My New Tenant Sued Me, Not Knowing I’m Her CEO

She glanced at the caller ID and instantly changed to a sweet, spoiled voice.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Hmm, I’ve already rented the place. The landlord’s kind of slow, but it’s fine. I’ve already had the lawyer send her a letter.”

“Don’t worry, she can’t win against me. Soon she’ll hand over the money and fix up the house just the way we want. By the time you and Dad come, you can move straight into a brand-new home.”

After hanging up, she looked at me proudly. “Did you hear that? Everything I’m doing is for my parents. I’m such a good daughter, even heaven will side with me.”

I stood there, stunned by how shameless she was.

So this whole thing wasn’t even for herself; she wanted me to pay for her parents’ new retirement home.

“Ms. Murphy, have you decided?” the lawyer asked.

I looked straight at Skylar and said slowly, “If I’m right, you’ve already sent your so-called report to the owners’ group chat, haven’t you?”

Skylar shrugged lightly, pretending innocence.

“I was only doing my part as a resident, reminding everyone to stay alert about potential safety risks. After all, DNA contamination and heavy metal pollution weren’t small issues.”

My phone began to buzz nonstop.

Miles, a few neighbors I knew, and even the community director, all called one after another.

Each of them demanded an explanation about the house. As I struggled to handle the chaos, Skylar’s smile grew brighter.

“See that? That’s the power of rules. Water can lift a boat, but it can also sink one. Public opinion is the flood that decides which it’ll be.”

She leaned back on the sofa, crossing her legs with ease.

“I’ll give you one last chance. Sign it, and we’ll still be good neighbors.”

“If not, I don’t mind taking it further. Maybe I’ll call a few reporters and let the news feature you, the so-called ‘heartless landlord.’ You wouldn’t want to see your name on the front page, would you?”

Every word from her lips pushed the last of my patience.

As I looked at her smug, self-satisfied face, I couldn’t help but wonder, what kind of family could raise someone this arrogant and self-absorbed?

I took out my phone and turned on the recording right in front of her. “Skylar, are you sure you want to take this to court over a hundred thousand dollars?”

She looked at me as if I had just told the funniest joke in the world.

“Not a hundred thousand, three hundred twenty-four thousand. Looks like your math isn’t very good, Ms. Murphy. And besides, this isn’t about money. It’s about principles.”

She adjusted her glasses, and the light in her eyes turned cold.

“I just want you to understand, ignorance and arrogance both come with a price.”

“Alright then.”

I turned off the recorder and stood up. “I know your terms. You’ll get my answer in three days.”

Then I turned and walked away.

“Trying to buy time with tricks, Ms. Murphy?” Skylar called after me, her tone full of sarcasm.

“It’s pointless. I’ve already submitted a pre-litigation injunction. The court will contact you soon.”

I didn’t look back.

Stepping out of that maddening house, I let out a long breath. The sunlight outside was bright and harsh, yet it couldn’t warm me at all.

When I got back to the car, I didn’t start it right away. I just sat there, thinking.

Facing someone like Skylar, I couldn’t be sure I would win.

People like her were like stones stuck deep in the mud, filthy and impossible to move. She used the law to corner others and stirred public opinion to protect herself, making it almost impossible to deal with her.