Chapter 450 Who Told You It Was Bought?
Even though she couldn't see Rupert, Katniss could easily picture the bright smile on his face.
"Congrats! Did the baby arrive today? Which hospital?" Katniss checked the time, thinking she could still buy some gifts and visit.
Rupert's voice sounded a bit muffled. "No, the baby was born a few days ago. I didn't tell you because I knew you were feeling down lately. But I saw on the news this morning that Tristan went back to the company."
Tristan's return to the business world and his first successful move at Zenith Group had quickly dampened the ambitions of many who had been plotting against him.
The media subtly reported that Tristan's comeback was unstoppable, even more formidable than before.
Rupert, upon seeing the news, realized Tristan had recovered and excitedly called Katniss to share the good news.
"Got it. I'll swing by your place when I get a chance," Katniss said, feeling touched by Rupert's thoughtfulness.
After a few seconds of silence, Rupert quietly added, "I didn't mean for you to come over. I just don't know many people here, and I was happy, so I wanted to tell you."
He knew that if Katniss came, she would bring gifts, and he didn't want to seem like he was asking her for money.
"What? You don't want me to come?" Katniss raised her voice slightly. "You don't want me to be your son's aunt?"
"Of course not!" Rupert quickly denied it. "But if you do come, don't buy anything. Jessica has everything prepared."
Katniss agreed, but after hanging up, she still went to the baby store with Sophia.
She had planned to buy some things for Evie anyway, so she also got a full set of baby items for Rupert's family.
This included a stroller, clothes, and toys that would last until the baby was about a year old.
Katniss had intended to visit Jessica the next day, but when she saw the address Rupert sent, she realized their apartment was not far from her neighborhood.
Since she would pass by on her way home, she decided to have the store deliver the items directly to Rupert's place. After dropping off Sophia and Evie, she headed to Rupert's.
The baby was just eight days old, and Rupert had temporarily closed his noodle shop to stay home.
When Katniss arrived, the delivery people were already there, moving the items into the apartment.
"Katniss, I told you not to buy anything," Rupert mumbled.
Before Katniss could respond, Ember chimed in, "These things don't cost much. It's nothing to her. Don't be so grateful every time you see her. What you give her is everything you have, but what she gives you is insignificant."
"Mom!" Rupert's expression darkened. Before he could say more, the delivery workers asked where to put the items.
He turned to Katniss and said, "Katniss, come in and sit. I'll handle this."
Katniss nodded, standing still with her bag, watching Rupert leave before turning her gaze to Ember.
Ember seemed confident, straightening her back as she spoke. "This is your first time at our apartment, right? It's not as grand as your villa, but it's comfortable. You didn't expect us to live here, did you?"
Katniss indeed hadn't expected it.
This apartment was the smallest in the complex, a two-story unit in a less desirable location, but it still cost around two million dollars.
A while ago, when Jessica and Ember had asked Katniss for money, they mentioned that Rupert's total savings were only a few hundred thousand dollars.
Katniss had assumed they were renting.
But from Ember's words, it seemed they had bought it?
"Katniss, come in," Rupert called from inside the apartment.
It was clear he didn't want Katniss to hear more from Ember.
Katniss walked past Ember into the apartment, noting the dated decor, suggesting it was a second-hand purchase.
"When did you buy the apartment?" she casually asked Rupert as she changed her shoes.
Rupert waved his hand. "We didn't buy it. It's rented. Jessica arranged it before telling me, but I figured if it made her happy, it was fine."
Katniss frowned, recalling Ember's earlier smug expression.
"It's pretty cheap, only two thousand dollars a month," Rupert added, directing the delivery workers to place the items in a room.
Two thousand dollars? That wouldn't even cover a single room in this apartment.
Katniss's heart sank, increasingly convinced that Jessica was lying.
But if they hadn't rented the apartment, where did they get the money to buy it?
"Katniss, they're done moving everything. Let me show you the baby upstairs," Rupert said after a few minutes, having seen off the workers.
They had hired a nanny, who was with the baby, sunbathing to reduce jaundice when Katniss arrived.
Jessica was lying in bed. Seeing Katniss, she sat up and smiled. "Katniss, you're here."
Katniss nodded, looking at the chubby baby whose features hadn't fully developed yet.
The baby resembled Rupert quite a bit, looking rather endearing.
Rupert couldn't stop smiling, glancing at the baby while Jessica directed him to fetch various items for her.
Katniss took out a card and placed it under the baby's blanket.
"Katniss," Rupert said, looking embarrassed.
Jessica, however, smiled. "Thank you."
Seeing Rupert about to return the card, she quickly said, "Rupert, you should offer Katniss some fruit and water. Go on."
"Go ahead," Katniss said, stopping Rupert.
Rupert then went downstairs to prepare tea and fruit.
The nanny, seeing a guest, also went to attend to other tasks, leaving Katniss and Jessica alone in the room.
"When did you buy the apartment?" Katniss asked directly.
Jessica froze, a hint of panic in her eyes. After a few seconds, she said, "We didn't buy it. It's rented. Who told you we bought it?"
Katniss smiled. "I thought it was bought. So it's rented."
"Yes, it's rented. How could we afford to buy it?" Jessica said firmly. "The small house wasn't convenient for recovery, and we have a nanny, so we temporarily rented this place. It's close to you, so you can visit often."
Jessica's invitation carried a hint of showing off, emphasizing her status as the apartment's occupant, as if she had been gilded.
Rupert soon returned with coffee and fruit for Katniss.
Ember followed, staying by the baby, making passive-aggressive comments about relying on her son.
Rupert, unable to argue, changed the subject. "Katniss, the baby doesn't have a name yet. How about you name him?"
As soon as he spoke, Katniss noticed Jessica's displeased look at Rupert.
Katniss politely declined. "Even Evie's name was chosen by Tristan by chance. I didn't put much thought into it. You're the father; you should name your child."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
