The kitchen was thick with tension when Aaron walked in. Amanda was already waiting, coffee mug in hand like a weapon.
"Look at him," she said to the empty room. "Finally decided to roll out of bed? The day is half over. A real man would be out earning a living, not sleeping in while living off the charity of others."
Aaron pulled a mug from the cupboard. "Good morning, Amanda."
"Don't you 'good morning' me, you useless bum!" She slammed her mug down, coffee splashing across the counter. "You've lost our house, and now you're content to let my daughter's friend foot the bill for your sorry existence. You have no shame, none at all!"
Aaron set his mug down carefully. Something inside him snapped. "You're right, Amanda. We can't keep imposing on Vivian. It's time I took care of it."
He walked out without another word, leaving Amanda staring after him.
---
The bus dropped Aaron off in front of Winston Villa Estates. The marble entrance was impressive, but he barely noticed it. He had one goal.
Inside the sales office, six representatives looked up as he entered. Their faces changed quickly from hopeful to dismissive as they took in his t-shirt and jeans.
Aaron approached the nearest desk where a blonde woman was filing her nails. "Excuse me, I'm interested in the villas. I was hoping someone could show me what's available."
The woman didn't look up. "Are you lost? The homeless shelter is on the other side of town."
"No, I am not lost. I'm here to buy a villa."
She finally looked at him and laughed. "Buy a villa? Are you kidding me? Does this look like a cheap supermarket to you? What on earth makes you think you can afford to buy anything here? Our cheapest properties start at five million dollars. You couldn't afford that if you worked three lifetimes."
"Is this how you normally speak to potential customers?"
"Customer? Please. We don't consider beggars customers. Now stop wasting my time and get out before I have security drag you out."
"Good morning, sir. My name is Amelia. How can I help you today?"
Aaron turned to see a young redhead with kind eyes and a nervous smile.
"Why are you wasting your time with this beggar, Amelia?" the blonde said without looking up. "We all know he can't afford anything. He looks like he just crawled out of a dumpster."
"Tiffany, we're supposed to treat all customers with respect, regardless of how they look," Amelia said quietly.
"And that's why you haven't sold a single property since you started. If you can't tell the difference between a real client and a bum, you'll never make it in this business. But go on, waste your time with this loser. Be my guest. Just don't come crying to me when you realize something's gone missing from the show homes."
Amelia turned back to Aaron with a smile. "I'd be happy to show you our available villas, sir. Please, come with me."
They walked to a golf cart outside. As they drove toward the gated complex, Amelia began explaining the properties.
"All of our villas come with state-of-the-art security, private pools, and access to the community clubhouse and golf course. The one on our left, the 'Serenity,' is a five-bedroom with a lovely garden, priced at eight million."
They toured several houses. Aaron was impressed by Amelia's knowledge and genuine kindness. As they finished the fourth villa, he spotted a massive mansion on the highest hill.
"What's that one?" Aaron pointed.
Amelia's eyes widened slightly. "Oh, that's 'The King's Castle.' It's our newest and by far our most expensive villa. It took five years to build and was designed by the world-famous architect Julian Stewart. Only the finest materials from around the globe were used. It's truly one of a kind."
"How much?"
"It's priced at fifty million dollars, sir."
"I want to see it."
Shock crossed Amelia's face, but she maintained her professionalism. "Of course, sir. Right this way."
The King's Castle was breathtaking. After the tour, Aaron stood on the master balcony, looking out at the city view.
"Alright," he said, turning to Amelia. "This is the one I want."
When they returned to the office, a stern man in his fifties stood in the center of the room, watching the staff.
"Amelia, where have you been? Are you slacking off?" the man barked.
"No, Mr. Davis. I was just showing a potential customer around the estate." She gestured toward Aaron.
Davis glanced at Aaron dismissively and sighed. "Amelia, you need to stop being so naïve. This man obviously tricked you into giving him a free tour. Now get back to work before I have to seriously consider your employment here."
"But sir! He wants to buy The King's Castle villa!"
The office went dead silent. Tiffany's nail file stopped. Then Davis laughed.
"Are you serious right now, Amelia? This man doesn't look like he could afford to rent a garage, let alone buy our most expensive property. How do you possibly think he can afford a fifty-million-dollar mansion?"
Aaron had heard enough. He stepped forward, pulling out his black card. "Actually, I'll be buying ten of them."
Another wave of shock rippled through the room.
"And you," he said, looking at Davis, "will prepare the paperwork immediately. Amelia, I'll need you to process the payment."
Amelia looked from Aaron's card to her boss's stunned face, unsure what to do.
"Well? Get to it!" Davis finally snapped, his arrogance replaced by frantic greed.
Amelia hurried to the payment terminal. Her hands shook as she swiped the card and input the sum. A moment later, a loud BEEP echoed through the office, and a green notification flashed: TRANSACTION APPROVED.
Every jaw in the room dropped. Tiffany looked like she might faint. Davis stared at the confirmation, his face pale.
Aaron turned to the stunned manager. "I want you to give Amelia ninety percent of the commission from this sale."
"What? Ninety percent!?" Davis sputtered. "Sir, that's against company policy! The commission is split—"
"Let me rephrase," Aaron interrupted, his tone icy. "If Amelia does not receive ninety percent of the commission on all ten properties, I will call my bank and terminate this entire transaction right now."
The threat hung in the air.
"Yes, sir. Of course, sir," Davis stammered, nodding. "Amelia will receive ninety percent. Absolutely."
"Good." Aaron turned back to Amelia. "Now, for the paperwork. Eight of the villas will be under my name, Aaron Turner. But these two," he pointed to documents for The King's Castle and the Serenity, "will be left unsigned for now."
He wrote on a piece of paper. "These two properties are to be put under the name of Sarah Prescott's company. She, and only she, can sign the final documents. Do you understand?"
Amelia nodded, wide-eyed. "Yes, sir."
"One last thing. The King's Castle. I want all the furniture removed. Every single piece. I want it completely empty by tomorrow."
"But sir, the furnishings are custom—"
"Empty," Aaron repeated firmly. "I'll be bringing in my own."
Amelia nodded again, too overwhelmed to argue.
---
Aaron took a bus to the city's most luxurious shopping mall. At the high-end clothing boutique, a severe-looking salesman looked him up and down, cataloging Aaron's cheap clothes with disdain.
"Can I... help you?" the salesman asked, his tone suggesting Aaron had wandered in by mistake.
"Yes," Aaron said, pointing to a display of designer suits. "I'll take three of those. Size 42."
"Sir, those are custom Italian suits. Each one costs fifteen thousand dollars—"
"I know what they cost. I'll take them. And I want a complete wardrobe. Shirts, shoes, everything."
The salesman stared, speechless. Aaron pulled out his black card.
Fifteen minutes later, the same salesman was practically bowing. "Thank you for your patronage, Mr. Turner! Please, do come again! We receive new collections every season!"
Aaron arranged for everything to be shipped to The King's Castle.
It was the same story at the furniture showroom and the luxury home goods store. Cold shoulders and contempt instantly transformed into fawning adoration the moment his card was swiped. He bought complete furniture sets for multiple rooms, designer pieces for himself, practical items for Sarah, and even some things for Amanda, arranging delivery to his new address for everything.
"Ship everything to The King's Castle, Winston Villa Estates," he told each store. "I'll provide the exact address once I take possession tomorrow."
---
Aaron got back on the bus empty-handed, having arranged for all his purchases to be delivered. He took a seat and rode quietly back toward Vivian's neighborhood.
The bus dropped him a few blocks from Vivian's house. The sun was setting as he walked the quiet suburban streets. He felt satisfied for the first time in weeks. It was the first time he had truly used his wealth for himself.
He turned a corner onto the final street leading to the house. Suddenly, a dark van that had been parked by the curb screeched to a halt beside him. Four large men jumped out, their faces grim. Each held a wooden baseball bat.
"There he is," one growled.
Aaron froze. He was exposed, alone, and completely outnumbered.
"Get him," the man ordered.
They advanced, fanning out to cut off any escape, bats ready. The quiet suburban street had become a hunting ground, and Aaron was the prey.
"Wait," Aaron said, raising his hands. "What do you want?"
The leader stepped closer, bat raised. "Time to pay up."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Playing dumb won't save you now."
Aaron's mind raced. These weren't random muggers. Someone had sent them with a specific purpose.
"Who sent you?" Aaron asked.
The man smiled coldly. "Does it matter? You're finished either way."
They closed in, and Aaron realized he was about to fight for his life on this quiet street, just blocks from what had been his temporary refuge. Everything he'd just bought, all the power his wealth could provide, meant nothing now against four men with bats and a score to settle.