She is a natural disaster.

Chapter 51 Montagu Manor

The world has never been fair.

Some people are born in Rome, while others are born to be beasts of burden.

Some things are present at birth, and if you're not born with them, it's difficult to acquire them later in life.

Montague Estate is just like that. The estate is located on the banks of the shimmering Jinghe River. Although it is far from the city, it is beautiful and surrounded by green mountains and clear waters.

The estate covers an area measured in acres. The main building is a four-story, honey-colored villa. The courtyard is filled with flowers and shady trees, and there is also an artificial lake.

In addition, the courtyard is decorated with many art sculptures, including works by famous masters.

The estate owner, Bill Montague, stood by the window of his study, staring blankly at the swans frolicking in the clear lake water, lost in thought.

Outside the manor, a stylish carriage was traveling on a wide road, with neat, square houses on both sides, and the lawns in front of each house were also neatly trimmed and lush.

Inside the spacious carriage, Anastasia would occasionally ask a question, and Iniz Blatt, sitting opposite her, would patiently answer it.

Through Blatter's explanation, Anastasia gained a considerable understanding of Montague Estate.

For example, Bill Montague bought the estate from a fallen nobleman, and the large houses lining the driveway were also built under Bill Montague's supervision.

After these well-organized large houses were built, Bill Montagu sold them to his company's middle and senior management at prices far below market value, both as employee benefits and as a means of winning people over.

Therefore, Montague Estate and the surrounding area are inhabited by Montague's own people, making it virtually a small kingdom.

The stylish carriage drove past the large houses on both sides of the driveway, turned left, and entered another neat and spacious driveway. Tall hedges stretched into the distance, ending at two magnificent wrought iron gates.

Rupert, who was driving the carriage, did not slow down and drove straight toward the two wrought iron gates. Just as the carriage was about to arrive, the wrought iron gates opened to the sides.

Armed guards stood on either side of the gate, three on each side, and the guards saluted the carriage that passed through the gate.

Anastasia looked out the car window and sighed inwardly, realizing that poverty had indeed limited her imagination.

Along the long uphill driveway, trees provide shade and flowers flourish, with elegant villas nestled among them, their bright windows gleaming in the dazzling sunlight.

Iniz Blatter, a half-owner of the estate, enthusiastically introduced every plant and tree at Montague Estate.

Most of these decent detached villas are prepared for guests staying at the estate, while those with slightly less desirable views serve as dormitories for the estate's staff.

Anastasia was speechless. She knew very little about the lives of the wealthy, and even less about their servants. If the servants of a manor could live in detached villas, what was she, living in an apartment?

Iniz Blatter's enthusiastic introduction continued, mentioning that the estate not only had several villas, but also several gardens, an art collection, a concert hall, a golf course, and even a horse farm with several racehorses of excellent bloodlines.

In addition, there is a separate chapel on the estate, where the young Madame Montagu is buried.

Listening to Iniz Blatt's detailed and knowledgeable introduction, Anastasia finally gained a basic understanding of the powerful and wealthy people in Gloria.

The Montague family is a relatively new family that has only risen to prominence in the last two or three decades. If the Montague family's estate is already like this, then the estates of established families like the Lopez family, which are related to Gloria, must be taking off!

At this moment, Anastasia suddenly looked at Mike, who hadn't said a word. When the moment came, young Master Montague started to feel apprehensive again.

Anastasia suddenly looked at Mike because she remembered the scene when the two first met, when Mike spoke rudely and Anastasia retorted.

At the time, Anastasia jokingly said that she wanted to be Mike's stepmother. Now that I think about it, it wouldn't be a bad idea for her to actually be Mike's stepmother. Just look at the luxury of Montague Estate, wouldn't that be amazing!

However, Anastasia's wicked thoughts were just that—thoughts.

Rather than sharing a bed with an old man and hoping for his death day and night, it's better to just rob him directly.

Although forcibly seizing property is neither reasonable nor legal, it has the advantage of speed, saving many years and eliminating the worry of losing a huge inheritance.

At the end of the long uphill driveway, a magnificent four-story mansion suddenly appeared. The carriage came to a steady stop in front of the mansion, and someone immediately came forward and respectfully opened the carriage door.

Iniz Blatt stepped out of the carriage first, followed closely by Anastasia, with Mike lagging behind.

Anastasia stepped down from the carriage and looked at the clear lake in front of the mansion, where she saw swans entwined on the water, deeply in love.

"This artificial lake wasn't originally on the estate; Bill had it specially dug for his sister, and he even kept swans there," Iniz Blatt said. "Unfortunately, the swans have been living and breeding here for many years, but the people are gone."

Blatt's words were so poignant that Anastasia felt uneasy. She had just been thinking of being Mike's wicked stepmother; she really deserved to die!

Fortunately, Anastasia was not one to suffer internally. She quickly walked into the magnificent mansion with her head held high, as if nothing had happened.

The foyer was large, brightly lit, and luxuriously furnished, with a magnificent carpet covering almost the entire marble floor.

In addition, many paintings by famous people are hung in the corridor, including landscapes and figures. The placement of each painting seems to be carefully arranged, and it does not seem abrupt at all.

A short while later, Iniz Blatt stopped in front of a heavy wooden door, and Anastasia stopped as well.

Iniz Blatt knocked on the door, and without waiting for an answer, he turned the spherical doorknob and went inside.

This is an exquisitely decorated study with a very high ceiling, suggesting that the two floors have been combined. Huge bookshelves line all four walls, reaching all the way to the ceiling.

Just a quick glance is enough to tell that there are at least several thousand books in this study.

However, what caught Anastasia's attention most was a giant portrait of a gentle, beautiful, and graceful woman, yet with a hint of illness.

"You've arrived."

Bill Montague, who was standing by the window, turned around and looked at the three people who entered the study with a smile.

Judging from appearance alone, Bill is a very charming middle-aged man, with a dignified appearance, refined and easy-going demeanor, and his overall presence completely overshadows the young Mike.

"You're standing by the window watching the swans again. You'd be better off reading a few more books," Iniz Blatt said bluntly. "With all these books," he gestured to the enormous bookshelves on all four sides, "have you read even a hundred of them?"

"Definitely not," Bill said. "Every time I open them, I get so sleepy. I suspect I might be sick."

As expected, appearances can be deceiving. Bill Montague looked like a refined gentleman, and if not a learned man, at least very knowledgeable. However, he didn't like reading at all.

"Anatasia—" Bill looked at Anatasia, "May I call you that? You look very young, younger than I thought."

"Of course, Mr. Montagu." Anastasia stepped forward and extended her right hand.

"Please don't misunderstand," Bill reached out and shook Anastasia's fingertips, "the books in the study are for those people outside to see."

As a well-known wealthy man in Gloria, Bill Montagu seemed approachable and down-to-earth. Of course, this could also be because he knew Anastasia was a natural disaster.

"Sit down, please sit down!" Bill said to Anastasia. "What would you like to drink, tea, coffee, or whiskey?"

It sounds like Bill Montague has already learned about Anastasia's preferences from Father Lawrence.

At this moment, Iniz Blatt had already sat down with an air of nonchalance. He looked very relaxed, and the composure and competence he had shown the night before were gone. Instead, he seemed like a child who hadn't grown up.

Mike, though he sat down, looked like a little chick, timid and hesitant, not at all natural or outgoing.

Seeing this, Bill Montagu frowned, seemingly displeased with his son's poor manners.

"Forget the whiskey, let's have some milk instead!" Anastasia changed the subject, then sat down next to Mike.

Bill Montague picked up the bell on his desk, and a clear sound immediately rang out. A well-dressed manservant quickly entered the study and bowed to receive his orders.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Anastasia secretly reached out and pinched Mike next to her. Mike, wincing in pain, looked over and saw Anastasia glaring at him reproachfully.

You little brat! If you dare embarrass me again, I'll skin you alive!

This is what Mike saw in Anastasia's reproachful gaze. Young Master Montague was speechless and glared back at her.

This is Montague Estate, my territory, Mike Montague's territory. What do you mean I'm disgracing you? How can a person be so shameless? Is there any justice or law in this world?

After Anastasia's interruption, Mike realized that he had been a bit timid just now. He adjusted his posture and his demeanor looked much better, at least not as cowardly and timid as before.

Before long, the well-dressed male servant returned to the study.

He placed a glass of milk in front of Anastasia and a glass of red wine in front of Iniz Blatt.

The manor's rightful owner, Mike Montague, had nothing in front of him, or rather, not a single thing; there was an ashtray in front of him, an ashtray prepared for Anastasia.

Anastasia's lips were pressed into a thin line as she tried hard to suppress a laugh.

The conflict between the Montague father and son was not just due to Michael's misunderstanding, but rather a result of their mutual struggles.