Melinda eyed the sudden ruler of this nightlife district warily and said, “To be direct, it’s impossible.”

“I’ll throw in a townhouse overlooking the Aegis River. Ten times the market value for this building, plus a townhouse in a promising location. Ms. Maynard, with your expertise in real estate values, you must realize how extraordinary this offer is.”

“Still impossible.”

“Is there some special reason you can’t sell?”

“Yes, this is a living space I share with my family. I’ve grown quite attached to it, so I’m reluctant to sell it to someone else.”

“To give up even the townhouse, this place must be truly precious to you.”

‘Making it more desirable.’

Melinda read Lloyd’s greedy gaze and judged that he wouldn’t give up easily. Whatever excuse she gave, this man was determined to get what he wanted. That look in his eyes was a declaration that he would take what he wanted by any means necessary.

Judging by his offer alone, she had no legitimate reason not to sell. Finding herself without a good argument, Melinda resorted to the typical landlord’s excuse.

“I still have contracts with the current tenants. If you want to buy the building, you’ll need to reach an agreement with them first.”

“If that’s the only issue, there’s no need to worry. I’ll purchase the property including the existing tenants. I’m willing to renew their contracts if they wish. So instead of flatly refusing, please reconsider.”

Lloyd left, saying he would return, and exited the office.

Michael observed Lloyd carefully until he was completely gone.

It was an unpleasant aura that even his handsome appearance couldn’t hide. 

Those who have killed typically emit a similar aura, but Lloyd Whitaker, like Oscar von Oestenberg, immediately gave the impression of being an apex predator that even ordinary killers couldn’t approach. 

Both men were born with the qualities of rulers.

However, their caliber and nature were completely different. Comparing them to former kings, Oscar von Oestenberg was like Darius VII, who transformed from a benevolent ruler to a tyrant, while Lloyd Whitaker resembled the mad King Serdin III, who massacred both enemies and allies when the numbers didn’t add up.

Ironically, their reigns were called the golden age of the royal family because there were no corrupt nobles or officials. Both kings were tyrants who ruled the country through fear rather than inclusivity, sharing the trait of clear rewards and punishments.

In truth, placing them on the same level would be an insult to Oscar von Oestenberg, the war hero.

‘But now, von Oestenberg isn’t much different from Whitaker.’

Within days, news of the broken engagement between Oscar Walter von Oestenberg and Claire Marianne de Lebutin would break.

A few hours earlier, Michael had met with his client, Oscar.

‘The Wailing Mine absolutely must not be lost. You should try to invalidate the mine’s return in the first trial. If necessary, I’ll submit evidence that Terrence, the aide, and Claire de Lebutin were having an affair.’

Oscar von Oestenberg, who had reached the peak of human distrust due to his fiancée’s actions, was extremely sensitive. Michael recalled Oscar’s request and thought that resolving this case would take quite some time.

* * *

After entrusting Troilus to Sheila Delgado and leaving the orphanage, Jacqueline trudged across the Pontiato Bridge that connected Hazelnut Village and Udona Village.

‘What should I do now?’

Jacqueline felt like giving up even her dream of becoming a teacher. Though she tried to drive away negative thoughts by taking comfort in Michael’s advice not to disparage dreams given by others, Muriel’s influence on her life had been so significant that she couldn’t easily forget her.

‘I wonder who the baby’s father is.’

Muriel truly left nothing behind. She could quickly find out by hiring a private investigator to look into Ruby Munro’s activities, but conversely, word that someone was looking for Ruby Munro might reach the child’s father. 

How could she trust that he was an upright man?

The materialistic Muriel would surely have loved a man’s possessions and influence more than his inner character. 

What was certain was that from now on, for her sake and the baby’s, she needed to avoid contact with people from the underworld. 

Jacqueline considered temporarily leaving the capital to stay at the orphanage where the baby was.

Arriving just after sunset, Jacqueline didn’t go straight up to her home but went to see Melinda.

“Melinda, I’m here. Oh? Michael uncle and Anette are here too.”

Melinda nodded slightly. Michael said, “Welcome,” and embraced Jacqueline. Melinda watched them enviously, then returned to her prim expression once their affectionate greeting ended. 

Anette smiled brightly and waved. Theo, sitting on her lap, wagged his tail upon seeing Jacqueline.

“Hi, Jackie. How’s university life?”

“Same old, same old. I heard yesterday was your final performance. How was it?”

“Our Madonna developed vocal nodules, which was a complete crisis, but we managed to find a substitute performer and finish the show. A critic wrote that it was more like watching acrobatics than opera, which really upset Conductor Antoine. Anyway, it was quite a performance. I’m planning to stay home for a while. Don’t feel like doing anything.”

“You worked hard.”

Melinda told them to sit down, saying she had something to discuss with her tenants. As Jacqueline sat, Michael handed her a teacup and sat right beside her.

“Due to circumstances, it looks like the building will be sold.”

Anette exclaimed, almost screaming, “Whaaaat? No! I have nowhere else to go!”

“Miss Muhanick, I know you’ve saved a lot of money while working as a member of the Labon Orchestra. With that amount, you could move to a better apartment than this.”

“B-but still! There’s no neighborhood better than this! The station is close, each café has delicious coffee so it’s fun to choose between them, the cost of living is low, and above all, lovely neighbors! Why are you selling a building on such prime land?”

“And the rent has stayed the same since you first moved in. Hmph!”

“Hehe. That’s because the landlord is so generous. Anyway, I’m against selling!”

“Well, now. The tenants have more say than the landlord.”

“Hey, neighbor! Say something too.”

Jacqueline had been considering wrapping up her life in the capital, and upon hearing that Melinda was selling the building, she thought perhaps this was fate. 

With a calm face, she asked Melinda, “May I ask why you suddenly decided to put the building up for sale? Is it something we shouldn’t know about?”

“They offered terms I can’t refuse. They want to buy it for ten times the market price. Plus the rights to a townhouse next to the Aegis River.”

Anette clicked her tongue in frustration, saying, “Tch.” With such conditions, even the landlord couldn’t refuse to sell.

Jacqueline tilted her head and pointed out something strange.

“Seeing that the buyer is willing to take a loss to purchase it, don’t you think there might be something more to this?”

“I was curious about that too, so I asked, but they just said they want to use it as a residence.”

“The thoughts of the wealthy are hard to understand. But for Melinda to decide to sell, this person must be quite influential, right?”

Jacqueline found it odd that Melinda would make such a decision, knowing how much she cherished this place. The atmosphere suggested she wasn’t selling because she wanted to. 

Melinda felt proud and touched by Jacqueline’s insight, which seemed to read her mind, thinking that her girl could make a living anywhere.

“The person trying to buy it is Lloyd Whitaker. Even if I refuse to sell, he’s so stubborn that reasoning with him is impossible. But simply ignoring him is…”

“Wh-Whitaker? He wants to buy this building? Oh no…”

Michael exchanged glances with Melinda. He indicated that he would ask about Jacqueline’s situation instead, fearing that the hot-tempered Melinda might say something inappropriate. 

Melinda reluctantly stepped back. It would be better for someone with good communication skills to handle the conversation.

Michael started with a light joke, just like when he usually listened to Jacqueline’s concerns.

“I saw Whitaker earlier today. He’s handsome, but not quite up to my standard when I was young.”

“Um…”

He teased her playfully.

“From your reaction, I can tell you know what Whitaker looks like?”

“It’s hard to hide things from you, uncle. Yes, I’ve met him before.”

With a somber expression, Jacqueline revealed her encounter with Lloyd Whitaker. Listening to their conversation, Melinda finally understood why Lloyd Whitaker wanted to buy the building. 

And that what she had feared had come to pass. As her unfortunate imagination became reality, her complexion grew even paler.

She had anticipated this since Lloyd Whitaker showed his obsession with red hair.

‘So he finally discovered that girl.’

Michael, concerned about Melinda’s heart condition, continued his conversation with Jacqueline.

“So what you’re saying, or rather what you suspect, is that he’s interested in buying the building because he’s interested in you.”

“Probably. But maybe not. It could be that he simply likes this building by coincidence, or there might be another reason. However, if it is because of me, I absolutely won’t cause trouble for you two and Anette. So, I’m planning to leave the capital for a while.”

Once the palpitations in her chest had somewhat subsided, Melinda spoke up.

“What about school? The semester will start soon. What will you do if you leave the capital?”

“I was just about to talk about that. I’m really sorry to say this after all your support, but I want to take a break from my studies for a while.”

Michael patted Jacqueline’s shoulder understandingly.

“That’s fine. You’ve worked hard all this time, so it’s okay to take a break. Taking time to clear your head seems like a good idea. Don’t you think so too, Linda?”

Though not entirely pleased, Melinda agreed for Jacqueline’s sake.