LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 171
John was expecting some kind of reaction in Ethan face, but he didn't get any so he repeated.
"Ten million dollars,"
John repeated, his face splitting into a triumphant grid. His watch caught the light as he gestured mockingly at the vehicle, hands trembling with barely contained glee.
"I warned you, didn't I? But some brats have to learn the hard way."
His laughter echoed off the polished surfaces of the exclusive showroom, growing louder with each second. Sweat of satisfaction beaded on his forehead as he savored his victory.
The top sales ladies joined in, their perfectly manicured hands hiding smirks behind them, Their designer heels shifting excitedly on the floor.
"Let's not waste any more time here,"
John voice dripped with satisfaction as he turned toward the exit, practically bouncing on his shoes. "We should discuss how you'll pay that million-dollar penalty."
His fingers already reaching for his phone.
"Though I doubt someone who arrives by taxi can even manage that."
At that moment Serenity's face had gone pale as milk, her hands clutching her notebook so tight her knuckles were white. Her eyes darted between Ethan and John.
The sales team clustered around their manager like excited vultures.
"Perhaps we can set up a payment plan,"
Zhang sneered, reaching for the door handle, his ring clicking against the metal.
"Something that'll follow you for the rest of your life."
His voice carried the satisfaction of a predator with trapped prey.
At that moment Ethan's soft chuckle cut through their laughter like a knife, making several sales ladies step back instinctively, their designer heels clicking against floor.
"I said I wanted your most expensive model,"
his voice carried that dangerous calm that made Serenity's spine tingle.
"Or did you forget?"
Upon hearing what Ethan just said John triumphant smile faltered, his smiling face disappeared as irritation twisted his features.
His face flushed red from his collar to hairline as he stabbed his finger toward the furthest vehicle, a masterpiece of engineering gleaming under perfect lighting.
"Fine! You want to see true luxury?"
His voice rose sharply.
"Fifteen million dollars!"
The number echoed off the walls like a thunderclap. His hands trembled with rage as he gestured wildly.
immediately Serenity's hand flew to her mouth, her perfectly manicured nails pressing against her lips in shock. Her eyes widened to saucers, her notebook dangling forgotten from nerveless fingers. Even in her family's wealthy days, she'd never imagined cars could cost so much. At that moment her knees felt weak as she stared at the vehicle that cost more than most people's entire lives.
"Satisfied now?"
Zhang spat, his earlier professional demeanor completely abandoned.
"Are you ready to discuss your penalty payment?"
His fingers already reaching for the contract in his pocket.
The sales ladies watched with bated breath, their perfect makeup masks barely hiding their anticipation. Some even pulled out their phones discreetly, ready to record what they assumed would be an epic meltdown.
"Why isn't he worried?"
Serenity thought, noticing how Ethan remained perfectly calm despite the astronomical figures being thrown around.
" No problem, but I'll need to test it,"
Ethan said smoothly, his enhanced senses catching every twitch of John face.
"Since I'm buying."
immediately John face twisted with barely contained rage, veins pulsing at his temples, but he forced a sharp smile.
"Of course,"
he sneered, tugging at his suddenly too-tight collar.
"You can go inside and enjoy heaven before your descent into hell."
His fingers trembled with suppressed anger as he pressed the key fob, the car's doors opening with elegant precision.
"Serenity,"
Ethan gestured for her to join him, his calm demeanor making the sales ladies shift uneasily in their heels, exchanging uncertain glances.
Inside the vehicle, the new leather smell enveloped them. Crystal displays glowed softly on the dashboard, every surface screaming luxury and perfection.
Serenity ran her fingers over the handcrafted details, remembering similar textures from her family's former life.
She leaned close, her voice barely a whisper, breath fogging the pristine window.
"Ethan, what are you doing?"
Her hands twisted anxiously in her lap, knuckles white with tension. "Even if you run, they'll find you. The contract... one million dollars..."
Her eyes darted to John smug face watching through the window, his reflection distorted by the curved glass.
"They'll destroy your life."
The sales team clustered around john, their perfect makeup masks barely hiding their anticipation of the coming disaster.
At that moment Ethan looked at Serenity and said with a smile, "Don't worry. It will be okay."
When they were all done, Ethan wanted to pay. He took out his card and grinned.
"I want to show Grandma that I used her money in a good way,"
he said to himself.
"I want to buy the car she asked for."
Ethan gave his card to the cashier to pay. But it did not work. The cashier frowned and shook his head. immediately Ethan's phone made a loud beep. It was a text from the bank.
Ethan read the text and his eyes got wide.
"Oh! The text says my account is frozen,"
he said to himself.
Ethan scratched his head and thought for a moment.
"Maybe the bank froze my account because I put a lot of money in it that day, the system profit. They might fine it strange."
John eyes widened in surprise when Ethan said he wanted to pay. He had been having doubts, but seeing the card get declined, he couldn't hold back.
He threw his head back and let out a big, loud laugh.
"Well, well, well,"
he said.
"looks like someone's in a bit of a pickle!"
Just then, two large security guards walked up. They had serious looks on their faces. One of them crossed his arms and said sternly,.
"Is there a problem here?"
Serenity saw the guards and felt worried for Ethan. Her heart started to beat faster. She didn't want him to have a hard time again. She bit her lip and thought hard, her brow furrowed in concentration. Then an idea came to her and her eyes lit up.
Serenity turned to Ethan and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Ethan,"
she said gently.
"I think I should call someone to help you pay the one million dollars in the contract, so we can leave later we have a way to pay back."
Ethan turned to Serenity and shook his head, a confident smile spreading across his face.
"Don't worry,"
he said, reaching into his pocket.
"I have another card."
He pulled out the card his grandma had given him. It was a shiny, golden card that glimmered under the lights. Everyone's eyes widened as they stared at it, their jaws dropping in awe.
John who had been laughing earlier narrowed his eyes suspiciously at the card.
"That has to be fake,"
he muttered under his breath, crossing his arms over his chest. "There's no way it's real."
Ethan just grinned and handed the golden card to the cashier.
immediately the cashier swiped it, and to everyone's surprise, the transaction went through without a hitch.
The cashier's eyes nearly popped out of his head as he read the screen.
"Fifteen million dollars,"
he stammered, his hands shaking slightly.
"Paid in full."