Oops, I’ve Been Exposed

Woody was dumbfounded. The Evans family had moved?

The woman explained, “A family of three used to live here. The man is a professor. He’s the one that sold us the house.”

A professor. It had to be Shane!

“When did this happen?” Woody asked anxiously.

“Four years ago. Well, it hasn’t been four years yet, to be specific. It’ll be four years in a few more months. They sold the house in a hurry, so they didn’t ask for much. I bought it because I thought the price was reasonable.”

“Do you know where they moved to?”

The woman tried to remember. “I think they should be over at the Serenity Urban Village.”

“Are you sure?” Woody thought it was unlikely.

He figured that with Shane’s financial situation, he should be moving to a better neighborhood. Besides, he had already sold his old home. He would be able to afford a house in a higher-end neighborhood.

“I went by that area once and happened to notice them.” The woman was sure she remembered correctly. She sounded very convincing.

“They’re at the westernmost street. I even said hello to them. I heard that they were tenants.”

Serenity Urban Village was an urban neighborhood that had been undergoing demolition for over a decade, but it hadn’t been completely torn down yet. One could only imagine how rundown the place was.

Even the original residents of the neighborhood couldn’t stand living there. Why would anyone rent a house there?

Even though Woody didn’t believe the woman, he still replied politely, ” Thanks, ma’am. Sorry for bothering you.”

“It’s fine. The housing prices have increased a lot in the past four years. I made the right choice buying this unit, ” she said with a smile.

Woody was deep in thought as he walked down the stairs. He decided to visit the urban neighborhood anyway.

Serenity Urban Village looked utterly desolate. There was trash piled up everywhere. Sewage water was flowing on the streets. There was a nauseating stench in the air.

There was a house with its doors open in the innermost area of the street.

Trudy was wearing an expensive fur coat, looking like a wealthy lady. On the other hand, Dickson donned an Armani suit, and his leather shoes were nicely polished.

Dickson had an unhappy expression on his face because some mud got stuck to the sole of his shoes. In stark contrast was the old married couple in plain clothes.

Shane was very frail. The very plain clothes he wore still couldn’t hide his scholarly temperament. He was a professor, after all.

His wife, Mindy Drew, was wearing a dirty set of clothes. Her wrinkled and frostbitten hands were covered in dirt.

There were all sorts of empty bottles, cans, and cardboard boxes in the corner of the room.

“Why are you collecting trash?”

Trudy covered her nose and mouth. She said disdainfully, “Have you turned your home into a garbage disposal site? I can’t take it anymore … The smell is too much!”

Mindy’s face flushed. She stuttered, “I- It’s a pity t-to throw them out w-when we can sell them for money.”

Trudy looked at Mindy’s hands. She mocked, “Come on, you’re clearly collecting trash. There’s no point in hiding it.”

Mindy felt uncomfortable. She hid her hands behind her back uneasily.

“Alright. I don’t have the time to care about your business.”

Trudy said haughtily, “We’re here to tell you something important. My husband worked hard and found someone who can help that scu- Woody get out six months early.”

Shane and Mindy’s eyes lit up at the same time when they heard that.

“Naturally, we need some money to ask them for a favor. We won’t ask you for the money we spent on taking the person out for food. We’ll foot the bill.”

Trudy’s eyes were gleaming with greed.

“You two should pay for the following expenses, right?”