Chapter 97: Night In Silence
The elevator ride down felt longer than usual, the soft hum of descending floors only sharpening his focus. When the lobby doors whispered open, the valet already had the Speedtail waiting, its deep red finish gleaming under the soft lights of the drive. The sleek hypercar was both a work of art and raw power, drawing stares from guests stepping out of limousines and luxury SUVs.
A subtle nod to the valet, a crisp $100 bill slid into his palm, and Parker slid into the driver's seat. Ere hopped into the passenger side, curling up comfortably. The scent of rich leather greeted him as the engine purred to life—a deep, controlled growl that hinted at the power beneath the hood.
The streets blurred past as he navigated through the traffic, the city's energy palpable even as nightfall crept in. He stopped briefly at a gas station, the futuristic design of the Speedtail drawing curious glances from bystanders. One even tried sneaking a photo, but Parker paid it no mind.
His focus stayed on the task—filling the tank, swiping his card, and ignoring the cashback notification flashing on the infotainment screen.
By the time he hit the open road, the sun had vanished, leaving the world painted in dark blues and streaks of city light.
Hour later, the familiar glamour of Beverly Hills came into view. He rolled the window down slightly, letting the cool breeze kiss his face.
The air felt different here—cleaner, softer. The scent of distant ocean salt mixed with freshly trimmed hedges as he cruised past iconic spots—Rodeo Drive, the Beverly Wilshire, the towering palm trees lining Sunset Boulevard.
He pressed the accelerator, the Speedtail responding with a surge of power as he crossed into the wealthiest parts of Beverly Hills.
Gated mansions loomed behind carefully manicured hedges, security lights casting cold halos across stone driveways. Parker's destination, however, was deeper. Higher. Continue your story on My Virtual Library Empire
The neighborhood shifted from luxurious to obscene wealth. Multi-million dollar estates sprawled out, modern architecture blending with the lush, secluded landscapes.
Then, finally, his mansion came into view.
The gates loomed before him, tall and modern, sleek black steel with a platinum finish that shimmered faintly under the soft glow of ambient pathway lights. Embedded into the structure was a facial recognition system, a thin, vertical screen glowing white as it scanned his face in silence.
A soft chime followed, and with a smooth mechanical hum, the gates parted.
Beyond them lay his new mansion, and even at night, it was nothing short of breathtaking.
The architecture was a masterpiece of modern luxury. Sharp, clean lines. Expansive glass walls reflecting the starlit sky. Flat roofs with garden terraces integrated into the design, the greenery blending seamlessly with the structure. The pool stretched like a mirror alongside the driveway, reflecting the ambient lights scattered strategically across the property.
The entire estate felt… untouched. Serene.
Parker drove forward slowly, the red McLaren Speedtail humming beneath him, its deep purr almost lost in the quiet night air. The private driveway curved gracefully, edged with meticulously trimmed hedges and subtle ground lighting that guided the way without being intrusive.
When he finally pulled up in front of the mansion, he let the engine fall silent. No rush to step out.
Instead, he took a moment.
Hands resting on the steering wheel, he stared out at the glass fortress ahead, the silence pressing comfortably around him. The tension from New York, the chaotic rush of deals, celebrations, and personal entanglements… all of it felt so far away now.
Here, surrounded by quiet, with nothing but the soft rustle of wind palm leaves and the faint chirp of crickets, Parker could breathe.
The air felt different—crisp, untouched by the pollution and constant noise of the city.
Ere shifted beside him, the sleek black cat perched on the passenger seat, eyes half-lidded but attentive. She didn't speak, but her presence was grounding.
He wasn't alone.
And somehow, that mattered more than the mansion or the wealth he had built.
Finally, Parker exhaled, pushing open the dihedral door. Cool night air kissed his face as he stepped out, the scent of freshly cut grass and faint jasmine from the garden beds reaching him. The only sound was the soft crunch of his shoes against the stone pavement as he walked toward the entrance.
The Lambo could wait.
The Speedtail could wait.
He wasn't here to flaunt his possessions. Not now.
The glass doors opened automatically, as if recognizing his presence. Warm, ambient lighting greeted him inside, spilling across polished black marble floors and into the cavernous living space beyond.
The interior was as elegant as the exterior—minimalistic yet indulgent. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the view of the dark, still pool outside. The open-concept design flowed effortlessly from the living room into the kitchen, where top-of-the-line appliances gleamed beneath recessed lighting.
But it was the quiet that struck him the most.
No noise. No chaos. Just… peace.
He set his LV duffle down near the marble-topped entry table and crossed to the sunken living area. The plush, oversized couch practically absorbed him as he sank into it, leaning back with a quiet sigh.
Not exhaustion. His body wasn't tired.
It was everything else.
But here, in the silent mansion with Ere quietly curling beside him, he felt—if only for a fleeting moment—calm.
Not happy.
Not satisfied.
Just... calm. Tomorrow would bring the next step. Then the next will be for Blackwoods. Julian. The plans he'd spent years crafting.
But tonight?
Tonight, he would allow himself this quiet.
Even if it was temporary.
The mansion was perfect—too perfect.
Parker had been given a beauty beauty, a fortress of wealth and modern elegance, yet as he sat there in the vast silence of the living room, that perfection weighed on him.
It wasn't just large—it was alive in a way that demanded care and attention.
The glass walls were pristine, but he noticed the faint smudge of a rain droplet streak from a recent shower. The green rooftop gardens had begun to show signs of slight overgrowth, some of the ivy vines trailing a little too far past their perfect cut.
Even the pool, despite its still, mirror-like surface, wasn't spotless. A single leaf floated near the edge, a stark reminder that no luxury property—no matter how extravagant—was self-sustaining.
The more Parker noticed, the clearer it became. This mansion wasn't just a home. It was a statement piece, a modern sculpture where every line, every reflection, every perfectly curated space needed maintenance to stay flawless.
And the thought of personally handling any of it?
Impossible.
Parker wasn't just a seventeen-year-old billionaire—he was someone operating on a far more calculated level. His life revolved around power, influence, and legacy. Handling lawn care, ensuring the glass was spotless, or even making sure the gourmet kitchen was stocked with essentials wasn't just a waste of time.
It was a distraction.
A house like this wasn't just a residence. It required a system. As his gaze swept across the mansion, it felt almost... empty.
For a place so grand, there was a strange lifelessness to it. No staff. No soft hum of activity.
It was too quiet. And Parker hated the idea of letting something as magnificent as this fall into disrepair.
****
The next morning, as sunlight spilled in through the windows, Parker woke to the scent of the ocean breeze drifting in through the barely opened glass doors of his bedroom. The view was stunning—the infinity pool shimmering like glass, the carefully arranged tropical plants, the private rooftop garden visible just past the balcony...
But then his eyes narrowed.
The pool had a slight ripple disturbing its perfect reflection. A subtle sign that the filtration system wasn't on schedule. Now that it was so visible during day time.
Later, he noticed the irrigation system on the rooftop garden wasn't working correctly, leaving patches of plants drier than others. He tried to not focus on it now but when he had tried to make himself coffee, he realized the pantry was nearly empty. No fresh deliveries.
And worst of all? The mansion's state-of-the-art security system, while functional, wasn't being actively monitored.
Small things. But small things added up.
A place like this demanded someone who understood it. Someone who would treat it not as a house but as a responsibility.
The final push came that when Ere, resting on the glass kitchen island, let out a low, annoyed growl as she watched another smudge on the pristine window near the pool.
Parker smirked but nodded. She wasn't wrong.
Rising from the couch, he pulled out his phone, opening the secured system connected to his holdings.
The need for a housekeeper wasn't about luxury—it was efficiency.
A professional caretaker would ensure the mansion maintained its image. The pool would be flawless. The gardens perfectly trimmed. The security monitored without flaw.
Everything needed to be handled.
He pulled up a shortlist of private luxury estate managers—a rare breed specializing in maintaining high-end properties like this one. Their job wasn't just cleaning; it was orchestration. Managing staff, keeping the grounds pristine, ensuring security was impenetrable, and even coordinating with high-end suppliers to keep the mansion stocked.
Parker's choice wasn't random. He filtered for those with a background in private luxury, discretion, and competence. Someone who understood what working for a figure like him entailed—absolute professionalism.
Within an hour, he had shortlisted a candidate.