“What? Aren't you glad to see me?" Marilyn sensed the joy in Raymond's tone, but she asked knowingly.

Quick to respond, Raymond said, "Oh, I'm so glad to see you! Where are you? Shall I send a car?"

"No need to send a car. Dad and I are already at your villa. Could you come outside, please?"

Marilyn's voice rose, ensuring her father could catch Raymond's accommodating tone.

Sending a car to pick them up? Jaxon inwardly preened at the offer of a car. This, he felt, was his due respect.

Moments later, Raymond opened the villa's door, welcoming them personally.

"Dr. Rivera? And this must be Mr. Rivera, correct?"

Raymond's gaze fell on Jaxon, who was impeccably dressed and seemed humble.

Raymond, with his own sense of style, saw Jaxon's appearance and immediately regarded the latter as a person of significant stature.

With a smile, Marilyn said, "After my last visit, I shared Michael's situation with my dad. He's here out of concern... By the way, is Anthony around?"

Marilyn's words carried a deeper significance. However, Raymond was clueless about it.

Raymond hadn't been blessed with impressive genetics. Neither intelligence nor emotional acumen was his forte.

His once handsome visage was marred by his rampant alcohol consumption.

"That brat? He is not here!" remarked Raymond with a hint of disdain.

“He's always cloaked in secrecy. I can't fathom what occupies him.

Here I am overseeing the family's enterprise, yet he seems perpetually preoccupied."

Marilyn exchanged a glance with Jaxon. Both of them sensed the strain between Raymond and Anthony, but the crux of the matter eluded them.

Marilyn felt a twinge of disappointment learning of Anthony's absence, thinking her journey had been for naught.

Unaware of Marilyn's turmoil, Raymond offered a warm smile.

"My father is at home. It's not every day we have the honor of hosting esteemed physicians. Do come in. I'd greatly appreciate it if you'd assess my father's health."

Marilyn knew since she took the initiative to pay a visit, it would be impolite to depart prematurely.

With a forced smile, she, alongside her father, proceeded into the grand hallway.

As the entrance door shut gently behind them, Marilyn was once more struck by the opulence of this villa.

The realization of the immense wealth it embodied made her heart race.