Still, the whole mood was ruined anyway, so Frank held his phone to his ear and said, “I’ve just checked. The land is worth a lot of money.”
“Really? How so?” Gina snorted from the other end.
Frank could actually hear Cindy laughing gleefully too, even scoffing. “Aunt Gina, that sucker must have realized he just lost a fortune and wants to sell it back to you!”
Frank did not get petty, however, and reasoned calmly, “I have a reliable source. The projects are due for demolition since they will be building a highway nearby, and the value will multiply by tenfold!” Cindy stopped laughing right then, and Gina turned quiet.
Then, Gina asked tentatively, “So, you mean to ask me to buy the land back from you?”
“That’s the idea.” Frank nodded. “You’ll definitely make big bucks if you take ownership, and you won’t ever have to rely on Helen again.”
Silence ensued again before Gina and Cindy both burst out in rowdy laughter.
Helen could naturally hear them since Frank had put them on loudspeaker, and she scowled in disgust, shaking her head and really intent on disowning them.
Her darling husband was so patiently and earnestly reasoning with those two, even giving them what he deserved.
And yet, instead of showing gratitude, they were both mocking him.
When Gina was done laughing, she scoffed. “Did you really think I’d believe you, Frank Lawrence?”
“Did those thugs beat you up so badly that you lost your marbles?” Cindy chimed in. “Is that how you came up with this ruse? You bought the land, sucker, so did you really think we’d follow in your footsteps again? Don’t bother and just take the léss. Who knows, you just might become friends with those thugs!”
Helen had enough right then and snatched Frank’s phone and bellowed, “Mom! Cindy! You two. knew that place was crawling with thugs! Why didn’t you warn us?! You almost got me killed!” S
Cindy laughed even harder in sheer schadenfreude.
Gina actually showed a conscience in contrast and stammered, “I-It’s just a misunderstanding. I mean,
Frank wouldn’t have bought that et
land from us if we said… Who.
want a barren land crawliet
thugs?”
“Hahaha!!!” Cindy kept laughing at herself silly.
“That’s enough!” Gina snapped at her.
However, Cindy only kept going, clearly very pleased. “Oh, you’re killing me… Aunt Gina, your dear Peter really gave Frank a nasty surprise!” Helen, however, was glowering, her hands shaking as she held the phone.
“Frank had already signed the agreement!” Helen bellowed. “That means he already bought that land, and you could’ve told us then, but you didn’t!” “Well, I…” Gina stuttered but could not finish her sentence.
