Chapter 2

I opened my mouth, wanting to explain, but I couldn't exactly tell Julie that there was gold stashed inside the wall while Peter was still there.

Just then, the old voice rang out again, dripping with mockery.

"Bah! Trying to haggle the price down? Don't you know there are plenty of people out there dying to have me?

"Owen Sullivan, the guy next door, tried to marry Barry Aston's daughter back then so he could get his hands on the Astons' assets, but he failed. Now that Barry's dead, Owen's set his sights on this apartment too.

"He's coming to see the place tomorrow. When he snatches it up, don't come crying to me later!"

My mind went blank for a moment, and I blurted out, "I really like this place. Why don't we sign the contract today?"

Peter hurriedly pulled a contract out of his bag. "That would be great, Milo! If you sign the contract today, we can start the paperwork tomorrow!"

Just as I finished speaking, someone knocked on the door, and Peter went to open it.

Standing outside was a man in his 30s. He wasn't very tall and was wearing a navy blue jacket. An old woman with graying hair stood next to him, holding onto his arm for support.

"Owen? What brings you here today?" Peter was startled.

Owen Sullivan stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, his gaze sweeping over Julie and me.

"Mrs. Aston wants to look around the place again. She was worried it might be too late tomorrow. This place hasn't been sold yet, right?"

Peter looked a little awkward. "About that… Mr. Quick is currently negotiating with me. He seems genuinely interested."

"Let's not waste time." Owen interrupted him right away. "I'll raise the offer by 50 thousand. That'll be 850 thousand dollars. I can pay you in full and transfer the money by today."

The old voice suddenly grew agitated. "I knew it! That bastard was desperate to marry into the Aston family, but Barry didn't think much of him.

"Now that Barry's gone, Owen's set his sights on this house. Who knows what he's really up to? Could he have known that Barry hid his stash here?"

I acted on impulse and blurted out, "I'll raise it by 200 thousand!"

The entire room fell silent. Julie was glaring at me, and Peter just stood there, his mouth hanging open.

Owen sneered, disdain written all over his face. "Can you even come up with a million dollars?"

Peter seemed torn. "Owen, Mr. Quick was here first…"

Owen patted his jacket pocket. "I have 850 thousand dollars in my account. I can transfer the money to you anytime. I'm just worried that he doesn't actually have the money and is just putting on a front."

I clenched my fists. I only had 500 thousand dollars in my bank account, so I would have to borrow the rest.

But when I thought about the gold hidden in the walls and the cash stashed in the ceiling…

"I'll have the full amount ready in three days. Let's sign the contract today."

Owen looked at me coldly. "Don't say I didn't warn you. If you sign the contract and can't pay later, the deposit is non-refundable."

Peter quickly chimed in. "That's the policy. Milo, why don't you think it over again?"

Julie could no longer take it. She dragged me into the stairwell and hissed. "Milo, are you nuts? You want to spend a million on this dump of an apartment?

"Where are you going to get that kind of money? Did that real estate agent brainwash you or something?"

My mind started racing when I saw how frantic and angry Julie was. Should I tell her the truth? Would she even believe me?

"Julie, just trust me this once. This house really does have…"

"What does it even have?" Tears rolled down Julie's cheeks. "We've been together for three years, yet you can't even buy us a decent house to live in.

"All my friends moved into brand new, fully finished apartments when they got married. I didn't give you a hard time about it, but look at what you've done!

"You actually got me an old, run-down apartment! If you want this place, go ahead and sign the contract. Once you sign those papers, it's over between us!"

Julie turned and ran downstairs.

When Peter handed me the contract, my hands were trembling. After I signed the contract, Peter tucked the contract away, smiling from ear to ear.

"Milo, you're not one to waste time, are you? I'll take care of the paperwork tomorrow. Just pay me the full amount in three days."

Owen sneered. "You'd even break up with your girlfriend just to buy this rundown apartment. Don't tell me you actually discovered something in this place?"