Reborn Before The Apocalypse: The Last Safe Hotel

Chapter 006 – The Building Purchase

*****

Once the starting fund was secured, Ronan returned to Southbridge Avenue.

Without revenge on his mind, Ronan would have chosen one of the city's higher-end areas to build the haven and attract wealthier customers.

But then the Frosts might never discover it.

This wasn't just the first major step toward completing the system's mission. It was also the beginning of his revenge.

A cold smile curled across his lips. ‘Didn't you all pummel me to death over a quota?’

Once inside the community, Ronan headed straight for the real estate company, enduring various stares from the passing aunties and uncles.

Some looked at him with pity, others with mockery, and a few with undisguised condescension. They even gossiped openly, not caring whether he heard.

“Fortunately, my son-in-law isn't like that useless son-in-law of the Frost family.”

“I heard that if his wife and in-laws don't feed him, he doesn't eat.”

“Tsk, he's nothing but a servant to the Frosts.”

Ronan heard every word but didn't react.

‘Looks like my decision to build the haven here was the right one.’ A faint smirk touched Ronan's lips.

Before long, he entered the real estate company.

“Good morning, sir. Are you here to look for an apartment or a shop?” A female agent greeted him professionally while secretly studying his casual clothes.

‘Not a big customer.’

She remained polite. After all, something was better than nothing.

“An apartment,” Ronan replied, then reconsidered. “An apartment building.”

“We have all types of apartments. One-bedroom, two-bedroom…” The realtor suddenly paused. “Did you... say an apartment building?”

“Hm.” Ronan nodded. “Preferably one with a minimum of one hundred rooms.”

The agent nearly froze. ‘An apartment building with at least a hundred rooms?’

“Please follow me, sir.” Her attitude changed instantly as she enthusiastically ushered Ronan toward an office.

Once inside, she opened a bottle of champagne, poured him a glass, and brought out several brochures.

“Here are the apartment buildings that meet your requirements, sir.”

Ronan accepted them and slowly scanned through the options, his expression unchanged. Then he stopped at a particular picture.

“This one.”

The agent's eyes lit up. Even the smallest building that met Ronan's requirements cost several million dollars.

But when she saw his selection… she froze.

It wasn't an ordinary apartment building.

The recently completed property was a luxurious development that had failed to attract tenants because wealthy residents were unwilling to move into a middle-class neighborhood.

As a result, the company had decided to sell the entire property.

Yet now...

“Are you sure, sir?” she asked, her breathing hitching.

“What is the payment plan?” Ronan asked indifferently.

‘He's serious.’ The agent quickly composed herself.

“Wouldn't you like to inspect it first?”

Ronan shook his head.

“The original price is one billion dollars,” she said, carefully watching his expression. “The company requires thirty percent upfront, with the remaining balance spread over ten years at 0.1% interest per year.”

Ronan nodded. “I'll pay $2 million today as a non-refundable reservation f*e. The remaining down payment will be transferred within two days.”

The agent stared at him.

“You're serious?”

“Do I look like I'm joking?”

She quickly composed herself. “We... we accept the plan, sir. Please hold on while I draft the agreement.”

She immediately rushed out of her seat.

Ronan paid her no further attention and calmly sipped the champagne.

‘This is nice.’

He realized he had never tasted champagne before. ‘I should stock the haven with some later.’

The agent soon returned with the contract.

Ronan scanned it, and when he found nothing wrong, he transferred $2 million and sealed the deal.

Once the deal was sealed, Vela’s professional smile disappeared. “Young Master, are you free this evening? I'd like to celebrate this with you.”

Ronan understood her meaning immediately.

He merely smiled. “Maybe next time.”

Regardless of how much he despised his marriage, he wouldn't betray it before the divorce was finalized.

After exchanging numbers, he left.

Just then, his stomach growled loudly enough to earn him several strange looks from passersby.

‘Adding my previous life, I haven't eaten any good food in two months.’

He decided to reward himself before continuing his preparations.

Just as he was about to flag down a cab, his phone rang.

Ronan frowned when he saw the caller.

His boss.

Only then did he remember that he was still employed.

In the apocalypse, everyone was fighting to survive. Who would even care about a job?

He answered.

“YOU DAMNED THING! WHY DIDN'T YOU COME TO WORK YESTERDAY AND TODAY?!” The furious voice nearly ruptured his eardrum.

Ronan pulled the phone away from his ear and frowned. ‘Yeah. Exactly as I remember him.’

He let the man yell and hurl insults until he was exhausted and breathing heavily.

Then Ronan lazily said, “I've resigned.”

Silence.

Just as Ronan was about to hang up, the man's panicked voice came through.

“You... what did you just say? You resigned? Why would you resign? Did Joren know about this?”

Ronan smirked.

In his previous life, the man had treated him like a slave because of his friendship with Joren.

Now that Ronan had resigned, his panic was almost amusing.

Ronan hung up.

Then he climbed into a taxi.

In the past, Ronan had never dared spend more than $2 on a meal. Every penny had gone toward supporting the Frosts.

This time, however, he walked into one of the city's finest Michelin-starred restaurants without a care in the world.

He headed toward the counter.

Then, suddenly…

“What is a rat doing in a place like this?” The voice was shocked, confused, and above all, filled with hatred.

Ronan turned. His eyes immediately hardened.

Rael.

He appeared to be on a date with his fiancée, his face twisted with disgust as he recognized him.

“Who allowed a lowlife like you into a high-class establishment like this? Are you trying to soil it with your presence?”

Ronan frowned slightly but turned away.

Rael's already-burning rage exploded. “How dare you walk away?”

He stormed out of his seat.

“Honey,” his fiancée called, realizing he was making a scene.

Rael ignored her. “Don't you dare try that nonsense with me.”

He grabbed Ronan's shirt and yanked him back.

“You stay when I'm talking to you!”

Ronan's fury surged. For a moment, he nearly lost control, but he forced himself to breathe and turned around.

That simple action felt like a slap to Rael's face.

In the past, Ronan had always been subservient to him, never daring to talk back, much less walk away.

Yet now...

“Bastard!” Rael raised his hand and swung.

Several onlookers instinctively cringed.

Ronan's eyes flashed. He caught Rael's wrist before the blow could land.

“What do you think you're doing?” His voice was icy, a tone Rael had never heard from him before.

Rael instinctively shivered, his instincts screaming danger.

For a moment, he considered backing down.

Then he heard the murmurs around him, all of which sounded like mockery.

His anger surged again. “How dare you catch my hand?!”

He raised his other hand.

“Blame yourself, then.” Ronan struck.

Pak!

The slap sent Rael stumbling several feet before he crashed onto his backside.

The restaurant fell silent as the onlookers sucked in sharp breaths.

Zarah, Rael's fiancée, immediately jumped from her seat and rushed toward him.

“Are you okay, honey?”

Rael was too stunned to respond.

Zarah's expression twisted with fury. “How dare a lowlife like you lay your hands on my fiancé? You're done for today!”

She turned toward the restaurant staff.

“Guards!” Her voice echoed through the establishment. “How dare you watch a lowlife attack your high-paying customers? Do you know how much we've spent here?”

The guards and manager hurried over, attempting to calm the situation, but Zarah had already lost control.

“Throw him out! If you can't even protect your customers, we'll never spend another cent here!”

Several onlookers even supported the couple.

“I'll be disappointed in this restaurant if they can't protect their customers.”

“If it were me, I'd have him arrested for assault and trespassing.”

Hearing the commotion, the guards and manager exchanged uneasy looks.

The manager cautiously approached Ronan. “Sir, are you here to patronize us?”

“Hmph! Where would he get the money for that?” Zarah sneered.

The manager looked at Ronan without responding.

Ronan remained completely indifferent.

“I'll have one of your VIP areas.”

Silence descended over the restaurant.

The restaurant was already extremely expensive, but the VIP area was on another level. It cost $100 for every five minutes, with food and drinks priced far above the regular menu.

Yet Ronan hadn't even blinked.

“Hahaha!” Rael suddenly burst into laughter even though he hadn’t recovered from the slap. “What a joke!”

Zarah laughed as well. She knew Ronan's situation too well to believe he could afford it.

The manager instantly wore a complicated expression, seeing the couple’s reaction.

He explained the terms anyway, clearly expecting Ronan to reconsider.

Ronan merely nodded.

Realizing he wasn't joking, the manager’s expression changed.

He immediately put on a warm, flattering smile. “Please follow me, sir.”

He turned to lead Ronan away, leaving Rael, Zarah, and the surrounding customers dumbfounded.

Rael's face twisted with disbelief. “You're choosing him over me?”

The manager smirked slightly. “We wouldn't like to see you leave, but who are we to stop you if you insist?”

He glanced at one of the guards. “Please escort the esteemed gentleman out.”

Rael and Zarah froze, while the manager respectfully escorted Ronan toward the elevator, taking him to the VIP area.