Chapter 17: House Viewing

Early the following morning, after informing his parents, Jared went to his mansion at Dragon Bay, carrying a meat reishi mushroom. At the entrance, Zayne, Maria, and Lydia were arguing with a security guard.

“Why are you preventing us from entering? We’re here to buy a house! Is this how you treat clients?” Maria demanded.

She had been in a good mood, anticipating using her approved commission for a down payment on a Dragon Bay house. While she couldn't afford a hilltop mansion, she planned to take out a loan for one at the foot of the hill. [Remove the promotional sentence about the website.]

The guard's refusal enraged her.

“If you want to buy a house, go to the sales gallery next door. Entry is prohibited until you're a property owner,” the guard replied impassively.

“How can we buy a house without viewing the property?” Maria retorted.

“Viewings are conducted with a sales representative. You can’t enter alone. That’s our policy.”

The guard blocked their entry.

“Forget it, Maria. Let’s go to the sales gallery and get a representative,” Zayne said, pulling Maria away. He was annoyed but didn't want to cause a scene in Dragon Bay, Horington's most exclusive neighborhood, fearing repercussions as a mere department manager.

Maria glared at the guard, threatening, “Just you wait! When I own a property here, I’ll have you fired!”

They left for the sales gallery. The guard sneered, “Ridiculous! She thinks she’s so important!”

Moments later, Jared arrived in his used Ford. Security guards, seeing the car, signaled him to stop; they’d never seen a Ford in Dragon Bay.

Jared stopped, and a guard approached to inquire about his visit. Upon seeing Jared through the car window, the guard froze.

After a moment, he stammered, “Oh, Mr. Chance! I’m so sorry.” They recognized him from his previous residence, the most expensive mansion in Dragon Bay.

“It’s okay,” Jared said with a faint smile.

The guard immediately opened the gate, and other guards saluted as Jared drove past. Just as he was entering, a red Maserati cut him off. Unable to brake in time, Jared rear-ended the Maserati. The guards were stunned.

Since the accident occurred at the entrance, they felt partially responsible and glared at the Maserati's driver.

A woman, wearing sunglasses and a straw hat, emerged, cursing. “Do you know how to drive? You hit my car with your shabby Ford! Do you know how much my car costs?” She was furious at the damage to her car.