Chapter 18: Afraid of Being Beaten Up

After hearing Jared, Tommy knew what to do. Despite Toby's pleas, he dragged him to the car. Only death awaited him.

The woman watched her husband's abduction, dumbfounded as she stared at her utterly destroyed Maserati.

Mark and the security guards eventually regained their composure. Mark addressed them, "If you see Mr. Chance again, show him respect. Anyone who disrespects him will be fired immediately!"

Meanwhile, Jared drove up the hill. Shortly after, he encountered Zayne and the others, who were finishing a house viewing and preparing to leave with the sales associate.

Seeing Jared's damaged Ford, they were stunned. They couldn't understand how he'd gained entry.

"Jared must have barged in when no one was looking. He's probably afraid of getting beaten up," Lydia said, eyeing the car's damaged hood.

"He's so bold! How dare he barge into Dragon Bay?" Zayne scoffed.

Overhearing their conversation, the sales associate had an idea. She rushed over and stopped Jared. If this guy really barged in, the company will definitely reward me, she thought.

Her assumption was naive. Not working in maintenance, she didn't know Jared lived in Dragon Bay.

"How dare you barge in with your car?" she demanded, stopping Jared.

Jared was taken aback. "I didn't barge in; I drove in. Even your manager saw me."

"Stop defending yourself, Jared. Look at your car! You must have barged in because you're scared of being beaten up. Someone's probably chasing you, right?"

Lydia sauntered over, a mocking look on her face.

"Jared, only tenants are allowed in. Even we, as buyers, need permission. Since you're neither a buyer nor an owner, this is trespassing!" Zayne smirked.

"Who says I don't own property here?" Jared calmly replied.

Their astonishment was palpable. The sales associate asked hurriedly, "You bought a house here? I don't recall that."

She scrutinized Jared. He didn't look like he could afford a house there; the residents were all extremely wealthy. She knew many of them personally. [The sentence about searching online is inappropriate and should be removed.]

"Stop boasting, Jared. Do you know how much these houses cost? You couldn't afford the smallest one with your life savings! How dare you call yourself a property owner?"

Zayne continued disdainfully, "I've managed this for years, and even with bonuses, I can only afford a down payment on the cheapest house. How can you, a newcomer, afford a house here? You can barely afford one in the countryside, let alone here!"

Contempt was etched on Zayne's face. He didn't believe Jared owned a house.

Lydia and Maria were equally skeptical. If Jared could afford a house there, Maria wouldn't need to find him a job.

"Sir, since you claim to own property here, show me which house is yours. Don't lie; I know all the owners!" the sales associate demanded.

"Yeah! Show us your house. Let's have a seat," Lydia added with veiled sarcasm.