Chapter 509: "Then Why Not Buy a Few Buildings Here?

Chapter 509: Chapter 509: "Then Why Not Buy a Few Buildings Here?

After leaving the villa, Ms. Dawson smiled and asked, "I know a milk tea shop nearby that specializes in fresh milk tea. It’s quite good. Do you want to try it?"

Renee Jennings nodded. "A local’s recommendation? We have to try it."

Tucked away in one of the older residential buildings, the milk tea shop was surprisingly spacious and elegant.

It was only after they entered the shop that they learned something new—Ms. Dawson wasn’t just a native of the city; she was also an understated local tycoon.

She was leasing the space to the milk tea shop, and two-thirds of the surrounding residential buildings belonged to her family.

"So Ms. Dawson is the legendary landlady," Renee Jennings said, giving her a thumbs-up. "Impressive."

"If you don’t mind, just call me Yuna. My name is Yuna Dawson."

Michelle Fuller blinked. "Is it true what they say online? That people like you all love wearing flip-flops..."

"Flip-flops?" Yuna raised an eyebrow slightly. "I rarely wear them. I prefer Crocs when I’m not working."

"Oh my gosh, you still have a job?" Michelle Fuller exclaimed. "You’re so rich already, yet you’re still working so hard!"

Yuna laughed. "Actually, only three of the buildings around here are in my name. I wouldn’t really say I’m rich."

Zachary Conway and Hilary couldn’t help but sigh internally. ’That’s not considered rich? Heavens, there are so many wealthy people in the world, what’s one more?’

"Take a look and see what you want to drink," Yuna reminded them. "I personally recommend the Duck Shit Oolong. The name’s a little weird, I know, but the tea itself is incredibly fragrant, with notes of orchid."

A slight smile touched Renee’s lips. "I’ll try the Duck Shit Oolong you recommended."

Michelle Fuller immediately chimed in, "I’ll have the same as Renee!"

In the end, everyone chose the Duck Shit Oolong.

The milk tea was ready in no time. With a single sip, the rich flavor of the tea base flooded their senses with an assertive, undeniable presence.

"It’s very good," Renee Jennings said, nodding in satisfaction.

The others agreed that it was delicious.

"I’m glad you like it." Yuna’s tone filled with gratitude. "I’m truly so thankful for you all today. If it weren’t for you, I never would have known how outrageous Auntie Sterling was being."

She paused for a moment before continuing, "Are you all visiting Lyris? Would you be comfortable giving me your home addresses? I’d like to send you a gift to show my appreciation."

"Didn’t you already treat us to milk tea?" Renee swirled the cup in her slender fingers.

Yuna stared for a second, then said with a helpless smile, "The milk tea doesn’t count."

Renee’s eyes flickered to the quiet Addie. After a moment of thought, she gave a soft chuckle. "Actually, I just thought of something. I might need to ask you for a favor."

"What is it?" Yuna asked.

Renee said, "I’d like to rent a small apartment here for two months."

Michelle Fuller heard this and immediately guessed her intention: it was for Addie Sutton.

Yuna waved a magnanimous hand. "Why rent for just two months? Just stay there, no charge."

"No, we have to do this by the book," Renee said. As soon as the words were out, her phone rang.

She glanced at the caller ID before answering. "Director Leto, hello."

After listening to what the person on the other end said, she frowned, her voice growing cold. "I understand. I’ll be over in a bit."

"Do you have something to take care of? Will we have time to go see the apartment first?" Yuna asked.

"Yes," Renee nodded, then glanced over at Addie Sutton and said softly, "Felix Sutton and Helen Lockwood went to the police station looking for you."

Addie’s eyelashes fluttered as she pressed her lips together tightly.

**

"This building is mine," Yuna said, leading them to see an apartment nearby. "They’re all two-bedroom units, renovated the year before last. Two of them just became vacant last month. You can see if they work for you. If you’re not satisfied, we can look at others."

This was the newest of her three buildings.

Standing at the base of the building, Renee felt the street looked very familiar, as if it were the same one that led to Uncle Victor’s house.

Yuna unlocked the door to a small office on the first floor and retrieved a large ring of keys. "Let’s go. It’s on the sixth floor."

Michelle Fuller stared at the massive ring of keys in Yuna’s hand, her face full of envy. "I wish I could be a landlady too."

Yuna could tell from Michelle’s expensive clothes that she wasn’t exactly poor. She raised an eyebrow. "Then why don’t you buy a few buildings here?"

"You give me too much credit," Michelle said, shaking her head. "I’m not at that level yet."

Yuna replied, "So modest, girl."

The elevator doors slid open. Michelle Fuller stepped inside and leaned her entire body against Renee, whining playfully, "I’m not being modest. I still have to rely on Renee to support me."

Yuna laughed. "Then have Renee buy a few buildings here."

"I’d have to work harder for that," Renee said.

Hilary joked, "I’m going to fight all of you rich people!"

DING—

The elevator stopped on the sixth floor.

Yuna opened the door to apartment 606. "Take a look. It has furniture and appliances."

The apartment was spotless, with a spacious, sun-drenched living room.

Of the two bedrooms, one was a bit dim, but Addie could take the other.

Renee turned her head and asked, "Addie, what do you think of this apartment?"

Addie looked around and nodded softly. "It’s nice."

"So, we’ll rent this one?" Renee asked calmly. "You can stay here until school starts."

Addie pursed her lips. "Is the rent expensive? A small single room would be enough for me, really."

"Not at all," Yuna jumped in. "We’ve got a connection, so I’ll give you a ’friends’ discount. It’ll be about the same as a single room. It’s just sitting empty anyway. If you don’t rent it, who knows when I’ll get around to leasing it out."

In reality, quite a few people had inquired about the two units, but she was too lazy to show the property to prospective tenants.

"Okay." Addie took her at her word and nodded. "How much is the rent per month?"

Yuna said, "Five hundred."

Addie’s eyes widened in surprise. "Really? Five hundred?"

"Why would I lie?" Yuna took the key for 606 off the ring. "If you’re staying until school starts, one month’s rent should be enough. No need for two."

Addie accepted the key with both hands. "Thank you, Yuna," she said gratefully.

Renee took out her phone. "Yuna, let’s add each other on WeChat. I’ll transfer you the rent."

"Okay." Yuna immediately took out her phone.

Renee transferred the rent money and smiled. "We have some other business to attend to, so we’ll be leaving now."

"Okay." Yuna saw them off downstairs. "Are you free tonight? I’d like to treat you all to dinner. Just buying you milk tea is too shabby a way to show my gratitude."

"You’re being too kind," Renee said with a smile and a raised eyebrow, explaining softly, "I just happened to notice Auntie Sterling was up to no good. The milk tea was more than enough, really. You don’t need to spend any more money on us."

Hearing this, Yuna had no choice but to drop the matter. "Alright, then."

"See you around," Renee said, bidding her farewell.

Once the group was back in the car, Addie asked softly, "Renee, they went to the police station to find me... do they want to take me home?"

Renee turned her head to look at her, her gaze clear and gentle. "That’s most likely the case. Have you had a change of heart? Do you still not want to go home?"