The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 139 K iki’s Appearance
“Aw, this is so sweet of you, Virtue,” Lisa said after taking the red silk scarf out from the paper bag. “This will go great with my designer purse. Thank you.” She placed the scarf and the paper bag in one of her desk drawers.
“I missed you at the opening yesterday,” I said, “but I heard you were really busy. How’s Cris, by the way? I heard he was at home…sick.” I needed to pretend to be the thoughtful friend or she would definitely suspect something was up if I didn’t ask about him.
“Oh, Cris? He’s actually doing much better. He’s, uhm, still at home, though, recovering,” she mumbled absentmindedly while tidying up the papers on her desk, avoiding eye contact. “Yeah….. business has been doing well despite the chaos.” She pressed a key on her laptop and closed it. “But enough about me. So how can I help you? Do you already have plans to sell? I mean, after you and Liam get married, I assume you’ll be moving into the Cohen Mansion,
yes?”
“I guess I will be selling my house eventually, but I’m not here to put my home on the
market just yet,” I said, my brow furrowed. “Why do you ask? Has someone been in
about my house?”
“Actually, yes, there is someone asking about your house,” she answered to my surprise. “And
I think you know her. Her face is on every poster in town.”
“Sarah Hughes? The one running against Liam? S-She asked about my house?” I asked,
acting shocked. Of course… one of Noah’s lovers wanted my house. I surmised she wanted to
be closer to him. “Doesn’t she live in Highland Oaks? Why would she want to buy my house
when she lives in such a nice neighborhood?”
“I’m guessing she wants to finally leave the nest Lisa said. “Both her bookstore an shop are doing well, I’ve heard. Anyway, she called me up yesterday asking me to i once you put the house up for sale. She told me she is willing to pay whatever you w
it.”
“She said that, huh? Whatever I want… I’ll take that into consideration when I make my decision,” I told her, glancing at Cristos who had moved forward, placing his small man pu on Lisa’s desk. He was looking at his phone, tapping his foot impatiently. It was obvious he needed more time. “By the way, have you heard about Nicole? Bo told me she figured into an accident last night.”
“Yes, I did,” she said, her bright smile turning into a frown. “Jack told me this morning. I’m going to visit her at the hospital later after work.”
“I’ll probably visit her tomorrow when I’m free. Will you be going to Theodore Cohen’s wak
Wed, Apr 3
CHAPTER
ED 120 K
Appearance
54% 1

later tonight?” I asked nonchalantly.
“I don’t know,” she answered, looking hesitant. “Where will it be held anway? Chimes is still
under construction.”
“At Cohen Mansion. Liam called me a while ago and said he will be opening the mansion to the public so everyone can pay their final respects to his father,” I answered.
“He is?!” She asked stunned. “I’ve only been there twice my whole entire life. Once with my parents and the other time was when Liam and Cris won the election.” She sounded excited. “Count me in. I’ll be going.”
“Great! I’ll see you later tonight then,” I replied, smiling brightly. I was about to tell her about K iki, but Cristos tapped his fingers on Lisa’s desk, signaling he was done.
“Sorry, delivery problems. Bo’s delivery men can’t distinguish the difference between Curaçao and Cointreau,” Cristos finally uttered, placing his phone in his pocket and his bag onto his Hap. He was grinning from ear to ear, looking triumphant.
“Actually, Lisa, we’re here because Chip wants to buy a house,” I said, pointing at Chip with
my thumb.
“Chip, are you sick of sharing?” Lisa asked amused.
“I am,” he rolled his eyes, getting into character. “It’s hard taking care of two big babies.” Lisa giggled.
“Then, why don’t you wait for Virtue’s house to go on the market? After she weds, have any use for it,” she said, winking. “I can forget Sarah Hughes ever called me ju
you.”
“The Old Taylor House is a gorgeous house, I admit, but I want to be surrounded by y people… closer to my age. Her neighborhood is for the old and sickly,” Cristos scoffed.
“That’s the reason why I like it. It’s quiet,” I pointed out.
“Too quiet,” Cristos said with a click of his tongue. “And I want something new. Not
haunted.”
“The Old Taylor House isn’t haunted, Chip, Lisa said giggling while she opened her drawer. She took out a small pamphlet and slid it to Cristos. “So I’m guessing Hillcrest then. We have five newly constructed houses on the market. One of them is near the clubhouse along the3/6
Wed, Apr
CHAPTER 139 Ki ki’s Appearance
lake, but because it is on the lake, the asking price is higher.”
“Lisa, price isn’t an issue, Cristos replied. “I would prefer being on the lake… I heard the view is breathtaking. As for your house, Virtue, I think Bo might be interested.”
“Bo? I’ll keep him in mind then,” I said, nodding my head.
54%
“So, when are you free for viewing, Chip?” Lisa asked, opening her laptop. “How about later this afternoon after I show Mr. Shepherd the house at the Taylor cul-de-sac.” She pointed to Chef who didn’t even bother looking up from what he was reading.
“I can’t today. Virtue and I are going to Bismarck. How about tomorrow?” Cristos asked.
“Oh? You’re going to Bismarck? What for?” Lisa asked us.
“I’m picking up a girlfriend of mine to help with the wedding,” I answered. “I’m thinking of being a June bride. What do you think?”
“You’ll make a lovely June bride, Virtue, Lisa said, grinning at me. “Alright then. I’ll reserve the house for you, Chip, and we can go see that house tomorrow.”
“Look at the time, Virtue. Your friend will be arriving soon, Cristos said unexpectedly,
looking at his watch. “We need to go. What time should I come by tomorrow, Lisa?”
“How about two in the afternoon? There’s a couple who will be viewing another house in
Hillcrest with us.”
“Sure, two will be fine,” Cristos replied. “Come on, Virtue, I still need to drop by the pub
before we drive to Bismarck.”
We stood up and said our goodbyes. Once we were inside Chip’s car, he smiled at me.
“I got all her information including her offshore account. I’ll check if she has ever benefitted from Cris’s extracurricular activities later,” he said as he turned on the ignition. “I got a message from Bo, by the way. It seems Pete has agreed to a time and a place.”
“Oh yeah? Where and when?” I asked.
“A gasoline station near Red River. We need to deliver you at midnight after the Spring Honey Bee celebration.”
“One week from today.” I replied. “That’ll give us enough time to make plans.”
4/6