Page 24 of Home for Justice
“I don’t mind if I do,” Anthony replied smoothly, stepping inside with an easy smile.
Tyler quickly assessed the man as Anthony entered. Average height and soft around the middle, Anthony Milton didn’t look like someone who spent his days laboring in construction. Instead, his neatly pressed clothes and carefully maintained appearance suggested that he spent more time entertaining potential clients over dinner than working at jobsites.I suppose that’s precisely what a developer does.
Careful to conceal his awareness, Tyler nodded politely. “It was kind of you to stop by. Charlie had a lot of friends here, and I know he’ll be greatly missed.”
“Oh, absolutely,” Anthony replied, nodding vigorously. “Charlie was a good man, a pillar in this community. Though he could be stubborn sometimes,” he added with an awkward attempt at camaraderie, punctuated by a forced chuckle.
Tyler kept his expression neutral, his tone polite but firm. “Well, if that’s all, Mr. Milton, I need to get back to work.”
Anthony hesitated. “Work? Will you be leaving the area soon?”
Tyler raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. “Leaving? Why would I be leaving?”
Anthony blinked, clearly caught off guard. “Um… I assumed your work was elsewhere. I understood you came for Charlie’s funeral, so I figured you’d soon be heading back to your regular life.”
Deciding to let Anthony reveal his true intentions, Tyler responded casually, “No, I don’t have a job waiting for me. I have plenty of time to handle things here.”
“Oh… yes, well, I assume you want to sell as soon as possible,” Anthony ventured, his confidence wavering slightly.
“Actually, I was just making a list of improvements I want to do. Charlie kept things in good shape, but as you probably know, there’s always room for sprucing up.”
Anthony eagerly jumped in, “Of course, of course. If you’re considering selling, though, I could save you a lot of hassle.”
“How’s that?” Tyler asked calmly.
“I’m a developer, and I have a backer interested in this area. Your neighbors are already planning to sell, so you wouldn’t need to spend time or money preparing the house for the market. I could give you a great price on the land with no extra work necessary.”
Knowing Anthony’s claim about his neighbors was a lie, Tyler stayed noncommittal. “I haven’t made any final decisions yet. Some of my best memories are right here, so I might just decide to stay.”
Anthony’s eyes widened in surprise. “A man like you staying here?”
Tyler drew himself up to his full height, staring down at Anthony. “A man like me?”
Anthony chuckled nervously. “There isn’t much nightlife around here. Certainly nothing that would appeal to an active young man. And honestly, there are nicer places around town you could consider.”
“Why would I settle somewhere else when this house holds my grandparents’ legacy?”
“Memories are great,” Anthony said quickly, “but an old house is still old. Real estate agents around here could show you modern, spacious homes.”
“Then I’d have to deal with loans, mortgages, and movers,” Tyler countered smoothly. “If I stay, the only effort required is making this place mine.”
Sweat beaded on Anthony’s forehead, and he dabbed it away nervously. “The money we’re offering would allow you to buy something really nice.”
Tyler lifted a brow silently, letting Anthony feel pressured until the man blurted out a lowball offer.
“I’m afraid that amount wouldn’t even begin to interest me,” Tyler replied evenly.
“I could go slightly higher, but I’d have to speak to my backer,” Anthony blustered. “You really need to consider this offer carefully, Mr. Marconi. There’s a lot of local support for these condos. You wouldn’t want to upset people by not cooperating.”
Crossing his arms, Tyler glared openly. “I know my grandfather turned you down. So did the neighbors on both sides.”
Anthony’s face flushed a deep red. “Now look here?—”
“You’ve overstayed your welcome, Mr. Milton.” Tyler interrupted firmly. “My decisions won’t be influenced by threats or pressure.”
Anthony’s pleasant demeanor vanished, replaced by a narrow-eyed glare. At the door, he looked back sharply. “Take your time grieving, Mr. Marconi. The longer you wait, the lower my offer goes.”
Tyler watched Anthony hurry to his car, sighing heavily at the bitter encounter before returning upstairs to continue assessing the home’s needed improvements.
