Chapter 3

"What difference does it make? If the $600,000 wasn't for some Porsche, it means you took my down payment money to pay off some mysterious debt for Ethan."

Chloe said nothing.

I took a deep breath. "Forget it. I won't argue with you about the money. But when are you going to return my $50,000 down payment?"

"Logan, can you stop bringing up money all the time? I said I'll pay you back—"

"When?"

"...When the house is unmortgaged."

"You mortgaged it for $600,000. How are you going to unmortgage it?"

She fell silent.

I hung up and went straight to the bank.

The home loan was co-signed, but only her signature was on the mortgage agreement.

By law, a co-signed property mortgage requires both parties to be present.

The account manager pulled up the file, flipped through a few pages, and frowned.

"Mr. Miller, this mortgage agreement has an authorization letter attached to it. It has your signature, authorizing Ms. Chloe Davis to fully handle the mortgage of this property."

She pushed the copy in front of me.

I saw the name "Logan Miller" written on the authorization letter.

"I didn't sign this."

The account manager's expression shifted subtly. "Are you sure?"

"Positive. I never signed this letter, nor did I authorize anyone to handle the mortgage."

She closed the folder. "This involves signature forgery. You can report this to the police—"

"I understand."

Leaving the bank, I crouched by the curb and breathed for three minutes. I wasn't sad; I just felt the sheer absurdity of it all.

Knowing her for five years, I thought her biggest flaw was that she was too soft-hearted. I didn't expect her to be soft-hearted enough to forge my signature for Ethan and steal half of my property.

And she still had the nerve to tell me "not to bring up money all the time."

At three in the afternoon, Tyler sent me a link.

It was Ethan's TikTok account. He had posted a short video. With red-rimmed eyes, he spoke softly to the camera:

"Thank you to the anonymous friend who helped my sister and me... I know not everyone understands, and some people say very nasty things behind our backs... “

“But I believe that kindness begets kindness, and good people will eventually be rewarded."

The comment section was filled with support—"Hang in there, Ethan!" "Who doesn't understand you? That's so unfair!" "Some people are just selfish and don't understand your struggles."

I scrolled through my contacts. There were over a dozen unread messages, all from mutual friends of Chloe and me.

"Logan, Chloe said you want to break up over a house? Is it really that serious?"

"Logan, is this a misunderstanding? Ethan has had a really hard life."

"Bro, Chloe asked me to talk to you. She’s willing to write you an IOU. Stop making a scene."

A moment later, Chloe called.

"Logan, did you go to the bank?"

Word traveled fast. The account manager probably notified her immediately to avoid trouble.

"Yes."

"You want to put me in jail? You're so heartless."

"You forged my signature to mortgage my property. Who is the heartless one here?"

"I did that to help Ethan—"

"Helping Ethan by breaking the law?"

She shut up. After a while, she deliberately lowered her voice, trying to sound gentle.

"Logan, I admit I handled it the wrong way. But things are already like this. Making a scene won't benefit anyone. Just give me some time—"

"I'll give you time as soon as you return my $50,000."

Silence again.

Then she said something bizarre. "Logan, promise me. Don't go to your apartment yet."

"Why?"

"Just don't ask. Let me handle this first."

I hung up, a cold chill running down my spine. I took a cab straight to my apartment.

Twenty minutes later, I stood in front of my door. I put the key in, but it wouldn't go in at all.

The lock had been changed.

I tried three times, then started knocking loudly.

A light, casual voice came from inside the door.

"Who is it?"

It sounded incredibly familiar.

Ethan Vance.

He was inside my apartment, asking me who I was through my own door.

"Open the door," I said.

Silence for two seconds. Then Ethan's voice rang out again, filled with polite, calculated courtesy.

"Oh, Logan... Chloe gave me the spare key and told me to stay here for a few days. I really didn't want to trouble you."