Chapter 2 Not My Problem

Lexie's face immediately lit up as she said, "I knew you wouldn't let me down—"

I threw her suitcase out the very next second. It rolled a few times before hitting the pavement with a loud thump.

Then, I drawled, "Take your complaints to the hotel if they messed up your reservation. Why are you bothering me instead?"

The air fell silent for a couple of seconds.

It took her a moment to realize what had just happened, her smile still plastered on her face.

"June, are you serious? It's a holiday weekend! You're really going to leave me out on the street?"

Her eyes immediately filled with tears, and her voice cracked. "I'm desperate here..."

I watched her pull the same sad act I'd fallen for before—the excuses, the begging, even the tears at the right cue. Not a single thing had changed.

In my previous life, I felt sorry for her and took her in. Unfortunately, that choice had cost me my business, my mother, and eventually my own life.

I tugged my lips into a smirk. "I'm so sorry. I've closed my B&B."

"Closed? I thought your business was booming. You've got amazing reviews online. Why would you shut it down?"

She looked past me into the courtyard, as though she could find something that would prove I was lying.

I caught a flicker of greed in her eyes. She had that same look when she demanded three million dollars from me in my previous life.

My face remained impassive as I replied, "I said what I said. You'd better start looking for somewhere else to stay before it gets too late."

Lexie blurted anxiously, "Who are you trying to fool? Your mother's monthly medical bills are sky-high. How are you supposed to pay for her treatment if you shut your business down?"

Her words stabbed me where it hurt.

My mother had passed away precisely because my business had gone bust, causing my mother to pull the plug on her treatment.

"I'm not lying," I replied calmly, repressing my anger. "There's a hostel about a mile down the road. Just turn right when you leave. You might be able to get yourself a bed if you run."

She immediately got worked up. "June, are you seriously telling me to stay in a hostel during the holidays?"

By now, our argument had drawn the attention of a few passing neighbors.

"Family should help each other out. This lady's so cruel."

"Seriously. Everyone needs a little help sometimes. How could she be so cold-hearted?"

My heart remained utterly unbothered by their criticisms.

In my previous life, I'd gotten enough hate from the netizens when the video of Lexie raising hell in front of my doorstep was uploaded online.

Someone later dug up my B&B's address. It didn't take long for people to call me just to harass me. Some even photoshopped my face on funeral pictures and shared them online.

Besides, these neighbors of mine never even bothered to stand up for me when I needed help.

"It's my business, which means I can close it whenever I want to. Since when do I need your permission to do things?" I retorted with a scoff, staring Lexie down.

"If I were you, I'd stop arguing and start dragging your suitcase to look for somewhere to sleep for the night."

After all, the sun was already setting, and the sky was getting darker. Sure enough, her scowl stiffened.

She clenched her jaw, her eyes flickering with malice. "Fine! Have it your way."

Just then, the door of the B&B next door swung open, and the owner stepped out with a grin. "Well, well. June, having trouble with your guests again?"

Peter Hayes owned the B&B next door. In my previous life, he'd been the first person to show up when my business started falling apart. He'd offered to buy my property for next to nothing and even had the audacity to look as if he was doing me a huge favor.

"Your business is going downhill anyway. Why let the place sit here and rot when you could sell it to me?"

I'd been so desperate for money back then, so I'd grit my teeth and signed the contract.

And now he was here again, shooting me that same disgusting grin before turning to Lexie and saying, "Hey, gorgeous, don't waste your time arguing with her. If you can't stay at her place, you can come to mine.

"I just finished fixing it up, and I have a room available. I'll even give you a discount. 120 bucks a night."

She hesitated, her eyes darting between me and Peter.

The wind had gotten stronger, making her shiver.

"Come on. I've got hot showers, AC, and we even provide free bottled water," he said.