Chapter 156
Jenny flashed a bright smile as she walked up to Mindy. Linking her arm with Harold’s, she said, “Well, look who it is! Fancy running into you here, Mindy.”
Mindy returned the smile. “Hey, Jenny.”
“So, what brings you and Miranda to the sales office? You’re not thinking about buying a place, are you?”
“No.” (They had already bought one yesterday.)
“Oh, I see…” Jenny gave Mindy a once-over, quickly covering it with a bigger smile. “We’re just here to check out Lakeside Jewel.”
“It’s the hottest property around! I heard the high-rise apartments are almost impossible to get—people are even bribing the sales agents to snag one!”
“Thankfully, Quincey has connections with a property consultant here, so we managed to secure a unit. We just signed the contract and sealed the deal.”
Jenny’s eyebrows shot up with pride, her smile widening as she caught the surprise on Mindy’s face.
Mindy sneered inwardly. “Didn’t expect that, did you? Jealous, right? Too bad you’re not in our league.”
Mindy was surprised, mostly because Harold and Jenny were changing homes again. She remembered they’d moved into a new place just three years ago. Why did they want to move again? “Oh. It’s just that the old place felt too small,” Jenny said, almost reading her thoughts. “And the amenities here are on a whole different level.”
Mindy nodded. “So, what are you planning to do with your current place—sell it or rent it out?”
Harold started to answer, “We’re thinking about—”
But Jenny cut him off, pulling him back by the sleeve. She smiled. “We’re not selling or renting it out. We’re not strapped for cash, so why bother? We’ll just keep it as an investment and let it appreciate.”
The Sullivan family had money, and Jenny was used to getting her way. She had the luxury of being this confident.
“Mindy, have you seen the high-rise units here yet?”
Mindy shook her head. “No, I haven’t.” (When Miranda visited the previous day, she was set on looking at the villas, so they didn’t get around to checking out the high-rises before making a decision.)
“You’re missing out—they’re gorgeous! All the appliances, like range hoods and heaters, are top-of-the-line, and the layout is lovely. I heard they brought in an international designer just for this project.”
“And the landscaping! You should check it out yourself—perfectly manicured lawns, high-quality tracks, dedicated basketball and badminton courts…”
Jenny listed off every detail with pride. “I’m not exaggerating when I say living here will add ten years to your life!”
Harold winced. (The following is largely unintelligible and needs significant rewriting or removal.)
Harold sighed inwardly. He didn’t think it was right to boast so much. Lionel and he had lived in the same modest apartment for decades. They had never once moved. So, talking about their new purchase felt like rubbing salt in the wound.
But that was exactly what Jenny wanted. Her eyes gleamed. “Mindy, you guys have been in that cramped quarters for over twenty years now, haven’t you? Ever thought about moving?”
“You should really consider buying in this development project. We could be neighbors—wouldn’t that be great?”
Jenny paused, feigning thoughtfulness. “But about the price… It might be a bit over your budget, but I’m sure you can make it work.”
“Lionel’s a teacher at a prestigious high school, right? He could take on some extra tutoring gigs and earn a little on the side. The money will come in somehow; it shouldn’t be a problem!”
Mindy shook her head. “The education department is cracking down on extra tutoring. Lionel always follows the rules. He never strays from what’s allowed.”
Jenny rolled her eyes. “He turned down easy money? How ridiculous!”
“Well, if Lionel can’t pick up extra work, you could! I’ve seen writers make millions from just one book. You’ve been writing for years, Mindy. I’m sure you’re doing well, too.”
Chapter 157