Chapter 4

After getting a clear answer, I instantly felt refreshed and strode out of the police station.

The moment I stepped outside, I spotted Jane sticking her head into a trash can by the road. Another person was standing beside her, holding a large plastic bag.

I took a closer look and realized it was the security guard, Eric.

I came to a stop and quickly moved closer, then hid behind an advertising board outside the store next door. Their conversation drifted over.

"Eric, that woman has come looking for us. She won't get the apartment back, will she?"

"Don't worry, Mom. I'll make sure she won't even get into the neighborhood next time!"

Well, well. No wonder Eric had been acting strange. He was in cahoots with her, stealing what he was supposed to guard!

Their conversation continued.

"She has the deed. What if she calls the cops?"

Eric patted his chest and declared smugly, "No worries. Next time, I'll find a chance to snatch the deed and tear it up. Once that woman has no proof, I'll get Uncle Frank to write us a new one since he's the property manager."

The corners of my mouth twitched. These idiots were driving me up the wall! They couldn't seriously believe that ripping up the deed would fix everything, could they?

I glanced at the screen showing "Recording Ended" and let out a cold snort.

I had been wondering how two strangers dared to move into my apartment, but now it looked like the property management was involved, too. Just wait. I'd make sure not a single one of them got away!

…

Early the next morning, I headed into the residential complex with a group of people, while Jane was out picking trash.

Eric tried to stop us, but the moment he saw the burly men behind me, he instantly backed down and trailed after us meekly.

When we reached the unit, I told them to pry the door open.

The moment it swung open, that same foul stench from yesterday rushed out. The piles of garbage inside were so high that everyone there stood frozen in shock.

Cans, cardboard, foam boxes, leftover unwashed food containers…

What I saw yesterday was just the tip of the iceberg!

"Ugh…" I gagged and pinched my nose. "Get everything out!"

After a pause, I added deliberately, "Be careful. Stack them neatly in the garbage area!"

I hired those guys with a hefty sum. Even though the mountain of trash was disgusting and smelled foul, they immediately put on their gloves and got to work.

Meanwhile, Eric quietly called Jane behind me, asking her to come back. I pretended not to notice.

When Jane stepped out of the elevator with her garbage bag, her precious trash had been cleared away by those whom I hired.

"Stop! You thieves! Put everything down!"

Jane, who had been wailing and crying like a frail old lady yesterday, leaped up high and screamed as she lunged at the burly men moving her precious trash.

Before she could get anywhere, one of the burly men grabbed her by the back of her collar and lifted her clean off the ground. He carried her a few steps and set her down in the corner.

Jane, who had been so aggressive just moments ago, quickly went silent when she saw the burly man's biceps.

Then she caught sight of me out of the corner of her eye and immediately screamed, "You again, you little bitch! You'll pay for this!"

Her sharp nails were right in front of me when the burly man grabbed her by the back of her collar again and hauled her aside once again.