### Chapter 163: The Taste of Home

The dark red brick walls, ivory-white columns, and black-carved window sills and railings all come together to form a building that exudes a sense of ancient charm and grandeur. The ceiling on the first floor even features gargoyles shaped like inverted bats, with every line and color slowly revealing the building's timeless elegance. Each seemingly ordinary detail bears the marks of time, having been worn smooth and refined over the years.

A marble staircase at the entrance serves as a bridge between the street and the grand door. On both sides of the steps are lush gardens, leading straight to a black-carved door with mosaic stained glass, which stands quietly and solemnly. Luxurious yet understated, this residence is discreetly tucked away amidst the bustling city traffic.

Could this be the Anson family home?

Edgar felt a bit confused as he followed Anson up the steps, still trying to process everything. When he turned around at the door, he realized that from this vantage point, he could clearly see the green expanse of Central Park. Beyond the trees, he could even spot young people rowing on the lake.

It was at that moment, after being slow to react, that Edgar finally understood—

Central Park is to the east, which means this must be the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

The Upper West Side!

New York, once one of the earliest gateways from Europe to North America, has a very interesting urban layout, resembling a checkerboard.

The city is divided into several boroughs, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. Manhattan is the heart of the city.

On this island, the area is split into three regions: Uptown, Midtown, and Downtown. Downtown still retains the chaotic and laid-back style of early Europe, with crooked and crisscrossing streets, full of freedom and artistry. But Uptown and Midtown are meticulously planned, with streets running east-west and avenues running north-south, all arranged in a grid pattern.

The world-famous Fifth Avenue is the fifth street from west to east in Midtown Manhattan, known for housing the most luxurious brands in the world, making it a shopping destination for aristocrats and celebrities alike.

Uptown is primarily a residential area, with Central Park serving as the dividing line between the Upper West Side and the Upper East Side. On the prized land of Manhattan Island, these areas are where the upper class and new-generation elites congregate.

Generally speaking, the Upper West Side's wealthy residents might have more historical roots, while those on the Upper East Side are often rising stars of the new generation—though this is not a strict rule, just a general observation.

The story of "Gossip Girl" takes place on the Upper East Side.

However, even within Uptown, there are distinctions. The difference between properties that have a view of Central Park and those that don't is like night and day. Furthermore, even among properties with a Central Park view, there's a world of difference between a standalone house and a modern apartment.

And in front of him?

Edgar suddenly felt the muscles in his neck stiffen.

Meanwhile, Anson had already pushed open the door.

"Hello? Is anyone home? I'm back."

His voice echoed slightly, reverberating through the space—

There was an actual echo.

Edgar felt as if his mind had turned to mush. He carefully followed behind Anson, stepping softly on the polished marble floor, becoming increasingly cautious. His peripheral vision had just caught sight of the spiral staircase leading to the second floor when a massive, luxurious crystal chandelier hanging above captured his full attention, leaving him stunned.

So, the chandelier from "The Great Gatsby" actually exists in real life.

He paused for a moment, reminding himself not to forget to breathe.

Then, a voice called out from ahead, tinged with surprise and unmistakable joy.

"Anson?"

A woman in a floral dress paired with a light blue cardigan appeared, her beautiful blonde hair naturally curling and cascading down her shoulders like a waterfall. She looked to be under forty, and though there were wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, they did not make her seem old. Instead, they added to the charm of her radiant smile, giving her a unique allure.

Edgar was slightly taken aback—was this Anson's mother?

Anson smiled as he stepped forward to greet her, "Judy!"

The woman named Judy quickly approached, her steps light but not quite breaking into a run. She opened her arms slightly as if about to embrace Anson but then stopped right in front of him. She signaled with her eyes for Anson to open his arms and turn around in front of her, her expression serious.

After a thorough inspection from head to toe, she raised her gaze to Anson's face. Only then did she step forward and give him a hug.

She gently patted Anson on the back, quickly releasing him and taking a step back, her eyes revealing a hint of scrutiny as she threw out a simple statement.

"You've changed."

Her words were straightforward, but her tone was particularly certain.

A month ago, Anson might have panicked at such a statement, worried that he had given something away. But after passing Lucas's test, Anson had grown much more composed. Not only did he not panic, but he also smiled.

Meeting her scrutinizing gaze calmly, he asked, "So, is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

Judy did not rush to answer. She seriously pondered for a moment before replying, "It's both a bad thing and a good thing."

"Even though I don't know exactly what happened in Los Angeles, I'm sure it wasn't that simple." Her eyes showed a trace of concern, less obvious than Lucas's but equally sincere. "I told you, you should have stayed in the city. There are countless actors here; there was no need for you to go there."

"What a shame that would be," Anson replied. "I've caused enough trouble in New York; it's only fair I cause some in Los Angeles too."

The woman in the floral dress tried to put on a stern face to scold Anson, but clearly, she couldn't keep from smiling. Before she could even get angry, her expression softened, and a smile crept up to her eyes.

Helplessly, she raised her index finger, pointing it at Anson's nose from a distance. "If anything goes wrong, Lucas will have to clean up your mess, right?"

Anson responded with a calm expression, not focused on himself at all. "You're making Lucas sound like a janitor. He'd be heartbroken if he heard that."

"Haha," the woman laughed out loud.

But just as she was about to say something, she noticed Edgar and paused, giving Anson a look of mild reproach for not introducing him sooner. "Is this your friend?"

Her tone was warm, familiar, and natural.

Anson hadn't realized how completely the feeling of home had enveloped him. Even though his real home was across the Pacific, he now felt a warmth and sense of security that he hadn't experienced since he was twenty-five in his previous life. It seeped into his body, filling him with a comfort he'd missed for so long. 

He couldn't help but breathe in this air greedily, forgetting for a moment that he had company. When he finally snapped out of it, Anson quickly regained his composure and stepped aside. "Yes, this is Edgar Cook."

Friend? Maybe not.

Manager? Not officially signed yet.

After thinking for a moment, Anson introduced Edgar as his business partner.

Edgar stepped forward, extending his right hand with a polite but slightly nervous smile. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Wood. I'm sorry for the sudden intrusion."

The woman in the floral dress paused for a moment, glancing at Anson with a mix of helplessness and amusement. But the smile on her face gradually deepened.

"Judy Buck. I'm the housekeeper of the Wood family. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Edgar: ...

Can we pause for a moment? He'd like to step outside and die of embarrassment, if that's okay.

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This concludes the fourth update.