Chapter 96

Chapter 96

Ethan didn't move. "No need to go in. Say it here."

Eric nodded quickly. "Okay, sure."

Amy finally snapped back to reality and hurried over with her tablet, her voice still a little shaky. "Sir, for a lady's daily commute, both the Audi A4 and Q5 would work well. If you want more space and a higher seating position, the Q5 would be more comfortable — the rear seats are roomier too, which makes it easier when you're out with kids or running errands."

"What about colors?" Ethan asked.

"The standard options are black, white, and gray. Today we have the most stock in white and gray."

Ethan thought for a moment. "Q5 in gray."

"Got it." Amy quickly noted it down.

"Second car — seven-seater. Do you have one in stock?"

"Yes, we do," Amy said quickly. "If it's for family use or taking kids out, the Q7 would be a better fit, though the price is higher."

"Doesn't matter," Ethan said. "As long as you have it in stock."

At those words, Sophia nearly lost her grip on her bag.

The unease she'd been feeling had grown into something much harder to ignore. At first, she'd assumed Ethan was just here to show off, riding on whatever had happened in the South District last night. But now she was starting to think she'd read him completely wrong.

Sloane stood to the side, her face drained of color. After all her years in this business, she knew how to read people — and that was exactly why she understood just how badly she'd misjudged this one. Someone who couldn't actually afford it wouldn't be standing here without even bothering to ask about the price, and certainly wouldn't be this unbothered in a situation like this.

Ethan looked at Amy. "The commission goes to you."

Amy looked up, almost unable to believe it. "Both cars? Both go to me?"

"Is that a problem?"

"No — no, not at all." She shook her head quickly, her face flushing red. The panic in her eyes gave way to joy she couldn't hold back.

Eric felt the tension in his chest ease a little. As long as Ethan was still willing to buy here, the situation hadn't completely fallen apart — there was still a chance to salvage something.

He turned and gave the order immediately. "Run the paperwork through the priority channel. This gentleman needs to drive out today."

"Yes, right away." The staff responded at once, and no one dared to slack off for even a second.

Sophia stood where she was, and finally couldn't hold back any longer. "Ethan, where did you get the money?"

Ethan glanced at her then. It was a brief, flat look, but it sent a chill straight through her.

"None of your business."

"You—" Sophia bit down on her teeth, refusing to back off. "Don't forget, you couldn't even afford the kids' medical bills before—"

She never finished the sentence. Ethan had already taken one step forward. Just one step, and Sophia's back went rigid without her even realizing it.

In an instant, her mind flashed back to last night at Vertex Holdings Group — the chaos, and the figure standing in front of the crowd that no one dared to stop. The resemblance hit her like a weight.

Ethan looked at her, his voice low but pressing down on her word by word. "I've already warned you once — stop using the kids as a weapon."

"If you can't remember that, I can make sure you remember it for a lot longer."

Sophia's face went white. She opened her mouth, but the words wouldn't come out.

Eric stepped in right away. "Sophia, if you're still here to look at cars, I'll arrange a different sales associate for you. If not, I'll have someone show you out."

The message was clear. She was in the way, and it was time to go.

Sophia had never been treated like this here, not once. But right now, every word was stuck in her throat. She looked at Ethan, then at Eric, then at the faces around her — all of them shifted. And she finally understood: the longer she stayed, the worse it would get for her.

She clenched her jaw and forced out, "Fine. Don't think this is over."

Then she turned and walked out, her heels striking the floor hard and fast, the embarrassment in her stride impossible to hide.

Once she was gone, the tension in the showroom finally started to lift.

Eric wiped the corner of his forehead and said with an apologetic smile, "Sir, I'm truly sorry you had to see that."

"When can I take the car?" Ethan asked, getting straight to the point.

"The gray Q5 is ready today. The Q7 just needs a final prep — two hours at most," Eric answered quickly. "If you're in a hurry, we can hand over the Q5 now, and I'll personally deliver the other one to you."

Ethan nodded. "That works."

The paperwork went through fast — so fast that Amy felt like she was dreaming. It was her first day, and she'd nearly been chewed out for almost turning a customer away. Then, out of nowhere, she'd closed two cars, both full payment, both under her name. She'd heard stories like this from other people, but never thought it would actually happen to her.

When the key was handed over, her hands were still trembling slightly. "Sir, the Q5 is ready. Feel free to take it for a look — if there's anything you'd like adjusted, just let me know."

Ethan took the key, but his eyes rested on the gray car for a few seconds. He wasn't really looking at the car itself. He was thinking about Lena — about whether having this would make things a little easier for her when she left Vertex Holdings Group. At least she wouldn't have to worry about being followed anymore, and the kids wouldn't have to squeeze into one car.

That thought softened something in his expression.

Eric ventured carefully, "Sir, would you like us to have someone deliver the car directly to wherever you'd like?"

"No need," Ethan said. "I'll drive it back myself."

He paused, then added, "The other one — deliver it to Vertex Holdings Group this afternoon."

Eric's heart jumped. He nodded right away. "Understood. I'll take it there personally."

The moment that address was spoken, the people nearby all felt a jolt. So that's where he's from. It was only now that everyone in the showroom truly understood. No wonder Eric had been so rattled. By now, everyone in the South District knew — last night, the place where everything changed was right outside Vertex Holdings Group.

Ethan didn't linger. He took the key and walked out. As he pulled out of the lot, his phone buzzed. A message from Jennifer. Just one line: "Lucas just called Lena away. His tone was off. Get back soon."

Ethan read it, and the coldness he'd pushed down came creeping back into his eyes. The Davis family still hadn't learned to stay in their lane.

He pocketed his phone and pressed down on the accelerator.

On the other side of town, the mood inside the Davis family home had hit rock bottom.

Lena stood in the doorway, looking at the old man with his back to her by the window. She was about to speak when Lucas turned around, his cane striking the floor with a sharp crack, his voice cold and heavy.

"Kneel."