Chapter 4 Nearly 20,000

The payoff of that plan felt small, which was unlike them.

Hence, I looked up rental units of the same building, asking for estimates on similarly sized units.

The agent's response felt rehearsed.

'Fully furnished units of that type would cost around 14,00 in this area. If you're after unfurnished and empty units, then it would cost around 12,000. The price can be negotiated if the unit has not been renovated in a while. Our lowest possible price is 10,000.'

The apartment we rented was not renovated at all. There was basically no furniture.

If the landlord wanted to make any money out of the deal, then the rent had to be lower than 12,000.

I was lost in thought, sitting in front of my laptop.

Why would the landlord go along with the act if he didn't get any extra money out of it?

Was he benefiting in some other way?

…

Early the next morning, Cecelia banged on my door once more.

"Madison, what are you doing? Look at the time! You still haven't made breakfast. We're starving to death!"

I remained seated, unwilling to see their faces.

"Maddie, are you sick? Why haven't you started breakfast yet?"

I could hear the superficial concern laced in her voice as she began banging harder and harder on the door like she had a grudge against it.

I became so exasperated that I stomped over and yanked the door open.

Cecelia's hand hung in mid-air.

"Why are you playing dead in there?"

"My stomach's aching. If you're hungry, order takeout," I coldly stated.

"What's with that attitude?" She was startled.

I ignored her and closed the door in her face.

"Who does she even think she is?"

"Yeah! It's just breakfast. What's with that brooding?"

I was rendered speechless by the complaints I could hear through the door.

Suddenly, I recalled the oats I had been soaking overnight in preparation for making oatmeal that morning.

I dashed into the kitchen, threw it all into the trash.

None of them deserved a single bite of my food.

I was done with my data and research after working at it for a full week.

The rent was inflated by 80%.

The maintenance, utility, and internet fees were inflated by 30%.

There were also the random repair fees for repairs that were never done.

They had cited leaking gas in the air-conditioning, clogged toilets, leaking taps...

Even the skincare products, shampoo, and toilet paper...

They got it all from me for free.

I sucked in a sharp breath when I read the total amount.

It was 19,864. That was nearly 20,000!

That was enough for a down payment in my hometown, or even to buy a nice car.

"Maddie, I'm broke again. I'm going to starve this month."

"Maddie, that bag is so expensive. Just when can I afford it?"

"Maddie, you're so capable. Please help me."

Cecelia would sob about being broke while using my money to buy luxury cosmetics.

Lillian and Isabel were the same.

I had been an absolute idiot. A complete moron who had been helping my own robbers.

A wave of nausea rocked me off my feet. I rushed into the bathroom and dry heaved over the toilet, but nothing came out.

After I splashed my face with some icy water, I couldn't help but look at myself in the mirror. My face was deathly pale. There were dark circles under my eyes.

The money I earned through blood, sweat, and tears… All the overtime I'd forced myself to slog through had been used to feed those greedy leeches!

I took a moment to pat my face dry.

…

Then, I called Brody Lane, a high school classmate who was now a lawyer at a famous firm.

"Madison?" Brody sounded very surprised over the phone.

"It's been a while, old friend." I did my best to sound calm.

"It has, so why is a busy woman like you calling little old me?"

"I've encountered some trouble and require legal consultation."