Faced with the persistent little girl Perla, Berloff Reed was at a loss. In the end, it was the butler, Sutton, who managed to persuade her to leave.
Berloff scratched the back of his head and said helplessly, "Sutton, you always know what to do. Thanks for your help."
Sutton chuckled and replied respectfully, "Mr. Berloff, it's my duty as your butler to solve problems for you."
"But if I may say so, Mr. Berloff, if you don't have any intentions towards Miss Noreen, you should avoid inviting girls over for a tour next time.""After seeing such a luxurious estate, if I were a woman, I wouldn't be able to resist falling for you either."
Berloff rubbed his chin, looking frustrated. "Is that so? I thought Noreen was just smitten with my good looks and was begging to be my girlfriend."
Sutton flattered him, "Of course, Mr. Berloff. You're incredibly handsome and charming, which is very attractive to women."
"Plus, being the new owner of 11 Bund, you're like the ultimate catch. Few women could resist that!"
"Haha..." Berloff burst into laughter."Sutton, I didn't know you had a sense of humor!"
"By the way, I need to visit a patient at Royal Hospital in Silk City. Can you arrange a car for me?"
Sutton nodded and went to make the arrangements. "Yes, Mr. Berloff."
A short while later, a black Hongqi sedan slowly left 11 Bund. The eye-catching license plate number 11111 made passersby gasp in astonishment.
In the wealthy international city of Silk City, seeing Rolls-Royces and Bentleys was quite common.However, no matter how expensive these luxury cars were, to the average person, they just signified wealth. On the other hand, those Red Flag cars with special plates were true symbols of status.
Take the Red Flag car Berloff Reed was currently riding in, for example. Its previous owner came from a top-tier family and was a legitimate member of the political advisory committee.
That kind of status marked a true big shot.
Through the system, Berloff had purchased the most luxurious mansion in Silk City—Number 11 on the Waterfront. This Red Flag car had also become his ride.On the way, the Red Flag car moved smoothly without any hindrance. Even the numerous expensive luxury cars instinctively made way for Berloff.
The feeling was akin to ancient royalty on a grand tour; it was incredibly satisfying.
When Berloff arrived at Silk City Royal Hospital, Caitlin's father had already woken up.
"Mr. Dorian, how are you feeling?"
Accompanied by Caitlin and her aunt Elspeth, Berloff entered the hospital room and greeted the patient who was half-lying on the bed.Though Mr. Dorian's face was pale, his overall spirit had improved significantly, unlike the lifeless look he had back in his southwestern hometown.
"Berloff, I owe you so much! If it weren't for you, I..."
Seeing Berloff, Mr. Dorian's eyes welled up with tears, his voice choked with emotion, and he was visibly moved.
"Oh, Mr. Dorian!" Berloff quickly grasped the elderly man's withered hand and gently patted it.
"You were my first teacher. How could I possibly leave you in the lurch?""From now on, we'll be like family. You can rest and recover here without any worries. I've got everything covered," Berloff Reed said, turning to Caitlin and winking at her.
Caitlin's face turned bright red as she gave Berloff a playful glare. This rascal, daring to flirt with her in front of her father, was truly bold!
"Yes, Berloff is right!" Aunt Elspeth chimed in, her smile so wide it seemed to stretch from ear to ear. "From now on, we're all family. Brother-in-law, just relax and focus on getting better."
Teacher Dorian shook his head hurriedly. "How can this be? I've heard that this Royal Hospital is the top private medical institution, and it's very expensive!"
"The previous surgery already cost Berloff Reed so much money. How can we be so ungrateful?"
"We should go back to the southwest and recover slowly at home."
With that, Teacher Dorian tried to get up from the bed, urging his daughter Caitlin to pack their things and return home for recovery.
Berloff quickly grabbed Teacher Dorian's arm. "Teacher Dorian, you don't need to worry about the money!""I've bought most of the shares of Silk City Royal Hospital. Your treatment here won't cost much."
"Besides, if you go back to the southwest, what about the follow-up treatments?"
"Traveling back and forth could cause more health issues, making the surgery pointless."
Teacher Dorian paused, his expression complicated, before lying back on the hospital bed.
"Berloff Reed, you've become so successful. It truly warms my heart," Teacher Dorian said with a smile. "But I feel guilty for always troubling you like this. I'm getting old, and from now on, I'll have to let Caitlin repay your kindness on my behalf."
Hearing this, Caitlin's face turned bright red. Last night, she had already gone all out to repay Berloff for her father.
Whether Berloff was satisfied or not, Caitlin wasn't sure. But she had gotten a taste of the relationship between a man and a woman and found herself wanting more.
Elspeth's eyes sparkled mischievously as she giggled, "Brother-in-law, that's an easy fix! Just let Caitlin marry Berloff. It's a life-saving debt, and Caitlin could spend her whole life repaying it!"
Caitlin's face flushed even more, and she stomped her foot in protest. "Auntie, what are you talking about? I'm not talking to you anymore!"
With that, Caitlin ran out of the hospital room, her face still burning with embarrassment.
"Teacher Dorian, I'll go check on her. We don't want Caitlin to be too upset," Berloff said with a small smile before quickly following her.
"Caitlin, wait for me!" he called out.
Caitlin kept running, and it wasn't until Berloff caught up to her in the garden on the first floor that he managed to grab her arm."Berloff!"
Caitlin lowered her head and whispered, "Don't listen to my aunt's nonsense. She's always been a bit snobbish, looking down on the poor and favoring the rich. Both my dad and I find her annoying."
Berloff Reed gently held Caitlin's shoulders and smiled, "So, Caitlin, after what happened last night, don't you want to marry me?"
Hearing this, Caitlin lifted her head and stared at Berloff, letting out a soft sigh. "To be honest, I really don't."
Berloff was taken aback, looking disappointed. "Why? Am I that bad?"Caitlin smiled, pressing her lips together. "It's not that you're bad. You're just too good!"
"You're handsome, charming, kind, and always willing to help others. On top of that, you're successful and became a super-rich man at such a young age. What girl wouldn't be attracted to you?"
Berloff looked puzzled. "Then why, Caitlin...?"
Caitlin's eyes sparkled with wisdom. "That's exactly why. A young, attractive, and wealthy guy like you isn't suitable to be a husband. If I married you, I'd be constantly worried that some other woman would steal you away. It would be exhausting!"
"Berloff, let's just stay secret lovers. Whenever you miss me, just give me a call. I promise I'll be there for you anytime."
After speaking, Caitlin stood on her tiptoes and gave Berloff Reed a gentle kiss on the lips before turning and walking towards the hospital building.
Berloff stood there, stunned.
Oh my gosh!
This wise, elegant, and stunningly beautiful Cambridge scholar only wanted to be his secret lover!
Berloff didn't know whether to be happy or sad.
Thinking about Perla, the drama school beauty who had once loudly declared she wanted to be his bed warmer, Berloff scratched the back of his head and sighed heavily.
"I really don't want to be a player!"
"Why are you all forcing me?"