Chapter 142
Ferlyn Abney, the second sales agent, smiled and said, “Everyone’s welcome here. With an elegant lady like this, I’m sure she’s not here to cause a trouble, Go ahead.”
Carolyn rolled her eyes and walked off.
Valerie watched Carolyn’s retreating figure and said coolly, “People like you will never make good sales.”
Carolyn paused, turned back with a mocking smile, and said, “Our villa community features exclusively designed luxury model homes. I can show you around, but to even step inside, you’ll need to put down a 60–thousand–dollar non–refundable deposit.
“That counts as your reservation and will be deducted from the final price if you buy. So if you’re sure you want to buy a unit there and can actually afford it, pay up. If not, just leave.”
Valerie shot her a frosty took, produced a card from her bag, and said, “Run it.”
Carolyn’s mocking smile froze instantly.
Ferlyn looked surprised. “But… wouldn’t you like
to
see the place first?”
Valerie shot her a glance. “I thought payment comes first?”
Ferlyn quickly explained, “The deposit is only required for viewing the model homes. If you just want to see the unfinished units or check the floor plans, that’s free-”
“It’s okay, just run it. I’ve already decided to buy a unit there anyway.” Valerie handed her card to Ferlyn. “Next, please show me around.”
Flattered and flustered, Ferlyn stammered, “N–no problem. Just a moment, Ms. Clark.”
N
Carolyn glanced at Valerie and gave a ‘friendly‘ reminder, “Just so you know, the deposit is non–refundable. You might want to think it over.”
Valerie didn’t even bother to respond. She simply turned around and walked
Carolyn choked up, feeling utterly frustrated and powerless.
away.
Watching Valerie’s retreating figure, Carolyn muttered under her breath, “Was it really worth it, just to prove a point?”
Valerie smiled serenely and said, “You didn’t rattle me. You just made yourself look ridiculous.”
Valerie’s radiant smile momentarily dazzled Carolyn, making her even more exasperated.
Carolyn fumed inwardly, ‘She’s not rattled? And she thinks I’m the ridiculous one? Who the hell does she think she is?‘
“Hey, isn’t this Ms. Clark?”
Valerie found the voice vaguely familiar. It was one of the parents from her part–time tutoring days. His surname seemed to be Hackett.
Owen Hackett exclaimed in surprise, “Oh, it’s really you. I wasn’t sure at first. Who would’ve thought it was actually you?”
“Hello,” Valerie said with a faint smile.
Owen was young and in his thirties or forties. He looked her up and down and said, “Ms. Clark, are you here to buy a house too?”
“Yes,” Valerie replied.
Owen looked her over with a smile. “Ms. Clark, you haven’t changed a bit. You’re still just as beautiful as last year. Are you house–hung all by yourself?”
1/3
Chapter 142
“Yes
“Weren’t you still struggling financially last year? And now you’re buying a luxury villa all by yourself?” Owen’s face was full of astonishment. at Valerie was tinged with unspoken skepticism.
He thought, ‘These villas aren’t cheap by any means. It’s not like a college girl could just waltz in and buy one on a whim. Why could the suddenly anard a villa in less than a year?‘
Ferlyn handed the card reader to Valerie and said politely, “Ms. Clark, please enter your
PIN”
Valerie flashed a faint smile at Owen and swiftly entered her PIN to pay the deposit of
60
thousand dollars without hesitation.
Carolyn watched, a pang of resentment rising in her chest.
Owen smiled and said, “Ms. Clark, you’re here to check out the villas too? What a coincidence. I’m heading there myself. Actually, I know the manager here, so I don’t need to pay a deposit.”
He sighed and continued, “If only I’d known it was you earlier. You could’ve just come in with me and skipped the deposit.”
Valerie simply smiled, saying nothing.
“Since you’re already here, why not join me for a look?” Owen said with a hearty chuckle. “It’s a great chance to catch up. It’s been ages since we last met. I’ve actually missed seeing you.”
Valerie politely declined, “No thanks. I’ll just look around by myself.”
“Oh, don’t be shy, come along.”
The sales agent accompanying Owen beamed as she gently guided Valerie over. “Mr. Hackett is one of our VIP clients. He’s already bought two properties from us. If you join him, you’ll get the same VIP treatment.”
Valerie said, “No thanks.”
Owen laughed heartily and said, “Hey, don’t be so formal with me. We’re just going in for a look anyway. The path is wide enough for both of us. Come on, Valerie, let’s go together.”
Indeed, the path was wide enough, and the sales agents‘ pitches were all quite similar. After they got on the elevator together, Owen asked with a
only a sophomore when you tutored at my place last year.” beaming smile, “Ms. Clark, you haven’t graduated yet, right? I remember you were
“Yeah, I’m a junior this year,” Valerie replied.
“I knew I remembered it correctly. How could I forget such a beautiful teacher like you, Ms. Clark? It’s only been a year, and you can already afford a place here.” Owen laughed. “Did you meet someone special, or just get really lucky?”
“Indeed, I got a bit lucky,” Valerie replied dismissively.
“I knew it. A woman of your caliber must have no shortage of opportunities coming your way,” Owen said, leaning closer and lowering his voice. “Maybel could offer you one too. How about joining me for dinner later?”
The implication couldn’t be clearer.
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