Free Web NovelChapter 501: Chapter 501: Delivering Herself to the Door
Melody Summers said this out of respect for Manager Grant.
The Summers Family had been on good terms with Manager Grant for the past two years, and since Gavin Grant was his relative, Melody didn’t want to make things ugly.
As long as Gavin arranged for the "disaster victims" in 1706 to be moved elsewhere, she was willing to let the matter go.
But unexpectedly, the man standing before her didn’t see it that way.
Hearing Melody’s words, Gavin Grant frowned in displeasure. He snorted, his voice low. "Listen, little miss, I’ll be straight with you. A big shot from the Reconstruction Department specifically requested this apartment!"
For a moment, Melody didn’t quite process what he’d said. She asked subconsciously, "...A big shot from the Reconstruction Department...?"
’Someone from the Reconstruction Department... specifically requisitioned her apartment?’
’How ridiculous could they be?’
’Why hadn’t her mother or uncle mentioned anything about this?’
Seeing Melody’s stunned expression, Gavin assumed she was scared stiff. ’Heh, I knew it,’ he thought. ’These young girls are the easiest to fool. A little intimidation is all it takes to make them behave.’
Pleased with himself, Gavin said, "That’s right. You’ve heard of the Reconstruction Department, haven’t you? They’re in charge of all the disaster relief and reconstruction work in the city. And someone from their department specifically requested your apartment!"
"You guys don’t live there anyway, so just let them have it. Otherwise, if you offend them, I’m afraid life is going to get very difficult for your family!"
Gavin glanced at the still-dazed Melody and added meaningfully, "Little miss, since you’re a friend of Joanne’s, I’ll give you a kind reminder... some organizations over by the back mountain will start hiring soon. If you’re lucky enough to be hired, even for a menial janitorial job, the pay and benefits are incredible."
"But if you offend someone from the Reconstruction Department... I’m afraid your entire family can kiss those job opportunities goodbye... You need to think carefully about what’s more important, little miss!"
Everyone, even a three-year-old, knew how rare job opportunities were these days. Losing them just to spite someone from the Reconstruction Department would be a terrible trade-off... Gavin was confident Melody wouldn’t be that stupid.
Melody: "..."
After a moment of silence, Melody frowned and asked, "...Do you know who it is that specifically requested my apartment?"
’Melody had seen the list of all the members of the Reconstruction Department. She was genuinely curious—who on earth could be so outrageous?’
’What was the difference between this and bullying the common people!’
’And they were trying to bully *her*?’
Gavin thought Melody had finally seen reason. He smiled, gratified, and said in a teasing tone, "All I know is his name is Winston Sheffield... What, little miss? Are you asking so you can go ’thank’ him in person?"
At this, Joanne White’s eyebrow twitched. She had a bad feeling about what Gavin was about to say and quickly tugged on his sleeve, signaling him to shut up and not say another word.
But Gavin ignored Joanne’s signal. A certain possibility occurred to him, and he chuckled suggestively. "Too bad... I hear this Mr. Sheffield is already married. This apartment is for his father-in-law and mother-in-law. So don’t get any funny ideas, little girl! Powerful men aren’t short on women these days, haha!"
Joanne White: "..."
As Gavin’s mocking laughter filled the air, Joanne White despaired and rolled her eyes internally.
’It’s time to find a new fish,’ she thought.
’This Gavin Grant seems to be missing a screw. I’m not about to get dragged down by this idiot!’
Hearing Gavin’s words, Melody fell even deeper into silence—
’Winston Sheffield?’
’...Isn’t that Nina Summers’s ex-boyfriend?!’
******
「4-1706.」
Sylvia Lancaster finished inspecting all the appliances in the apartment and nodded with satisfaction.
Though the decor couldn’t compare to 4-1606 downstairs, it was still quite nice. Especially compared to the stinking, low-income housing the Lancaster Family was currently living in, this place was practically a paradise.
Winston Sheffield wrapped an arm around Sylvia Lancaster’s slender waist and said, as if seeking praise, "So, Sylvia, are you satisfied with the apartment?"
Sylvia nestled obediently into Winston’s arms, smiling as she nodded. "I’m very satisfied, honey. Thank you. This is all thanks to you!"
After saying this, something else seemed to occur to her. She frowned slightly and said with some hesitation, "But... if we just move in like this, won’t the owner find out? ...Can’t we just buy one outright?..."
Winston sighed, looking troubled. "We can’t buy one for now. The state is watching very closely. All unsold properties and mortgaged homes are registered with the government, and there’s a strict order from above that these places must be used to house disaster victims."
The government had anticipated the issue of housing for victims from the very beginning of the rains. Fearing that the wealthy would monopolize housing and rent it out at exorbitant prices, the government directly ordered a suspension of property transactions in some residential areas of the North District.
The Sheffield Family didn’t dare take the risk or try to get their hands on any of the unsold properties, so they found another way: targeting homes that had already been fully paid for.
Using his status as an employee of the Reconstruction Department, Winston Sheffield looked into the property transaction records for The Metropolis Residences. He discovered that apartment 4-1706 perfectly met all his needs—
First, 4-1706 was a rare, fully furnished apartment, so Sylvia’s family could move in right away.
Second, the owner hadn’t spent a single day in the apartment since buying it. They were most likely dead, a victim of the cataclysm!
It was the perfect combination of timing, location, and opportunity. Winston pulled some strings and decisively chose this apartment.
Hearing this, Sylvia Lancaster nodded helplessly and said obediently, "Alright. It’s okay if we can’t buy it. As long as we have a place to live, that’s what matters. Thank you, honey."
Winston hugged Sylvia and gave her a kiss. "It’s getting late," he said. "I’ve arranged for a car. Let’s go get your parents and bring them over."
Sylvia nodded and was just about to say "Okay," when suddenly, the sound of a key turning in the lock came from the front door.
The next second, the doorknob turned, and the door swung open.
Melody Summers opened the door, and when she saw Sylvia Lancaster inside, she froze—
"...How are you still alive?"
—’Given the Lancaster Family’s situation back then, it was a miracle the last big snowstorm didn’t freeze them all to death... They’re real survivors!’
Seeing Melody, Sylvia was also stunned. Her eyes widened, and she blurted out, "It’s you?!... What are you doing here?!"
Melody didn’t answer Sylvia Lancaster’s question. She looked at Sylvia, then at Winston Sheffield beside her, and quickly put two and two together.
—’Winston used to be interested in Sylvia, but she always looked down on him. Who would’ve thought they’d end up hooking up...’
’To win her over, Winston abused his authority and arranged for the Lancasters to live in 4-1706.’
At this thought, Melody let out a cold laugh. She hadn’t even had to lift a finger to deal with Sylvia Lancaster, and here she was, delivering herself right to her door!
