After Zoey left, Frank headed straight to the bathroom. The cold shower did little to cool his body or his mind, but it was enough to bring him back to focus. After about thirty minutes of gathering himself, he got dressed, grabbed his things, and stepped out of her apartment.
Hailing a taxi, he gave the driver the address for Summit Realty Co., where Zoey's friend worked. The ride was smooth, and Frank spent most of it leaning back, letting his thoughts drift to the events of the morning.
When the taxi stopped in front of the towering Summit Realty Co. building, Frank stepped out and handed the driver the fare. On a whim, he peeled off a 50 VRC bill—double the amount—and handed it to the driver as a tip.
The driver's eyes lit up. "Thank you, sir! This is very generous."
Frank gave a casual shrug, smirking. "Enjoy your day."
As the taxi pulled away, Frank turned his attention to the building. The sleek glass façade reflected the city's skyline, and the luxurious vibe of the place was undeniable. "Looks fancy," he muttered to himself as he pushed open the large glass doors and stepped inside.
The interior was just as impressive as the exterior—polished floors, modern décor, and a reception area that screamed money. Well-dressed men and women moved around with purpose, some carrying folders while others discussed high-profile deals.
Frank made his way to the reception desk, where a poised receptionist greeted him with a practiced smile. "Good afternoon, sir. How can I assist you?"
"I'm here to see Maya Hansen," Frank said confidently.
The receptionist tapped a few keys on her computer and glanced at him. "Ms. Hansen is currently with a client, but you can find her in the first room around the corner. She should be available shortly."
"Thanks," Frank replied, slipping her a crisp 50 VRC note as a tip.
The receptionist blinked in surprise before breaking into a bright smile. "Thank you so much, sir! Please, let me know if you need anything else."
As Frank walked toward the indicated room, the system's familiar voice chimed in his head.
[What's with the sudden generosity? You're throwing money around like it grows on trees.]
'I'm a multimillionaire now,' Frank replied internally. 'Might as well live like one.'
[Multimillionaire or not, tipping people for doing their job isn't exactly wise spending.]
'Oh, come on,' Frank shot back. 'Did you see her face? That small tip made her day. Sometimes, it's not just about the money—it's about making someone feel appreciated.'
The system gave a noncommittal hum but didn't press further.
Frank reached the door the receptionist had mentioned and pushed it open without hesitation. The room was tastefully decorated, much like the rest of the building, with a large desk, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a calm, professional atmosphere.
Maya Hansen, a sharp-dressed woman with striking features, sat confidently across from a man and a woman, exuding the poised demeanor. Her tone was professional yet warm as she gestured toward some documents on the table, clearly wrapping up a discussion with her clients.
The sound of the door opening drew everyone's attention. Three pairs of eyes turned to Frank, who had stepped in without realizing he was interrupting.
"Oh—sorry about that," Frank said, raising his hands slightly in apology. "I didn't know you were with a client. I'll wait outside." He started to turn and leave, but a voice called out behind him.
"Frank?" The voice was tentative, unsure.
Frank paused, turning back to see who had spoken. It was the man seated across from Maya, and beside him, the woman clinging to his arm.
"It really is you, Frank," the man continued, a look of surprise spreading across his face. "Never thought I'd run into you here."
Frank frowned slightly, his brow furrowing in confusion. He had no idea who this guy was, though it was clear the man recognized him.
Maya looked between the two of them, intrigued. "Do you guys know each other?" she asked.
"Yes," the man answered immediately.
"No," Frank replied at the same time, his tone flat.
The room fell silent for a moment before the woman, still holding onto the man's arm, spoke up, her voice carrying a hint of indignation. "How can you say that, Frank? How can you not remember your old classmates?"
The man jumped in again. "Yeah, don't you recognize us? It's me, Trevor, and this is Taliya! We were in college together."
Frank narrowed his eyes slightly, delving into the old memories of the previous Frank. It took him a moment, but then it clicked. He finally remembered these sons of bitches. Trevor Smith and Taliya Jones.
Trevor—a classic bully who had tormented Frank relentlessly during college. And Taliya? A manipulative gold-digger who had played the original Frank like a fiddle. She'd coaxed him into financial ruin, draining him of everything she could, only to leave him high and dry once she'd hooked up with Trevor, who came from a wealthy family.
Ah, these two pieces of work, Frank thought, keeping his expression neutral.
"Uh, yeah," Frank finally said, his tone carefully measured. "Now that you mention it, I remember you two."
Trevor's face lit up with delight, clearly buying Frank's sudden recognition. "Man, it's been forever! What are you doing here? Meeting someone?"
"Not exactly," Frank replied flatly. "I'm here to purchase a house."
The room went silent for a beat before Trevor and Talia burst into laughter, their mocking tones filling the space.
"You've got to be kidding!" Trevor chuckled. "That's a good one, Frank."
Frank raised an eyebrow at their laughter but kept his composure. "I don't recall making a joke," he replied evenly, his tone calm.
Trevor and Talia exchanged a glance, their smirks widening.
"Come on, Frank," Trevor said, leaning back in his chair like he owned the place. "You? Buying a house here? Don't take it personally, but that's a stretch. Even the cheapest apartment here goes for at least 250,000 VRC. You're a detective at Daeton Police Department, right? We all know cops don't make that kind of money."
"Exactly," Talia chimed in, her voice laced with condescension. "Last I checked, detectives at Daeton PD barely scrape by. What's the salary now? 5,000 VRC a month? Even if you saved every single credit, you'd need decades." She let out a mocking laugh, clearly enjoying herself.
Trevor, emboldened by Talia's jabs, leaned back smugly. "Seriously, man, who are you kidding? This isn't the kind of place for people like you. Maybe try looking for something on the outskirts of town."
Maya shifted uncomfortably in her chair, her professional demeanor faltering as the tension in the room thickened. Her mind raced. What the hell is happening?
On one side, her current client—a deal worth 700,000 VRC—was moments away from signing. This was her golden opportunity, a commission of 35,000 VRC that could pull her out of her financial hole. On the other side was Frank, her best friend's colleague. The last thing she needed was a confrontation that could derail her biggest career milestone.
Couldn't he have come a little later? she thought irritably, biting her lip.
Maya glanced at Frank, nervous about how he might react to the mocking comments from Trevor and Talia. She braced herself for some kind of angry outburst that could potentially ruin her deal. But when she looked at his face, she froze in confusion.
Far from being angry, Frank's lips were twitching upward, and before long, a wide grin broke across his face. It wasn't the kind of grin you'd expect from someone being insulted—it was unsettlingly cheerful, almost amused.
'What is he doing? Has he lost it?' Maya thought, her heart sinking. The last thing she needed was for him to make a scene.
Frank, however, was living in his own world at the moment.
This… this is it, he thought, barely able to contain his excitement. The legendary face-slapping moment! Just like in the wuxia novels I used to read. It's finally happening!
[What are you even talking about?] the system's voice cut in, its tone laced with irritation.
Ah, you wouldn't get it, Frank shot back internally. You're just a lifeless system. This is my time to shine. My moment to live out the ultimate trope!
He couldn't hold it in any longer. A loud, almost maniacal laugh burst out of him, filling the room.
"Ha~HA~hahaha!" he laughed, leaning back slightly, a gleam of mischief in his eyes.
The sudden outburst made everyone freeze. Trevor and Talia exchanged baffled glances, unsure of what to make of it. Maya felt like burying her face in her hands.
"What's so funny?" Trevor finally asked, his voice tinged with both annoyance and confusion.