Chapter 395: The Crisp Notification Tone Signaled an Incoming Bank Transfer

The crisp notification tone signaled an incoming bank transfer.

Maya Torres swiped open her phone screen. The banking alert clearly displayed a deposit of 1.5 million.

"Sweetheart, did you get the money?" Owen Parker's concerned voice came through the phone.

"Got it!" Maya cheerfully shook her head. "Thanks, Dad!"

The extra 500k beyond expectations made her eyes crinkle into crescent moons.

"Remember, buy whatever you want. Just tell me if it's not enough." Owen kept fussing over the details.

After hanging up, Maya noticed Noah Kessler and Clara Whitmore staring at her with odd expressions.

"The money's here. Why are you looking at me like that?" She tilted her head.

Noah crossed his arms. "Miss Torres, didn't you say your family lives in a village?"

"Yeah," Maya said matter-of-factly. "Our urban village is super lively, surrounded by high-end shopping districts."

Clara raised an eyebrow. "Parents unemployed building caretakers?"

"My dad owns over eighty buildings," Maya counted on her fingers. "He spends all day collecting rent and fixing plumbing. That's basically caretaking."

Noah's eye twitched. "Fishing at sea?"

"Mom loves yacht parties. Dad's into deep-sea fishing." Maya grinned. "They go out together all the time."

The word "yacht" brought sudden silence.

Noah massaged his temples. "So your family is actually wealthy?"

"Huh?" Maya looked genuinely confused. "Who said we were poor?"

Noah gave her a once-over: faded T-shirt, wrinkled shorts, frayed flip-flops.

"Your outfit..."

"This is how everyone dresses back home!" Maya stomped her foot indignantly. "My dad collects rent in flip-flops!"

The phrase "daily rent collection" sent the other two into deep contemplation.

Turns out poverty was just an illusion maintained by footwear.

"Now that we've got funds, when are we buying equipment?" Maya asked eagerly.

Clara said seriously, "Costs should be split evenly."

"420k each." Noah did the quick math.

Maya's eyes suddenly widened. "Wait! You two aren't ordinary either!"

Noah coughed. "Saved up allowance."

"Earned it myself." Clara remained calm.

Landing that astronomical breakup settlement did require skill.

With funding secured, a new problem emerged.

"High-end equipment like this is hard to find on the market." Clara frowned.

Noah pulled up a sales contact. Two calls later—both disconnected.

"I'll ask my family." She put away her phone. "See if they have procurement channels."