Chapter 4

Property management arrived quickly. When they saw over 30 people surrounding me in a tight circle, they immediately realized the severity of the situation and rushed over to find out what was going on.

"According to our records, the registered owner is Mr. Maverick Kirk."

The property manager looked me up and down. "You… I think I've seen you more than once coming and going with different male residents."

That single comment caused an instant uproar. The neighbors especially, egged on by the constant embellishments from Bianca's relatives, unanimously branded me as a homewrecker who deserved to be run out of town.

"Shameless whore! No wonder when she ran here she went straight for the men. Turns out she's a repeat offender."

"Exactly! She's got some nerve. Us residents need to band together against trash like her."

As the insults and abuse came in waves, the crowd's emotions became more and more volatile. The scene was on the verge of spiraling out of control.

No matter how I tried to explain, they refused to listen.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the property manager and Maverick exchanging knowing smirks. That was when it clicked.

When I first bought the apartment, Maverick had pushed hard for me to choose this complex. He must have been planning to steal my property all along. That man was absolutely shameless.

"Everyone!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. "Please listen to me—"

However, an old woman cut me off with a string of curses. "You homewrecker, what else do you have to say? Stop with your tricks. We're not falling for it!"

A foul smell suddenly hit me in the face. I nearly gagged and stumbled back, right into Bianca's uncle, who immediately took the chance to grope me.

"That's right! This little bitch is good at playing the victim to scam people. A few days ago, she said she had no money for food and would spend two hours with me for just 20 bucks. Disgusting."

He pretended to be an outraged resident and kept shoving me around, but took the opportunity to grope me all over.

I was furious. I swung my hand and slapped him across the face. "You're making things up! I'm going to sue you for—"

Before I could finish, his face contorted with rage as he swung his hand at me. I tried to dodge, but two of Bianca's relatives grabbed me and pinned my arms behind my back so I couldn't move.

He slapped me twice, once on each cheek. My lip split open, and I tasted blood.

Maverick clapped his hands in approval. "Well done! Trash like her needs to be taught a lesson. Everyone, line up and take your turn slapping her."

At his words, Bianca's mother and her relatives were the first to move. The sound of slap after slap echoed in the air.

Bianca stood to the side, covering her mouth to hide her laughter, then shouted, "Bitch! This is what you get for going after someone else's boyfriend!"

Maverick pulled her in and kissed her in front of everyone. "'I'm so lucky to have you on my side."

My face throbbed with pain, swelling with each hit. I kept struggling to explain that the property transfer was fake, but no one would listen.

"Maverick, I have the deed to this apartment. Do you?"

When I shouted that, Maverick immediately told them to stop. "Everyone, hold on a second. This woman still won't give up. She insists on showing her deed to prove me wrong. What do you all think? Should we give her one last chance?"

Bianca and her group clearly didn't want to, but with me insisting and a few neighbors pushing for it, Maverick relented and helped me call my parents.

After waiting about half an hour, my parents arrived with Maverick's mother, Sarah Yates. Before they could even say a word to me, they pulled out the property deed.

When everyone opened it and read the information, they immediately erupted. "Let's see you talk your way out of this one!"

Maverick and Bianca exchanged glances, both wearing smug, victorious smiles.

"Chloe, we've been more than fair," Maverick said. "We gave you chance after chance. Your own parents brought the deed. What do you have to say for yourself now?"