Cherreads

Chapter 13 - Creating a Foundation

Adrian stood in front of a small, slightly rundown hotel called "Sonata Sunlight". The faded sign creaked in the breeze, its once-bright letters dulled by years of sun and rain.

Three days had passed since the dramatic incident with Natsuha at the café, and today was finally a quiet Saturday.

Over those three days, Adrian had focused hard on grinding Villain Points. He spent time with Ayano and Kurumi, subtly advanced his relationship with Natsuha, used a mix of violence and Suggestive Words to make the delinquent guy fear and obey him, and repeatedly imprinted on Takashi that he was a willing cuck. By now, his total had reached a solid 30,000 Villain Points.

Now with cash in hand, he started thinking things through last night, Adrian had prioritized securing a reliable source of income. After all, while Villain Points could be converted into money, money could not be converted back into points. 

He spent hours on his computer searching for struggling properties with desperate owners. After weighing his options, he decided that a small hotel like this was the best first asset to have. It had private rooms, decent soundproofing, and was already set up for both his physical use and steady economic income.

Now, on this Saturday afternoon, after changing into a neat formal outfit at home, a simple button-up shirt and slacks that made him look like a serious young investor, he stood in front of the hotel.

He pushed open the glass door and stepped inside.

"Good afternoon," Adrian said politely as he entered the lobby.

A young female employee behind the counter looked up and smiled professionally. "Are you Mr. Cross?" When Adrian nodded, she gestured toward the hallway. "Mr. Tanaka has been waiting for you. Please follow me."

She led him to a small, cluttered office at the back. Inside, a tired but well-dressed middle-aged man with thinning hair and sharp eyes waited behind the desk. Despite the dark circles under his eyes, he maintained a dignified posture with his straight back and tie adjusted neatly.

"Mr. Cross," Tanaka greeted him with a firm handshake, gesturing to the chair opposite him. "Please, have a seat."

Adrian sat down, offering a calm, professional smile. "Thank you for making time to see me. I understand you might be open to selling the hotel?"

Tanaka leaned back slightly, rubbing his chin with a measured expression. "Straight to the point. I appreciate that." His voice remained steady and composed. 

"Business has been challenging lately. We used to enjoy steady hourly traffic, but larger hotel chains and booking apps have taken a significant share of the market. Like any establishment, we're dealing with loans, maintenance costs, and taxes. That is why I'm exploring options to move the property forward efficiently."

Adrian listened quietly, nodding with understanding.

After a moment, he made a calm offer. "I'm prepared to take the property off your hands for 28 million yen. That includes assuming the existing loans and settling them promptly."

Tanaka's eyes widened slightly at Adrian's bluntness, but he kept his composure. "28 million… That's considerably lower than the market value, even in its current condition. The building is solid, the location is decent, and the rooms are fully equipped. I was hoping for something closer to 42 million."

Adrian remained calm and respectful. "I understand. However, given the outstanding debts and the speed at which you wish to conclude the sale, 28 million is a fair and immediate offer. It allows you to exit cleanly without further complications."

Tanaka rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He tried to push back with dignity. "Even with the urgency, 32 million would be more reasonable. It would give me some breathing room after settling the loans."

Adrian leaned forward slightly and began weaving his Suggestive Words skill subtly into the conversation, keeping his tone steady. "Selling quickly to someone who can take it off your hands at this price would be the best and cleanest option for you right now. You'd be free of the burden, the bank pressure, and could move forward without prolonged negotiations."

Tanaka's expression softened as the skill took hold, though he still maintained his businessman demeanor. He paused for a long moment, tapping his fingers lightly on the desk. Finally, he exhaled slowly.

"…You drive a hard bargain for someone your age," he said with a faint, weary smile. "But I see your point. Dragging this out benefits no one. Very well, 29.5 million. That's my final figure."

Adrian considered it for a second, then nodded. "29.5 million it is."

They negotiated the remaining minor details for a few minutes before finalizing the agreement. 

Adrian used the cash he had prepared earlier with Villain Points to complete the purchase. And thanks to this world's loose stance on legal age, the transaction went through with surprisingly few questions.

When the documents were signed, Tanaka handed over the keys and ownership papers with a tired but composed sigh. "I hope you can turn it around and do better with it than I did."

Adrian accepted the keys, feeling the weight of his first real asset in his hands. A satisfied smile spread across his face. "Of course."

Before Tanaka could leave, Adrian spoke up calmly. "One more thing, Mr. Tanaka. I'll need access to the staff group chat and any other internal communication channels. Please add me as the administrator right now."

Tanaka paused, then nodded without argument. He quickly pulled out his phone, opened the group chat, and added Adrian as the new owner and administrator. "Done. You now have full access."

Adrian gave a small nod of thanks. "Good. I'll be announcing the changes to everyone shortly."

Only after Tanaka had left the building did Adrian take his time exploring the hotel alone.

He walked slowly through the dimly lit hallways, checking each floor. There were twelve rooms in total. Most were themed in cheap but functional ways, one with mirrored walls and red lighting, another with a heart-shaped bed, a few with basic jacuzzis. 

The soundproofing was decent for hourly use, though it would need improvement. The lobby was small and dated, the furniture worn, but the structure itself felt solid.

He ended his tour in Tanaka's former office. Adrian sat down in the large boss chair behind the desk and leaned back, letting his hands rest on the worn leather armrests. The chair creaked softly under his weight. A small, satisfied smirk formed on his lips.

Sitting in this chair as the boss felt good.

From here, he could control everything. The bookings, the upgrades, the cash flow, and the employees. This wasn't just a building for him. It was the beginning of his foundation, his real start in this world. A place where he could bring his girls safely, host private meetings, and slowly build real influence while generating steady income.

He stayed seated for a while, turning the keys over in his hand, already mentally listing the first upgrades he would make: better soundproofing, hidden cameras in select rooms, subtle aphrodisiac systems, and a few luxurious touches to raise the quality.

Now to turn the situation of this bankruptcy around, it just needed a little tweaking. Adrian intended to turn this hotel into a love hotel. He had noticed that love hotels were more profitable than regular hotels in this world, and almost no one seemed to ask why.

With the right upgrades and a bit of rebranding, it could become both a reliable source of income and his personal playground, all while staying discreet enough to avoid unwanted attention.

Later that evening, back in his apartment, Adrian sat on the sofa, staring at the new property documents and the list of current employees. He leaned back, running a hand through his blonde hair as he started to plan his next moves.

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AN: Hmm, yeah thinking about what's next is always a bummer. Though I do have a plan set already for next chap but yeah, this chapter isn't for my liking lol, It's a bit dull. But that's just me. If you think its good, then it's good.

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