Chapter 240

Chapter 240

David explained: "Don't think I'm trying to scare you. This car originally cost six million, and now it's appreciated - you might not be able to buy it for ten million. It's a limited edition, and when parts break, there's nowhere to get replacements. Our dealership doesn't have them. If you don't agree, fine - go to jail then."

Elena stood behind them, just pressing her soft lips together without speaking.

This car had been in the Rossi family warehouse when she took over, but she had looked into it - it wasn't worth six million and wasn't any limited edition. This person was clearly trying to intimidate and extort the man.

But she didn't speak up. The man deserved what he got.

The man was practically ready to kneel and kowtow: "I... I don't have..."

"Don't have?" David's expression suddenly changed, his eyes carrying a hint of ruthlessness. "You dare to stage an accident without even having six hundred thousand? Who gave you the nerve!"

A crowd of intimidating people stood behind him, scaring the man nearly to the point of wetting himself.

David smiled again and said: "How about this - how much money do you have in total?"

"Three hundred sixty thousand..."

Now David was truly unhappy. Three hundred sixty thousand would barely cover costs - he had wanted to extort a hefty sum from this type of person.

But to avoid making things too complicated, he glanced at the car and had a sudden idea, having someone get a hammer from the car.

"Like this - since you've upset our Miss Elena, I won't say I'm bullying you. If you smash this car yourself with your own hands and compensate three hundred sixty thousand, I'll pretend nothing happened. Otherwise," he pointed at the surveillance camera, "everything's still being recorded up there. If this really gets blown up, forget about six hundred thousand in compensation - you'll have to pay lawyer fees separately."

The man knew he was finished. Though his heart was bleeding, he could only take the hammer with a mournful expression and, under David's meaningful gaze, strike the car with force.

One blow, then another, smashing the hood to pieces until the entire car was totaled. After handing over his bank card, he fled with his wife in disgrace.

"Mr. Moretti." David showed his white teeth, and when he looked toward Elena, he said: "Madam, let me introduce myself. I'm David, manager of Mr. Moretti's car dealership. This is our first meeting - I didn't frighten you, did I?"

The address "Madam" made Elena pause. She said: "Just call me Elena."

David's gaze swept across Marco's face, looking terrified: "Madam, don't joke around. How could I address you by name directly? That would be too improper."

Elena opened her mouth to explain that she and Marco had long been divorced, but immediately realized that since this person worked for Marco, how could he not know?

She instinctively looked toward Marco, and indeed saw a hint of amusement in his eyes. Though it was fleeting, Elena easily caught it, making her inevitably annoyed.

"Whatever. How you address me has nothing to do with me."

She turned to leave but was pulled back when Marco grasped her wrist, though perhaps fearing Elena's anger, he released it immediately.

Then he spoke with warmth in his voice: "You're injured. I'll drive you to the hospital for a checkup. I'll have David tow the car back for inspection, and when it's repaired, we'll send it back to you."

Mentioning the hospital, Elena suddenly remembered the young man who had been beaten for helping her. He had sustained quite a few scattered injuries, but looking around, he was nowhere to be seen.

He must have quietly left during the commotion.

David was still trying to persuade: "Yes, Madam, when cars have accidents, internal parts can easily malfunction and cause accidents. I'll tow it to the dealership for inspection first, then send it back to you when it's done."

Elena lowered her eyes, thinking about that young man. She hadn't even had a chance to say thank you before he disappeared. Hearing these words, her tone carried some irritation: "I said it's not necessary!"

David was stunned. Elena came to her senses, her expression changing slightly: "Sorry. But Marco and I are already divorced. If you truly respect me, you should know how to address me."

Her words left David speechless, while Marco beside her immediately followed, his expression becoming increasingly difficult, a flash of hurt emotion crossing his dark eyes before disappearing.

Elena was too lazy to stay any longer. The matter had been resolved by Marco, but she didn't even want to express a word of thanks, because without Marco, she could have handled it herself. He had just simplified things, but she was no longer in a hurry.

She decided to return to the company and think of other solutions. She pulled open the car door, but before she could sit inside, a hand reached over and stopped her movement.

Elena looked up to meet the man's unfathomably deep dark eyes, her expression indifferent: "Does Mr. Moretti have other business?"

Marco's Adam's apple bobbed up and down as he maintained a calm expression on his face. He stared intently at the woman's face and her distant, almost coldly resolute attitude, his fingertips trembling slightly.

"I'll have David help you get the car repaired. You can't drive this car anymore."

Although this accident was so minor that passersby might not even notice it, better safe than sorry.

Elena met his gaze while David couldn't help wiping sweat from his face, exchanging glances with Angelo, both tormented by this atmosphere.

After a long moment, Elena chose to compromise. There was no point in continuing to argue with Marco about whether to drive the car or not. Once he made up his mind about something, who could resist?

She said: "I'll take a taxi."

But before she could hail a cab, the man's hands reached out, pressing tightly against the car, his arms forming a circle that surrounded Elena, making it impossible for her to move.

Marco was struggling, his heart being torn apart. After what seemed like an eternity, he said calmly: "Elena, you're injured. Let's go to the hospital, okay?"

"No." Elena answered thus. She looked at the wound on her palm, which had already healed - it just had blood and dust mixed in, making it look frightening.

She found it boring. In the past, Marco wouldn't even bother to frown when she got scratched, yet now he was blocking her on the street over this trivial matter.

Was it really for her wound, or did he just want to spend time alone with her and develop their relationship further?

Elena was too lazy to expose this but also didn't want to comply with him. "The wound has already healed. Just washing it will be fine. Is wasting public resources interesting to you? Move aside, I want to go back."

She pushed against Marco's chest, but he didn't budge an inch, making her angry: "Marco! What exactly do you want to do!"

"Go to the hospital for a comprehensive checkup." Marco met her eyes. "Elena, we've discussed this - no matter what, I want to ensure the safety of the child in your belly. Once the examination is over, I'll leave."

He insisted stubbornly. Elena stared at him for a long time before finally giving in.

She knew clearly that arguing with Marco about these things was useless. Once he became stubborn, he'd rather stay here for half a day.

He might be willing, but she couldn't stand it. She couldn't bear this man's gaze, couldn't bear his hesitation to speak, and his eyes constantly surrounding her as if trying to convey something.

This indescribable feeling - disgust? Hatred? Dislike?

In any case, work was pressing her so hard that she couldn't care about anything else.

Marco took the car keys from Angelo's hands and helped Elena into the passenger seat.

David scratched his head and moved closer to Angelo: "If you ask me, Madam's personality is really something - her heart is both ruthless and decisive. Without three to five years, Mr. Moretti probably won't be able to win her over."