When I pulled out my card without hesitation, his composure cracked—just for a second. A young woman, paying cash for a property like this. I could see him recalculating everything he'd assumed about me.
While processing the paperwork, curiosity finally got the better of him. "Ms. Fox, if you don't mind my asking—someone with your resources, where were you living before?"
"Westside," I said evenly. "The old village district."
He blinked, clearly not expecting that answer. Then he recovered, nodding slowly.
"Ah, I know the area. Word was they were planning to demolish it—big redevelopment project." He paused, shuffling papers. "Though our company tends to hear things early. Apparently the plans got adjusted. That district isn't in the demolition zone anymore."
He shook his head with something like sympathy. "A lot of people who were counting on those payouts are going to be very disappointed."
The Westside demolition plan had been adjusted?
I almost laughed out loud.
So my mother and her precious relatives were about to watch their windfall vanish into thin air.
Perfect.
Jordan excused himself to print some documents, leaving me to wait in the reception hall.
With nothing better to do, I wandered through the showroom—and stopped dead.
Walking through the entrance were my mother, my sister, and my aunt and uncle's entire family.
They were dressed to impress. Designer clothes. Gold jewelry dripping from their wrists and necks. Clearly, the moment they'd heard about the demolition payout, they'd gone on a spending spree.
The second my mother spotted me, her expression soured. She marched over, heels clicking against the marble floor.
"Corinne. What are you doing here?"
"Buying a house," I said simply.
Her face twisted with disbelief. "You? Buy a house? The cheapest units here start at millions. Where would you get that kind of money?"
Before I could respond, Penelope sidled up beside her, smirking.
"Oh, I get it now." Her voice dripped with false sweetness. "You must have found out we're about to receive our five-million-dollar payout and came here to spy on us. Followed us to see what we'd buy, didn't you?"
She tossed her hair, gold bangles jangling. "Well, let me remind you, sister—we signed those papers cutting you off. Even if we buy a mansion, you won't see a single cent of it!"
"Don't even think about showing up here and mooching off our property."