The black SUV glided slowly as the scenery shifted from the cracked asphalt of Peckham to rows of lush trees and white-stuccoed buildings in Kensington. This district was more than just a neighborhood; it was a fortress for those who owned everything. Here, silence was a luxury that came with a heavy price tag.
Elena pressed her face against the car window, her eyes widening at the rows of magnificent houses, each looking like a miniature palace. Leo, who had finally woken up, pointed at a stone lion statue in front of a gate.
"Papa, is that a king's house?" Leo asked innocently.
Arthur gave a thin smile, a warm feeling spreading through his chest. "No, Leo. It's just a house for people who work hard. And one of them is going to be your playground now."
Hugo brought the car to a halt in front of a four-story building with beautiful wrought-iron balconies. The house was situated on a slightly secluded corner, providing extra privacy—the first thing Arthur had requested when he called the property agent this morning.
"We have arrived, Madam," Hugo said as he opened the door for Elena.
Elena stepped out hesitantly. She looked at the building, then at her own appearance—her old sweater and faded jeans. She felt utterly out of place. "Arthur... are you sure? The rent for this place could feed everyone on our old street for a year."
"I didn't rent it, Elena," Arthur said as he stepped forward and produced a silver key. "I've paid the down payment for full ownership. This is our home."
The sentence left Elena frozen. Paying a down payment on a Kensington house within hours of a stock trade? To Elena, this was no longer just luck; it felt like a terrifying kind of sorcery.
The interior of the house was still empty, yet its elegance radiated from the marble floors and high ceilings adorned with intricate cornices. Arthur had intentionally chosen a fully renovated property so they could move in immediately.
"Hugo, direct the team to bring only the essentials to the second floor. The rest of the new furniture will arrive this afternoon," Arthur instructed.
"Understood, sir. I've also placed two men on the outer perimeter. No one enters without clearance," Hugo reported.
Arthur nodded, then turned to Elena, who was still standing stiffly in the center of the main hall. He approached her and took her hand. "Elena, I know this is fast. But back there, I couldn't guarantee your safety from people like Victor Thorne. Here, we have security, we have space, and we have a new beginning."
Elena searched Arthur's eyes for a lie, but all she found was sincere resolve. "I just want us to be safe, Arthur. Don't let this big house drive us apart like before."
"This house exists so we can always be close without worrying about tomorrow," Arthur whispered.
In the afternoon, as luxury furniture began to arrive—velvet sofas, plush king-size beds, and mahogany dining tables—a knock echoed at the large front door.
Hugo was immediately alert. He signaled his men before peeking through the security lens. "Sir, there is an elderly woman in very formal attire outside. She's carrying a basket."
Arthur frowned. "Let her in."
A woman in her 70s entered with natural grace. She wore a lavender wool suit and a string of genuine pearls. In her hand was a basket containing a bottle of vintage wine and warm sourdough bread.
"Forgive me for interrupting your move," the woman's voice was crisp and authoritative. "I am Lady Beatrice... oh, wait. Arthur? You're the man who had dinner at my house yesterday, aren't you?"
Arthur was stunned for a moment, then bowed respectfully. "Lady Beatrice. I didn't realize you lived in this neighborhood."
Lady Beatrice gave a soft laugh. "I live right next door. The house with the deep red door. I heard someone bought the corner house with a very aggressive cash payment this morning. I was curious to see which new 'shark' was bold enough to move in here. It turns out, it's you."
Beatrice's eyes shifted to Elena, who looked awkward standing beside a half-assembled sofa. "And this is your lovely wife. It's good to see you again, dear. You look much more relaxed without that tight formal dress."
Elena gave a shy smile. "Thank you, Milady."
"Just call me Beatrice if we are neighbors," the old lady said, placing her basket on the newly wiped marble counter. She then fixed Arthur with a sharp, inquisitive gaze. "You move very fast, Arthur. Yesterday you talked about the future at my table, and today you've planted your flag in Kensington. You truly are no ordinary man."
"Time is an asset I cannot buy back, Milady. I don't like to waste it," Arthur replied calmly.
"Good. Because tomorrow night there is a small gathering at the Reform Club. High-ranking officials from the Bank of England will be there. They are currently having a headache over data security following the cyberattack in Zurich yesterday. Isn't that your field?" Beatrice arched an eyebrow.
Arthur felt his heart race. This was the golden opportunity he needed to legitimize Julian's business at a national level. "I would be honored to attend."
"Then come. And bring your wife. She needs someone to talk to other than these stiff men in black," Beatrice glanced at Hugo with her sharp wit before taking her leave.
After Beatrice left, the house felt more alive. Arthur felt his path to the top was now wide open. However, he did not forget his purpose. He walked over to Leo, who was trying to jump on the newly laid Persian rug.
"Leo, do you like the new house?"
"I love it, Papa! The carpet is as soft as a cloud!"
Arthur laughed, then looked at Elena, who was arranging the fruit from Beatrice's basket. The magic of the numbers on the screen this morning had changed their financial status, but the surprise in Kensington this afternoon had given him something more important: a doorway to real power.
However, amidst the happiness, Arthur's phone vibrated. A message from an unknown number arrived:
"Kensington is beautiful, Arthur. But remember, big houses have many windows. And from every window, I can see you. - V.T"
Arthur's smile vanished. Victor Thorne wasn't going to let go easily. The message was a warning that the physical war would soon follow this financial one.
Arthur turned to Hugo, who was standing by the window. "Hugo, tighten security. From tonight, no one approaches this house without double clearance. We didn't move to heaven; we just moved to a more luxurious battlefield."