Chapter 4

In Westridge Terrace, beneath a gray, timeworn apartment block, Emma stood with her phone in hand, brows slightly furrowed, distracted as she answered a call.

On the other end, her sister Katie's sharp voice rang out.

"Emma, I heard from Dad you asked him for three hundred thousand yesterday? What did you need that money for?"

Emma's heart skipped a beat. She instinctively dodged the question.

"Katie, why are you suddenly calling me?"

"Cut the nonsense!" Katie's tone brooked no argument. "I asked you about the money! Three hundred thousand isn't pocket change. What did you use it for? Speak honestly!"

Emma bit her lip, her voice trembling.

"I… I needed it for something urgent."

"Urgent? What kind of emergency costs three hundred thousand?" Katie pressed, her words like rapid fire. "Emma, are you hiding something from me?"

Under her sister's relentless interrogation, Emma's voice grew smaller and smaller.

"I… I lent it to Chris."

There was a stunned silence on the line. Then Katie's voice exploded, high-pitched with disbelief and rage.

"What?! You gave it to Chris?! Are you out of your mind? Do you even know I divorced him?! And you… you'd handed over money to that useless parasite?!"

Even through the phone, Katie's tirade felt like it could pierce Emma's eardrums.

Taking a deep breath, Emma answered softly, "Yeah, I know you're divorced."

Her tone was quiet, but beneath it lingered a faint, unyielding strength. "But just because you left him… doesn't mean I can't still be his friend."

"Friend?!" Katie let out a bark of laughter, as if she'd heard the world's biggest joke.

"What does Chris have to offer anyone as a friend? And why does he even need that kind of money? Three hundred thousand isn't a small sum. Aren't you afraid he won't be able to pay it back?"

Emma hesitated, then decided to tell the truth.

"He said… he wanted to buy property in Westridge Terrace."

On the other end, Katie's derisive laughter rang loud and unrestrained.

"Westridge Terrace? Hahaha! Emma, listen to yourself! Clearly, the divorce broke him so badly that he's gone insane!

"Who doesn't know Westridge Terrace is the cheapest, most unwanted neighborhood in Kenton City? Even dogs wouldn't settle there! He wants to buy property there? He might as well set fire to that money!

"As expected! He really is nothing but a worthless good-for-nothing!"

Her voice dripped with glee. "And when he can't pay it back, what excuse will you give Dad then?"

Emma's cheeks burned at her sister's scorn, but she still muttered stubbornly, "If he can't pay it back, then so be it! Worst case… I'll use my allowance and slowly repay Dad myself!"

Just then, from the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a familiar figure walking toward her.

It was Chris.

Her chest tightened. Flustered, she said into the receiver, "Katie, I've got something to do here. I'll talk to you later. I'm hanging up!"

Before Katie could respond, she ended the call.

Chris had already approached, a gentle smile on his face.

"Emma, what a coincidence. You're here to look at houses too?"

He paused, his gaze sincere as it met hers. "I just wrapped something up nearby, and when I saw you, I thought—I have to treat you to a meal today. To thank you properly."

Still unsettled from her sister's scolding, Emma waved her hand quickly.

"Chris, there's no need to be so formal. Between us, you don't have to say that."

"There is. Absolutely," he said firmly. "You must let me. Without your help, I couldn't have handled today's business."

Seeing his earnestness, Emma found it impossible to refuse. She nodded reluctantly. "Then… alright."

His smile broadened. "Great! By the way, how's the house-hunting going? Did you buy yet?"

"Mm, I walked around a bit. The prices here really are cheap. I… I'm planning to start with two units."

"Only two?" Chris raised an eyebrow, his tone turning advisory. "Emma, if your budget allows, I'd recommend… buying more."

She blinked at him, puzzled. "More?"

Pressing her lips together, she admitted softly, "To be honest, I don't really see the point of buying in Westridge Terrace. Sure, it's cheap, but not every bargain is worth grabbing. The buildings are old, the location's poor… the risks are too high."

She gave a half-joking smile. "Unless… unless you're going to tell me this place is about to be demolished for redevelopment?"

Chris met her doubtful gaze, the corner of his lips curling into a meaningful smile. Slowly, he countered, "Just assume it is."

Her eyes widened, mouth falling open. "What?!"

She froze, stammering. "Are you… are you serious? Demolition is a huge deal. Our family hasn't heard a single whisper of it!"

Her voice shook with disbelief. "And why would anyone redevelop Westridge Terrace of all places? There's no reason!"

Her confusion was genuine. Kenton City's urban expansion had always gone in the opposite direction, leaving Westridge Terrace abandoned and forgotten.

But Chris's smile didn't waver. His voice carried unshakable certainty.

"If you trust me, then buy. Trust me, you won't regret it."

His words dropped into Emma's heart like a stone into still water, sending ripples of turmoil everywhere.

Her rational mind screamed: Don't believe him! This is absurd!

Every major demolition in Kenton City had leaked months in advance, rumors spreading like wildfire. Their family had influence—how could they have missed news of such a prime opportunity?

Yet when she looked into Chris's steady, unwavering eyes, something deep inside her stirred.

What if? What if he was right?

Chris was never one to speak recklessly.

Watching her hesitation, he added at just the right moment, "Emma, timing is everything in matters like this. Believe me, it's best to finish all your purchases and transfers by end of tomorrow."

His expression was serious.

Emma's heart sank heavily. She stared at him, into those eyes that seemed to see straight through everything.

At last, emotion triumphed over reason.

She nodded vigorously, her voice trembling without her even realizing.

"Alright! Chris, I believe you. I'll do it tomorrow!"