Dumped Then Claimed By A Billionaire (Nerissa and Owen) novel Chapter 78

Chapter 78

Chapter 78

“Lennox?” Hunter blurted out, sounding genuinely surprised.

“Lennox!” he called again, this time with even more warmth.

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If anyone else had witnessed this, they’d be floored. Hunter calling Lennox Stratford by his first name? Unbelievable!

In Cilowesad, and even around the world, people always addressed Lennox as “Mr. Stratford”, never anything

so casual.

But now,

he was actually letting Hunter call him by his first name.

Hunter looked at Lennox, genuine appreciation shining in his eyes.

This young man was clearly someone special.

Unlike those snobby rich kids, he was actually down-to-earth and respectful.

And on top of that, he was easy on the eyes!

Hunter found himself genuinely liking Lennox.

“Alright, Lennox, come on in and have a seat. Let me fix you some tea,” Hunter said, his tone full of warmth.

“No need, Mr. Jamison,” Lennox replied, gently stopping him. “I’ve got work to handle and need to get back to the office soon.”

“You’re leaving already?” Hunter asked, sounding a bit surprised.

“Yes,” Lennox replied with a slight nod.

“I’ll give Nerissa a call and let her know,” Hunter offered.

“No need,” Lennox said. “I actually ran into Nerissa on my way over.”

“Alright then,” Hunter said with a smile.

Since Lennox had other things to take care of, Hunter didn’t try to keep him for tea. He walked Lennox to the door himself, smiling as he said, “Lennox, don’t be a stranger. Come visit us whenever you have time!”

The driver was waiting by the car door.

When he heard Hunter talking to Lennox so casually, he was completely stunned.

‘Who is this old man?’ the driver wondered, his mind racing.

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Chapter 78

‘How does he have the nerve to call Mr. Stratford by his first name?’ he thought, still in shock.

‘Is he Ms. Jamison’s grandfather?’ the driver guessed.

The next moment, Lennox’s response confirmed the driver’s suspicion.

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Lennox smiled and said, “Of course, Mr. Jamison. You and Nerissa are welcome to drop by my place anytime.”

“Okay,” Hunter replied.

Hunter walked Lennox to the car, still beaming as he waved. “Lennox, goodbye.”

Lennox sat up straight in the car, waving back at Hunter as he said goodbye.

It wasn’t until the car had left the neighborhood that Lennox finally pulled out his phone, logged into Splendor Peak, and got back to cracking that tough puzzle he’d been working on earlier.

*****

Meanwhile, Nerissa arrived at Sycamore Square and met up with Faye without any trouble.

Faye had already picked up smoothies and popcorn. Spotting Nerissa, she waved with a bright smile. “Nerissa, over here!”

Nerissa jogged over. “Sorry, Fifi, I ran into a bit of trouble on the way and got held up.”

Hearing that Nerissa had run into trouble, Faye looked concerned. “Are you alright? Need me to do anything?”

“No worries, it’s all taken care of,” Nerissa said.

“Good to hear,” Faye said, handing her the smoothie. “Nerissa, I got your favorite, extra-sweet.”

“Thanks, Fifi,” Nerissa replied with a smile.

Nerissa took the smoothie and took a big sip, her face lighting up with pure satisfaction.

Nothing beat the happiness of gulping down an ice-free, extra-sweet smoothie when it was scorching outside.

Faye hooked her arm through Nerissa’s. “Nerissa, the movie starts in ten minutes. Let’s get inside!”

“Let’s go!” Nerissa said, hurrying after Faye.

Faye then asked, “By the way, Nerissa, what level are you at in Splendor Peak?”

“I think I’m at level 15,” Nerissa replied.

She didn’t really spend much time grinding levels.

Most days, she just preferred chilling at Adventure Manor.

She’d play chess, grow flowers, and play with the birds.

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Faye grinned. “I’m already at level 20! I used to think there was no way Kinsbeat Game could pull off an AAA title, but now? It’s honestly so addictive! I really want to meet Ms. Jamison, the genius who made Splendor Peak. Anyone who can create a game this good must be seriously impressive.”

Nerissa raised her eyebrows. “Ms. Jamison?”

“Yeah,” Faye nodded, her eyes shining with admiration. “I seriously look up to her.”

Nerissa smiled. “Closer than you think.”

Faye blinked, and then burst out laughing. “Come on, Nerissa, stop messing with me!”

Ms. Jamison was a total game legend.

Rumor had it she was a prodigy from some elite foreign university, and people guessed she was in her thirties, maybe even close to forty.

Nerissa was only nineteen.

Still laughing, Faye suddenly paused. “You know, Nerissa, isn’t it a crazy coincidence you’re both Jamisons?”

Nerissa just smiled and stayed quiet.

After the movie, Nerissa and Faye still had some time to kill.

Nerissa decided to check out the sales office of Winton Villas.

She’d promised Hunter a big villa ages ago, and she was determined to keep her word.

No way was she going to flake on that promise.

Splendor Peak had been a smash hit, so Nerissa was loaded now. Besides, with the new semester about to start, moving to a villa would make life way easier.

Faye turned to Nerissa. “Nerissa, are you really buying a house?”

“Yeah,” Nerissa replied.

Faye grinned. “No way, what are the odds! Winton Villas is one of my dad’s projects. I’ll just get him to hook you up with one! He’s been stressing about what to get you anyway!”

The Penhaligon family had their fingers in all kinds of pies.

Real estate was just one of their many ventures.

“No, no, Fifi,” Nerissa protested. “I can’t just take a house from your dad out of the blue. I should buy it myself.”

“Out of the blue? Nerissa, you’ve done so much for me! It’s just a house. Seriously, it’s no big deal. My dad’s in real estate anyway. Come on, let’s go take a look! I heard they have some amazing villas that are move-in ready.”

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Faye just brushed it off like it was nothing.

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“Fifi, you’ve already given me and my grandpa so much. If you keep spoiling me, I’m not buying from your dad at all,” Nerissa said, her tone firm.

Nerissa looked completely serious.

Winton Villas went for more than $1,500 a square meter, even the cheapest one cost over $10 million!

Faye’s offer was just way too generous for Nerissa to accept.

Faye truly saw Nerissa as her best friend and loved showering her friend with gifts. If it had been any of her old friends, they would’ve jumped at the chance to get a villa for free.

But Nerissa turned her down without a second thought.

It was clear as day.

That was the difference between people.

“Alright, alright, Nerissa,” Faye said, putting on a serious face. “If you won’t let me give it to you, at least let me get you a good deal, okay? Are we even friends if you won’t let me do that at least?”

“Fine,” Nerissa finally relented, linking arms with Faye. “Let’s go check it out.”

Faye was the developer’s heiress. So as soon as she and Nerissa walked into the sales office, they got the full VIP treatment.

The manager himself came out to personally greet Nerissa and Faye.

Faye said, “Nerissa is my bestie. Mr. Winston, how us the most luxurious, top-of-the-line villa you’ve got.”

The villas offered both standalone villas and duplex villas.

But honestly, the duplex villas just didn’t compare to the standalone ones.

This place was not only right next to Yiorlian School, but the whole community was beautifully landscaped, ideal for seniors.

It didn’t take Nerissa long to set her sights on a villa with a lavish makeover.

“This one looks perfect. How much is it?” Nerissa asked.

The manager jumped in, “This villa is 9,472 square feet, has eight bedrooms, fully furnished with luxury finishes, and comes with smart home appliances, all top-tier brands. The list price is $15 million. But since you’re Ms. Penhaligon’s closest friend, I’ll give you a special discounted price, just $5.5 million.”

“$5.5 million?” Nerissa glanced at Faye. “Fifi, isn’t that way too cheap? Are you sure you guys aren’t taking a loss here?”

“Not a chance! Real estate is crazy profitable, you know that, Nerissa! We always offer this price to family and

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close friends. Right, Mr. Winston?” Faye replied.

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Mr. Winston nodded eagerly. “Absolutely, Ms. Jamison. Ms. Penhaligon’s right. This is our usual friends-and- family rate.”

“Alright then,” Nerissa said, clearly satisfied with the villa. “Just swipe my card.”

“Do you need to arrange a loan for the purchase?” Mr. Winston asked politely.

$5.5 million might be a steal, but for most folks, that was still a massive chunk of change.

“No need,” Nerissa replied.

Mr. Winston was genuinely surprised.

Judging by Nerissa’s plain outfit, no designer brands anywhere, he’d figured she was just a regular friend of Faye’s.

But he couldn’t have been more wrong.

Turned out, Nerissa was ready to drop the full $5.5 million, no problem.

Indeed,

one really shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.

“Ms. Jamison, this way please,” Mr. Winston said, gesturing for her to come over and get the payment sorted.

Once Nerissa had paid and signed a stack of contracts, Mr. Winston continued, “Ms. Jamison, the property certificate should be ready in about a week. Here are the keys, and you can move in anytime. When the certificate’s done, I’ll have it sent over to you.”

“Alright, thanks,” Nerissa said, taking the keys.

Faye grinned. “Congrats on scoring that fancy villa, Nerissa! So, when’s the big move? I’ll come over and help you throw a house-warming party!”

Nerissa pulled out her phone and checked the calendar. “Let’s do the day after tomorrow. Feels like a lucky day for it.”

“Awesome, I’ll swing by your place then!” Faye said.

“Perfect! I’ll whip up all your favorite dishes,” Nerissa replied.

Faye added, “That backyard is just begging for a barbecue.”

“Definitely,” Nerissa nodded, then grinned. “Fifi, seriously, thanks for helping me save millions! What do you want for dinner tonight? My treat.”

“Let’s hit up the Munch. I haven’t eaten there in forever,” Faye suggested.

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The Munch was a classic hole-in-the-wall spot.

:.

It wasn’t fancy at all, but the food was seriously amazing.

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Even though Faye had grown up with all the luxuries, she was totally down-to-earth about food, never snobby, always up for trying anything.

Nerissa was just the same, a true foodie who loved to explore. Whether it was a three-star Michelin restaurant or a street-side dive, she enjoyed every bite. To her, food was never about status or price. If it tasted good, that was all that mattered.

It was only 5:30 PM.

But when they got there, a crowd had already formed at the entrance.

With prices this low, most of the folks in line were neighborhood regulars, cab drivers, and guys working nearby.

It was still early, so Nerissa and Faye weren’t bothered at all. They just chatted and laughed as they waited in line.

The two girls, both about the same age, were all smiles and full of life, so much so that people passing by couldn’t help but turn their heads for a second look.

Just then, Ivy and her classmate Alice walked by and caught sight of Nerissa waiting in line with everyone else.

Ivy let out a cold snort. “Look at that country bumpkin, so poor and pathetic!”

‘Someone like Nerissa will probably never even eat at a fancy place in her whole life, Ivy sneered to herself.

Her, on the other hand?

She’d just come from a high-end restaurant where the average check was in the triple digits, getting the full VIP experience. From now on, she was officially high society, and Nerissa? She’d always be a nobody.

Alice glanced over and asked, “Hey, do you know anyone up there in line?”

“Of course not. Why would I ever know those lowlifes?” Ivy replied quickly, her voice dripping with contempt.

Alice’s family was in business too, and way richer than the Holloways. Ivy definitely didn’t want Alice associating her with a small-town nobody like Nerissa.

That would just ruin her reputation.

Alice laughed. “Glad to hear it. For a second, I thought you actually hung out with people like that!”

Ivy looped her arm through Alice’s. “Let’s go, Alice. Hanging around a place this shabby is bound to mess with our good luck.”

Alice nodded. “Totally, Ivy. Let’s get out of here fast.”

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The two of them scurried off like the place was cursed with poverty.

After half an hour in line, Nerissa and Faye finally snagged a tiny table.

Nerissa wasn’t picky at all, so she let Faye take the reins and order whatever she wanted.

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While Faye was busy picking out dishes, Nerissa whipped out her phone and hopped onto Splendor Peak. She’d barely logged in when a system notification popped up.

[Hello, Ms. Phyllis, welcome back! Your latest Go challenge, “Windbreaker,” has been solved by Mr. S. Just letting you know!]

Nerissa froze for a second.

‘No way, someone cracked it again?’ she thought, totally stunned.

‘How is he so good?’ she wondered, her mind spinning.

‘Who the heck is this Mr. S?’ she couldn’t help but wonder.

‘He keeps beating my puzzles like it’s nothing,’ she thought, still in disbelief.

All her puzzles were custom-made, her own creations. There were zero walkthroughs or cheats online for these.

And that wasn’t all.

Not only did Mr. S crack her puzzle, but he even dropped a fresh challenge just for her to crack.

This one was brutal, way harder than anything she’d ever set up before. Whoever made it was on a whole other level, like a god-tier player.

Whoever this Mr. S was, he was definitely a Go master.

Nerissa raised her eyebrows as she studied the board. ‘Looks like I’ve finally met my match,’ she thought, a spark of excitement flickering inside.

‘Now this is getting more and more interesting!’ she grinned to herself.

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21:09 Wed, Jan 21