Chapter 38: A Little Trick Seen Through

Chapter 38: Chapter 38: A Little Trick Seen Through

Peter Collins lowered his head and sipped his tea, avoiding Rian Sinclair’s gaze. He had originally intended to use the couple to test the waters and see if he could drive up the price. If it didn’t work out, he would just drop it.

Who would have thought that the person showing up today was not only some wet-behind-the-ears greenhorn, but also an acquaintance of these two? Judging from their conversation, it seemed the girl used to live at their place.

With this realization, a general plan took shape in Peter’s mind.

Most likely, her company had simply dispatched her to sign the contract. She looked like a fresh college graduate who wouldn’t know how to perfectly handle complications. Didn’t that give him the perfect loophole to exploit?

This was playing right into his hands.

Rian remained silent, observing Peter’s demeanor. The man probably had no idea she possessed veto power over this entire contract.

The landlord couple waited for Rian to continue. After all, in their eyes, she was just a little girl; seeing them act so pitiful would surely soften her heart. If she bought the plot at a premium, then according to their prior arrangement with Manager Collins, they would get a larger cut.

Rian leaned back in her chair. "Ma’am, I’m not buying this plot of land anymore. Didn’t you hear me earlier? You don’t have to worry about the people there having nowhere to live. Ma’am, sir, I really misjudged you in the past. I never realized you were so kind-hearted."

The couple’s faces cycled through a spectacular array of colors upon hearing Rian’s words. Peter grew slightly tense as well, but when he looked at Rian’s face—she barely looked twenty—he quickly relaxed.

The older woman’s expression soured. She was just about to snap back when her husband tugged at her elbow. Immediately, she forced a bright smile. "Rian, I just misspoke. I saw how hard you and your younger brother were struggling in Argent, which is why I’ve always looked out for you two. The neighbors all saw how young you were and tried to take care of you, too."

Hearing this, Rian knew the woman was about to play the sympathy card.

Looked out for them?

It was a miracle if she went a single day without mocking them, yet she dared to claim she looked out for them?

Rian genuinely wanted to laugh. She hadn’t expected the old woman to be so utterly shameless. By the looks of it, she was absolutely convinced she could walk all over her. Rian wanted to see what else they could possibly say. They were quite the actors.

At this point, Peter stopped hiding in the background and finally spoke up. "Miss Sinclair, this couple is simply very attached to that place. They mentioned to me that the people living there are all migrant workers in Argent. Hearing that reminded me of my own past, so I took the liberty of bringing them along."

Peter’s face was full of faux apology. Seeing Rian with her head lowered in apparent contemplation only reinforced his belief that bringing the couple had been the right move. "I had no idea Miss Sinclair used to live there. How are the people over there?"

"Just wonderful," Rian sneered.

Oh, they were just wonderful! She had experienced every toxic neighbor dynamic imaginable. Petty theft was a minor issue; spreading vile rumors about her was what truly made them despicable.

Looking at Rian’s expression, Peter couldn’t quite read her mood. He was about to speak but was abruptly cut off.

"Since Manager Collins didn’t come to sign this contract in good faith, we’ll consider it null and void. I hope you continue to maintain this level of ’kindness,’ Manager Collins." Rian stared at Peter coldly, too lazy to drag this out any longer.

With that, she stood up to leave. Only then did Peter completely panic. He sprang to his feet and raised his voice, "Miss Sinclair, you’re merely here on behalf of your company to sign this. Let’s both take a step back and sign the contract as originally agreed, so things don’t get difficult for you when you return to your office."

Rian chuckled softly. "Manager Collins, do you think I’m just some lowly clerk at the company? And even if I were, is that supposed to be a threat?"

For a moment, Peter felt unsure. Just then, a message from his boss popped up on his phone. Flustered, he quickly pasted a fawning smile on his face. "I’m so sorry, Miss Sinclair. This couple insisted on tagging along. No matter what I said, they wouldn’t listen. Let’s just sign the contract as we previously agreed. How does that sound?"

Rian flipped through the contract with her fingertips. Peter thought there was a chance. He assumed she was young, unwilling to give up this plot of land, and that everything could still be smoothed over.

"Miss Sinclair, the appearance of this couple was just an accident. I hope you can let bygones be bygones. Signing the contract will also make it easier for you to proceed with planning for this plot of land, won’t it?" Though slightly worried, Peter looked at her youthful face and figured that as long as he admitted his fault, the signing would go off without a hitch.

Rian smiled and looked at the landlord couple. "Is that what you think, too?"

The older woman was about to speak when Peter coughed a few times. She swallowed back whatever she was going to say, her face contorting into a fleeting grimace. "Rian, you don’t need to worry about the uncles and aunties over there. I’ve thought about it carefully, and we can’t let them inconvenience you! Just pretend you never heard what I said earlier. Go ahead and sign the contract with Manager Collins however you need to."

After holding it in, that was all the old woman could muster. Rian instantly lost interest; the entire charade had grown incredibly dull.

Looking at the contract, she pushed it back across the table. "Since Manager Collins insists on playing these games, I see no reason to proceed with this signing. This plot of land is entirely dispensable to me. Don’t treat it as if it’s made of gold, Manager Collins. It’s not like I don’t know the hidden snags that come with it."

Manager Collins’s face instantly darkened. He knew the issues with this plot, of course. Even in a place like Argent where space was at a premium, the practical value of this specific parcel was low. Otherwise, his boss wouldn’t be selling it at such a bargain!

The realization hit him—if this contract fell through, the only thing waiting for him back at the office was a termination letter!

Panic set in. With a sycophantic expression, Peter pleaded, "Miss Sinclair, we can negotiate the terms of the contract. Let’s not miss the forest for the trees!" He glanced at the couple, then back at Rian.

Rian tapped the side of her teacup. It had already gone cold.

"If that’s what you truly believe, Manager Collins, then why bring a bunch of petty schemers here to flaunt their presence?"

As soon as Rian spoke, the landlord couple’s faces turned deathly pale. They were filled with rage but couldn’t afford to throw a tantrum right now.

"Miss Sinclair, this is entirely my fault. I apologize for upsetting you. This meal is on me, and if I have any good land deals in the future, I’ll give you priority. How does that sound?" Peter was trying his utmost to show sincerity.

Rian smiled and stood up. Assuming the deal was saved, Peter rose to his feet and extended his hand. However, Rian made no move to reciprocate. Instead, her pleasant voice rang out.

"Manager Collins, you think far too highly of yourself. The return on investment for this plot of land is much too long for me anyway. Besides, do you really think I need your ’favors’ to acquire the land I have my eye on? Is your reputation really worth that much? Don’t overestimate your own importance. Sometimes, you shouldn’t let petty profits blind you, Manager Collins."

Rian picked up her bag from the side. Pouring the remaining tea onto the tea table, her red lips parted. "I seriously doubt the professional competence of someone in your position, Manager Collins. The way you conduct yourself is quite astounding—bringing people here just to disgust others, looking down on people... and one more thing." Rian looked Peter up and down, then smiled. "I can’t help but wonder if you only got to this position through nepotism."