The Janitor's Payback

Chapter 8

" Bro, are you serious?" Nick asked, eyes widening in disbelief.

"Seriously, I just told you that I won a lottery," Leo reiterated.

" Sorry, I got too excited! How much did you win?" Nick inquired eagerly.

Not much, just ten million!" Leo tossed the figure out nonchalantly, not daring to divulge his true, unlimited net worth for fear of shocking Nick to death.

"Ten million is a whole lot, who knew you'd get dumped and then win a lottery! She must have covered you with bad luck and that washed away after she left! Come on, let's drink our fill." Nick jovially raised his beer glass, inviting Leo to join in the toast.

With this 1.2 million dollars, his girlfriend Camille could finally undergo the surgery, and the weight that had been pressing on his heart could at last be relieved for the moment.

Bro, consider this money a loan from you, I'll repay it once I have the money." Nick maintained his principle. Even if Leo was his best friend, money was money and friendship was friendship.

"No rush!" Leo said smiling, because for the current Leo, 1.2 million was truly insignificant.

They chatted briefly, and something else seemed to come to Nick's mind.

By the way, there's a faculty reunion this weekend to celebrate you graduands and your ex-girlfriend Clara would surely be there, are you planning to attend?'

" Of course I'm going, why not? I already missed my graduation, I won't miss this." Leo also knew about his classmates discussing the reunion earlier,but he had been busy with work then, so he had been indifferent to it out of embarrassment. But now that his true identity was known to him, he would definitely attend.

" Speaking of which, have they decided on the venue yet? I haven't really been paying attention."

" The Azure Grand,I heard the faculty Belle, Nova Hart, just returned from Australia, so she's participating in this reunion too, and I heard she's still single." Nick hinted meaningfully to Leo

How could Leo not understand what Nick meant, that now that he was single again,he could pursue Nova.

Moreover, back then,Leo had once pursued Nova,but just when things were about to get serious, Nova chose to continue her studies in Australia and Leo had turned his attention to Clara.

" Don't joke, I'm not earning a fancy salary now, no way she'd be interested," Leo said smiling, because he didn't care about it anymore; years had passed,his feelings weren't the same,nor was he the person he used to be.

Leo now looked forward to meeting his fiancee, Carolyn Brown, more than anyone else; compared to her, no other woman could match in looks or wealthy background.

After parting with Nick, the satiated Leo, hauling two large suitcases, prepared to move to the presidential Villa in Marc estate.

After hailing a taxi with his phone,he took his belongings and headed straight for the estate.

Marc estate was split into an ordinary apartment type and a villa type; though built in close proximity, price disparity was at least tenfold, with residents also stratified.

The taxi driver delivered Leo to the Marc estate. Stepping out of the car, Leo, dragging two bulky suitcases, seemed lost. Fortunately,after a few paces,he reached the estate manager office.

" I'll ask inside,who knows if Coleman has arranged it for me yet."

Thinking this, Leo dragged the cases into the building,not expecting to encounter two familiar faces.

The couple was Clara and her rich, handsome boyfriend, seeming to have just completed a house purchase and readying to leave,but they spotted Leo entering with his suitcases.

" Leo, what are you doing here?" Clara looked puzzled, while Devon Lee's mouth curled slightly, relishing an opportunity to flaunt before Leo.

Leo, seeing Clara and Devon, furrowed his brow slightly; it seemed Devon had indeed taken Clara to buy a house here.

" Leo, what a coincidence, why come to Marc estate? You wouldn't be stalking Clara right? Are you? Devon remarked with a tinge of sarcasm.

" You're overthinking; I'm moving here," Leo responded indifferently.

At that moment, Clara and Devon noticed indeed Leo was here with his luggage.

" Leo, planning to rent here? You know the rent's not cheap, and without a good job, you can't afford to stay," Clara said scornfully

" What's it to you if I can't afford it?" Leo replied coldly.

" It's none of my concern,but you should stop following me around like a lost people, we're worlds apart now." Clara surmised Leo moved here to watch her closely, so to discourage him, she flaunted her LV bag, the deed to her home, saying, " notice this, the LV bag worth millions, the Marc estate house for 6 million, these are luxuries you'll never afford."

Leo's smirk grew as he recollected that Leo had annoyingly spent $45000 the previous night; now he had the chance to gloat, a feeling of triumph took hold of him.

" Poor boy, observe very well, this is capability; without money, don't pretend in front of others."

After his speech, Devon embraced Clara, ready to depart victoriously. However Philip Hoffman, the estate manager, after sighting Leo, exhaled with relief.

The general manager had personally instructed him to warmly receive a VIP named Leo and accommodate him in a top class presidential Villa in Marc estate. A mistake would mean dismissal, and the general manager had sent Leo's photo as well.

So all day, Philip, the estate manager, anxiously awaited Leo's arrival.

When Leo finally appeared, confirming his identity with the photo, Philip had no doubt and respectfully greeted Leo.

" Mr Adams, I'm the estate manager of Marc estate. A presidential Villa has been prepared for you; please follow me."

" Mm." Leo nodded slightly, as if it was all but expected.

But Clara and Adam stood agape, disbelieving at hearing this.

" Marc estate presidential Villa,at least eighty million? Is this pauper really staying there?" At first triumphant, Devon was now dumbstruck.

And Clara, in disbelief, wondered how Leo, who couldn't even pay rent, was able to live in the presidential Villa.

Leo disregarded the couple, but after a few steps, he turned and said to a stunned Clara.

" By the way, Clara, I quite agree with that last statement you made."

" Which part?" Clara asked.

" That we are indeed worlds apart." Leo smiled faintly and echoed her words back onto Clara in full.