Still defiant, Paula snapped back, “Someone like you–no way you’d ever settle for a place this cheap. Dropping five hundred a month just for that woman? Seriously?”
She had already noticed the man’s suit–tailored, expensive. Just the jacket alone could buy this entire apartment.
Gideon’s smile faded from his deep–set eyes as he took a seat beside Celestine. “I’ll pay five thousand a month.”
The agent, who had all but given up, instantly came back to life, eyes bright with anticipation. If he closed this deal today, that would be a hefty commission for him–plus a cut of the tenant’s fee as well.
“Sir, I have the rental contract right here! If you’d like to take the place, we can sign right now!” he exclaimed, rummaging through his briefcase in a frenzy.
Celestine frowned, shaking her head at Gideon. She knew he was stepping in on her behalf, but she couldn’t stand the thought of him wasting money on her account.
Gideon just winked, his storm–grey eyes crinkling with an easy charm.
Celestine’s breath caught for a moment.
But when he turned to the agent, his expression snapped back to its usual cool detachment. With a rare air of patience, Gideon picked up the ballpoint pen and signed his name on the lease. Even in this cramped apartment, he carried himself as if he were closing a multi–million dollar deal–or more.
The agent could hardly contain his delight. “The contract says five hundred per month–let me go back and amend that,” he said, almost tripping over his words.
“No need,” Gideon said, glancing down as he pulled out his phone.
“Oh, sure!” the agent replied quickly, thinking Gideon just wanted to avoid hassle. “And, um–about the agency fee?”
“Payment code,” Gideon said flatly.
“Right away!”
He scrambled to pull up his payment QR code.
A moment later, the familiar chime of five hundred dollars received rang out. Before
the agent could say a word, another notification sounded–two hundred and fifty
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dollars this time.
The agent froze. “Excuse me, sir, what does this mean?”
Gideon ignored him, continuing on his phone.
Celestine’s phone buzzed. She looked at him in surprise. “Mr. Prescott, did really just send me five thousand dollars?”
you
He nodded. “It’s the rent.” Slipping his phone away, he glanced at her–her delicate features still stunned, and for a moment his stern brow softened.
“Mr. Prescott! Mr. Prescott, you sent the money to the wrong person!” the agent sputtered, nearly panicking. “You were supposed to pay me, so I could forward it to the landlord!”
Gideon arched an eyebrow. “Oh? Isn’t Miss Selwyn the owner?”
It was like a slap in the face for the agent. He had called the landlord earlier–Celestine’s name was the one on the deed. He knew better than those two idiots: this was marital property, after all.
The agent grimaced, turning to Celestine with a pleading look. “Please, Miss Selwyn, cut me some slack–I’m just trying to make a living here.”
Celestine’s gaze was ice–cold. “You want your commission? Go back to whoever hired you.”
The agent looked helplessly at Gideon. “Mr. Prescott, the agency fee is only two–fifty…”
“I recall the lease was for five hundred a month,” Gideon replied, voice icy and unyielding.
The agent could’ve kicked himself. Why did he have to mess with these two? Now he was stuck–no way out, and not nearly enough money to show for it.
Meanwhile, Paula and Carr watched the whole scene unfold, not daring to even breathe too loudly. Five thousand dollars–heck, even five hundred–was more than they could spare in a month if they scrimped and saved every penny.
Faced with the prospect of paying such a huge sum, they were utterly defeated.
Finally, Paula broke down in tears, pleading, “Miss Selwyn, please, don’t hold it against us! We didn’t know any better–we’re truly sorry! We don’t have any money left!”
Carr chimed in, voice trembling. “She’s right. My big mouth always gets me in
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trouble–I ought to sew it shut myself!”
