All Chapters of My Tenants Chose Chaos: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

I handled Toby's check-in myself.His academic record was stacked—Westbridge University Law School, scholarship after scholarship.I showed him around and ran through the perks."The gym's free. The cafeteria serves three meals a day. Utilities and Wi-Fi are included."I pointed to the price list. "Here's the menu. Two entrées and a veggie side for eight bucks."He nodded, but his eyes stayed on the kitchen door a second too long.Halfway down the hall, he stopped.He pointed at the fire extinguisher in the corner. "The inspection tag expired last month."I froze. "Maybe whoever handles the safety checks forgot to replace it. I'll get it taken care of right away.""You can't mess around with safety."His voice was calm but firm.I felt a little weird about it, but I smiled anyway."You're right. I'll get it replaced ASAP."Toby moved into 301 on the third floor—our best single.South-facing. Private balcony.Over the next few days, things around the building started shif

Toby said, "Claire, you should know this better than I do. Lease terms don't hold up if they break the law, let the landlord dodge major responsibilities, or unfairly screw over the tenant. "All that 'we agreed voluntarily' stuff? Not worth the paper it's printed on."Someone knocked on the office door.Mia Carter from the fourth floor poked her head in, holding a takeout container.She spotted Toby and instantly got awkward."C-Claire, I... um, is there any beef stew left tonight?"Before I could answer, Toby turned to her with a warm smile."Mia, I'm talking to Claire about everyone's concerns. Don't worry. We'll make sure everyone has a safer, cleaner place to eat."Mia froze, then nodded hard."We've got your back, Toby!"She slipped out and quietly shut the door.Completely forgetting about the food.I looked at Toby.A chill ran down my spine.***The talks went nowhere.I rejected every one of their "proposals."I told them the gym and cafeteria were perks. I c

The judge's expression hardened by the minute.And every look he gave me got colder.I knew I'd lost.Honestly, I'd lost before this even started.Toby had planned the whole thing from day one.A perfect takedown.The law was his weapon. Justice was his excuse.During recess, I stood at the end of the hall smoking.Toby walked over and stopped in front of me, the windows behind him."Claire, it's not too late to give up. Agree to our terms, and we'll drop the lawsuit right now."It's better for you. Better for everyone."I looked at him. "And if I don't?"He smiled."Then we win. And you lose everything."The building gets shut down. You get hit with massive fines. And that whole 'dream landlord' image? Gone."The media will call you a predatory landlord. Your reputation will be trashed."He stepped closer, lowering his voice."Everything you worked for will disappear. Is it really worth it?"I crushed my cigarette against the trash can."See you in court."Same wor

Jordan stepped between us.He held up a document. "Mr. McLean, you might want to read the ruling again."The court found key parts of your leases illegal and invalid. That made the contracts impossible to carry out. So once the ruling took effect, the leases became void."In plain English, the court ended your tenancy."You're now private citizens occupying someone else's commercial property without permission."Every word landed like a punch."And enforcement?" Jordan gave a cold laugh. "What exactly should the court enforce? A contract it already declared void?"Or should it force my client's legal hotel to rent you a room for a thousand bucks a month?"Toby's lips trembled.Not a single word came out.The law he'd been so proud to use as a weapon had just turned on him.I picked up the mic one last time."Kindred Hotel officially opens at six tonight."All non-guests have until then to grab their stuff, check out, and leave the property."Anyone still here after six wi

That night, I hosted dinner for the business partners who'd helped me get through the permit process.We ate at the revolving restaurant on the top floor of Kindred Hotel.The restaurant had replaced the rooftop space I'd planned to use for tenant parties.Now?Only the hotel's biggest spenders got in.***Kindred Hotel officially opened.Thanks to the lawsuit blowing up online, the place became an overnight hit.People checked in just out of curiosity.They wanted to see the hotel run by the "predatory landlord" who'd "thrown over a hundred grads onto the street."Then they actually stayed.And loved it.Brand-new facilities. Top-tier service. Amazing food.At $399 a night, it was honestly a steal for a prime downtown spot.Occupancy shot past ninety percent.Weekends? Usually sold out.Jordan ran the numbers.At this rate, the hotel's annual net profit would be more than ten times what I'd made as the "dream landlord.""You should thank Toby," Jordan joked. "Without