Crossroads

Chapter 265

Stephanie was dead set on moving out and renting her own place.

Molly failed to change her mind. She made a desperate call to Oscar for help, but he seemed tied up.

It was Saturday, and there wasn’t much else to do. Stephanie’s ankle, though still injured, didn’t bother her much for walking, and she’d already taken off the bandage. After lunch, Molly reluctantly agreed to go apartment hunting with her.

Luck was on their side. They found a one–bedroom apartment in the city center from the online post. The fumiture and decor were brand new, and the rent wasn’t too bad.

“One thousand three hundred dollars a month, with a year’s rent paid upfront, plus 10 thousand dollars deposit. Take it or leave it. Don’t waste my time. Make up your minds.”

The landlord was a man in his 30s, about 57 feet, dressed casually with glasses. He looked decent enough, but his tone was incredibly harsh

“A year’s rent upfront and 10 thousand dollars deposit! You’ve got to be kidding!” Molly furned.

The landlord continued, “The renovations and furniture here are brand new. A 10–thousand–dollar deposit is already very cost–effective. If there’s any damage at the end of the lease, you’ll have to compensate me. A five hundred square feet apartment in this area would cost you at least 23 thousand dollars..”

“Ten thousand dollars is outrageous,” Molly countered. “Five thousand dollars tops. And this isn’t exactly a new building, despite the neighborhood. Let’s see your property deed, just to make sure we’re not dealing with a middleman here.”

While Molly tried to haggle over the rent, Stephanie seemed uninterested. She wandered around the cramped apartment, muttering. “It’s a bit tight, isn’t it?”

“If you think it’s small, why don’t you go live in a mansion?” the landlord retorted.

The apartment was so tiny that Stephanie’s comment was heard by everyone. The landlord’s face darkened. “Are you two serious about renting! This is a small place. It isn’t for royalty,” he sneered.

Molly looked a bit weird. She rubbed her temple and mumbled, “She really is a royalty”

to negotiate the price. She signed

be frugal.” Molly sighed, watching her sign the contract

days or even weeks to compare options before renting, but Stephanie was

didn’t even read the three pages of

into a drawer and turned around, saying casually, “Who would dare to trick me?

Molly s

moment. Indeed, who would

the contract, it wasn’t clear who would end

could get ugly Molly mustered, her mind immediately jumping to

a cold voice.

usual fire return, Molly felt a wave of relief. A feisty Stephanie was way better than a silent

tidying up the kitchen. “If you talk

hear this, unsure of how to respond, so

help but notice how the apartment was super close to the Innovate Group, with a bus that

supermarket a few blocks away, making shopping for daily necessities easy. They bought some new cups, bowls, and bedding, and after a quick clean–up, the apartment was ready for move–in. That night, Molly squeezed into the same bed with Stephanie,

however, Molly

ungrateful, backstabbing. Molly muttered under her breath, deeply hurt,

12:12 PM

Chapter 265

of your own business.” Then,

called her the night before, complaining about her not attending his kindergarten events. Stephanie must have overheard the conversation. She always disliked intruding on others‘ lives, and perhaps she truly wanted

Molly left. Stephanie found herself bored and decided to take a stroll around the neighborhood.

Since it was a bit chilly in early winter, she added a white short–down jacket on top. With light makeup and a natural look, standing around 5.7 feet, her hair simply tied back, and she looked like an innocent college