Chapter 26 Money Matters
In the past, life was also very stressful, and many people often grumbled, "Love nowadays is so cheap that it can be bought with money."
This phrase used to be a sarcastic comment on the state of society, but in today's era, it had become a reality. It was hard to tell if this was progress or regression.
The girls in the woman's hand were found in the anarchic district, but they weren't trafficked or kidnapped. They willingly followed her. They had no other goal but to have a stable meal. These girls didn't have residency rights in the Ninth District and could only legally live here by getting married or purchasing residency. Otherwise, they would be lawfully deported after a certain period.
After wandering around the room for about ten minutes, Eric came out and asked the woman, "Do those two fellow girls have any family?"
"No," the woman replied without hesitation.
"Do you know what I do?" Eric frowned and asked again.
The woman was stunned.
"Don't lie to me. Do they have family or not?" Eric continued to press.
The woman pondered for a moment and said, "I forgot, those two girls do have family, but they're in the anarchic district."
"Then forget it," Eric shook his head and replied, "It would be troublesome later."
"Then look at someone else," the woman suggested.
"What's that white girl's name?" Eric thought for a moment and asked.
"Ava Brown," the woman gave a thumbs up and said, "You have good taste, young man. That girl is tall, fair-skinned, and pretty."
"Is her dialect fine?" Eric asked.
"She's from the anarchic district near the Ninth District. She speaks the local language better than I do."
"Then it's her," Eric nodded and asked, "How much?"
"$1200," the woman replied straightforwardly.
"Let's go," Eric said and started to walk away.
Alexander and Andrew were stunned and followed quickly.
"Why are you so bad-tempered?" the woman immediately shouted, "Come back and talk. I'll give you a ten percent discount."
"How dare you ask for such a high price?" Eric shouted back, "I can't afford that."
"I'll take $200 off." the woman caught up and grabbed Eric's arm, "Brother, they don't have residency rights. It costs me to bring them in, too."
"$500," Eric added.
"Don't be ridiculous. You can only buy one of her legs with $ 500." the woman rolled her eyes.
"Then no deal," Eric said.
The woman was anxious. "The lowest is $800, no less. I've been taking care of them for more than two months."
"I only brought $600. If you think it's okay, we can write a note, and I'll take her," Andrew said with wide eyes, "But there's one condition. If she runs away after two days, I will ruin your business."
"No, $600 is not okay. For $600, you can only buy someone like me." The woman waved her hand. "If you want to leave, then help yourself. The lowest is $800."
Eric didn't argue further and turned to leave with Alexander and Andrew.
About two minutes later, the woman caught up from behind, panting and shouting, "Fine, I see you two are fated, $600 it is... Let's be friends..."
Eric and the woman reached an agreement. Throughout the process, Ava heard everything clearly from inside the room.
At around eight or nine in the evening, Andrew called a private car, and the four of them returned to the Pine City.
On the street, Alexander glanced at the dirty Ava and smiled at Eric, "Aren't you going to celebrate?"
"There's no money for that." Eric shook his head. "Let's just have a meal with some friends."
"When?" Andrew asked.
"Tomorrow," Eric thought for a moment and said, "I'll also notify the team tomorrow."
"Alright, let's do that." Andrew, exhausted from the day, turned to Ava and said, "Although we met through money, Eric is a good person. He won't mistreat you, so take good care of him."
Ava kept her head down the whole time, continuously fiddling with her hair. "I... I understand..."
"Alright, we'll head out then," Andrew said to Eric.
After a brief exchange, Andrew and Alexander watched as Eric and Ava, brought together by money, walked away.
On the weathered streets, Eric walked ahead somewhat awkwardly, his heart pounding.
After some time, Ava called out, "Can you... slow down a bit... My shoes are broken... They hurt."
Eric stopped and looked back at Ava, pondering for a moment, and said, "Should I carry you? It's very close. We're almost there."
Ava froze, standing still and grabbing Eric's coat. "I... I want to eat."
Eric smiled, bent down, and said, "Hop on, we'll eat when we get home."
Andrew, not knowing where to go tonight, didn't suggest staying at Alexander's place as usual and quickly found an excuse to leave.
When Alexander got home, it was already past eight. He originally planned to have some water and buy some food, but then he remembered he had lent out $200 today and only had $50 left for daily expenses. So, he washed up briefly and prepared to sleep.
At around nine, Alexander had just laid down when he heard Emily's angry shout, "What are you doing? Do you believe I'll call the police?!"
Hearing the shout, Alexander was stunned, grabbed his coat, and walked to the window to look outside.
Emily was standing at the bottom of the steps, pointing and shouting at the door, while three burly men in leather coats swaggered in.
"Do you not understand the seriousness of this? We've warned you once, and you still want to investigate?" The lead man touched his bald head and reached out. "Give me the camera."
"The camera's not with me. If you harass me again, I'll call the police chief," Emily shouted.
The lead man laughed, pointing at Emily and cursing, "The police chief? William is my friend. Go ahead, call him. I'll wait."
Emily was stunned.
Inside, just as Alexander was about to go out and check, he froze when he heard the man mention William's name, his brow furrowing deeply.
At this moment, a boy of about 15 rushed out from the inner courtyard, wearing a tattered coat and shouting, "What are you doing, making such a racket in the middle of the night?"
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