Su Lin's property consultant was about to call the high rise building's property manager and tear him a new one for a clear breach of verbal contract, that too with the advance already paid beforehand.
He was extremely agitated.
What was the point of him being a property consultant if his client's selected properties were plucked away from them like a crow stealing a worm, so easily and effortlessly?
Runyan and Squirrel expectantly looked at the guy hoping he might create some last-minute miracle.
But Su Lin only smiled. She already knew how this conversation was going to end...
And just like she had guessed, their property consultant returned back with his head hung low after a few minutes of seemingly heated conversation.
"Sorry, sir." He bowed and apologized to Squirrel, or Su Bai.
Squirrel was the one who had hired him. To the outside world, Squirrel went by the name of Su Bai. Since none of them had any family, he proudly took his master's surname.
And of course, the property consultant assumed Su Bai to be the boss of the group. After all, he was the only male in the group.
He politely apologized trying to calm down the jilted party. "Sorry, sir. A close friend of the property owner urgently purchased the remaining floors. So he was not able to help us out."
"But he is completely refunding our advance and even adding 1% for our wasted efforts." He hurriedly mumbled, hoping the trio wouldn't bad mouth him in the professional network.
Squirrel, or rather Su Bai looked at Su Lin, waiting for her response to the situation.
"Should we just purchase our second choice, Master?" He asked as they walked out of the building.
Su Lin turned around and smirked. There was a mischievous twinkle in her eyes that gazed at the shiny high rise building located in the heart of the city.
"No, forget about it. Let's get the properties next to Luther's restaurant."
"Hmm?" Su Bai was confused.
Indeed, there were a bunch of properties around their first brother's prospective restaurant space, but the spot was located in a remote corner of the city, with literally the least possible exposure.
"Oh. I just want to be able to have my meals with your brother." Su Lin smiled teasingly but she did have other conjectures.
Su Lin had a strong feeling that Angela Hissenger wouldn't stop with just this. In fact, if they tried purchasing any viable property within the city limits, she had a strong hunch that the outcome would probably be the same.
Instead of headbutting with her, she decided to go with an alternative non-violent approach. So, what if a prime spot was not available?
Rather than picking one that was already developed, it was more fun to spend less money and magically transform a run-down corner into a prime spot.
Besides, Su Lin was super confident that once everything is set up, even that small remote corner of the city will become popular with their establishment.
Su Bai nodded. Though he did not have much confidence in Su Lin's decision, he still did not mind his master's weird response.
This was only their starting base, so it really didn't matter much. Because unlike others, their products can literally sell themselves. All they have to do is merely manufacture them.
The trio then drove to the secluded corner of the city and assessed the available space, and the building.
The property consultant joined them shortly.
This time around, he couldn't be happier with their decision. He was so excited that he even rushed about and immediately prepared all the necessary paperwork for the deed transfer.
This spot was the albatross across his neck! And if this finally sells today, he was going to take his entire family out for a proper celebration.
The building in itself was not too bad. The owner had gambled on this sector improving in value and invested quite a bit on the building.
It had 10 floors and a reflective polished finish, with the marmalade hues of the sky bouncing off the newly minted building's exterior.
However, the rest of the street was pretty run down, with a dusty restaurant that is currently locked and bolted, a couple of shabby-looking smaller buildings and a few more acres of undeveloped raw ground.
This was the same restaurant space that Su Lin and Luther had picked up from the auction.
The previous owner, who was interested in the restaurant, and optimistic about this area's development, ended up getting huge losses and now the restaurant was completely shut down.
He even struggled with huge debts and resorted to auctioning off the restaurant space to pay his bank dues.
The trio took a stroll around the area, carefully surveilling the neighborhood.
"Are you sure master?" Even Su Bai was getting doubtful.
His master was only viewing the opportunity in the chaos. Neither of them had any experience with running businesses. If things don't work out, then this chaotic dump would remain just that.
"He he. Don't worry, I have a plan. In fact, we should even get these couple of building lots over here, near your brother's restaurant space."
Su Lin went all-in with her chips. By the end of the hour, their reserve cash flow was almost depleted and they owned a bunch of properties in the most awkward corner of the city.
And the funding they had left would barely be able to afford the very minimum manpower absolutely required for the daily operations.
Su Lin nodded satisfactorily and the trio bid goodbye to a very happy property consultant.
*********
The phrase "albatross around my neck" comes from a famous poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner." In this poem, the sailor who greedily shoots a friendly bird is forced to wear its carcass around his neck as punishment.