Chapter 37: The £150 Million Email.

Chapter 37: Chapter 37: The ￡150 Million Email.

Grace answered from Flora’s bathroom, "Yes, ma’am."

Flora was sitting on the edge of her bed, she called her second line with the phone in her hand. The second phone was buzzing somewhere in the room.

"Grace, please check the drawer," Flora said. "My second phone. Check the top drawer of my dresser."

Grace came out of the bathroom quickly, her hands still a little wet. She wiped them on her apron.

"Which drawer, ma’am?" she asked.

"The top one. The one by the mirror," Flora replied.

Grace walked to the dresser, opened the drawer, and looked inside. She saw the phone. It was lighting up.

"Here it is, ma’am," Grace said. She picked it up and gave it to Flora.

"Thank you," Flora said. "You can go back and finish."

Grace nodded and went back to the bathroom. She continued preparing the bath.

Flora looked at the phone. She unlocked it. And behold, the message popped up again.

It was an email notification.

*Crest Development Company has purchased 3 properties worth ￡150 million from your ongoing sales listing.*

Flora’s heart stopped for a second. She read it again. She read it a third time.

￡150 million pounds.

She sat up straight. Her hands started to shake a little.

"One hundred and Fifty million pounds," she whispered to herself. "Just like that?"

She couldn’t believe it. She had been waiting for weeks for any good news. All she had been hearing about was her husband’s last wish, the court case, the lawyers, and Andrew fighting like a wounded lion. And now, this.

She picked up her main phone immediately and called Benson.

Benson picked up on the second ring.

"Hello, big sister ," Benson said.

"Benson, are you seeing your email?" Flora asked, her voice urgent but low.

"Yes, ma’am. I was about to call you. I just saw it now," Benson replied.

"The Crest Development Company. Three properties. One hundred and Fifty million pounds. Is it real? Please tell me it is real," Flora said.

Benson was quiet for a moment, checking his laptop. Flora could hear him typing.

"Big sister, it is legit," Benson said. "I have seen their email too. I checked their company profile. Crest Development is a very big company in the UK. They are registered. They deal in property developments world wide. Their payment is already in escrow. It is real, Big sister."

Flora closed her eyes. She let out a long breath she didn’t know she was holding.

"Thank God," she said. "Thank you, Benson. I was so scared it was a scam."

"It is not a scam, Sis. It is real business. This is a huge win for us," Benson said, his voice happy. "Congratulations, Biggest boss"

"Thank you, Benson. We will talk more tomorrow morning. Have a good night," Flora said.

"Good night, queen," Benson said and ended the call.

Flora held both phones in her hands. She stared at the wall. Her mind was full.

Just then, Grace came out of the bathroom. Steam followed her.

"Ma’am, I have finished preparing your bath," Grace said. "The water is warm, just how you like it. I added the lavender oil."

Flora looked up at her.

"Thank you, Grace," Flora said with a small smile. Her hands were shaking.

"Ma’am, I’m so sorry," Grace said, panicking. "I mistakenly broke the lemon extract bottle."

Flora looked at her calmly.

"It’s okay, Grace," Flora said and waved her hand. "Don’t worry. I will get another one."

Grace bowed her head.

"Thank you, ma’am," she said quietly.

"But you should be more careful next time," Flora added.

"Yes, ma’am. I will be careful. Thank you, ma’am," Grace replied.

"Is there anything else I can do for you again, ma’am?" she asked.

Flora shook her head. "No, Grace. You can go and rest."

Grace smiled. "Good night, ma’am. Sleep well."

"Good night, Grace," Flora said.

Grace left the room and closed the door gently behind her.

Now Flora was alone.

The room was quiet. The only sound was the air conditioner humming.

Flora dropped her phones on the bed and leaned back.

She wondered. Why now? Why are all these blessings coming to her during this period when she is battling a court case?

For months, she had been battling her husband’s decisions. Andrew had been using that as a tool to step on her profile. If not for her respect for the dead, she would have frustrated the life out of Andrew. But she is a woman who works with procedures that align with the universe. She is a product and a trademark of the belief that life favors those who show humanity in trying times.

One hundred and fifty million pounds in one night, on top of other sales she had made last month.

She asked herself, "Flora, what did you do to deserve this?"

She felt guilty and grateful at the same time. She felt confused, but this time, not from sadness.

"Maybe God is telling me that I will be fine," she whispered. "Maybe this is His way of saying, Flora, you will not fall. You will rise."

Her eyes were wet, but she refused to cry. She did not want to spoil her night.

She picked up the second phone again. She opened her email.

She started typing a message to the Crest Company. Her fingers were fast.

_Subject: Thank You For Your Patronage_

Dear Crest Development Company,

Thank you so much for your patronage and for trusting my company. I am truly grateful for your purchase of three landed properties worth ￡150 million ._

I promise we will have a very good business deal. My team and I will make sure everything goes smoothly.

I have attached copies of the contracts for you to sign so we can seal the business officially._

Thank you once again._

Warm regards,

Floac Estate Company.

She attached the contract files and sent the email.

After sending it, she felt lighter. She felt like a real businesswoman again, not just a widow fighting in court.

She relaxed on her bed. She stretched her legs. Then she looked at the clock on the wall.

It was 9:30 p.m.

The night was still young.

She stood up, removed her robe, and walked into the bathroom to have her dreamy shower.

The warm water was waiting for her.

Meanwhile, in Simon’s room, he was sitting on the edge of his bed. The room was quiet. On the table in front of him was his phone, and a document had just come in. It was an email from Floac Estate Company.

*Subject: Contract for Signing - Final Stage*

He opened it.

Inside was the contract. It had 48 pages. Every property, every clause, and every figure was written down, ready for his signature.

Simon stared at the screen for a long time. His mind was racing.

"This is it,"_ he thought. _"After all the meetings, all the back and forth, and all the arguments between Flora and Andrew. Finally. If I sign this tonight, by tomorrow morning ,Flora will be more richer and the properties will be ours. Crest will finally have the Floac portfolio. ￡150 million. It’s a steal."

He wanted to press the button "Sign Digitally" right there. He wanted to get it over with.

But then he stopped.

He leaned back on the bed and sighed deeply.

"No," he thought again. _"No, I shouldn’t. If I sign it now, tonight, Flora will think we are desperate. She will think we are rushing her. She is a woman who respects procedures. A woman who believes life rewards those who sacrifice. If I rush her, she will have a rethink about this deal".

"Let me wait,"_ he decided. _"Let tomorrow be tomorrow. One more night will not ruin the deal. Let her sleep in peace. Let her feel that she is still in control. That is how you handle a woman like Flora."

He relaxed calmly on the bed.

After a few minutes,he picked up his phone and dialed a number.

It was a WhatsApp call to Paris.

The phone rang twice, and a voice answered.

"Hello, boss. Good evening," said Daron.

Daron was his personal assistant. He managed Simon’s luxurious mansion in Paris while Simon was in London.

"Good evening, Daron. How are you?" Simon asked.

"I’m fine, boss. How is London? How did the meeting go?" Daron asked.

"London is cold as usual. The meeting went well. Better than well. We are at the final stage," Simon said.

"Wow. That’s great news, boss. So should I expect you soon?"

"Yes. That’s why I’m calling. I will be arriving in Paris in two weeks. I want you to get the house ready. And one more thing."

"Yes, boss. I’m listening."

"Service my Mercedes. The latest G-Wagon in the garage. The black one. I want it in perfect condition. Wash it, service the engine, and check the tyres. I want you to use it to pick me up from the airport when I arrive."

"Consider it done, boss. Which airport? Charles de Gaulle?"

"Yes, Charles de Gaulle. I will send you my flight details on the appointment day.

"Okay, boss. No problem. The G-Wagon will be ready. Sparkling clean. I hope to see you soon, boss."

"Thank you, Daron. Good night."

"Good night, boss."

Simon ended the call.

He dropped his phone on the bed and stood up. He walked to the window. Outside, the house was quiet and dark. The street lights were glowing. It was late.

For a few minutes, everything was silent.

Then, knock, knock, knock.

Someone knocked on his door.

Simon frowned. He turned around slowly and stared at the door. His heart skipped a little.

_"Who could that be?"_ he thought. _"Who is this August visitor by this time of the night? It is almost 11 pm."_

The knock came again. Gently this time.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Who is there?" Simon asked in a firm voice.

There was a calm answer. The person said, "It’s me. Open the door."

He walked slowly towards the door. He was not afraid, but he was careful. He knows unexpected visitors at night are never a good sign.

He placed his hand on the door handle, took a deep breath, and was about to open it.

The door opened.

Simon shouted immediately. His eyes were wide open and his heart was beating fast.

"Holy Michael, Most Holy! What in the name of this dark time of the night are you doing here and in front of my door?"

He could not believe it. His voice was loud, angry, and full of shock. He hates being disturbed by anyone without permission. It was almost midnight. He was tired. He had just finished a difficult decision about the contract.

He stared at the person standing in front of his door, waiting for an answer.