Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Older Brother
Mika Summers saw Tristan Grayson’s dark, murderous expression.
But she had to bite the bullet and keep up the act. "Right, right, he’s my roommate. We’re renting this place together, so that makes him my roommate. Stop asking so many questions. You’ve been on a plane for so long, you must be dead tired. Go wash up and get to bed early."
’Renting together? A roommate?’ The words echoed in Archie Summers’s mind. No matter how exhausted he was, he was wide awake now.
’His own little sister is living under the same roof as another man. How could he not be worried?’
’Of course he was worried. Besides, seeing the way his sister’s gaze kept shifting, his years of experience in the dating world told him something was definitely going on between those two!’
’There was no way it was as simple as a roommate arrangement.’
’His sister was such a blockhead. If someone sold her, she’d probably thank them and happily count the cash.’
’The more he thought about it, the more Archie Summers was convinced this guy had bad intentions. After all, what normal man would agree to rent an apartment with a woman?’
So, he pushed Mika Summers aside and stepped forward to size up Tristan Grayson. ’My sister is too proud to tell the truth, so I’ll just have to figure it out for myself. It’s not like I’m blind.’
As Archie Summers stared him down, Tristan Grayson’s expression turned a hundred times fouler than before.
He wasn’t in a rush, though. ’Let’s just see how this woman plans to clean up her own mess.’
’Renting together? She sure can spin a yarn.’
...
Archie Summers sized him up, instantly running the numbers in his head.
’This man’s clothes, his whole getup, has to be worth at least 500,000.’
’A guy who casually wears an outfit worth around 500,000... would he really need to split rent with someone?’
’Also, on the way here, I could tell just by glancing around that Mika lives in the best apartment complex in the city center.’
’Based on current property values, a single square meter here costs over 20,000. And Mika’s apartment looks to be at least 200 square meters.’
’That means this place has to be worth at least five million!’
’Even if they’re renting, a year’s rent must be at least 200,000 to 300,000.’
’If they’re splitting it, that’s over a hundred thousand each.’
’But this guy’s clothes and shoes alone are worth more than 500,000. How could he possibly not afford to buy an apartment?’
’Our family isn’t poor, but Mom and Dad told me on the phone that my sister hasn’t taken a single penny from home since starting college.’
’So how could Mika, a girl working a job in the city, possibly afford to pay over a hundred thousand in rent?’
All the pieces suddenly clicked into place in Archie Summers’s mind.
’Mika’s relationship with this man is definitely not simple!’
As he thought, he frowned and stared hard at Tristan Grayson, asking his question aloud, "What exactly is your relationship with Mika?"
"What do you think our relationship is?" Tristan Grayson shot back with a disdainful sneer.
"Boyfriend? You don’t look the part." ’If he were her boyfriend, why wouldn’t he be trying to curry favor with me, his potential brother-in-law? That makes no sense.’
"..." Tristan Grayson remained silent, his cold eyes watching Archie Summers without a trace of emotion.
"The suspense is killing me! What is your relationship? Why are you living with Mika?"
Tristan Grayson asked coldly, "And what’s your relationship to her?" ’This pair of shameless lovers has the gall to question me.’
"Ahem—" ’So he doesn’t know who I am? No wonder he’s not being very friendly.’
Realizing this, Archie Summers immediately decided to put on an air of importance. He straightened his collar and a cocky grin played on his lips. "Allow me to introduce myself. Hello. My name is Archie Summers, and I’m Mika’s older brother."