Warren's POV
I let out a bitter laugh, so angry I could barely speak. “Do you even know whose villa this is?”
Ray suddenly chuckled. Straightening the collar I had just crumpled, he said slowly, almost amused, “Dude, are you drunk? This villa obviously belongs to Elvira. What’s it got to do with you?”
His words hit me like a bolt of lightning. I snapped my head toward Elvira, waiting for her to deny it, waiting for anything.
But instead of explaining, she glared at me and reasoned, “The place is just sitting here empty. What’s the harm in letting Ray stay for a few days?”
I shot back, “And where exactly am I supposed to stay while he’s here?”
“You can book a hotel for a while, or move back to the old family house. Why make such a big deal out of it?” Elvira’s tone was casual, careless. “Once I find another place for Ray, you can come back.”
As soon as she said this, Ray picked up a ragdoll cat and ran his fingers gently through its fur. His eyes watered instantly, red-rimmed as he looked at her.
“Elvira, can I not leave?” His voice cracked as he rubbed his cheek against the cat’s head. “Look, Snow’s already used to this garden. Every afternoon, she lies on the lawn in the sun.”
Elvira’s face immediately softened with pity.
Ray then held the cat out to me and said, “Bro, here. Try petting her. Snow’s very gentle.”
But the cat bared its teeth, then hissed and swiped its claws across the back of my hand.
“Ah!” I hissed in pain.
Ray gasped in mock surprise, then only lazily scooped the cat back up after a deliberate pause.
“She’s never like this. Must’ve been scared by a stranger.” He tapped the cat’s nose with his finger, but his eyes flicked toward me with a mocking challenge.
Before I could answer, the living room suddenly erupted with barking.
I turned just in time to see three dogs tearing around in chaos.
One poodle had its teeth sunk into my limited-edition sneakers, chewing happily.
“Oh no, how did my babies all get out?” Ray dashed after them, feigning panic. “God, they must know we’re moving. It’s their separation anxiety acting up!”
He chased them recklessly around the room, knocking over two bottles of my most expensive wine in the process.
Elvira clutched her head, frantic. “Warren, you see? They really can’t handle moving to a new place!”
Before she could finish, the husky leapt onto the sofa and promptly relieved itself all over my custom pillow.
Ray let out another exaggerated gasp, slowly pulling out tissues. “Sorry, dude. He’s usually so well-behaved, always does his business in the yard. He must be spooked.”
While he wiped, he deliberately smeared the mess even wider.
Elvira grabbed my arm and pulled me aside, her voice soft and coaxing. But her words cut through me like ice. “Warren, you saw it yourself. Ray and his pets don’t want to leave. Why don’t we do this instead? There are other villas available in this neighborhood. You can just buy another one. Just let him stay here. He’s already used to it.”
I stared into her eyes. “You’re giving this place to him?”
“Of course not. I’ll rent it out.” Her tone was casual, like she was discussing groceries. “The rent will be what we agreed before. One buck a month.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I kept staring at her for several seconds, waiting for her to laugh, waiting for her to say she was joking.
But she didn’t.
Right then, Ray started up again, cradling the cat dramatically. “Bro, look, you’ve scared them all. Why don’t you leave for now? We can talk about this tomorrow.”
“Leave?” I gave a sharp, humorless laugh. The anger that had been simmering finally boiled over. “And why the hell should I be the one to leave?”
“Elvira, looks like you’ve forgotten your place! You’re just a driver’s daughter. How dare you think you could step all over me? If I can't finish you two filthy cheaters tonight, I'd better off dead!”
