[You have conquered Daisy and partially completed your quest]
[Exceptional Accomplishnt Achieved]
[Reward: Villa in Orleans, San Gabriel. The key and property docunts are now available within your inventory]
[Inventory Tab Unlocked]
***
This was the ssage Jason received from the system. As he had theorized earlier, there was indeed a chance he would be rewarded for partially completing the quest, and now that theory had proven correct, much to his surprise. What startled him even more was the addition of a new feature, the Inventory, which now contained the key and ownership docunts for the Villa.
When he searched the property online, he discovered that it had already been purchased, clearly by the system itself. However, the Villa was located outside town, in a city that could only be reached by plane since it was far beyond the range of a simple drive from Crestwood.
"I really want to see it for myself. Maybe I can find a use for it. Either sell it for real estate or rent it out to families and tourists visiting the area," he murmured thoughtfully.
With that in mind, Jason decided he would travel to Orleans in two days. Once he returned, his next objective would be his stepmother.
***
The next day.
Jason sat in the living room with his phone placed neatly beside a stack of papers. He had already spent the morning reviewing the property docunts and checking for any overlooked details.
Once he confird that nothing required his imdiate attention, he opened the airline website and entered his destination. His eyes narrowed slightly when the results appeared, listing several flights to Orleans within the next forty-eight hours. He chose the most suitable option, one that would allow enough ti to prepare and pack.
He examined the fare, considered the seating arrangent, and then proceeded to paynt. The cost was reasonable for a direct flight, so he confird the booking without hesitation. A quiet sense of satisfaction passed through him when the confirmation email appeared on his screen.
Leaning back on the couch, he crossed one leg over the other and considered how to ntion the trip.
He decided not to reveal his true destination. Knowing the won in the house, their curiosity would turn into endless questions. Saying it was a short business trip would be enough and would save him unnecessary explanations.
He rose from the couch, slipped his phone into his pocket, and walked toward the kitchen where faint sounds of movent ca from.
Catherine stood at the counter rinsing a cup, while Marinette sat nearby scrolling through her tablet. Daisy and Regina were upstairs, judging from the faint thump of footsteps and soft voices that hinted at another argunt about clothes or music.
"Morning," Jason greeted casually, making both won glance up. "I will be traveling in two days for a brief business trip. It should not take long, maybe three or four days depending on how things go."
Catherine raised her brows slightly but remained calm as she placed the cup on the rack and dried her hands.
"Your first business trip?" she asked with quiet curiosity.
Jason smiled faintly as he opened the refrigerator and took out a bottle of water.
"It ca up recently," he replied evenly. "Sothing I need to check in person. It might help with the investnt discussions I had earlier this week."
Marinette lifted her gaze from her tablet.
Calmly, she said, "That sounds serious. Will you need help preparing anything?"
He shook his head and took a sip of water.
"No, I already arranged everything. I just wanted everyone to know before I leave."
Their reactions were exactly as he expected, polite but not intrusive. Catherine gave a small nod, clearly satisfied with his explanation, while Marinette smiled briefly and returned to her tablet. That concluded the matter, and he left the kitchen feeling content.
Later that evening, Jason sat in his room and reviewed the confirmation email again. The flight was scheduled for noon in two days, which gave him plenty of ti to organize his luggage and decide what to bring. He created a concise checklist in his notebook, noting essentials such as clothing, toiletries, and his laptop. His plan was to visit the Villa, inspect the property, and assess its value personally.
When he looked up the Villa online, he found it situated on the outskirts of Orleans, surrounded by dense trees and an atmosphere that seed ideal for a retreat. The images showed a large modern house with well-kept surroundings and ample open space. The listed value confird it was not a property an average buyer could easily afford. A plan began to take shape in his mind. He could either sell it through a real estate agent or retain ownership and rent it out as a high-end vacation ho. Both options were promising, but he preferred to see the property himself before deciding.
The following day passed quietly. He packed his bags, printed his ticket, and arranged transportation to the airport. Catherine reminded him twice to call when he arrived, while Daisy teased him about sneaking away for a secret vacation. They did not ntion what had happened between them, which suited him fine.
He answered her teasing with a faint smile and continued packing.
The mood in the house stayed calm, which he appreciated. He wanted to leave without any unnecessary tension.
When the morning of his departure arrived, Jason woke early. He showered, dressed neatly in a casual shirt and black trousers, and checked his phone for the final boarding update. Everything was running on ti. He ate a quick breakfast alone, then ordered a taxi. The car arrived within ten minutes, and the driver greeted him with professional courtesy. The ride to the airport lasted nearly an hour because of light traffic, and Jason spent the ti running through ntal calculations about potential profits from the Villa.
If he managed the property effectively, it could beco a stable source of inco. His business instincts had sharpened lately, and he intended to put them to good use. He stared out the window, going over the figures he had written the night before. When the car pulled up to the departure terminal, he paid the fare, thanked the driver, and stepped out with his luggage.
Inside the airport, the flow of movent was steady and orderly. Jason approached the check-in counter, presented his ticket, and handed over his identification. The attendant verified the details efficiently, tagged his suitcase, and directed him toward security. He followed the signs, placed his belongings in the inspection trays, and passed through the tal detector without issue. In truth, this was his first ti in an airport, though he carried himself as if accustod to the process.
He collected his items, adjusted the strap of his shoulder bag, and continued toward the waiting area.
When he reached his gate, he chose a seat beside the window and kept his boarding pass ready in his hand. Several passengers occupied nearby chairs, so speaking in low tones while others scrolled through their phones. The steady rhythm of airport announcents created a calm, distant hum as he checked the flight details once again. Twenty minutes remained before boarding, just enough ti to review his notes.
He opened a small notebook and examined the carefully written pages. The first contained figures regarding the property value, its location, and estimated maintenance costs. The second outlined possible renovation plans and long-term strategies if he chose to retain the Villa instead of selling it.
When the boarding announcent ca, Jason stood and joined the quiet line forming near the gate. He handed his ticket to the attendant and stepped through the jet bridge into the aircraft. The cabin interior appeared typical of a comrcial flight, rows of neatly arranged seats and passengers securing their luggage above them. Jason found his seat near the center of the plane, stored his bag beneath the one in front of him, and sat down.
He fastened his belt and observed his surroundings. The passengers nearby looked ordinary, a mix of professionals and families traveling for various reasons. A flight attendant moved through the aisle, ensuring everyone was seated and that the overhead compartnts were properly closed. Jason acknowledged her polite greeting with a slight smile before leaning back.
As the aircraft taxied along the runway, he went over his plan once more. Upon arrival in Orleans, he would head straight to the property and inspect it thoroughly. After confirming the ownership docunts, he would decide whether to renovate for long-term profit or sell imdiately. Each step demanded precision and patience, and he intended to approach the opportunity as the beginning of sothing greater.
When the engines roared and the plane ascended, Jason closed his eyes briefly to organize his next move with deliberate focus.
Ti moved at a calm, unhurried pace while Jason remained seated, occasionally glancing at the in-flight screen that displayed their current altitude and distance to destination. He read a few pages of an article saved on his tablet, which discussed economic growth in mid-sized cities, and reflected on how similar logic could apply to real estate valuation.
After several hours, the announcent for descent echoed through the cabin, prompting passengers to raise their seats and secure their belongings. Jason straightened his posture, slid his tablet into the seat pocket, and turned his gaze toward the window. The city of Orleans ca into view below. Its layout was clean and structured, encircled by expanses of green fields that gave it a serene appearance.
When the plane touched the runway, he released a quiet breath and waited for the aisle to clear before standing. He retrieved his bag, ensured his phone was still in his pocket, and joined the steady procession toward the exit.
As he stepped through the final gate and into the open concourse, a spark of anticipation rose in his chest. Without thinking, he yelled:
"To the Villa in San Gabriel!"
Several heads turned at once. A few travelers stared at him in confusion, others with mild amusent, while Jason froze for half a second before lowering his gaze and muttering to himself in embarrassnt.
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