Chapter Twenty One
"Yes, you. Think of it as a proposal gift from your boyfriend. I didn't give you a grand proposal. So, my girlfriend must accept a grand gift." Ren smiled at Monica as she blinked at him in surprise.
"Ren, you–"
Monica's words were cut short by Doctor Harrison's as he flashed his yellow teeth at the loving couple. "Miss Young! Mr Esper also bought a really expensive necklace for you. Hasn't he given it to you yet?"
Monica's cheeks flushed a deep crimson. "Doctor Harrison, this really isn't the—"
"Nonsense!" The old man cackled, adjusting his glasses. "Young love should be celebrated. Especially when the young man in question has that kind of wealth." He shot Ren a knowing look. "Go on, Mr. Esper. Don't keep the lady waiting."
A forced smile covered Ren's face as he glanced in Doctor Harrison's direction. "I'm saving it for our first date, Doctor Harrison."
Ren's straightforward response took Doctor Harrison by surprise as his smile was wiped out from his face, only leaving awkwardness. "This old man apologises for his eagerness."
"Now. Now. Let's not ruin Mr. Esper's mood further." Donovan butted in immediately as he pulled out his phone. "Why doesn't Mr. Esper pay for the mall first? I'll immediately arrange for the electronic and physical transfer agreement on Miss Monica's name immediately after it."
"Why such a hurry, Mr. Marsh? Are you planning to run away with my money?" Ren taunted, raising his eyebrow at Donovan. 'There's something wrong with this man… But, what?'
Donovan's smile didn't waver at Ren's blunt accusation as a flash of calculation flickered behind his eyes which was quickly suppressed. "Mr. Esper has a sharp tongue. I appreciate that in a business partner. However, be rest assured, Mr Esper, I won't leave here before handing over the online and physical transfer documents."
"In that case, you may tell your people to bring the documents along with a card scanner."
Donovan's smile tightened almost imperceptibly. "Of course, Mr. Esper. I appreciate the thoroughness of a young man." He raised his phone, fingers tapping rapidly. "Marcus, my assistant, will be here with the scanner and the documents in a moment."
Ren nodded at Donovan's words as his hand found Monica's, squeezing it gently.
Monica was trembling at the sheer absurdity of the situation in front of her. 'How am I ever going to pay Ren back for all he has done for me till now?'
"Ren," Monica whispered, leaning close so only he could hear. "You can't buy me a mall. That's insane. People don't just buy malls for girlfriends they've had for an hour."
"We've been official for an hour," Ren corrected, his thumb tracing circles on her palm. "I've liked you for a little longer than that."
"That's not—" Monica's face flushed. "That's not the point!"
"The point," Ren said quietly, "is that I want to offer my girlfriend financial security so that she doesn't have to go knocking on another stranger's door asking for rent in order to pay her brother's medical bills. So, stop refusing me, babe."
Monica opened her mouth to argue, but Alex cut her off with a snort.
"Ica, just let the man buy you a mall. Most women get flowers. You're getting a commercial complex. Roll with it."
"This isn't funny, Alex!"
"It's a little funny."
"You two are impossible!"
Before Monica could launch another protest, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the mall's entrance. A young man in a crisp black suit emerged from the automatic doors, a leather briefcase clutched in his sweaty hand and a portable card scanner in the other.
"Mr. Marsh!" Marcus skidded to a halt beside Donovan, his chest heaving. "I came as quickly as I could. The documents, as requested." He thrust the briefcase toward Donovan like a soldier presenting a weapon to his commanding officer.
Donovan took the briefcase with a measured nod, his fingers finding the latches.
The case opened with a soft click, revealing a thick stack of papers neatly organized within. "Everything is in order," Donovan said, more to himself than anyone else. "The deed, the transfer agreement, the non-disclosure forms, and the liability waivers."
He pulled out a single sheet, handing it to Ren. "The summary of terms, Mr. Esper. For your review."
Ren took the paper, his eyes scanning the legal text. The numbers matched what Donovan had shown him earlier.
'Forty million, fifty-two thousand, five hundred forty-five dollars and forty-five cents in recurring. Do I really have to calculate this shit?' Ren felt a headache rise in his head before an idea struck his mind. 'System, can you calculate the payout amount for me with the tip?'
[Of course, host. Your Payout Amount for this transaction to successfully pass through is: 440,578,000.00 Dollars]
Ren's eyes widened slightly at the unexpected response on the blue screen. 'Damn. This system is proving to be more useful than I thought. If only I knew about the calculator feature before. Haiz…'
"Something wrong, Mr. Esper?" Donovan's voice cut through Ren's internal concerns, laced with anxiousness about the purchase.
"Nothing at all," Ren replied smoothly, handing the summary back. "Let's proceed."
Donovan's smile widened, and for just a moment, something flickered in his eyes. Relief? Triumph? Ren couldn't quite place it, but his military instincts prickled at the back of his neck.
"Marcus, the scanner," Donovan commanded. "Mr. Esper is surely going to pay a thousand percent tip, right?"
"Of course. That's my principle. Four hundred forty million five hundred seventy-eight thousand in full."
Marcus stepped forward, the portable card scanner trembling slightly in his grip as he entered the amount then held it out to Ren. His eyes darted nervously between his boss and the man about to spend a fortune on a whim.
Ren reached into his pocket and pulled out his worn leather wallet. The contrast between the cheap, cracked leather and the sleek black card he extracted was almost comical.
Elena, who had been silently observing the entire exchange quietly, drew in a sharp breath. Her pink eyes fixed on the card in Ren's hand, recognition flashing across her features.
'That's not just any black card,' the realisation hit her as her mind that catalogued subtle details immediately recognised the card. 'That's a Golden Apex Centurion card. They've only issued seven of those in the entire history of the bank. Who is this man?'
Ren swiped the card through the scanner with ease, his expression betraying nothing.
The machine processed for what felt like an eternity. Donovan's anxious smile remained fixed, but a bead of sweat trickled down his temple.
Marcus shifted his weight from foot to foot, his grip on the scanner whitening his knuckles.
Beep!
[Transaction Successful!]
[Transaction Amount: 440,578,000 Dollars]
The two old men grinned at each other flashing their yellow teeth at the sound of the successful transaction before bowing to Ren and quickly taking their leave without another word to the party, who all stared at their backs, flabbergasted except…
Ren.
After reaching a safe distance from where they no longer could see them anymore. Donovan punched some numbers into his phone and raised it to his ear.
The phone rang once, then twice, before it was finally picked up on the third ring, making Donovan's smile widen even more.
"Shit Young, your work is done."