Shawn turned his head and saw a beautiful woman standing a few meters away from him. She had bob-cut black hair and dark eyes, and she wore a blue blouse paired with a tight black skirt that hugged her hips like a second skin. Her legs were covered by sheer black stockings, adding a touch of seduction to her professional attire.
She was Sophie Turner, the neighbour living in the house opposite to theirs. Shawn recognized her immediately, having lived next to her for years.
"Aunt Sophie. What are you doing out here at this time of night?" Shawn asked, surprised to see her walking alone in the dark.
Sophie gave him a small smile and walked closer. "What else could I be doing? I was coming home from work, obviously." She then gestured to the empty street around them. "But what about you? I didn't know you were back home. I thought you were still staying at the university dorms."
"Ah, yeah, I came back yesterday for a break." Shawn shrugged, trying to act casual even though his mind was already working on how to use this unexpected meeting to his advantage.
"Hmm... I see. That's nice. It's good to be home sometimes, away from all the college stress." Sophie nodded in understanding. Then she looked at him more closely, her eyes scanning his face. "But you haven't answered my question yet. What are you doing out here this late? Shouldn't you be home, resting?"
For a moment, Shawn didn't know what to say. He couldn't exactly tell her that he was out picking up a wallet full of cash. So he quickly came up with an excuse.
"I just felt like taking a walk. To clear my head, you know? The family is going through some tough times right now, so it's been on my mind."
Sophie's expression softened at his words, a look of sympathy crossing her features. "Oh... I heard about that. I'm sorry to hear it. I hope everything works out for you and your family."
"Thanks, Aunt Sophie." Shawn gave her a grateful smile, though he didn't miss the chance to observe her body while she was distracted by sympathy.
She was a beautiful woman in her mid-thirties, with a slim yet curvy figure that many women half her age would envy. Her breasts weren't overly large, but they were perky and perfectly shaped, pressing against the thin fabric of her blouse. Her hips were wide and inviting, and her legs looked long and toned in those stockings.
'If I remember correctly, she just recently divorced her husband. Something about him cheating on her. So she's living alone now.' Shawn recalled the rumors he had heard from his mother. 'Moreover, she has a lot of money since her ex-husband had to pay a hefty settlement. Not to mention, she's also a successful businesswoman.'
It was then that an idea began to form in Shawn's mind. What if he could convince Sophie to help him? After all, they were neighbors. She might be willing to lend him some money, especially if he played his cards right.
And the best part? He wouldn't even need to reveal his true intentions. He could make it seem like he was just asking for a small loan to help his family, then use the money to level up his system and get more intelligence to make even more money.
It was a bit risky, but it was worth a try. And if it worked, he could be one step closer to his goal of becoming the richest man in the world.
But before he could say anything, Sophie spoke again, her voice tinged with loneliness. "You know, Shawn, I sometimes envy how close your family is. Despite everything, you all still stick together. Unlike me... I'm all alone in that big house of mine. After divorce, even my daughter moved away to live with her boyfriend."
"It feels like living the life of a ghost." She chuckled bitterly, her eyes looking down at the ground.
Shawn saw his chance. He took a step closer to her, lowering his voice to a more intimate tone. "You're not alone, Aunt Sophie. We're neighbors and friends. You can always come over to our house whenever you want company. I'm sure my mom would love to see you."
He then reached out and gently placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly. "And if you don't think of me as just a kid, I'm also here to talk or help out if you need anything."
His words and touch seemed to have an effect on Sophie. She looked up at him with a grateful smile, her eyes softening. "Thank you, Shawn. That's very kind of you. I appreciate it."
"No problem, Aunt Sophie. I mean it." Shawn gave her a charming smile, his hand lingering on her shoulder for a moment longer before he let go. "How about this? I don't feel sleepy yet. Why don't we go to your place and continue our talk? I'm sure it will make your mood a lot better."
The suggestion was bold, but Shawn knew he had to take the chance. If he could get inside her house, he could work on her more, get her to lower her defenses, and eventually lead things in the direction he wanted.
Sophie seemed a bit taken aback by his offer, her eyes widening slightly. "Are you sure, Shawn? It's late, and you probably want to rest..."
"I'm sure." Shawn didn't give her a chance to refuse. He gently took her hand in his, his fingers interlocking with hers. "I want to be there for you, Aunt Sophie. And if talking can help even a little, then it's definitely worth it."
Sophie looked at their joined hands, then back at his face. Something about the way he held her hand, the warmth of his touch, made her heart skip a beat.
Not wanting to let this feeling fade, she smiled and nodded. "Okay then. Let's go to my place. We can have a glass of wine and chat."