Chapter 803

With Vertex International stepping into the Westside Heights Project, a relocation plan was swiftly announced.

The residents of the Westside were ecstatic.

Not only were they offered generous buyouts, but they were also given the choice of new apartments or commercial storefronts. Who wouldn’t be thrilled?

This was especially true for the tight-knit locals who ran small businesses and had lived in the neighborhood for decades, dreading the thought of leaving.

They saw Vertex International’s promise to build a massive culinary plaza right in the Westside, specifically reserving spaces for local vendors.

Original residents would receive heavy discounts on buying or leasing stalls, meaning they would never have to hustle in the pouring rain again.

For the locals, this was infinitely better than just getting a lump sum and being forced to buy homes elsewhere.

Their small food businesses might not make them millionaires, but it was enough to put food on the table.

Compared to what the James family had planned, Vertex International’s vision for the Westside was vastly superior.

The company didn’t even have to send representatives to persuade anyone; residents rushed to sign the relocation agreements voluntarily.

The entire street was buzzing with joy.

Even the few elderly residents who were reluctant to leave were quickly won over by their children and grandchildren.

“Grandpa, let’s move. We’ll get a stall in the food plaza, and you can keep your recipes alive.”

The old man he was persuading was Zane Zeller, famous for his Savory Roasted Pork Crisps. The crisps he baked were perfectly golden, fragrant, and packed with mouthwatering fillings, all for an affordable price.

Locals loved picking them up on their commute.

Students from the nearby schools flocked to his stand, keeping business booming.

He used to work in a cafeteria and considered this his retirement hobby.

“Relocation is a good thing. I know you kids have been wanting to move out of here for a while,” Zane sighed.

“But my regulars… they might not know where to find me anymore.”

“Why wouldn’t they find you? We’ll put up a massive sign in the plaza, and they’ll come flocking back.”

“Plus, I’m going to set up a group chat and invite all your regular customers.”

“Once we secure our spot in the plaza, we’ll just send out an announcement!” Zane’s situation was not unique.

Many vendors were deeply attached to their routines on the old street and worried they would lose their loyal customer base in the move.

The group chat idea quickly caught on, and several others followed suit.

It was easy enough for the younger vendors, but older folks struggled with the technology.

Instead, they simply handed out their phone numbers, telling their customers to call

if they ever craved their food and couldn’t find them.

More and more people lined up to sign their contracts. The few stubborn holdouts who wanted to pick a fight with Vertex International were quickly placated by the own families.

The entire community cooperated flawlessly By the time the James family officially declared bankruptcy, the Westside demolition and construction were already in full swing.

The James family’s bankruptcy was exactly what Claire had expected.

Latham liquidated everything to pay off his debts, leaving him without a single dime to his name.

He didn’t even have a place to sleep. Just as he was packing his meager belongings to seek refuge with his elderly mother in the country clâtre showed up.

“Are you here to laugh at me?”

Latham looked at Claire, his emotions a tangled mess.

He had already found out that Claire’s fiancé was Dane, the very man who now controlled Vertex International.

Claire handed him a set of house keys.

“This apartment is for your retirement. Call it a final repayment to the James family for raising me.”

Latham stood frozen for a long time. When the family first faced ruin, he had resented his adopted daughter for standing by and doing nothing.

When he later discovered she was Dane’s fiancée, that resentment had curdled into outright hatred.

If she had only revealed her relationship with Dane sooner, the James family never would have kicked her out.