Suddenly, I Am Rich-Chapter 56: Landlord

- - -

Name: Gray Adams

Age: 20

Status: Struggling (50%)

Wealth: $21,984.23 (+$24,928)

Power: 2

Influence: 8

Skills:

- Basic Negotiation (Passive): Slightly improves chances of earning more through bargains.

- Hard Labor (Active): Increases strength and endurance in physical work.

- Giga Confidence (Passive): You are no longer easily shaken by insults, mockery, or pressure. Instead, you find them funny, as if it were just a big joke.

- - -

Early in the morning, Gray was already up. He was sitting at the edge of his bed as the morning sunlight crept lazily on the open curtain of his window. He’d slept early yesterday, so he also woke up early today.

It was also a good thing since he had things to do. To pay for all the things he needed to pay. But first, he had to ask something from the system just to make sure.

"System," Gray said out loud, rubbing the back of his neck, "how do I even withdraw the money you gave me? Do I just... withdraw it or something?"

A familiar chime echoed in his head.

[You can withdraw it like normal, Host. All System funds are seamlessly merged into the card that the system gave you. That means you had your account in the bank that you can access anytime.]

"Oh. That’s... convenient." Gray blinked.

[Of course. Host.]

"Right," Gray muttered with a dry chuckle. "You’re making this way too easy."

After talking to the system, Gray stood up and stretched his arms overhead. Afterward, he began getting ready. He just wore a simple black hoodie and jeans for today. It was nothing too fancy.

For today, he wasn’t heading to a meeting. Instead, he will go to Lancaster’s estate for his tutoring session with Chloe. But before that, he should finish his errands first.

The bank transfer was quick. He paid the remaining balance for Lily’s tuition online. It was $4,000 straight to the school’s account. A confirmation message popped up on his screen seconds later.

He stared at it for a while, feeling an odd warmth in his chest.

In the past, he would scramble and do whatever he could just to pay Lily’s tuition. But look at him now. Paying it with ease.

After doing that, he headed downstairs and withdrew some more cash. He had been using his last pay for the past weeks when he needed physical money. He still had a few hundred, but it wouldn’t be enough for their 2 months’ worth of rent.

After withdrawing the money, Gray took a short walk around the side of the building toward the small office on the lower ground floor. He wanted to go to the landlord’s office.

The landlord’s office was tucked neatly behind the front stairwell. Unlike most parts of the buildings, the office was actually... nice.

The windows were clean, the walls freshly painted, and a new digital clock hung above the desk like it was proud to be there. There was also a small air purifier that hummed softly in the corner.

However, even with all that, Gray never liked coming here.

It wasn’t the office itself. It was the man inside it.

Gray sighed and opened the door. He didn’t even need to knock. The door was already cracked open, like the landlord had been waiting inside.

"Ah," the man said the moment Gray stepped in. His voice was familiar. It was dry, loud, and annoying. "Didn’t think I’d see you this soon, Gray. Must be a miracle."

Gray didn’t say anything. He just reached into his hoodie pocket and pulled out the envelope with the rent money.

As far back as he could remember, this man had always tried to humiliate him. Making comments when he was late in payment. Asking questions loud enough for the neighbors to hear of how poor he was. Back then, Gray used to feel like a kid getting scolded in front of the whole class.

He would feel ashamed and guilty. It was to the point that there were days when he would tire himself working just to pay rent on time because he didn’t want to get embarrassed in front of others.

"Tsk. Is this even two months’ worth of rent?" the landlord asked, already reaching across the table like he didn’t expect Gray to have it. "Are you going to plead now that you only have little money?"

Gray handed it over without a word. He just raised his brows and watched as the landlord counted the bills slowly. It was as if the man was counting to make sure there were less money.

"Wow, an exact $2400." the landlord muttered, his voice laced with mock surprise. He leaned back on his cheap faux-leather chair, the kind that creaked if you leaned on it too much.

He looked up at Gray with a crooked grin. "Did you rob a bank or something, Gray? Or maybe someone finally decided to pity you?"

In the past, those words would’ve made his ears burn.

But now?

He couldn’t even feel the shame anymore.

No guilt. No embarrassment. Just mild annoyance at the man.

Gray used to do everything he can—take side gigs that paid less than minimum wage, and lie awake at night wondering if the man in front of him would start shouting at him again if he didn’t pay on time. He did everything he can to avoid scenes like this.

And now, as he stood here in a plain hoodie, holding his silence, all he could think was, ’Why the hell did I put up with this for years?

"Yes," Gray said simply.

"Huh?" The landlord raised an eyebrow, confused on the answer.

"That’s our full payment for two months," Gray said. "Count it again if you want."

The landlord stared at him, lips twisting. "Tsk. Make sure it’s full again next month," he said, his tone sharp and threatening. "You’re lucky I pity you. If not, I would’ve kicked you out already."

Gray gave a faint smile. Not the kind that begged, but the kind that said he was done playing this game.

"No need," he said coolly, slipping his hands into his hoodie pocket. "We’ll be moving out next month."

The landlord froze.

"What?"

Gray met his eyes directly this time.

"Take that as my last payment. Please also prepare our deposit in 3 weeks. We’ll move out by that time."