Chapter 143: The New Owner

Liam and Lydia finally arrived home after a day that seemed to have lasted an eternity.

They had both left early that morning, and since then, they had barely had a moment to rest.

The Squad Selection was over.

Liam had officially become a Platinum-Rank Hunter and a new sub-captain of the Ace of Spades.

He had formed his own squad.

He had received a new office.

He had even received a gift from Don Rouch.

And as if all of that wasn’t enough, during the last few hours, Liam had also reviewed some of the guild hunters’ files, those who still didn’t belong to any squad.

James had personally brought them to his new office.

Although Liam had barely managed to go through a small portion of them.

There were simply too many.

Some hunters had rather interesting abilities, while others seemed to have powers that were far too specific to be useful in most situations.

Liam would have to study them more carefully.

But that could wait.

There was something else he had managed to accomplish that day.

Something that still felt impossible.

Buying the building he lived in.

Liam had managed to contact Red Harbor, the real estate company that owned the building, and had reached an agreement to purchase it for two million.

Two million.

An amount Liam never would have imagined he could afford just a few hours ago.

The company had explained that the building wasn’t technically for sale because they would have to reach an agreement with the owners of each individual apartment.

But Liam had insisted.

He told them he would pay whatever amount they deemed necessary.

Apparently, the people in charge of Red Harbor had only named that price to get him off their backs.

However, they were in for a surprise when Liam immediately agreed.

No negotiations. No questions.

He simply said he would pay.

Because of that, they had agreed to handle all the necessary paperwork over the next few days, sign the documents, and officially transfer ownership.

The building would be registered under the name of the Ace of Spades Guild’s new squad.

And that had completely changed Lydia’s attitude.

His wife was far too happy to hide it.

As they walked down the building’s hallway, Lydia looked at the walls, the floor, the stairs, and the entrance.

"We could clean all of this."

Liam smiled.

"All of it?"

"Yes."

Lydia pointed down the hallway.

"The hallways need a good cleaning."

Then she pointed toward the entrance.

"We could decorate it too."

She looked toward one of the windows.

"And we should paint the front."

Liam let out a small laugh.

"I thought you only wanted to fix up our apartment."

"Now the whole building is ours."

Lydia smiled.

"I want it to look nice."

Liam looked at her and couldn’t help but smile.

That was exactly what he wanted.

No debts. No worrying about losing the roof over their heads. A job with a good salary...

And, above all, seeing his wife happy.

’I’ve practically achieved all of my dreams already.’

After so many years of worrying about money, rent, and not knowing what would happen the next day, he could finally breathe easy.

Lydia looked at him with a smile.

"Get some rest, sweetheart."

"Hm?"

"I’ll make dinner."

Lydia moved a little closer.

"I’m sure you’re hungry and tired after such a long day."

Liam looked at his watch.

It was already eight in the evening.

"Yeah..."

He let out a sigh.

"I think you’re right."

"Go take a shower."

"Okay."

Liam walked toward the bathroom.

"I’ll help you afterward."

"No."

Lydia shook her head.

"I’ll take care of everything, sweetheart."

Liam smiled.

"Then I accept."

He entered the bathroom and began preparing the shower.

◇◆◇

Hot water poured over Liam’s head.

He closed his eyes and simply enjoyed the moment.

After everything that had happened that day, that shower was probably the first moment in several hours when he could completely relax.

’What a day...’

New rank, new position, new squad, new office, and a building.

Liam let out a small laugh.

’I still can’t believe it.’

Then he heard his cell phone.

Liam opened his eyes.

"Who could be calling now?"

The phone continued ringing outside the shower.

Liam stepped out from under the water and looked at the screen.

His expression changed slightly.

Mr. Banks.

His landlord.

Liam smiled.

’What could he possibly want at this hour?’

He turned off the faucet.

He grabbed a towel and quickly dried his hands and head.

Then he opened the window to let out the steam that had built up in the bathroom.

Finally, he picked up his phone and answered.

"Good evening, Mr. Banks. How are you?"

"Very well, Liam! Fortunately, very well."

Liam raised an eyebrow slightly.

There was something strange about his voice, a mocking tone.

Like someone who was about to do something nasty and was enjoying himself.

’What is he up to?’

The man didn’t even ask how Liam was doing.

He went straight to the point.

"Liam, I have some rather serious news for you."

"Serious?"

"Yes. And I hope you don’t take it the wrong way."

Liam had to suppress a smile.

The man didn’t sound worried. Quite the opposite. He sounded rather happy, as if he were eagerly waiting for Liam’s reaction.

"What happened?"

"I got a call from Red Harbor."

Liam remained silent.

"The real estate company that owns the building."

"Yes, I know who they are."

"Well... apparently, they sold the entire building."

Liam smiled.

’I know, because I’m the buyer.’

"And what does that have to do with me?"

"They informed me that the apartment no longer belongs to me."

Liam had to suppress another smile.

Up to that point, everything was exactly what he already knew.

But Banks continued.

"They gave me a few weeks to get the tenants out."

Liam fell silent.

’Ah.’

There it was. That was what he really wanted to tell him.

When Liam had spoken with Red Harbor, he had made it clear that he didn’t want to evict any of the tenants.

The leases would remain in place. The only change would be that the rent would now be paid to the sixth squad of the Ace of Spades.

But Liam had already imagined that Banks would try to make something up.

Knowing him, it was only a matter of time.

Liam simply smiled with the phone pressed to his ear.

He didn’t answer for a few seconds.

"Liam."

Silence.

"Are you still there?"

Liam cleared his throat.

"Yes, sorry."

He paused.

"I was processing everything."

"Of course..."

Banks sounded satisfied.

"I didn’t want you to receive the news all at once."

"Don’t worry."

Liam smiled.

"We’ll move out of the apartment in the next few days."

Banks’s reaction wasn’t what Liam expected.

He didn’t sound happy. In fact, his voice sounded slightly annoyed.

"That’s it?"

Liam frowned.

"Excuse me?"

"Well..."

Banks cleared his throat.

"I suppose you’ll want me to return the advance payment for the month you already paid."

Liam smiled.

"Don’t worry about it."

"You don’t?"

"Keep it."

Banks fell silent.

"You’re going to need it more than I do."

The landlord’s voice immediately changed.

"What do you mean by that?"

Liam didn’t answer.

"What kind of new job did you get now?"

Banks sounded increasingly irritated.

"Because I don’t understand how you suddenly don’t need the money anymore, and you don’t even seem worried about being kicked out of the apartment."

Liam smiled.

He had no interest in listening to the rest.

"Have a good night, Mr. Banks."

And he hung up.

Liam stared at his phone for a few seconds, and a smile appeared on his face.

’I wish I could’ve seen his face.’

He put his phone away.

Banks was probably still wondering what had happened.

Maybe he was even trying to figure out what had changed in Liam’s life.

But that was no longer his problem.

Liam had spent far too much time worrying about that man.

Now he could forget about him.

Then he heard Lydia’s voice from the kitchen.

"Sweetheart!"

Liam raised his head.

"Dinner’s ready!"

Liam smiled.

"Coming, sweetheart!"

He put on his pants and slipped his phone into his pocket.

He left the bathroom and walked toward the kitchen.

Finally, Liam no longer had to worry about how much money was left in his account.

He didn’t have to worry about the next rent payment.

He didn’t have to wonder whether he would still have a place to live the following day.

And as he walked toward the sound of his wife’s voice, a simple thought crossed his mind.

’Starting tomorrow, every day will be a good day.’