Chapter 8 - The Viral Backfire
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Tessa had spent the entire morning plastering bright yellow sticky notes across every single wall in the house.
I walked down the hallway and peeled one off the wall.
It read: BASEMENT FLOODS DAILY.
The basement was completely dry, fully sealed, and had a brand-new sump pump installed two years ago.
I walked into the kitchen and found another sticky note on the quartz counter: NEIGHBORHOOD HAS DANGEROUS DOGS.
The neighbors were an elderly couple who owned a sixteen-year-old blind chihuahua.
I peeled a third note off the bathroom mirror: DANGEROUS BLACK MOLD INSIDE WALLS.
Melissa systematically walked through every room, quietly pulling down the slanderous sticky notes and dropping them into a trash bag.
Tessa followed two paces behind her, sticking new notes on the walls the second Melissa turned around.
It was a childish game of hide-and-seek played with office supplies.
At 10:00 AM sharp, the first group of potential buyers arrived.
A young married couple walked into the kitchen, admiring the open layout and high-end appliances.
My mother immediately abandoned her vacuum cleaner and rushed over to them.
"Just so you know," Linda whispered loudly, "the stove leaks gas and smells like burning rubber every time you turn it on."
It was a brand-new German appliance I had purchased eight months prior.
The young couple looked uncomfortable and slowly backed out of the kitchen.
Meanwhile, my father cornered an elderly gentleman near the stairs.
"The property taxes in this town are complete extortion!" Ron grumbled.
"You'll be broke in three years!"
While my parents were busy scaring away buyers, the young couple wandered into the living room.
The wife stopped in front of the burgundy recliner, where Tessa was still sitting motionless.
"Oh, what a cozy recliner," the wife remarked politely.
"Is this vintage chair included with the home?"
Tessa bared her teeth like a feral animal.
"Absolutely not!"
May you like
I immediately stepped out from the hallway.
"Actually, yes. It is included in the sale."
