saleswoman greeted them politely.
"What kind of property would you like to see today, sir?"
"A villa," Luca answered without hesitation.
The saleswoman’s smile didn’t waver in the slightest.
Honestly, seeing someone arrive in a Mercedes-Benz G-Class worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, she would have been more surprised if he had asked about ordinary apartments.
"Of course."
She led them inside.
"All villas in Golden Water Bay are riverside properties. They’re fully furnished and ready for immediate occupancy."
Luca followed calmly.
Compared to the villa he owned in San Fierro’s Elvis Muskov Villa Complex, Golden Water Bay was still a level below.
But for Mother Hale and Trish, everything felt dazzling.
The landscaped gardens.
The elegant architecture.
The luxurious interiors.
Especially the prices.
Every number they heard felt like a heavy stone pressing down on their hearts.
Before the saleswoman could continue her introduction, Luca raised a hand.
"Let’s skip the rest."
The saleswoman paused.
Luca smiled.
"Just show me the most expensive villa you’ve got."
As always, his philosophy was simple.
If he was going to buy something, he would buy the best.
