Chapter 175
Linda Moore was never one to back down from a fight.
She couldn't swallow this injustice.
She stormed into the real estate agency that very day.
She was determined to confront that agent, Omelas.
The manager informed her that Mr. Semona had resigned three days prior.
With no one to confront, Linda fixated her anger on the agency itself.
She returned to cause a scene every single day.
She even enlisted relatives to hold protest signs outside the shop.
The situation escalated rapidly.
Finally, the manager, out of options, gave her Mr. Semona's home address.
Linda went straight to the address.
She successfully cornered him at his apartment.
To her surprise, he showed no guilt whatsoever.
He was completely unapologetic.
"You sold me the house. The payment cleared, and the deed is in my name now. Your protests are pointless."
Linda dropped to the floor in a fit of hysterics.
She employed her most dramatic performance.
Mr. Semona proved to be just as ruthless.
He mimicked her, lying down on the floor himself.
He began loudly proclaiming his innocence.
The neighbors, disturbed by the noise, called the police.
Both were taken to the police station.
After mediation, it was confirmed the house sale was final.
The contract was signed, payment received, and the title transferred.
No amount of fussing would return the property to Linda.
Mr. Semona sneered. "You were desperate to sell. I did you a favor buying your old place. Was that wrong?"
"Who could have predicted the demolition? I'm no fortune teller. You just have bad luck, missing out."
"Make all the noise you want. I'm unemployed now. I have all the time in the world. Let's see who lasts longer."
"The compensation money supports me. I don't need a job. But you? You have a husband and son. Don't you have housework to do?"
Linda was utterly dumbfounded.
She had dominated her faculty housing community for over a decade.
Everyone tolerated her out of respect for her husband.
But outsiders weren't obligated to play along.
Linda was consumed by regret.
If she had known about the demolition, why would she have sold?
Waiting just another month or two would have netted her one or two million!
The thought made her sick with anger.
Not a hundred dollars, but a million!
Just thrown away like that?!
David Sullivan added, "I heard she was so angry she ended up in the hospital."
Sophia Sullivan was speechless.
"By the way, she called your mother a couple days ago."
"Who did?"
David said, "Linda Moore."
"What did she want?"
"She asked if we'd sell our old house. Said she'd offer four hundred thousand, as a neighborly gesture."
Sophia's mouth twitched. "Is she out of her mind?"
The demolition policy was announced. Waiting a few months would yield over a million. Selling now for four hundred thousand?
David shrugged. "Maybe... she thought we hadn't heard about the demolition?"
Sophia was exasperated. "Ignore her."
"Your mother didn't. She hung up on her."
Linda tried calling several more times.
When Isabella refused to answer, she finally gave up.
Sophia, remembering Stone Macmillan's invitation and her mother's expiring contract, asked, "Dad, your summer break has started, right?"
"About a week ago. Why?"
"How about you and Mom come to Kyoto for a visit? You can see me?"
David was tempted.
He missed his daughter and fondly remembered his own university days in Kyoto.
"But aren't you working on your thesis? Would we be a distraction?"
"The thesis is done. I'm free lately."
"But it's the hottest time of year. Traveling might be..."
Isabella cut in, "Don't listen to your father. He's dying to go."
David coughed lightly. "I didn't say I wouldn't go."
Sophia laughed. "Great! I'll book your tickets right now."
She hung up and immediately booked two business class seats.
...
David and Isabella received the booking confirmation. The train was for the next day!
They hurried to pack.
"This girl, such a rush... Business class for a few hours? Such a waste of money..." David muttered while packing.
Isabella disagreed. "She wants to see us quickly. A few hours isn't short. Coach seats are painful. Don't you ache? She's being thoughtful, wanting us to be comfortable."
"Our daughter paid for the best seats herself, and you're complaining? Don't be ungrateful."
David clicked his tongue. "Look at you, one word from me, ten from you. I'm not complaining. I just want to save her some money..."
"Save your own money, not mine. 'Travel rich, live poor.' It's fine to be frugal normally, but when traveling, enjoy the comfort."
"Yes, yes, you're right, dear!" David nodded immediately, his attitude perfectly corrected.
While packing, Isabella brought daily necessities and changes of clothes.
David wanted to bring vegetables he'd grown himself.
Organic, pesticide-free.
Isabella was speechless as he tried to pack freshly dug potatoes. "That's enough. What if they spoil on the way?"
"Such a heavy suitcase. Can you even carry it?" Isabella asked, arms crossed skeptically.
"Of course I can carry it. It's not that much..." David tried lifting it, then...
"Well... it is a bit heavy, isn't it?"
Isabella: "..."
"Should I take some things out?"
The suitcase was eventually lightened considerably, much to Isabella's satisfaction.
...
The next evening, Sophia met her parents at the high-speed rail station.
Isabella recounted the previous night's packing antics.
Mother and daughter laughed together.
David followed behind them, scowling.
"Mom, Dad, my place is just ahead."
Sophia had already told them about her rental.
Isabella had been worried about safety and the environment.
Sophia hadn't hidden anything, explaining both the pros and cons clearly.
"...No elevator, the building's old, but the transportation is convenient. The subway and shopping district are right outside the alley. It's close to the universities."
David and Isabella listened as they walked,climbing seven flights of stairs.
Sophia took out her keys.
Suddenly, the door across from hers opened.
Alexander Laurent was home to grab a change of clothes before returning to the lab.
He froze upon opening the door and seeing Sophia with a man and a woman.
David and Isabella also stopped in their tracks, equally surprised.