Chapter 358


    I couldn''t help but sigh. Gemma seemed to know more than I did. I had no idea my dad was still


    actively buying up the remaining properties.


    But I was aware that most of the big fish on the block were already in my dad''s pocket.


    The small fries that stuck around were mostly the genuinely poor old-timers. Then there were the


    opportunists who heard about the redevelopment ns and wanted to cash in. A few genuinely loved


    the neighborhood. And of course, there were those with businesses on Main Street.


    Dad had mentioned itst time: for the poor old-timers, he was willing to negotiate. If they wanted out,


    he''d offer them a sweet deal. If they wanted to stay, he’d refurbish their homes for free. After all,


    renovating the area was part of his grand vision.


    For those who truly loved living here, Dad had policies in ce to let them stay putfortably. Every


    town needed its residents, after all.


    The ones he really needed to reel in were the opportunists. Dad called them cancer, a potential


    problem for the future.


    Of course, my dad wasn’t about to be fleeced by them.


    Peering through the door crack once more, my eyes, now ustomed to the dark, made out Jan


    sitting in a wicker chair under the wisteria, rocking gently.


    And there, standing right in front of him, was that portly figure.


    I cursed under my breath. That loyal old hound.


    As soon as Gemma heard Jan use my dad of greed, she chimed in, "No kidding! I remember him


    chatting with the missus, saying if he got the whole street, it would be a game-changer, set for life once


    it''s developed. I heard that''s where the real money''s at!"


    Gemma''s tone was thick with envy, "Sir, your father-inw is seriously loaded! Someday, all this will be


    yours! You''re the real lucky one!"


    She was shamelessly buttering up Jan.


    Though I couldn''t see Jan''s face, I could imagine his smugness.


    He maintained his lofty boss persona, even his voice dripped with nobility as he deftly changed the


    subject, "How often has Mr. Richardson who you mentionedst time dropped by?"


    My heart leapt. He was onto Bet.


    Gemma hurriedly answered, "A few times, but only dined the once. The other times, he’de to y


    chess with Galen, asionally muttering something iprehensible. They didn’t like to be


    disturbed... I couldn’t get close!"


    Jan was silent for a while before he said to Gemma, "Next time... if Galen wants to go out and the


    missus tries to stop you, use some of your tricks. You know what I mean, right?"


    I tensed up, ncing at Hannah, who clearly heard as well and gently pressed my arm.


    "Huh?" Gemma let out a surprised squawk.


    "You know, prepare something to help her snooze for a bit," Jan exined.


    I nearly exploded with rage. This scoundrel was plotting to harm my mom!


    "Ah... Sir, I... I wouldn’t dare!" Gemma''s voice was quivering.


    "You wouldn’t dare? Then what use are you to me? You''ve taken so much of my money, and at crunch


    time, you say you wouldn’t dare?" Jan''s tone turned icy.


    "But..."


    "But what? You think just eavesdropping is enough to earn my money?" Jan pressed scornfully.


    "I’ve done all I could!" Gemma protested weakly.


    "All you could? And what’s that worth? What valuable thing have you given me?" Jan grilled her,


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    "Don’t you know how much I’ve paid you? You took the money, but I don’t have what I need. Does that


    seem right to you?"


    Gemma stuttered, "But... this is too..."


    "Too what? I’m not asking you to kill her. Just let her sleep for a while. Don’t you get it?" Jan pressed


    on disdainfully.


    Fuming, I clenched my fists, ready to barge in and give him a piece of my mind.


    Hannah held me back, signaling me to stay quiet and patting my shoulder.


    I ground my teeth and kept listening.


    "If you can’t do even this, then prepare to pack your bags! But before you go, return what you took from


    me. Fair’s fair, right? I''m under no obligation to buy your son a car or a house!" Jan spat coldly.


    Seems like Jan had indeed invested heavily, sparing no expense on Gemma.


    "But... but you''re Marissa''s man. She just wanted me to keep an eye on the old folks. She never said


    anything about... about drugging them." Gemma started to hedge.


    I held my breath, listening intently.