After Rebirth, I Let Her Keep the Hobo

Chapter 4

"Nora Grace, how dare you show your face here?"

On Saturday afternoon, I arrived at the shared apartment punctually alongside the leasing agent. Leah stood in the living room with heavy makeup and a cheap sequined dress, holding a phone tripod. The second I stepped inside, she swiveled the camera toward me. "Everyone, this is my former roommate who abandoned me the moment hardship arrived. She rushed back today, probably because she's heard rumors and wants a slice of the fortune!"

I ignored her provocation and walked straight to my storage box, pulling out my checklist. "I'm only here to verify my final batch of belongings. I'll leave immediately once I finish. As for the man you took in — whether he's a millionaire or a lunatic, I will not vouch for him in any way."

Chat messages raced across the livestream screen.

A: [She's awfully cocky. Let's see if she won't beg for favors later.]

B: [Cut the chatter, Leah! Show us the black card! Lina and the others are watching the stream!]

Lina sent a bold comment scrolling across the screen.

Lina: [Leah, the overdue debt totals one hundred and twenty-five thousand. Either produce the black card today or settle the payment at once. Otherwise, I will contact the police immediately!]

Crushing debt pressure was tearing apart her wealthy family fantasy. Sweat beaded on Leah's forehead. She spun around and fixed a fierce stare on the vagrant seated on the sofa. He wore the new suit again, and the stinking tattered overcoat still peeked out from beneath the collar. "Elias, the time has come. Take out your heirloom. Show these people what they have never laid eyes on." Leah took a deep breath and softened her tone.

The vagrant remained motionless. His murky eyes locked onto Leah, and he shrank backward, huddling deep into the sofa corner while pressing both hands hard over the left inner pocket. The mood in the chat shifted instantly.

C: [What's going on? This man looks genuinely unhinged.]

D: [Has Leah been duped? He doesn't look like a wealthy heir at all!]

As mocking lines flooded the screen, the persona Leah had worked so hard to build began to crumble. Her eyes turned bloodshot, and she lost all rationality. "Hand it over!" Shouting, she lunged forward. Ignoring the vagrant's struggles, she seized the edge of the old coat and ripped it violently. The shoddy fabric tore cleanly, revealing yellowed lining underneath.

The vagrant roared loudly, swinging his arms to push her away, yet Leah had completely lost her mind. She thrust her hand deep into the inner pocket and scrambled around frantically. Suddenly she froze. At the very bottom of the pocket, her fingers brushed against a hard object sewn shut with crude stitches.

Ecstasy washed over Leah's face. "I found it! I can feel it! I knew my gamble would pay off! There really is something hidden inside!" She twisted toward the camera and yelled, overcome with tearful excitement.

She pulled out a pair of scissors from nowhere and snipped the stitching apart in a few quick cuts. The vagrant contorted his face in rage, but Leah pinned him firmly, leaving him unable to move.

Leah reached into the lining and slowly pulled the object out. She lifted her right hand and thrust the item straight toward the camera lens. "I was searching his pocket hoping to find the black card…" Her voice shook with wild excitement.

"And look what I discovered instead!"