Ashley and Ellie followed Greyson. They noticed the sudden change in his facial expression and couldn't help but have a feeling of being cheated.
However, since they had promised Greyson, then it didn't seem a good idea to go back on their word.
Greyson walked into the store again with Ashley and Ellie in tow. The same middle-aged man came to greet them. Greyson gave him a questioning look as if to ask, 'Is the contract ready?' The man nodded discreetly to Greyson.
Ashley and Ellie didn't feel the need to say anything because they had already seen this storefront before and they were both satisfied with everything the way it was. The man handed the contract over to the girls and they read through it carefully.
While Ashley and Ellie read through the details of the contract, the man wiped the sweat from his brow. He was glad that he drew up the contract promptly after Greyson's instructions and now he sat back feeling relieved.
However, the more Ashley and Ellie read through the contract, the more surprised they were.
They had rented stores in the past and also read some tenancy contracts, so they were familiar with the usual requirements. But this contract was different from the usual ones that they had read before.
And given the location of this storefront, it was definitely worth anywhere between ten thousand and twenty thousand dollars in rent of which the girls were prepared to pay.
However, the rent amount that was written in this contract was only five thousand per month. Ashley and Ellie couldn't believe that he was asking for such a small amount.
What was more, the contract was supposed to be very strict and more in favor of the owner. However, all of the terms in the contract were written up to be all in their benefit.
Ashley looked up at the owner and couldn't help but ask, "I'm sorry. I wonder if you may have made a mistake when you drew up this contract?" When she read through all of the terms and conditions of the contract it was obvious that the owner would suffer losses. And if that was the case, then what would be the purpose of him leasing the store out in the first place?
The middle-aged man's eyes twinkled and he gave Ashley a friendly smile. He said, "You are funny, Miss Mu. I am sure that there are no mistakes in this contract. It was specifically written up for you."
He drew the contract up under Greyson's instructions. However, the man personally thought that the contract was a bit sloppy. He wanted to modify it again, but he ran out of time. And now there was no way to modify it further.
If Greyson and the girls had arrived just a little bit later, the contract would have been slightly different, and Ashley would have been even more surprised.
A thought had suddenly occurred to Ashley and she gave Greyson a suspicious look. She asked, "Is this your idea?"
Greyson's uncle had strong ties with Harkim. The only person that Ashley could think of to be responsible for this sort of contract was Greyson.
When Greyson noticed that Ashley was staring at him questionably, he gave her an innocent look and nodded.
"Ashley, you have promised me that you would rent this shop. You can't go back on your promise now," Greyson said in haste. He was afraid that Ashley would change her mind and not sign the contract.
So before she had a chance to say something that he didn't want to hear, he quickly reminded her not to go back on her word.
Ellie felt humored by the conversation between Ashley and Greyson. She then looked at her friend and said, "Ash, it's okay. Just sign it."
"But, this contract..." What Ashley wanted to say was that? the owner was being way too generous.
How could she accept such a small rental amount? Let alone all of the terms that followed in the contract. It was just too much. It was almost like a big gift to them.
Ashley was finding it really hard to accept and sign her name on it.
"Yes, Miss Mu. You can sign it," said the man, gently trying to persuade her to sign the contract, since he knew that she was the one who would make the decision.
Ashley furrowed her brows and slowly looked at them from one face to another. They each had the same expression written on their faces, and that was for her to sign the contract. She felt so guilty to sign it.
And it felt strange that the owner of the shop complied with all of the conditions that were all in her favor.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: A Love Trap