Frozen Apocalypse: My System Gives Me Infinite Supplies

Chapter 6: The Jade Obsession and the Hotel Deal

Tamsin could feel the people around them staring. If she let Calder keep talking, everyone would believe his side of the story, and her reputation would be ruined. She forced a smile and stepped toward him, pretending to be hurt.

“Calder, how can you call us bloodsuckers? We're only borrowing some money, and we're family, after all. When Burl gets married, he'll remember your kindness.”

“My kindness?” I laughed. “I'm not your family's bank, and I have no intention of paying for Burl's wedding. If you have nothing else to say, meet me at the registry office so we can finish the divorce.”

I walked toward the gate, but Tamsin hurried after me and blocked my way. She had never expected me to become so cold toward her, and no matter how hard she tried to read my expression, she couldn't find any sign of the man who used to give in whenever she acted upset.

“Fine! Keep your money if that's what you want,” she said, raising her voice. “But you have to give me the jade pendant!”

I stopped and looked at her.

“You promised it to me for our anniversary,” she continued. “How can you go back on your word? Give it to me now!”

I stared at her, wondering why she was suddenly so desperate for the necklace.

The truth was that Tamsin had dreamed about it the night before. In her dream, the world had fallen into chaos, and she had survived the apocalypse with the help of a jade pendant. She remembered living comfortably while other people struggled to find food, and she remembered Calder dying because of a scheme she had set in motion.

But when she woke up, most of the dream had slipped from her mind. She couldn't remember how the disaster began or what had happened along the way. All she knew was that the jade pendant was important, and she had to get her hands on it.

I knew exactly why she wanted it. In my previous life, that necklace had given her a spatial ability, allowing her to store supplies while I went hungry. She had even watched as I was left to die, so there was no way I would hand it over again.

Still, I wasn't going to argue with her here.

“You want the pendant?” I asked. “Fine. Come back in two days, and I'll give it to you.”

Tamsin's eyes lit up with relief. “You promise? Two days, Calder. You can't go back on your word!”

I ignored her and turned toward Luke, who was standing near the workers.

“Luke, get these people away from my gate. Don't let them onto the property again.”

“Understood, boss!” Luke called out.

He waved over several of the workers, who began walking toward Tamsin's family. Martha immediately started shouting as they were forced away from the entrance, while Burl hurried after her.

“You can't treat us like this!” Martha yelled. “We'll remember this, Calder!”

I watched them leave without saying another word. Once they were off the property, I turned back to the villa and let the workers continue with their jobs.

Down the road, Martha was still fuming. She turned on Tamsin and smacked her arm, unable to contain her anger.

“You foolish girl! You went on and on about that jade pendant, but did you get us a single cent of his money? Look at your brother! The apartment is still a wreck, and now we have no money to renovate it!”

Burl sat down heavily on the hood of the car, his eyes turning red. “What am I supposed to do now? Sian said she'd leave me if the apartment wasn't renovated before the wedding. If I can't get it fixed, she'll break up with me!”

“Stop shouting!” Tamsin snapped, pressing her fingers against her temples. Her head was pounding, and the last thing she needed was her mother and brother yelling at her.

She took a breath before speaking again. “What do you expect me to do? Calder won't give us the money, and we can't just storm into his villa and take it. There were workers everywhere, and half the neighborhood was watching us. We'd only make things worse.”

Martha fell silent, though she still looked angry. Burl wiped his face with his sleeve and looked at his sister, waiting for her to come up with a solution.

“Listen,” Tamsin said, trying to calm them down. “Garrick has plenty of money. He's been trying to get closer to me for a long time, and he won't mind helping with a few hundred thousand dollars. Since he wants to marry me, helping his future brother-in-law is the least he can do.”

Burl's eyes brightened. “You think he'll really give us the money?”

“I'll ask him. Just wait here.”

Tamsin walked around the car and called Garrick Holt. He answered almost immediately, his voice relaxed and full of confidence.

“Tamsin, sweetheart. Have you finally gotten rid of Calder?”

“Garrick...” She softened her voice, making herself sound upset. “Calder took the money and left the apartment in terrible condition. Burl needs money for the renovations, or his wedding will be in trouble. Could you lend me five hundred thousand dollars? I'll pay you back later.”

Garrick was a wealthy playboy who had never lacked women or money. He knew Tamsin was interested in his wealth, just as she knew he wanted more than friendship from her. Neither of them was pretending that their relationship had much to do with love.

“Five hundred thousand?” he said with a laugh. “That's not a problem. But you know I don't hand out money for nothing.”

Tamsin's grip tightened around her phone.

“I've already booked Room 106 at the Diamond Luxe Hotel for tonight,” Garrick continued. “Come and see me, and we'll talk about the money.”

She felt sick at the thought, but Burl's wedding expenses weren't going to pay themselves. If she wanted to keep her family happy and secure her future with Garrick, she would have to put up with him.

“Garrick, I'd like to see you too,” she said, forcing herself to sound sweet. “But I'm not feeling well today. I've had a terrible headache because of everything that's happened. Can we meet in two days instead?”

There was a brief silence on the other end.

“Two days?” Garrick's voice grew colder. “All right, Tamsin, two days. But don't make me wait for nothing. If you don't show up, don't expect to see a cent of my money.”

“I understand,” she replied quietly.

The call ended, and Tamsin lowered her phone. She had managed to get two more days, but now she had another promise to keep.

She looked back toward the road leading to Blackwood Ridge, her thoughts returning to the jade pendant. For some reason, she couldn't shake the feeling that everything depended on getting it back.