My Blind Date Wanted My House,Then Tried to Destroy Me

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I paid cash for the full-floor luxury condo at Cedar Court and posted on Instagram to celebrate.

Sebastian Lamberta blind date I'd met exactly onceblew up my phone with fifty voice messages.

You stupid bitch! Who gave you permission to buy property before the wedding? Trying to keep me out?

A woman buying property wrecks the feng shui. When you can't give me a son, how are you going to make that up to me?

"Put my name on the purchase contract right now and bring me the keys!"

Every word dripping with the certainty that he was owed this,

and it made my skin crawl so hard I nearly gagged.

"I spent my own money on this place. What the hell does it have to do with you?"

Half an hour after I sent that reply,

Sebastian showed up at my door with his mother, Christine Finch, and the two of them hammered on it like they meant to break it down.

He screamed from the hallway:

"Your money is my money! You belong to me!"

"I'm telling you to transfer this place into my name as our marital home. If you don't, I'll blast it all over the internet that you're a scarlet woman!"

"You've got ten minutes to get out here and beg on your knees. Otherwise, you can come crawling later and I still won't marry you!"

I laughed, cold and sharp,

and forwarded the security camera footage to my father, a detective captain.

"Dad, there's a terrorist attacking your daughter."

Dad was on assignment out of the province, but he recognized the man instantly: the blind date my aunt had sobbed and screamed at me to meet a few weeks ago.

A vein pulsed at his temple. He called the local precinct immediately,

told me not to open the door, and started racing back.

The mother-son pair outside must have heard, because not only were they unfazed, they got louder.

"Who are you calling a terrorist? Is this how a cop's daughter treats her future in-laws?"

"Don't think we can't see it. The money you used for this place is dirty, isn't it? Your daddy embezzled it!"

Christine was getting more and more worked up. She whipped out her phone and started recording.

"People online hate corrupt officials more than anything! If you know what's good for you, open this door and come with us to the title office."

"Otherwise I'm reporting him to Internal Affairs, and your father can rot in prison!"

The blood rushed straight to my head.

Dad had served his whole career without a single mark against him, and I'd paid for this condo with money I earned building my own business, every cent of it real. Let them investigateI wasn't afraid.

But that didn't matter if they were out here slinging mud in public. Once it hit the internet, even the cleanest name could be dragged through filth.

It would still affect my father's career.

I called building management and the security team right away.

Only when I heard the guards' footsteps in the corridor did I set my jaw and pull the door open.

A jacket reeking of stale cigarette smoke came down over my head before I even saw his face.

"Ava Bennett, have you no shame! Dressed like that to answer the dooryou're throwing yourself at every man who walks by!"

Sebastian grabbed the collar of the jacket and tried to wrench me against him.

"Slut to the bone, aren't you? You see anything with a pulse and you just have to rub up on it!"

"No wonder you had to buy a place behind my back. Needed somewhere private to keep your side pieces, right?"

I was shaking with rage. I ripped the jacket off and hurled it to the ground.

"What are you even talking about? I met you one time. When did I ever become your girlfriend?"

The two security guards froze where they stood, too startled to step in.

Sebastian's eyes went widethen, a second later, he slapped a hand over his heart like he'd taken a knife to the chest.

"Ava, what did you just say? You're dumping me?"

His eyes even went a little red at the rims. "Fine, maybe I came on too strong. But isn't that because I care too damn much?"

Before I could react, he'd already seized my wrist.

"Ava, I'm a grown man who lowered himself to come find you. What the hell else do you want from me? Or is it just that I'm not rich enough for a girl like you?"

"I don't even mind you bought a place before the wedding! Your temper? I can live with it! I'm willing to marry yougive you a real home. You should be thanking your lucky stars!"

I tried to wrench free, horrified, but he yanked me straight into his chest. The reek of stale sweat slammed into my face.

The two guards finally decided to move.

They stepped forward and pried us apart, but their eyes crawled over my body with a look that had nothing professional about it.

"Ma'am, the guy's already swallowed his pride and apologized. Don't be so stubborn. Seems like he genuinely wants to build a life with you."

"Girl living alone in a place like thiscome on, how pure do you think we believe you are?"

"You spread your legs, fake a few moans, and the cash shows up. Don't act like he's the one who owes you something."

I felt like I'd been struck by lightningstunned first, then sick to my stomach.

I'd heard it in the residents' group chat beforepeople warning that a few of the guards on this team were crooked to the bone.

All bows and smiles for any homeowner who looked connected.

All filthy rumors behind the backs of young women who lived alone.

I hadn't taken it seriously at the time.

I'd told myself they drew a paycheck, so they'd at least stick to basic professional conduct.

I never imagined they could be this shameless.

But I wasn't about to fall into the trap of defending myself to them.

"I don't owe you an explanation. I'm a homeowner here, and right now I need you to remove the people harassing me."

The moment I said it, both guards dropped their smirks and stepped aside.

"Homeowner? How about you show us some ID and your purchase contract first?"

"See, the information we got says the owner of this unit is a man. So..."

I turned, stunned, not even getting the chance to ask what they meant before Sebastian exploded.

"No wonder! No wonder you insisted on breaking up with me!"

"He's already put the place in your name. How many times did you let him have you? Tell me!"

"That exam report I told you to getyou've been stalling this whole time. You're scared to show me! You dirty slut, you were used goods long before I came along!"

The words *exam report* hit me and my rage went white-hot.

I hadn't even wanted to go on that blind date.

But I'd shown up on time anyway, out of obligation.

Then I sat alone in that caf for a full forty minutes.

I was about to leave when Sebastian, who'd been sitting at the next table the entire time, finally stood up and blocked my way.

"Congratulations. You passed my patience test."

"I also messaged you a few days ago from a fake account, asked you out. You said no. Goodproves you're not the kind of woman who goes with just anyone."

I stood there in complete disbelief.

Before I could even process what he'd said, he was already rapping his knuckles on the table, impatient.

"Don't just stand there looking stupid. Come onintroduce yourself."

"Oh, and when you go home tonight, get the full gynecological exam done. Everything. If something comes back wrong, I won't be marrying you."

I had no interest in wasting another second on him. I swallowed my anger, grabbed my bag, and walked out.

The moment I was through the door, I blocked his number and his account.

But in my rush, I forgot to delete the fake account he'd used to pose as a client.

Sebastian shoved me. The filth kept pouring out of his mouth.

"I'm talking to you! Start explaining. How many men have you got on the side?"

My whole body was shaking, teeth rattling with rage. I stepped forward and cracked him across the faceleft, then right, one after the other.

Before I could even catch my breath, Christine already had her phone out, livestream running with practiced speed.

"Everyone, look over here! Come see what a modern-day scarlet woman looks like!"

"My son was kind enough to marry her, and instead of being grateful, she goes behind our backs, keeps some other man, and has the nerve to hit my son!"

"In the old days they'd drown her for shame! A used-up tramp and she still thinks she gets to be picky? She wants my son to clean up some other man's mess?"

The livestream comments were flying.

"I know that complexnotorious mistress den! Confirmed whore, case closed."

"Poor guy. Stuck with some tramp everyone else already had a turn with."

The screen was a cesspool, and reading it made my stomach turn.

But the bigger question gnawing at me was what the guards had said about the resident records.

I'd paid for this condo with money I earned myself, every last cent. My name was the only one on the deed.

From signing the contract to closing the transfer, start to finish, no one else had a hand in any of it.

So how could the registered owner possibly be listed as male?

Christine took my silence as fuel.

She shoved the phone screen right into my face. "Go on, say it to the camera!"

"What's your sugar daddy's name? How much did your father embezzle?"

"You don't come clean today, I'll turn you into the biggest disgrace on the entire internet!"

I pushed the phone away and stared at the group, ice in my voice.

"I've already called the police. What you're doing right now is harassment and defamation."

"And you two," I said, turning to the guards. "Are you sure the information you received says the owner is male? I have the original title deed right here."

"You'd better verify your records. If you're covering for harassers and obstructing a legitimate resident, can you afford the consequences?"

The hallway went dead silent.

Then the elevator chimed.

Two police officers stepped out.

I started toward them, but a shrill voice cut through from behind their backs.

My feet locked to the floor.

What was she doing here?

Sylvia squeezed past the officers, arms folded, lips curled in a dismissive pout.

"Ava, you are so out of line! A little lovers' quarrel between the two of you, and you actually called the police?"

I caught the look on the officers' faces, the way they hesitated, and it clicked.

No wonder they'd taken so long to come up. She'd been stalling them downstairs.

I cut her off with a cold laugh. "Who's 'the two of us'? I've met him exactly once."

Sylvia's expression hardened, and she launched into a public dressing-down right there in the hallway.

"So what! Sebastian cares about youhe came all this way to marry you!"

"What kind of girl runs her mouth with zero upbringing? You're exactly like that mother of yours."

She didn't spare a glance at the fury in my eyes before turning to Christine with a warm smile.

"Now, now, in-law, don't be angry! Ava's been spoiled rotten since she was little."

"She's just got a temper, that's all. She's not bad at heart."

With Sylvia vouching for them, Sebastian and Christine found their footing in an instant.

"We're not unreasonable people," Christine said.

"Ava gets on her knees and apologizes. Signs the condo over. Then she puts it in writing that she'll obey her husband from now on."

"Do all that, and we can let today go. We'll still let her marry into the family."

Sylvia nodded along, all smiles. "Exactly, exactly. We're all family here. No need to let a little misunderstanding ruin things."

"Ava! Did you hear that? Settle this right now, in front of the officers."

"You're twenty-five. I found you a good man, and you can't even appreciate it!"

"Don't think owning some lousy apartment makes you special. What the hell good is a big place? A woman still needs a man at the end of the day!"

I drew a long breath and turned to the two officers.

"Officers, you can see the situation for yourselves."

"These two have been banging on my door, harassing and threatening me. They've been livestreaming lies about me online. I'd like you to handle this."

The officers exchanged a glance. The older one let out a slow breath.

"Ms. Bennett, I'll be straight with you. This kind of situationit's not the first time we've dealt with it."

"Last week we hauled in an ex-boyfriend camped outside some girl's door, wouldn't leave her alone."

"Day later, she shows up at the station to drop the charges. Files a complaint against *us*excessive force, hurt her fianc."

"Yours is trickier. You've got a family elder here. Best case, this is a domestic dispute, and all we can really do is talk it through."

My aunt gave me a triumphant shove.

"Hear that? The police themselves say you're blowing this out of proportion! Bow your head and apologize before you dig yourself in deeper."

The edges of my vision went black.

I looked up. The two security guards were leering at me, pointing and muttering between themselves.

I swung toward the officers and pointed straight at the guards.

"Fine. Then I'm filing a report. Someone tampered with my property registration records to take my home."

"That's not a family dispute."

Both officers' expressions sharpened.

Sebastian, his mother, and the two guards all went pale at the same time.

The officer's face was grim. "That's a criminal matter. We'll need everyone to come back to the station for questioning."

Some of the pressure in my chest loosened. I was about to exhale when my aunt grabbed me and yanked me behind her.

"Officers, don't listen to her nonsense. I'm the one who had the property office update the records. It's not that serious."

"Women get married and have babiesthat's how it works! What kind of girl sits on a property like she's never giving it up?"

"You tell meevery family out there, isn't it the man who runs the house?"

She turned and glared at me. "Even if you won't transfer the title right now, this place will end up being Sebastian's sooner or later. I had his name added. What's the problem?"

Every word out of her mouth left me more stunned than the last. None of it made sensenone of it was supposed to make sense.

She read my shock as surrender and rolled her eyes.

"And you keep saying you've only met him once. I can't even be bothered to call you out on that!"

"The security footage is crystal clear. Sebastian's been staying the night here every few days."

"I was trying to save you some face. If you don't want it, don't blame me."

"You're lying!"

My own voice came out so shrill it hurt my ears.

"I've always lived here alone! When did I ever let him through my door?"

One of the guards stepped forward at my aunt's signal, holding up his phone.

On the screen: a man keying the code into my front door. The door opened. A girl came out of the apartment and threw herself into his arms, and the two of them kissed as the door swung shut.

"Nothing to say now, is there? He comes by every few days. Even the building security knows him."

"And you said you'd only met him once!"

"Ava, don't make me say this as your auntan unmarried girl who's let her reputation rot this badly."

"I haven't even blamed you for disgracing the Bennett name, and here you are turning it around on us!"

My aunt's voice dissolved into noise.

I stared at the grainy footage on the guard's phone, cold crawling down my spine, vertebra by vertebra.

How was this possible?

He'd been walking in and out of my homeand I never knew.

And the woman clinging to him. Who was she?

"This video is fake! That's not me!"

"You made it with AI!"

Sebastian looked at me, bored. "Enough. Things have gone this far. Can you just stop lying?"

"I never wanted to show these. You're the one who had to push it this far."

He swiped open his phone gallery, and a spread of obscene photos jumped off the screen.

The face on that screen, eyes unfocused and glassy, was unmistakably mine.

Like someone had blown a whistle, the people around me pounced all at once, voices crashing over each other.

"A worn-out piece of trash like youmy son's willing to marry you and you should be thanking your lucky stars!"

"I've worked this building three years. Seen plenty of women like her."

"Oh, she puts on a real good show during the day, but past midnight those delivery boys just keep heading upstairs, one after another. You think they're bringing food?"

"I always wondered how a girl that young could buy a place here. Now it makes senseshe laid her way to every last penny."

"Couple weeks back, she came downstairs in a little spaghetti-strap dress to pick up a delivery and smiled right at me. You tell me that's not flirting. I knew right then she wasn't the decent type."

Sebastian's lips curled into a smug grin. "Well, the evidence speaks for itself. Nothing left to discuss."

"Ava, filial piety comes first. Start by kneeling and apologizing to my mother."

"Then wire me eight hundred thousand as a dowry and two hundred thousand for emotional damages. Maybe then I'll still consider making you my wife."

"Ohand make sure you get yourself checked out, head to toe, down there. Who knows what kind of filthy diseases you've been picking up."

Cold seeped through my entire body. My fingertips wouldn't stop shaking.

I opened my mouth, but I didn't even know where to begin.

Seeing me falter only made Sebastian look more pleased with himself.

He stepped forward, his yellowed fingernails reaching for my cheek.

"Quit playing innocent. Do what I tell you, or I'll destroy you and your father bothsee how either of you shows your face in this city again."

"Really. I'd love to hear exactly who you think you're going to destroy."