"Sol, now that you're rich, how do you plan on spending it?"

Nicole looked at Sol curiously.

They say when men have money, they change. When Sol had not even a single Denny, he was laughing and joking along with everyone in the Cunning Hares. But now that he had wealth, who knew what he would become?

It wasn't impossible that Sol might leave the Cunning Hares and strike out on his own.

That was why she needed to figure out a way to make him spend it all—to turn him back into a penniless pauper.

"Spend it on food and drink. What else would I do?"

Sol looked genuinely puzzled.

Most of his money, aside from what he turned over to the system, was of course meant to improve his quality of life.

But pure lifestyle upgrades wouldn't use up much.

Even a monthly subscription with Victoria Housekeeping Co. was barely a blip for him.

Not to mention he also had a monthly stipend of one million Dennies from Tartaglia's friendly support. If he didn't spend it, it would just go to waste.

Nicole shook her head and came up with what she thought was a brilliant idea. "That's no way to invest. I suggest you buy a five-hundred-square-meter apartment in the city center. It's only about 50 billion Dennies—just a 10 billion down payment, and then 1 billion every month. In under four years, you'll own the best home in all of New Eridu."

"Whether you live in it or just wait for it to appreciate, it's an excellent deal!"

"I even have friends at the sales office who can give you the lowest discount. No time like the present—let's go house hunting!"

As long as she saddled Sol with a mortgage, he'd be tied to working with the Cunning Hares forever.

And she could cash in on a commission from her real estate connections.

Heh, heh. A flawless plan!

"Nicole, how vicious of you!" Sol's face turned pale. "A mortgage is something no human should touch! Once you're in, you're doomed for life!"

Back before he transmigrated, the housing market had collapsed, developers had fled, and homeowners who had taken out loans were weeping in despair.

Carrying a mortgage… that kind of horror was better kept far, far away.

Besides, his Dennies was meant to be spent on his system wife. With 50 billion, maybe she'd even give him a Serenitea Pot out of pity.

Nicole didn't understand why Sol feared buying a house so much, but she could tell coaxing him into it was a lost cause.

She coughed and changed tactics. "Fine, forget about a house. But money has to circulate. You should really consider investing in something."

"Investing, huh?"

Sol stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Apart from the system, he didn't really want to invest in anything.

But Nicole's eagerness to make him spend sparked another thought.

If he invested in the Cunning Hares, then maybe he could… set a few conditions for Nicole and Anby Demara.

"I'm thinking of investing in the Cunning Hares—becoming the big boss. What do you say?" Sol grinned at Nicole.

"What! You're willing to invest 10 billion Denny into the Cunning Hares? Hand it over, and it's all yours!"

Nicole's eyes lit up with joy.

This was perfect—two blessings in one!

If Sol sank 10 billion into the Cunning Hares, there was no way he could ever walk away.

Just like her creditors—once bound to her, they became part of her network.

"You're overthinking it. At most, one billion. No more."

Sol rolled his eyes.

He wanted to be the dad, not the grandson.

"Pfft, one billion? Who are you trying to insult with that pocket change?" Nicole waved him off disdainfully. "I could sell Billy for more than that!"

Don't be fooled by Billy being a walking antique—he was genuine lost technology, worth a fortune.

Billy shivered and stammered nervously. "Boss Nicole, don't sell me! I'll even give up my raise!"

"Of course I won't sell you, I was just making a point." Nicole explained matter-of-factly, then added, "But since you said no raise, then no raise it is."

"Wha—?"

Billy was dumbstruck.

"Say, Nicole, are you worried I'll leave the Cunning Hares?" Sol asked with a smile.

"No way. I just don't like seeing Dennies rust away in an account," Nicole muttered, turning her head aside.

"Actually, you don't need to worry. How could I ever leave the Cunning Hares?" Sol noticed her turning away, so he deliberately shifted his gaze toward Anby. "There are people here I treasure."

Nicole only heard the words—she didn't notice the direction of his gaze. Her cheeks flushed.

That treasured person… he must mean her, right?

Billy was nothing but a lump of iron, and Sol only treated Anby to meals and movies from time to time.

But with her, he was constantly teasing and provoking. Clearly, Sol meant her!

Honestly, though—saying it out loud in front of Billy and Anby?

Couldn't he have whispered it privately instead?

Still… with those words, the faint anxiety in her heart melted away.

As they say, those who are loved walk the world without fear.

"Eh?"

Anby, on the other hand, looked conflicted.

It felt like Sol had been looking at her while saying that. But Nicole also seemed to like Sol. What was she supposed to do?

This kind of love triangle drama—it was straight out of a corny movie.

Nicole was her most important person, and Sol treated her well too. How was she supposed to choose?

Billy, meanwhile, was moved to tears and threw his arms around Sol. "Boss Sol, you're the best! I knew we were best friends!"

"Alright, Billy, yes—you are my best brother." Sol pushed him away with a look of exasperation. "But brother, you're way too close."

This was not the outcome he had wanted.

He had imagined Nicole and Anby blushing bashfully—

Yet here he was, with Nicole flustered, Anby still not quite on the hook, and Billy's friendship meter apparently maxed out.

Life really was full of surprises.

"Well, whatever the case, from now on you're all my beloved people." Sol clapped his hands, steering the conversation back. "Let's talk about that 70% stake on Hollow property again."