Chapter 5 Pretense

• Huxley walked for about 500 meters before suddenly stopping and turning into a narrow alley. Two suspicious-looking young men followed him cautiously, one with bright red hair and the other sporting a mess of green. They exchanged sinister grins behind Huxley's back.
• Clearly, they were up to no good!
• Once in the alley, Huxley glanced around, finding no one, so he halted, turning to face the red-haired and green-haired pursuers.
• "Where the heck did you come from? Daring to stick your nose in my business, nosy little punk, asking for a knuckle sandwich!" the redheaded dude barked, his face darkening as he threw a punch straight at Huxley's face.
• "Nosy?" Huxley snagged the redheaded dude's fist in mid-air. "Was that car crash your handiwork? You trying to kill that little girl?"
• The redhead's eyes widened. "Damn, you're quick! Listen, kid, let go and take your beating like a man, or you'll regret it!"
• Huxley's gaze hardened, done with the chatter. He lifted his foot and kicked out. With a loud thud, the red-haired guy stumbled backward, crashing into the green-haired one.
• Both of them hit the ground in a heap, groaning like wounded animals.
• "I don't care if you set the whole thing up or if you're planning to kill that little girl," Huxley growled, his eyes turning icy. "Just don't mess with me again, or..." He stomped his foot down on the redhead's shin with a sickening crack.
• "Aaaaargh!" The redhead shrieked like a pig getting butchered.
• Huxley shot the green-haired guy a cold stare and walked out of the alley, stepping right on him on the way out.
• Fifteen minutes later, he reached the Willowbrook Estates area. As he walked into the sales office, he spotted a familiar face.
• It was Melissa Jhett, his high school classmate! Back then, she'd been hopelessly smitten with him, and things hadn't exactly been smooth sailing after their fallout.
• In the past, Melissa had thrown herself at Huxley, even confessing her feelings in front of everyone. He, however, had shut her down. Ever since, she'd held a grudge.
• "Hey, look, it's Huxley Sioux; you can't possibly be here to buy a villa, right?" Melissa eyed him with disdain.
• "Oh, for crying out loud!" Huxley muttered, brushing past her in a hurry.
• Ever since she was rejected after confessing, this woman had been harassing him like a mad woman.
• Melissa's anger flared. All these years, this jerk still thought he was too good for her?
• "Who do you think you are? It's been ages! Don't even think for a second I'm still pining after you! Newsflash: you're a rapist now, the absolute scum of the earth. I'm not an idiot; I wouldn't waste a glance on a loser like you!" With a sneer, Melissa stormed up to Huxley and blocked his path.
• Huxley remained composed, unfazed by her outburst. "Are you one of the sales staff here? Is this how they train you to treat clients?"
• Ignoring Melissa's mockery, He scanned the room and zeroed in on a salesperson who looked clueless. "You, come here, I want to buy a house!"
• The saleswoman, Teresa Tiller， was on her first day, and she froze. She didn't want to ruffle Melissa's feathers, the seasoned pro glaring at Huxley. It was clear there was bad blood between these two.
• Melissa smirked. "Teresa," she purred, "since Mr. Big Spender here wants a house, why don't you show him the floor plans and prices?"
• Her eyes narrowed at Huxley. 'Let's see how long this charade lasts,' she thought.
• Upon hearing Melissa's words, Teresa wasted no time approaching Huxley. Despite his average, even slightly disheveled appearance, Teresa treated him with respect. With a professional smile, she inquired, "Sir, what size property are you looking for?"
• Huxley surprised everyone. "The biggest one you have. And get the contract ready, I'm buying it."
• Teresa's eyes nearly popped out. 'Is this some kind of dream? The biggest place? Commission gold on her first day?' her mind buzzed with excitement.
• Melissa, however, went from stunned silence to pure venom. "Huxley, you're laying it on way too thick! Do you even know how massive the biggest property in Willowbrook Estates is? We're talking a thousand square meters with a freaking half-hectare garden! The fancy stuff alone cost fifty million, and the whole package is a whopping three billion! Even the richest guy in Rivervale couldn't stomach it last time. And here you are, a rapist, talking about buying it? Get a reality check! You couldn't afford it in a million lifetimes!"
• Melissa spoke loudly, attracting a crowd of salespeople and customers.
• "Did you hear that creep say he wants to buy Heady Lodge?!"
• "Yeah, but did you not hear Melissa saying that guy is a rapist? Probably came here to schmooze for a sale!"
• "Hey, what's the deal with you guys? Letting in a predator like that? Don't you know he could be a danger to the women here?"
• Huxley remained composed, unflinching. "Teresa, is it? Stop gawking and get that contract ready for my signature!"
• Teresa stood there, paralyzed, unsure if this was a bizarre prank.
• Before she could wrap her head around the situation, Melissa's voice pierced the air, dripping with venom. "Just follow his orders, Teresa. I'm calling security. If this guy can't pay up later, we'll throw him out on his ass!"
• Teresa's hesitation vanished. She ushered Huxley to the lounge, poured him some tea, grabbed his ID, and scurried off to draft the contract.
• Meanwhile, Melissa ended her call with security and sat across from Huxley, a forced smirk playing on her lips as she glared at him.
• The other salespeople and customers watched in stunned silence, eager to see how this drama would play out.
• Soon enough, four security guards materialized in the sales department like a scene from a bad action movie.
• Teresa had just finished printing the contract and exited her office, placing it and a pen in front of Huxley.
• He barely glanced at the document before signing and stamping it with a flourish.
• "Still putting on a show?" Melissa sneered. "Teresa, get the POS machine and take this 'esteemed guest's' payment!"
• Teresa looked at Huxley, who nonchalantly handed her a sleek black credit card with gold detailing.
• A flicker of recognition crossed her face before she bolted towards the finance department, barely containing her excitement.
• Melissa, witnessing Huxley's unfazed demeanor, felt a prickle of unease.
• Playing the part, huh? Just a broke loser bluffing his way through.
• Turning to the security guards looming behind her, she barked, "If that payment doesn't go through, you lot handle him. Rough him up and toss him on his ear."
• The guards cracked their knuckles with ominous thuds, their eyes hardening as they glared at Huxley.