Chapter 30
Sally was momentarily taken aback.
Not many people knew about this, and she hadn’t even mentioned that she’d taken over the shop–that she was planning to open a clinic there. So how on earth did Jaxon find out?
Though hesitant inside, Sally decided to be upfront. “Yes, that’s right.”
“There’s actually a pretty decent spot I can show you,” Jaxon’s voice dropped low and steady, his eyes quietly fixed on her. “Want to take a look?”
Sally blinked in surprise. “Mr. Zale, you’re offering to introduce me to a place? Is it your friend’s property?”
“Yeah, a friend of mine.” Jaxon had already reached toward the back seat of the car. “It’s a two–story building–used to be a wine chateau for entertaining clients. The wine chateau has moved to a new location, so this one’s been sitting empty.”
With that, the car door swung open. Sally looked up at the man, locking eyes with his earnest gaze. This didn’t seem like a joke.
“All right, I’ll go have a look.”
She slid into the car, meeting the man in the driver’s seat with a steady gaze.
She recognized him immediately–Caleb, Jaxon’s personal assistant. He gave her a slight nod, a polite greeting, and she smiled
back.
Everyone around Jaxon had the same cold, calm demeanor.
The ride was mostly silent. If it weren’t for the mellow, laid–back music playing softly in the background, Sally might have felt suffocated by the heavy atmosphere.
The place was smack dab in the city center, a buzzing area just about half an hour’s drive from Windmere Estates.
If Sally took this spot, she knew she’d definitely need to buy a car for commuting–but that was already in her plans.
“This is it,” Jaxon led her inside while Caleb opened the door to the wine chateau.
It wasn’t huge, but definitely not cramped – perfect for turning into a clinic. Since it was a wine chateau before, the decor was antique and charming. Much of it could stay as is, no need for a full makeover.
And it looked recently refreshed–probably renovated within the last couple of years.
But with a location this prime, the rent had to be a fortune, right? Sally hesitated.
Even though Jaxon and she were kind of family now, that wouldn’t mean he’d cut her any deals once they weren’t.
“How’s it feel? You like it?” Caleb glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“It’s really nice. I like it.” Sally turned toward him. “But with such a great location and no need to renovate, the rent’s going to be crazy expensive, right?”
True–she’d made a decent chunk of cash from the lion statue deal that Brad gifted Lena–one million dollars in profit–but starting up the clinic and making crystal still required serious investment. She had to keep her costs tight.
“That depends on Mr. Zale…” Caleb started to answer but was cut off by Jaxon’s voice.
“What’s your budget?” Jaxon asked.
“My budget’s around three thousand a month, she replied, meeting the man’s intense, sharp gaze.
Jaxon’s tone was calm. “My friend’s asking one thousand.”
“One thousand?” Sally’s eyes widened in shock. “How on earth did your friend slash the price that low?” Such a prime spot should have tons of people lining up for it.
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Chapter 30
Caleb, standing nearby, was equally stunned. This was clearly Jaxon’s property, so how did it become “his friend’s“? He wondered. And the market rate was easily ten thousand a month…
“He owns a lot of properties. He doesn’t care much about price. He’s been looking for the right tenant,” replied Jaxon. “Better to have someone saving lives here than for it to be used for some other business.”
Sally nodded thoughtfully. “Your friend sounds pretty unique.”
Jaxon glanced at her coolly, saying nothing. Caleb rubbed his nose and lowered his eyes, looking a bit awkward.
“If you like it, I’ll have him draw up the contract and send it over to your place,” Jaxon added.
“Great. Thanks, Mr. Zale.” Sally’s lips curled into a gentle smile. “I’m definitely taking it.”
Seeing her face, Jaxon’s lips twitched in a barely–there grin.
That afternoon, Sally left the wine chateau to head to Lillian’s elementary school for a visit. Jaxon bid her goodbye, slipped into his car, but his eyes lingered on her.
“Why hide this from Mrs. Zale? It’s your property, after all,” Caleb’s voice came from the front seat. Jaxon shifted his gaze back. He rubbed the ring on his right hand slowly.
“Draw up the contract tomorrow, deliver it to her in person. Have it under Connor’s name,” said Jaxon, voice low and steady. “The property’s technically under his name too–everything’s by the book.”
Caleb frowned slightly, sensing something deeper. He nodded quickly. “Understood.”
Just then, Jaxon’s phone buzzed. He glanced down–it was Connor, his closest friend.
He answered the call. “Connor? What’s up?”
“Hey Jaxon, your wine chateau? Someone’s offering twelve grand a month,” Connor, on the other side of the phone, replied. “For you, twelve grand’s pocket change, but it’s just sitting there. Aren’t you considering renting it out?”
“It’s already leased,” Jaxon cut him off.
“Leased?” Connor doubted “When? I just heard Caleb say it was still available yesterday!”
jaxon answered coolly, “Just now.”
Connor sounded surprised. “How much did you rent it for? Don’t get ripped off–that area should be at least ten thousand a month…”
“I rent it for one thousand.”
“What? Jaxon, are you out of your mind?” Connor, clearly shocked, barked. “I get you’re not attached to the place, but that was our first property investment! You didn’t just give it away for peanuts, did you?”
Jaxon didn’t snap back. He simply cut him off. “I’ll have Caleb send the contract over tonight.”.
Then, without waiting for a reply, he hung up.
Even though the call wasn’t on speaker, the phone’s volume was high enough that Caleb caught every word while they waited at a red light. He couldn’t wrap his head around what Mr. Zale was up to.
Meanwhile, when Sally arrived at the school gate, a teacher was already waiting for her.
She’d visited three schools recently, but this Franklin Memorial School had the best reputation. With summer break coming, she wanted to get Lillian enrolled early, so she could get a head start on adjusting to school life.
As Sally stepped out, she heard someone call her name from behind. “Sally, what are you doing here?”
She stopped and turned, unexpectedly meeting the deep eyes of Brad, who had just arrived.
“The teacher invited you to attend Nick’s parent meeting too?” Brad stopped in front of her.
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