Chapter 3

"In that case, have them come up."

"What?" Ethan blinked.

"I said, have the buyer come up."

"This is a five-million-dollar deal. We should talk face to face, don't you think? What if they're a scammer?"

I glanced at the time.

"It's eleven-thirty. Half an hour left."

"Have them come up. Sign the contract. Wire transfer. We exchange everything at once."

Ethan clearly hadn't anticipated this demand. His eyes shifted uneasily.

"That's... a little inconvenient, this late at night..."

"More inconvenient than having your hand cut off?"

My expression darkened, and I said sharply:

"Ethan, either have them come up right now, or I call the police and let them sort out this loan shark story."

The moment she heard "police," his mother started wailing again.

"No police — if the police come, Ethan's life is ruined! How will he ever show his face again!"

Ethan looked equally stricken. He clenched his teeth.

"Fine. I'll have them come up. Honey, find the deed now — don't keep them waiting!"

He pulled out his phone and turned away to type a message.

I watched his back, my eyes completely cold.

Ethan Collins — if you want to put on a show, I'll play along until the very end.

I just hoped whoever came through that door could keep up with my act.

Ten minutes later, the doorbell rang.

Ethan scrambled to the door like a startled rabbit.

In walked a man in a black trench coat and sunglasses, a woman trailing behind him.

The woman pulled down her mask, revealing a carefully made-up face.

Claire.

Of course it was her.

Ethan's first love — the woman he'd never gotten over, the woman for whom he was willing to scheme and lie to get my property.

"Mr. Collins, is the deed ready?" Claire asked, playing her role.

Ethan nodded and bowed almost obsequiously:

"Ready, all ready — Natalie, get the deed out!"

I sat on the couch without moving, my gaze drifting over Claire.

"And you are?"

"I'm the buyer's legal representative. Claire Bennett."

She pulled a business card from her bag and handed it to me.

"Mrs. Collins, time is short. Let's sign as quickly as possible."

"A lawyer?"

I took the card and looked it over, then gave a quiet, humorless laugh.

"Miss Bennett, that Chanel you're wearing is this season's new release. And that Hermès on your wrist. Law must pay very well."

Claire's expression flickered, then steadied.

"That's my personal business, Mrs. Collins. Please don't change the subject."

"I understand Mr. Collins urgently needs funds. Our client is only willing to buy at full price as a personal favor. Once this opportunity passes, it won't come around again."

"She's right, Natalie, hurry up!"

Ethan was sweating, reaching out to grab my arm.

I stepped out of his reach and unhurriedly pulled a red book from the cabinet behind me.

Every pair of eyes in the room snapped to it instantly.

Ethan's eyes lit up with naked greed. His mother swallowed hard. Claire actually took a step forward.

"Here's the deed."

I set the book on the coffee table, pressing my palm flat on top of it.

"But before I hand it over, I have a question for Miss Bennett."

Claire fixed her gaze on the book, visibly impatient. "What question?"

"You say your client is a cash buyer. So my question is — can you produce five million dollars right now?"

"Of course!"

Claire reached into her bag and produced a check.

"This is a cashier's check for five million. The moment it's signed, it's valid."

I glanced at the check.

Fake.

A prop this crude would only fool someone as legally clueless as Ethan.

Or rather — Ethan already knew it was fake. He just wanted to get the deed transferred to Claire's name first.

"Great. Very straightforward."

I nodded and reached for the book, extending it toward him.

The moment Ethan's hand shot out to grab it, I flicked my wrist and slammed the book squarely into his face.

Smack.

A sharp crack.

Ethan staggered back, hand pressed to his face, staring at me in disbelief.

"Natalie! What was that for!"

"What was it for?"

I stood up and pointed at the red book.

"Open your eyes and look — what exactly is this?"

Ethan snatched it off the floor and flipped it open. The color drained instantly from his face.

It wasn't the property deed.

It was a copy of the Penal Code.