"Come on, at least come upstairs for a while. We can sit down properly and catch up."

Standing outside the entrance to his apartment building, Julian Cruz smiled warmly as he gestured toward the stairwell. A cigarette rested between his fingers, the faint glow at its tip flickering in the cool night air.

Luca Hale leaned comfortably against the open window of his Mercedes-Benz G-Class and shook his head with a smile.

"Not today, Big Bro. Don’t you have a personal training session to coach in a few minutes?"

Julian glanced at the time on his watch before sighing.

"...You’re right."

"I forgot."

Luca chuckled.

"I figured."

Just as Julian was about to say goodbye, Luca reached toward the center console and pulled out an unusually large crimson envelope. It was thick enough to resemble a document folder rather than an ordinary red packet.

Without another word, he held it out.

"Here."

Julian instinctively caught it.

"Hm?"

"Since you and Evelyn are finally getting married..."

Luca smiled.

"...consider this my wedding gift."

Julian blinked in surprise before looking down at the oversized envelope in his hands.

"But the wedding isn’t for another two months."

"I know."

Luca waved dismissively.

"So think of this as an early congratulations."

Before Julian could refuse, Luca pushed the envelope firmly back into his hands.

"No arguments."

"Just accept it."

"Bro..."

Julian opened his mouth, intending to protest.

Unfortunately, Luca gave him no opportunity.

He started the engine, flashed one last grin through the open window, then stepped on the accelerator.

The G-Class let out a deep growl before smoothly pulling away from the curb.

Within seconds, its taillights disappeared into the late-night traffic.

Julian remained standing where he was, staring after the departing SUV with a bewildered expression.

"...What was that?"

Only after Luca had completely vanished did he finally lower his gaze to the oversized envelope in his hands.

It felt...

Heavy.

Really Heavy.

His fingers gently squeezed it.

The contents were thick and rigid.

’Cash?’

That was his first thought.

But even if the envelope were filled entirely with hundred-dollar bills, it shouldn’t feel quite like this.

Something about it seemed... different.

Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Julian hurried upstairs.

The moment he opened the apartment door, a familiar voice greeted him.

"You’re back."

Evelyn Hayes stepped into the hallway, wearing a simple set of home clothes with her long hair loosely tied behind her head.

Her eyes immediately landed on the oversized crimson envelope tucked beneath Julian’s arm.

She blinked.

"...What on earth is that?"

For a brief second, she genuinely wondered if she was seeing things.

She had never seen a wedding envelope that large.

Julian let out a helpless laugh.

"Luca gave it to me before driving off."

"He wouldn’t even let me ask what was inside."

Evelyn’s curiosity immediately flared.

She walked over and gently touched the envelope.

"It’s so heavy..."

She looked up at Julian.

"...Is it full of cash?"

"If it is..."

She swallowed.

"...there has to be at least a hundred thousand dollars in here."

Julian scratched the back of his head.

"I honestly have no idea."

He placed the envelope carefully on the dining table.

"Let’s find out."

The two exchanged a glance before Julian slowly peeled back the gold seal.

The room suddenly became unusually quiet.

Even their breathing slowed.

As the opening widened, something dark peeked through the gap.

Leather?

Julian frowned slightly before carefully reaching inside.

The moment he pulled out the first item...

Both of them froze.

It wasn’t stacks of cash.

It was a dark leather folder embossed with an official government seal.

Julian stared blankly at it.

"...What?"

He quickly opened the folder.

Several neatly organized legal documents slid onto the table.

Alongside them lay a heavy set of electronic keys attached to a premium key holder.

Neither of them spoke.

A strange feeling slowly crept into the room.

Julian picked up the document resting on top.

The title alone made his breathing stop.

Certificate of Property Ownership

His pupils contracted.

"No..."

Beside him, Evelyn’s eyes widened.

"...Julian..."

With trembling hands, the two of them turned to the next page.

Printed clearly across the ownership section were two names.

Registered Owners: Julian Cruz & Evelyn Hayes

For several seconds...

Neither of them moved.

They simply stared.

Julian rubbed his eyes before looking again.

The names hadn’t changed.

They really were theirs.

His heartbeat quickened.

Slowly, they continued reading.

Property: Golden Water Bay Luxury Residences

Residence Type: Grand Duplex Penthouse

Interior Area: Over 4,000 Square Feet

The further they read...

The more unbelievable everything became.

Golden Water Bay.

Neither of them needed an explanation.

It was one of San Fierro’s most prestigious luxury residential communities.

Every apartment there sold for astronomical prices.

A duplex penthouse...

Was worth close to a million dollars.

Julian’s mouth hung open.

His mind went completely blank.

"This..."

His voice caught in his throat.

"...This can’t be real."

Evelyn was equally stunned.

Her hands instinctively covered her mouth as tears gradually welled up in her eyes.

"This is too much..."

She struggled to find the words.

"...far too much."

There were also several completed transfer agreements, each already bearing official seals and signatures.

Everything had been finalized.

The property legally belonged to them.

Julian slowly lowered himself into a chair, still unable to process what he was looking at.

"Fourth..."

"What have you done..."

Evelyn was the first to recover.

She immediately grabbed Julian by both shoulders.

"Call him!"

Her voice was filled with panic.

"Call Luca right now!"

Julian looked at her blankly.

"Huh?"

"We can’t accept something like this!"

She pointed frantically at the documents scattered across the table.

"This is a home worth nearly a million dollars!"

"How can anyone casually give away something like that?"

She began pacing around the dining room.

"No, no, no..."

"We absolutely have to return it."

Julian finally snapped out of his daze.

"Right."

He hurriedly pulled out his phone.

"I’m calling him now."