The Billionaire's Ex-Wife Returns!
Chapter 25: The Start of the Plan

Chapter 25: The Start of the Plan

The airport had cars waiting outside and, fortunately, there were still unoccupied taxis for her to take. After hopping inside one, Lucy told the driver to take her to an apartment complex near the city’s edge and recommend a real estate agent who could let her buy an apartment immediately.

When she finished giving her instructions, the driver held a surprised expression as he tried to judge her by her appearance.

Lucy wore a long coat over her black dress. The coat obscured the brand of the dress, making it hard to identify. Thus, the driver must have assumed she wasn’t a rich young lady, even though her face should have belonged to one.

Finally, the driver nodded and said, "I’ll take you somewhere I know. The apartment in that area should be cheap!"

Lucy thanked him.

After almost an hour of drive, they finally stopped in front of a seven-story building. The many storms it had experienced washed away the building. It looked slightly old as the paint on the left side. A small convenience store was located right below it as well, where an old lady was sitting inside.

Lucy got off the car and looked around. The smell of this place was nostalgic.

Hearing the driver getting off the car, Lucy turned to him questioningly. She didn’t carry a lot, just one suitcase, so there was no need for the driver to help her carry it for her.

Contrary to her thoughts, the driver didn’t take her luggage from her. Rather, he waved at her to follow him and stood in front of the small store below the building.

Confused, Lucy hesitated for a brief second before approaching the old man.

"Old Penny, a tenant is looking for you!" the driver called out loudly.

Lucy silently observed.

The old lady sitting inside the store didn’t move. She didn’t even raise her head up when they stood in front of the store.

The driver called out again, "Old Penny, your new grandchild is here!"

Right after he said this, the old lady’s ears twitched and looked up.

"Where?"

The driver sighed and pointed at Lucy, whose face was filled with bewilderment.

"I’m not—"

"Oh! So pretty! I knew my grandchild can only be someone beautiful!" The old lady became lively and started to inspect Lucy’s appearance. "Tsk, tsk, why are you still standing outside? Come in!"

Lucy couldn’t understand what was going on. She was definitely not this old lady’s grandchild and the driver was speaking nonsense to an elderly. However, she couldn’t refuse when the driver and the old lady teamed up to push her inside the building.

Once inside, Lucy was told to sit inside the old lady’s house. It was located behind the store, which was also conveniently on the first floor of the building.

She was served with cold iced tea, and some snacks before she could refuse it. When everything was done and the two elderly sat up across her, she finally faced the old woman.

"Ma’am, sorry, I think there’s a mistake. I’m not your grandchild." Lucy didn’t want to lie needlessly to a stranger. Especially towards an elderly woman whom she had just met a few minutes ago.

"Hush, there’s no mistake." However, the old woman wasn’t deterred. "Didn’t Samuel take you here because you need a place to stay?"

Lucy was still confused, and she looked at the driver. He should be Samuel.

Then she nodded.

"There’s no mistake then," the old woman said. "You found the perfect home to stay!"

Lucy frowned. As she was about to tell the old woman that there seemed to be some sort of misunderstanding, the old woman ordered Samuel to take her to the third floor before being ushered out of the old woman’s house.

It was a peculiar situation.

But Lucy stayed because she was curious what Samuel and the old woman’s intentions were

As they took the stairs, Samuel chuckled. "You must have been shocked."

Being shocked was an understatement. A random driver claimed you were the grandchild of an old woman out of nowhere... anyone would have been scared off.

Interestingly, Lucy didn’t feel any malicious intent from them.

Besides, when she stepped out of the car and looked around, her eyes coincidentally landed on the notice hanging in front of the gate. It was obscured because of the other flyers beside it, but she was sure it said an apartment was available for rent.

"It’s alright... But is this the place you told me about?" she asked.

Samuel nodded. "Although this place is a bit old, the things here are all functional, and most importantly, the rent is cheap!"

Samuel also explained that in this building, the tenants are family. "Old Penny, the old woman you met earlier, is my mother. She owns this place and considers everyone a part of our family. And if you choose to stay, you’ll be the youngest. Hence, why I called you grandchild."

Lucy found the answer to this mystery. And well, it was surprising.

They arrived on the third floor.

On the third floor, only four apartments and three were already occupied. It was also the only space that could be rented, too.

"Check out the place first before coming to a decision. Here’s the key." Samuel handed her the key and left her staring at his back.

Holding the key in her hand, Lucy wondered whether Samuel or the old woman were too trustful or just careless. Why give the key to a stranger?

Still, she didn’t mind checking the house.

When she opened the door, Lucy already expected the place to be old and messy. An old apartment building on the edge of the city shouldn’t be that impressive. However, aside from it being simple, it has all she needed.

At first, she was worried that she needed to buy a few essential items for her place, but the apartment before her already had a refrigerator and washing machine. In addition, the interior was not bad at all compared to her expectations.

And the thing that caught her eye the most was the view.

Walking to the large living room window, Lucy could see the skyscraper of Westwood Corporation from where she stood.

***

"I’ll take the place."

Lucy stood in front of Samuel and Old Penny and declared her intention to stay.

Old Penny was ecstatic to hear this, and quickly handed her the rental contract that had already been signed.

After signing the moving papers, Lucy took one copy and handed the other to the old woman. Then, she paid the deposit.

"Before you go, I’ll add your number to our family group chat," Old Penny said.

Lucy already heard the detail about this ’family’, so she was no longer shocked by it. However, she still didn’t think she should join. She wasn’t going to stick in this place for a long while. Once she’s done with her plans, she would have to leave everything behind.

Sensing her hesitation, Samuel, who was standing beside his mother, said, "Don’t worry, it’s just a group chat. Not everyone is active, and we only need everyone to gather around when there’s a celebration or an announcement."

This seemed reasonable, and Lucy couldn’t find another way to turn it down anymore. After agreeing, her phone pinged her, telling her she was now a member of a group chat called ’Golden Circle’.

***

A few hours later.

Landon finally landed in Virela City.

As soon as he arrived, Alaric picked him up.

When he got inside the car, he ordered Alaric to find Lucy in the city, not knowing that he had just missed the person whom he was looking for.