Sonya
Although Pietro had recently grown accustomed to luxury under Xu Mo's influence, this was his first true encounter with a sports car.
Xu Mo himself had long since lost interest in such things; his rides nowadays were practical, business-style cars focused on comfort and safety. But for someone like Pietro, who had rarely touched luxury before, the sleek machine was enough to set his blood racing.
He circled the car, excitement written all over his face.
"This is fantastic!"
But almost as quickly, he forced the excitement down.
"No… this is too valuable. I can't accept it."
As expected, Xu Mo simply opened the door and pushed him into the driver's seat.
"Don't worry. I'm only lending it to you. It's just been gathering dust in the garage for years."
He pulled out his phone and scrolled through photos.
"Or maybe you don't like this model? Take a look — I've got dozens more."
When Xu Mo was obsessed with sports cars, he'd bought them in bulk. Many had been driven once or twice; some had never touched the road.
Though Wanda had made the decision for Pietro to attend college, the choice of university had been left to him. Eager to escape his sister's constant supervision, Pietro deliberately picked a different school.
Wanda would study at the state university in Pennsylvania; Pietro had chosen Boston University. Both were three to four hours from New York in opposite directions. Xu Mo had gently guided them to schools outside the city, a way of pulling them naturally out of New York's danger zone.
After a moment's hesitation, Pietro finally nodded.
"Alright… I like this one."
Of course, the truth was simple: he liked the car too much to resist.
"The admission letter and address are in the bag on the passenger seat," Xu Mo reminded.
Just then Wanda emerged from the villa, smiling at her brother as he started the engine.
"I'll visit you after the holidays!"
Pietro's face stiffened. Ever since agreeing to college, he'd lived in dread. Both he and Wanda had dropped out after high school to work; they'd forgotten most of what they once knew. To him, college lectures would sound like a foreign language.
Wanda, determined to prepare him, had forced him to study four or five hours a day. He knew full well her promised "visit" meant an inspection of his progress.
"Listen, Wanda, there's no need. I can handle myself!" he said quickly.
"That's it. Goodbye!"
He floored the accelerator, the engine's roar shaking the air, and in moments the Lamborghini vanished down the street.
Watching the tail-lights disappear, Wanda turned to Xu Mo.
"Am I being too strict with him?"
"Of course not," Xu Mo replied evenly. "In Xia Country, students study more than ten hours a day. Compared to that, you've been far too lenient."
Between the siblings, he naturally sided with Wanda. With Pietro's growing strength — lifting cars with ease, sprinting beyond world-record speeds — safety was hardly a concern. If anything, keeping his recklessness in check was the bigger challenge.
Once Pietro was gone, the movers finished loading the rest of the boxes. Xu Mo and Wanda climbed into a red Ferrari and headed toward Pennsylvania.
---
Four hours later, they drove into an elegant suburban villa community, less than ten minutes from Wanda's university.
Their car stopped in front of a two-story white villa with a neat hundred-square-meter courtyard. Bright flowers bloomed along the edges, a perfect picture of warmth and home.
Xu Mo glanced at Wanda. "If you're not satisfied, there are a few more nearby. We can take a look."
Real estate, after all, was in his blood. Xu Mo's parents had been avid buyers, acquiring properties across nearly every major American city, even before his wealth had multiplied tenfold. During the sluggish housing market, they had bought widely. This villa was one of those investments.
Wanda's eyes sparkled. She shook her head quickly.
"No need. This place is beautiful. It's exactly my dream home."
She pushed open the courtyard gate, but before she could step inside, the villa door creaked open.
A young woman emerged — about twenty, with long golden hair, fair skin, and a soft, slightly plump figure that radiated an easy sensuality. Dressed in a cotton T-shirt and denim shorts, she looked casual and full of energy.
Her eyes swept the driveway, pausing on the Ferrari before settling on Xu Mo.
"Are you the owner?"
She stepped forward with a bright smile.
"Hello, I'm Sonya Simonson, the caretaker here. Please, call me Sonya. Your secretary, Ms. Avril, told me you'd be arriving."
Xu Mo nodded. His parents had indeed arranged caretakers for their many properties. Wooden houses in particular decayed quickly without upkeep, and U.S. law could complicate ownership if squatters stayed too long. Local caretakers were paid modestly but given room and board — just like Sonya.
"Please, come in," she said warmly, leading them inside.
The living room was tidy, spotless. Xu Mo felt quietly reassured; she'd taken good care of the place.
As Xu Mo went upstairs to inspect the rooms, Sonya hesitated. Then, taking Wanda aside, she spoke in a low voice.
"Actually… I haven't found a new place to stay yet." She looked embarrassed. "Would it be alright if I had a little more time? I can use the servants' room, and I won't disturb you two. I'll also keep handling the cleaning while I'm here."
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