Chapter 3

"

Emily's eyes widened, bouncing between my face and briefcase. "Weren't you yesterday... "

"Laid off yesterday, yes. " I smiled and handed her my business card. "Here in a different capacity today. Shaw Property Management Company. I'm Ethan Shaw, the property owner's representative. "

She took the card. Looked at it for three seconds. Looked at me for three seconds. "... You're joking, right? "

"Contract number JH-2022-A1703. Your company leases the entire 17th floor of Kingston Tech Park Building A. Monthly rent $290,000, three consecutive months overdue, totaling $870,000. I'm here to discuss this matter. Please notify Mr. Kane or whoever handles administration. "

Emily's hand hovered over the phone, frozen. Her expression was like watching a cat walk in and claim to be checking the water meter. "You're... serious? "

I placed the authorization and property deed copies on the reception desk. "Could you make the call? I'm not in a hurry. "

Five minutes later. The elevator opened. Hayley Chase walked out in high heels, wearing her standard HR smile. But that smile, the instant she saw me—

Cracked. Yes. Like a perfect mirror that suddenly went "crack" down the middle. "Ethan? "

"Hi, Hayley. "

"What are you... doing here? "

"Collecting rent. "

Her footsteps stopped. Her heel made a sharp "click" on the marble floor, then silence. I handed her the authorization. She didn't take it. Her eyes focused on the header—"Shaw Property Management, Inc. "—then moved to the agent signature—"Ethan Shaw. "

Read it three times. "This is... "

"Your company's overdue rent. Three months. $870,000 total. Per contract, consecutive non-payment exceeding two months gives the lessor the right to terminate. I'm not discussing termination today—just when you can settle the debt. "

I paused, adding with a smile, "For now. "

Hayley's hand holding the document trembled slightly. Not from fear. It was that involuntary muscle response when someone's worldview suddenly collapses. She opened her mouth to speak. The first-floor lobby was very quiet. Emily pretended to look at her computer, eyes practically flying toward me. Hayley took a deep breath. "Wait here. I need to... notify management. "

She turned toward the elevator. Her heels clicked rapidly and erratically. Two steps away, she glanced back at me. That look was complex. Translation: "Are you seriously not messing with me right now? "

I nodded at her. Expression sincere. She got in the elevator. After the doors closed, Emily finally couldn't hold it in. She covered her face with a folder, peering at me from behind it. "Ethan... "

"Yeah? "

"Did you know yesterday? "

"Found out last night. "

She swallowed hard. "When you signed the exit agreement yesterday... "

"I didn't know. "

"When you came to collect rent today... "

"I knew. "

She lowered the folder. Face flushed red. Couldn't tell if she was excited for me or scared for the company. "Badass. "

She said. Voice very small. But I heard it. **Chapter Four**

Five minutes later, the elevator opened again. Hayley led the way, followed by someone else. Marcus. He strode over, suit crisp, chin raised—the same posture as when he'd patted my shoulder yesterday. Only difference: he wasn't holding an americano. He was gripping a document. "Ethan? "

He stood before me, looking me up and down. A smirk played at his lips—the kind of smile someone in power gives to a farce. "You got laid off and came back to scam us? "

"Mr. Hayes. " I handed him the authorization. "Please review this. "

He took it and glanced casually. Then a second glance. The second took much longer. "What is this? "

"Property deed copy, property management authorization, my identification. Your company owes three months' rent on Kingston Tech Park. I'm here on behalf of the owner to negotiate. "

Marcus flipped it over to check the back. Flipped back to the front. His eyes bounced between "Shaw Property Management, Inc. " and "Agent: Ethan Shaw" at least four times. He laughed. But the laugh sounded wrong. "Your last name is Shaw, the company's name is Shaw, so it's your family's? "

"The name on the property deed matches my father's identification. The authorization bears the corporate seal and notary stamp. If you have doubts, you can verify at the Real Estate Registry. "

My tone was calm. Like presenting a PowerPoint—though all my previous PowerPoints had been stolen by him. Hayley stood nearby, hands wringing together. She interjected: "Mr. Hayes, this document... I did a preliminary check. It appears legitimate. "

Marcus's expression looked like he'd swallowed a live fly. And the fly was still buzzing. "Are you kidding me? " He stared at me, voice rising half an octave. "Fired yesterday, today you show up claiming this building is yours? If you're going to make up a story, at least make it believable—"

"Mr. Hayes. " I cut him off, pulling another document from my briefcase. "This is the lease agreement your company signed three years ago. Lessor: Shaw Property Management, Inc. Lessee: Apex Interactive Technologies, Inc. , legal representative Richard Kane. Monthly rent $290,000, three months' deposit plus one month advance. "

I turned to the last page. "The seal here matches the seal on my authorization. You can compare them yourself. "

The lobby went silent. Marcus stopped talking. The document in his hand was shaking. Subtle, but I could see it. Hayley stole a glance at him, then at me. Emily pretended to answer a call, holding the receiver upside down. About ten seconds of silence. The elevator chimed again. This time Richard Kane emerged. Mr. Kane. Apex Interactive CEO. Forty-five, slightly overweight, balding. Always wore a gray polo shirt. Today: gray polo shirt. As he approached, his face radiated that "I'll handle everything" executive aura. "Hayley, what's going on? "

Hayley opened her mouth. Nothing came out. Marcus opened his mouth. Nothing came out. I answered for them. "Hello, Mr. Kane. I'm Ethan Shaw. I left your company yesterday.