The Apartment Building.
Dexter led Karen through the halls, talking as they walked. "I just bought this building. The paperwork will take a while to clear, but for all intents and purposes, it's mine."
"If you're up for it, this building can be your business. But not officially. Not right now."
"The reason is simple. You're going to marry that idiot Lip, and eventually, you're going to divorce him. You don't want him taking half your assets when that happens, do you?"
Karen shook her head immediately. "Hell no."
The truth was, over the past six months, as her bank account grew and she got a taste of the good life, Karen had long since outgrown Lip.
Lip's little hustles and his "street smarts" just seemed childish to her now. He was like a little boy playing dress-up.
Looking back, she actually wondered what she ever saw in him.
I guess that's what growing up feels like.
"I could just make Lip sign a prenup before the wedding," Karen suggested, the idea suddenly popping into her head.
Dexter, of course, had already considered that. "Too much hassle. Besides, once you bring that up to Lip, things will get messy. He's got a fragile ego for such a dumbass."
Karen thought about it and nodded in agreement. "True."
"If you're willing to take this on, I'll have my lawyer draw up a private agreement later," Dexter continued. "I just paid two hundred grand for this place. Once we sign, you can start using the building to make money. In the future, the day you pay me back that two hundred grand, I'll transfer the deed to your name."
"It's a very sweet deal for you."
"Because not only do you keep the rental income, but you also gain from the property's appreciation."
Karen's grades in school were decent; she wasn't stupid. "How much do you think this place will go up in value?"
Dexter smiled. "I paid two hundred. Give it five to eight years... between the building and the land, it'll at least double. Four hundred thousand dollars."
Karen's eyes lit up instantly. She looked up at Dexter, practically glowing. "It can go up that much?"
As the words left her mouth, she realized something else. "Mr. King , it's not just here, is it? The whole South Side is going to go up? That's why you're buying so many properties?"
Dexter grinned at her. "Smart girl."
Confirmation received. Karen's mind started racing. "Then I should buy more property too. Just wait for it to appreciate."
Look at that. Sharp kid.
Dexter paused. "Ever hear of the snowball effect?"
Karen shook her head. "What's that?"
"A snowball gets bigger the more it rolls. You need to start renting these units out as soon as possible," Dexter explained. "The average rent for a unit here is about seven hundred a month."
"If you fill every room, you could be pulling in nearly ten grand a month."
"Of course, hitting 100% occupancy is tough. Let's be conservative and say five thousand a month."
"That's sixty thousand a year."
"After expenses, you'll still have tens of thousands left. You use that cash as leverage—put down payments on other properties. Buy them, rent them out."
"Rinse and repeat. You get it?"
Karen didn't answer immediately. She was doing the mental math.
Dexter pulled out a cigarette and lit it, waiting patiently while she processed it.
Honestly, the business model was solid.
Property tax in Chicago was only about one-point-something percent. For a $200,000 building, the tax was only two or three grand a year. Not much.
Utilities? Pass that cost on to the tenants. You just need to spend a little upfront to install separate meters.
As for the deadbeats who dragged their feet on rent or refused to pay?
Heh.
Just kill them. It's been a while since he killed anyone anyway.
Dexter smiled silently.
He wasn't Fiona. Being polite to deadbeats?
To hell with that.
They continued walking.
Karen thought for a long while, then fired off a series of questions—about evicting squatters, utility bills, taxes, everything.
Dexter answered them all patiently.
"As for the deadbeats, try to handle them yourself first. It's good practice. If you can't handle it, call me. I'll take care of it," Dexter said.
Karen gave a dazzling smile. She had made her decision. "Okay. I'm in."
Dexter smiled back. "This will be the best decision of your life. By the time you're in your twenties, you'll be a millionaire. Maybe even a multi-millionaire."
Hearing those words, Karen was over the moon. "I'll definitely repay you for this, Mr. King ."
Dexter gave a faint smile and didn't comment on the gratitude. "Let's talk about the next step. This building needs renovations. You'll need to dip into your savings..."
The renovation details were complex, and Dexter spent quite a while going over them.
Karen had no objections.
By the time they finished discussing everything, it was evening. They walked out of the apartment building.
"I'm heading to the Gallagher house. Mr. King , is there anything special you need me to do?" Karen asked with a mischievous grin before getting into her car.
"Just keep provoking Fiona," Dexter thought for a second. "Fiona only has Lip left on her team right now. Make sure their relationship rots from the inside out."
"Done. I'll do my best," Karen agreed without hesitation.
Dexter smiled, said nothing more, and got into his car. He headed back to the restaurant to prep for the dinner rush.
Money still had to be made, after all.
In a hellhole like the South Side, money really could fix almost anything.
---
After hitting up the Alibi and tracking down the various drunks to deliver the smuggled goods, Fiona went to the supermarket.
She bought steaks and other nice ingredients, planning to cook a feast to celebrate Lip's return. She also wanted to use the occasion to call Ian and Carl back home, hoping Lip could convince them to move back in.
Fiona knew they wouldn't listen to her anymore, but she believed in Lip's intelligence. Maybe he could get through to them.
Currently, Fiona was walking home, carrying heavy bags in both hands.
In the distance, Karen saw her.
Fiona was drenched in sweat, practically steaming in the heat, looking exhausted. Karen laughed silently. She sped up and pulled her car right alongside Fiona.
"Hey Fiona! Heading home? Want a ride?" Karen called out enthusiastically.
Fiona frowned, looking at Karen's beaming face. Because she genuinely loathed the girl, her rejection was instant and sharp. "No thanks. I can walk."
Karen had guessed Fiona wouldn't get in. She chuckled. "Suit yourself."
With that, Karen slammed on the gas and sped away.
Watching the car disappear, Fiona's frown deepened. Naturally, she hated Karen even more now.
"Bitch!" Fiona couldn't help but curse aloud.