Chapter 11: Chapter 11: Excuse Me?
Cecilia Sterling nodded knowingly and asked, "How much is this one?"
"This one is 9,800. It also comes with three years of complimentary property management and landscaping services."
Since they were close by, Cecilia Sterling managed to overhear most of the conversation happening next to them.
The couple seemed to have their eye on a pre-owned home. The previous owner had been among the first to reserve a prime spot, so the house’s location and floor plan were both exceptional. Naturally, the price was too.
They seemed interested in buying but were still haggling with the male sales agent over the price, trying to get a better deal.
’With a house this expensive, even a small discount would mean saving quite a bit of money.’
"Mr. Warner, Mrs. Warner, I’ve really done all I can on the price. The seller said that 12,000 is the absolute rock-bottom price. It can’t go any lower."
The male sales agent looked helpless. He had thought he was going to close the deal today, but he hadn’t expected them to keep trying to bargain.
’I’m just a sales agent. If the seller won’t lower the price, what can I do?’
Mr. and Mrs. Warner exchanged a glance, a silent message passing between them. Mrs. Warner then crossed her arms, adopting the arrogant air of a wealthy woman. Looking at the sales agent, she said, "It’s not that we can’t afford it, but at the end of the day, this is a pre-owned house. Selling it for the same as the original list price just isn’t reasonable. Miller, you’ve worked hard all month. You don’t want to see this deal get stuck at the last minute and fall through, do you?"
The male sales agent nodded with a forced smile.
Mrs. Warner let out a soft chuckle. "Exactly. Why don’t you go talk to the owner again? We aren’t asking for much. Knocking off five hundred should be possible, right?"
"Mrs. Warner, 12,000 was indeed the original list price, but the homes in this villa community have been consistently appreciating in value. This unit’s value has risen since it was first sold, so the seller has actually already dropped the price some. It’s perfectly in line with the current market."
Cecilia Sterling pursed her lips as she listened.
’A five-hundred-yuan discount? Going by the prices in her previous world, that was like slashing five million off the price.’
"What about the house they’re discussing?" Cecilia Sterling asked in a low voice.
The intern froze for a moment upon hearing this, subconsciously glancing over at the couple haggling over the price. She then lowered her voice as well. "The location is excellent. I think the previous owner is in a hurry to sell because of some cash flow issues with his company. If you’re interested, Miss Sterling, I can go get the file on this property."
Cecilia Sterling then asked, "They look like serious buyers. Can I snipe the deal?"
The word "snipe" made the intern chuckle. She nodded. "Of course. Our sales department’s one and only guiding principle is to sell houses. Whoever signs the contract first, gets the house. Buying a property isn’t first come, first served. It’s first to pay, first served."
Cecilia Sterling smiled too. She suddenly stood up, walked over to the male sales agent, and snatched the property file from the table right in front of him, much to his astonishment.
"Hey! What do you think you’re doing?" Mr. Warner demanded, clearly displeased.
Cecilia Sterling ignored him, quickly flipping through the property file. Just as she’d suspected, its location and floor plan were even more exceptional.
’The last one was nice, but this one is clearly better.’
She turned to the intern and said softly, "I’ll take this one. We can sign now."
Her words left everyone else in the room stunned.
"And just who are you?" Mrs. Warner snapped, her voice suddenly sharp. "We’re still in the middle of a discussion! Don’t you understand the principle of first come, first served? Have you no manners?"
Cecilia Sterling gave a small smile and threw the logic right back at her. "Buying a house has nothing to do with first come, first served. It belongs to whoever’s money gets there first."
Mrs. Warner: "..."
Mr. Warner was getting anxious too. He pulled his wife aside and whispered, "What should we do? Should we just buy it?"
The male sales agent quickly chimed in, "Yes, Mr. Warner. As you can see, this house is in high demand. You shouldn’t hesitate."
Hearing the sales agent ignore her, Cecilia Sterling’s expression darkened. "Are you deaf?" she snapped. "I already said I’m taking this house. Are you trying to sell it to someone else?"
Her intimidating aura suddenly flared, making the sales agent flinch. He quickly stood up to explain, "Ma’am, please listen. Mr. and Mrs. Warner have been considering this house for over a month, and the original owner personally entrusted its sale to me. So, I feel I should give priority to Mr. and Mrs. Warner, since they were here first..."
"You feel?" Cecilia Sterling scoffed, looking at him in disbelief. "And who the hell do you think you are? I’ve noticed that salespeople for these high-end products have a real problem knowing their place. Do you have the authority to decide who gets to buy this house?"
"They’ve considered it for over a month and still haven’t bought it, yet I’m supposed to step aside for them? What kind of logic is that? By that reasoning, if I say I’m ’considering’ every house you have for sale, does that mean you can’t sell to anyone else?"
Seeing that Cecilia Sterling was genuinely furious, the male sales agent realized this situation could escalate.
’After all, anyone who could afford a house here was bound to be rich and powerful.’
"Ma’am, please don’t be angry. What I meant was—"
"I don’t care what you meant!" Cecilia Sterling’s eyes flashed as she cut him off. "I’m asking you a question. I want this house. Are you refusing to sell it to me, yes or no?"
The fear was now evident in the sales agent’s demeanor. He shook his head. "Of course not."
"Then what’s with all the pointless chatter?" All of Cecilia Sterling’s pent-up frustration erupted in that moment, each sentence more biting than the last.
The commotion quickly drew the attention of the manager. A woman in a business suit and low-heeled leather shoes strode over.
Seeing the anger hadn’t left Cecilia Sterling’s face, the manager tactfully addressed her first. "Ma’am, my apologies. Has our service been unsatisfactory in some way?"
Cecilia Sterling’s anger was directed at the issue, not at individuals. Since this woman hadn’t offended her and had a professional attitude, she didn’t take her frustration out on an innocent party. Her tone evening out, she said, "I’ll take this house. I’m ready to sign now."
The manager nodded immediately. She glanced at the male sales agent, then at the Warner couple, and appeared to have already guessed the gist of the situation.
Her expression grew stern as she turned to the male sales agent. "Miller, the client has decided to buy. Go get the contract, now."
"Right away, Manager. I’ll go now." Miller quickly agreed and hurried off.
The Warner couple conferred for a moment longer before finally giving up. They stood and left without another word.
The young intern standing behind her couldn’t hide her disappointment when she saw that Cecilia Sterling had decided to buy the house represented by the other agent. However, she simply pursed her lips, took a few deep breaths, and composed herself.
But then Cecilia Sterling suddenly turned back to her and said, "I’ll take that first one as well. Go get the contract."
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