Chapter 366
At this moment, Gavin had just come out of the police station and was walking toward the station with his son, munching on a bagel along the way.
Hamza, scrolling on his phone as they walked, suddenly let out a loud yell. He thrust his phone toward Gavin, saying excitedly, “Dad, check Facebook! Uncle Joel and Maria are finalizing the transfer for the relocation property!”
Gavin looked at the phone screen and was so shocked he dropped his bagel. He yelled, “How could this be possible? The title deed is with Grandpa, and the Donovan family agreed to let us have the relocation property. Why would they be transferring it with Joel?”
Nearby pedestrians turned to stare at him, startled by his outburst.
Ignoring their looks, he quickly dialed Maria’s number. When she picked up, he shouted, “I saw the photo you posted. Did you go with Joel to transfer the relocation property?
“I already told you that property was ours! How could you go behind our backs and just hand it over to Joel?”
Maria feigned surprise and replied, “Yesterday morning, Joel told me you’d all discussed it and decided to give the relocation property to their family, with them promising to give two units of the new property as compensation.
“This morning, he even brought the title deed along. Why would there be any problem with that?”
With that, she sent Gavin a screenshot of her conversation with Joel from yesterday morning on iMessage.
In the screenshot, Joel had written: [Maria, we’ve made a decision. The relocation property will go to our family. And in return, we’ll take care of the elders and give Gavin’s family two new units when we receive the property.]
The message continued: [I’m injured and getting treated at the clinic, so I’ll grab my identity documents later tonight. Tomorrow morning, let’s head over to the housing office to do the transfer. I’ll bring the title deed with me.]
This screenshot was skillfully fabricated by Athena, leaving no trace of alteration.
Gavin had always looked down on Maria, an orphan who had grown up depending on others. So, he had only been in contact with Arthur lately, never bothering to check with Maria about what she was doing.
Now, looking at the screenshot, he was so infuriated he nearly jumped up, shouting, “Joel is lying!”
Gavin continued, “Just yesterday morning, I told Arthur that our family’s decision was for the relocation property to stay with us, and we would give Joel’s family two units in return! Did Arthur not tell you?”
Maria sounded hurt as she replied, “But Joel and his wife were injured yesterday. I went to the clinic early yesterday to check on them, paid their medical bills, and helped them get a hotel room. I was completely swamped.”
She continued, “Mikayla was playing on my phone and accidentally broke it, so I had to get it fixed and didn’t have a phone all day. I never even saw Arthur.
“Last night, I was with my mom at the hospital and only got my phone back this morning, so I had no idea about what you’re saying.”
Known for her honesty, Maria had Gavin completely convinced Without a second thought, he directed all his anger at Joel, cursing him while hurrying along the street. “Joel is lying! Ask Arthur and you’ll see.
“You absolutely cannot let him transfer that property or your family will be duped by him! I’m heading back to Kitmore City right now, chartering a ride. I should be there in three hours. Wait for me.”
Gavin added, “Right, Hamza, call your great–grandfather and ask why the title deed is in Joel’s hands…”
Seeing that Gavin’d fallen for the trap, Maria quickly said, “Alright, I’ll find a way to stop Joel from completing the transfer. You should come quickly and clear things up. I… I’m afraid he and his wife will be mad at me…”
Gavin’s voice boomed down the entire street. “Don’t worry. I’ll back you up! The eldest son has always been the head of the family. Joel is insane to think that he could outrank me!”
Maria replied, “Okay, I’ll wait for you all to come.”
Hanging up, she calmly slipped out of the fire escape, rejoining Joel and his wife in line to continue waiting with them.
In the line ahead of Joel and his wife, at least half of the people were Athena’s accomplices. They were there to intentionally. delay proceedings and ensure Joel couldn’t complete the property transfer.
While waiting in line, Maria received a message from Gavin.
Gavin called her to ask for her exact location and informed her, “Grandpa said he never gave Joel the title deed. It must have been Isla, who stole it last night while he was asleep. He’s been trying to call her all day, but she won’t pick up. He’s so stressed he’s about to fall ill.
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