I Àm The Richest Heir

4

Mike was silent for a moment, finding it difficult to digest what Mrs. Rose had just said. Even though he knew the offer was full of compromises, he felt his heart and mind conflicted. “So, if I accept your offer, does that mean I give up my freedom? Do you want me to depend on you?” he asked, his tone showing uncertainty.

Mrs. Rose shrugged, looking impatient. “Or, the second option is for you to pay off the rent!” she said firmly, as if not wanting you to waste her time. “But, that doesn’t seem possible to you, does it?”

“That’s great, Mrs. Rose! Aren’t we supposed to support each other? I promised to pay this week. Isn’t that enough?” Mike sounded frustrated. He was trying to hold on to hope, but it seemed Mrs. Rose wasn’t listening.

“Stop promising, Mike! You keep making empty promises that you can’t keep! If you don’t pay off the rent, then I really will kick you out!” Mrs. Rose shouted, her voice filled with anger and dissatisfaction. The tension in Mike’s heart increased, and he felt like he was cornered.

“So, you’ll just leave if I can’t pay? Without seeing all the effort I’ve put in?” Mike asked, his voice now shaking with accumulated emotions. “Why don’t you trust me?”

Mrs. Rose rolled her eyes, unable to hide her frustration. “This isn’t about trust, Mike. This is about reality! You have to face your contract and your responsibilities!” she said, feeling like she was cursing Mike’s existence, and every word stabbed into his heart.

Mike felt like his heart was splitting apart. He knew that his financial problems were a burden he had to face, but why did he have to be trapped in uncertainty with Mrs. Rose?

“If that’s your decision, if you don’t want to give it another chance, then maybe we can’t continue this,” Mike said in a low voice, holding back the pain that was gnawing at his heart.

With a cold stare, Mrs. Rose nodded as if she already knew it. “You better think about your options soon. I won’t wait forever.”

Now, he was standing between a bad choice and having to face reality. In a bleak view, he was determined to find a way to freedom and not depend on others—including Mrs. Rose and also Lauren, who seemed to have gone far from the sincerity of love he had hoped for.

Mike felt confused and trapped in a deeper depression. He stood there, contemplating such a complicated and terrible situation. Having to sleep with the landlord, Mrs. Rose was not an option he wanted. However, his financial situation had cornered him—should he move out right then and there?

As he was caught in this dilemma, suddenly the door of the apartment next to his opened. A beautiful girl with sleepy eyes stepped out. She immediately looked at Mike with a look that hinted at displeasure, "You two are so noisy! Can you please calm down?" her voice was shaking, but there was politeness in her speech.

“Sorry, we didn’t mean to interrupt,” Mike replied, trying to keep his voice calm even though his heart was breaking. He explained the chaos that was happening.

The girl listened intently, then without hesitation, she pulled her wallet out of her bag. “Listen, I don’t want to argue. This is to cover the disturbance you guys caused. I’ll pay you $100 to make sure you guys don’t make any more noise,” she said, offering the money generously.

Mike was momentarily stunned. He couldn’t believe someone would pay just to avoid trouble. “No, I don’t want to bother you,” Mike replied, reluctant to accept money from anyone, especially in such a bad situation.

“No, take it. I just need a good night’s sleep. Your relationship doesn’t need to involve me,” the girl stated firmly before walking away, closing the door behind her.

Mrs. Rose looked shocked at the scene. As the girl left, she rolled her eyes and turned to Mike. “See, even the neighbors don’t want to get involved. But remember this, Mike. Don’t expect to owe me anything anymore. If there is any unpaid rent, you will be evicted,” he said harshly, the dissatisfaction on his face clearly visible.

Frustration enveloped Mike. He did not want to be in constant conflict with this little piece of land. Tears welled up in his eyes as he realized how depressed and trapped he was in his life. “Yes, I understand,” he replied, though his heart was crushed by various emotional burdens.

He felt shackled once again. Holding the feelings of pain and disappointment in his heart, he found it difficult to continue his days. However, while remembering the kindness of the neighbor girl who paid for him, he began to think.

Maybe this was the time to fight again. Although he felt trapped in the darkness right now, Mike had to find a way to hear the voice of his heart and the courage that still shone inside him. With slow but sure steps, Mike was determined not to give up and do whatever it took to get out of all this—so as not to be trapped in a detrimental situation, for himself and his better future.

After Mrs. Rose left, Mike felt better despite still being stuck in a difficult situation. He quickly turned to the neighbor’s door and thanked the girl. “Hey, thanks so much for your help! I promise I’ll pay you back!” he said, but before he could finish his sentence, the girl had already closed the door.

Mike felt a little embarrassed and had to divert his attention from the incident. As he closed the door, the phone in his pocket vibrated, distracting him. He saw an unfamiliar number appear on his screen, and his curiosity prompted him to answer it.

“Hello?” Mike picked up the phone, curious as to who was calling him.

“Did you get the money?” the man’s voice on the other end of the line sounded stern and formal.

“Huh? Money?” Mike felt confused and confirmed several times, “Excuse me, which money?”

“The 5 million dollars that was just transferred to your account. It’s yours,” the man on the other end of the line replied in an authoritative tone.

Hearing the confirmation, Mike’s heart skipped a beat. He could hardly believe it. “I-it’s mine? Oh my God…” Mike said, his back feeling weak with joy. All the hopes and fears he had felt seemed to disappear in an instant.

“If you’re confused, you should come to the Lovance Group Building. Meet me on the 99th floor,” the man on the other end of the phone continued before hanging up, leaving Mike in shock.