I was getting my car serviced at my cousin Daniel Miller’s auto club. Once they were done, I told the staff, “Charge it to my cousin’s account.” A staff member nodded, ready to process, but a strange female manager stepped in and stopped him. “We don’t do tabs here. Payment must be settled on the spot.” With that, she *slapped* the bill down in front of me. Supreme Fine Diagnostic Fee: $80,000 Exhaust System Acoustic Enhancement: $100,000 Engine Spiritual Balance Calibration: $100,000 Total: $280,000. I almost burst out laughing. When did my cousin start running a scam operation? The female manager, Vanessa Reed, folded her arms across her chest, scrutinizing me with disdain. “I’ve seen plenty of freeloaders like you, always trying to exploit family connections. Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not if you don’t have the money.” Without a word, I pulled out my phone and dialed my cousin. “You have ten minutes to get her out of here, or your club won’t be in business much longer.”
“Alex, is there… some kind of misunderstanding?” On the other end, Daniel Miller’s voice was laced with guilt and panic. “Misunderstanding?” My voice instantly chilled. “Do I look like an idiot to you? I’m not calling to discuss, I’m calling to inform you. Deal with your staff, immediately!” Daniel seemed stunned by my tone. He quickly tried to smooth things over: “Alex, don’t get mad. Just put Vanessa Reed on the phone. I’ll personally ask her what’s going on.” I snorted and handed the phone to Vanessa. She pouted, reluctantly taking the call. “Didn’t I tell you already? You need to cut ties with these poor relatives. They just use your name to line their pockets. This time, it’s even worse; he wants to skip out on the bill after a full service.” Daniel seemed to be explaining something on the phone, but Vanessa didn’t give him a chance to finish. “Alright, stop. I know you’re soft-hearted and worried about family ties, always hesitant. But today, I’ll be the bad guy!” She hung up, tossing the phone back to me, her chin held high. “Hear that? Danny’s too busy for your pathetic drama. Stop stalling. It’s $280,500 total, but I’ll round it down for you. Just $280,000!” “Cash, card, or bank transfer? Hurry up, or I’ll call security to escort you out!” Vanessa deliberately emphasized “escort,” her threat clear. Vanessa’s audacity and stupidity almost made me laugh again. In all these years, no one had dared to be so arrogant in front of me. Just then, the VIP room door swung open, and Daniel rushed in. He jogged over, a fake smile plastered on his face. “Oh, Alex, what a mess this is. Vanessa, you know, she just takes things too seriously. Don’t take it personally.” Before I could speak, Vanessa exploded, as if I’d just stepped on her tail. “Danny, wasn’t I doing this for your own good? Are you happy letting some broke wannabe use your name to take advantage and ruin your business?” Vanessa shook Daniel’s arm, not forgetting to shoot me a provocative look. Seeing this, I’d be an idiot not to understand. I wondered why a mere manager like Vanessa Reed dared to be so arrogant; turns out she had a backer. As if to confirm my suspicions, Daniel forced a smile and started playing the victim. “Alex, Vanessa is my girlfriend. We’re getting engaged next month. We’ll be family soon, we’ll always be seeing each other, so how about I just pay for this?” “No need!” I refused coldly. Daniel’s attitude chilled me to the bone. If I hadn’t taken pity on him because we were family, he’d still be struggling to find a stable job. The design, renovation, operational plans, network resources, even the initial capital for this auto club—I provided all of it from behind the scenes. I just didn’t step forward personally back then, out of consideration for his ego, so he had no idea I was the real boss. But now, for this brainless, malicious woman, he was actually going to argue with me. If that’s how it was, I had no reason to hold back.
$280,000? That’s less than what I spend on an average day. What truly infuriated me wasn’t the money, but Daniel’s revolting ingratitude! “The money, I can pay!” The moment I spoke, Vanessa’s face lit up with a triumphant, victorious smile. Daniel visibly relaxed, as if the matter was finally over. “But…” I sharply changed my tone, my voice suddenly rising. “You’ll have to explain this $280,000 bill clearly, item by item, every single charge!” Vanessa immediately pulled out a pre-prepared bill and read it aloud with a tone of boastful sarcasm. “First, the Supreme Fine Diagnostic Fee. Our club uses genuine German imported analyzers, and our experts, all with ‘International Artisan Certifications,’ spend three hours on each inspection. The diagnostic fee is naturally charged at international standards.” “Also, your car’s exhaust system had an anomaly affecting its acoustic aesthetics. We performed an ‘Italian Opera Tenor Resonating Chamber’ style upgrade, making the exhaust sound like Pavarotti’s voice—rich, powerful, and significantly enhancing its value.” I almost thought I misheard her. The three business partners who accompanied me twitched their mouths in disbelief. Even Daniel awkwardly lowered his head. Yet, she wasn’t finished. Vanessa’s claims grew even more preposterous. “Finally, our technicians discovered your car’s turbocharger lacked dynamic balance. This isn’t a common issue; it required a Swiss vacuum-environment precision calibrator, with remote guidance from headquarters experts, for a spiritual dynamic balance calibration to ensure perfect soul-level synergy between the turbo and engine.” “What is this called? It’s called exclusive, top-tier service, understand?” “In short, at the Haitian Auto Club, our prices are clearly marked, and we never scam anyone. It’s simply that you’re too unsophisticated, too sheltered, and that’s why you’re making such a fuss!” Her last sentence was dripping with obvious contempt and humiliation. My friend Mr. Jenkins couldn’t take it anymore. He stood up, trying to defuse the tension. “Mr. Thorne, it’s getting late. Why don’t we leave first? I’ll cover the bill.” I raised a hand, firmly stopping him. What had transpired wasn’t about money anymore. I had brought my business partners here to introduce Daniel to my network and get my car serviced. Who knew I’d be publicly humiliated by Vanessa? Forcing down my rage, I turned to my three business partners and apologized sincerely. “My deepest apologies for making you witness such a ridiculous scene and ruining your evening. To make amends, I’ll book out ‘The Zenith Club’ this Saturday and host a new banquet for all of you.” Almost immediately after I finished speaking, my friends’ phones chimed, receiving booking confirmations and notifications from “The Zenith Club.” Mr. Jenkins, who had just offered to pay my bill, now had a look of shock and excitement plastered on his face. Although they were all successful business owners, they weren’t exactly top-tier players in the truly exclusive circles. “The Zenith Club” was a legendary, private club where big bosses gathered, never open to the public. You couldn’t get in with money alone; you needed serious connections. And I had just secured it with a single message. In that moment, any lingering doubt they had about me completely vanished. Their eyes, as they looked at me, now held a clear sense of respect. I walked my friends to the club’s main entrance and watched their cars drive away. It wasn’t until their taillights disappeared that the smile vanished from my face, replaced by an icy coldness. I turned around, ready to go back and clean house. But Vanessa Reed, with two tall security guards, blocked the lobby entrance. “Stop right there!” Vanessa shrieked, pointing her finger at my nose and cursing. “Trying to sneak away? Not a chance! You’re not taking another step out that door until you pay up!” The two security guards moved forward in response, menacingly surrounding me. I stopped, silently watching this absurd scene. At the entrance of my own establishment, I was being blocked and demanded to pay a debt that shouldn’t even exist. It was utterly laughable.
At the club’s entrance, Vanessa’s shrill voice attracted numerous customers in the lobby, who stopped to watch. They peered curiously, their looks of disdain undisguised as they fell upon me. It was as if I truly were a scoundrel trying to skip out on a bill. “Someone trying to skip out at Haitian Auto Club? Must have a death wish!” “Tsk, tsk, dressed so nicely, but doing something so disgraceful…” “If you can’t afford Haitian, don’t come. How embarrassing.” Being publicly shamed like this, having fingers pointed at me, sent a surge of fury straight to my head. Daniel, standing nearby, was pale, cold sweat beading on his forehead. “Vanessa… maybe we should just drop it…” He tugged at Vanessa’s sleeve, his voice weak, seemingly trying to persuade her not to push things too far. Vanessa glared at him, her eyes wide. “Daniel, can’t you grow a spine? The money’s almost in our hands, and you want to give it back? Should we keep teaching these poor relatives a lesson again and again?” Daniel trembled, swallowed the words he was about to say, and shrank back, daring not to speak again. His spineless demeanor ignited my anger further, cementing my complete disappointment in him. With a cold expression, I pulled out my phone and called my assistant. “Chris, grab fifty thousand in cash from the car and bring it to the main entrance immediately.” Before long, Chris, my assistant, swiftly approached, carrying a heavy silver suitcase. I motioned for him to open it. With a *click*, the lid sprang open, revealing stacks of hundred-dollar bills neatly arranged inside—a powerful visual impact. A collective gasp instantly rose from the crowd, and all chatter ceased. Vanessa’s eyes went wide! She clearly hadn’t expected that I, her so-called “poor relative,” could so casually produce $500,000 in cash. “I should’ve said a million! What a missed opportunity!” Vanessa mumbled, her eyes darting around, as if she’d missed out on millions. Gazing at the cash in the suitcase, Vanessa unconsciously swallowed, her breathing quickening. She reached out, intending to close the case. “Consider yourself smart. $280,000 here will settle the maintenance service. The extra $220,000 is for the severe damage you’ve done to our club’s reputation—consider it a compensation for emotional distress!” “Wait.” I placed my hand on the lid, stopping her. Vanessa instantly grew wary: “What? Trying to back out?” “You can take the money.” I stared at her, my gaze sharp. “But you have to sign a receipt, clear in black and white.” Daniel, beside her, suddenly jolted, finally realizing that the situation had spiraled beyond his control. He frantically stepped forward, grabbing Vanessa’s arm, his voice pleading: “Vanessa, you can’t sign it! We can’t take this money! Give it back to Alex!” “Get lost, you pathetic excuse for a man!” Vanessa flung him away, glaring at him with disgust. “Money in hand, and you want to spit it out? Why would I give it back? He owes it! I’ll sign it, so no one can deny it. It’s settled, cash for services.” She was blinded by greed, completely deaf to any advice. Snatching a pen and paper from a nearby staff member, she signed “Vanessa Reed” with a flourish without a second thought, even pressing her red fingerprint. “Here!” She threw the receipt at me, then eagerly snapped the case shut and clutched it tightly. “Honey, see? I told you I had skills! $500,000! This money is all mine for my personal stash! I’ve been eyeing that limited edition Hermès bag, but I never splurged. Now I can finally get it!” Vanessa gushed, linking arms with Daniel, her voice sickeningly sweet. She was completely immersed in the euphoria of undeserved wealth and the anticipation of luxury goods, her face radiant with happiness. Just as Vanessa was pulling Daniel away, the screech of tires echoed from outside the entrance. Three pure black business vans, emblazoned with the Haitian Group emblem, pulled up to the entrance.
The doors swiftly opened. Seven or eight grim-faced men and women in dark suits stepped out, their movements precise and confident as they strode toward the showroom entrance. Each wore a subtle, elegant badge on their lapel – the exclusive emblem of the Haitian Group. Leading them was a stern-faced middle-aged man with sharp eyes, radiating an unquestionable aura of authority. This was Director Thompson, Head of the Inspection Department. Director Thompson’s appearance made the onlookers and employees in the showroom instantly sober up, their faces paling. Employees instinctively straightened their postures. An invisible tension and suppression filled the air. Director Thompson ignored everyone in his path. His gaze swept quickly across the showroom, finally locking onto me. He swiftly moved through the crowd, heading directly to me, and bowed slightly. “Mr. Thorne, Director Thompson, Head of the Haitian Group’s Inspection Department, reporting for duty with my team.” “Mr. Thor… Mr. Thorne?!” A collective gasp filled the air. Daniel heard the title, then saw Director Thompson’s utterly deferential attitude. His mind buzzed, and a sense of foreboding washed over him. Vanessa also froze, her mind unable to process it. She angrily pointed at Director Thompson and shrieked: “Who are you people? Who let you in?!” Director Thompson paid no attention to the flailing Vanessa. He turned to face the entire room, his voice loud and clear. “By the highest directive from Haitian Group Headquarters, effective immediately, we are initiating a Level One Audit and Operations Compliance Raid on the Jiangcheng branch of the Haitian Auto Club!” “All accounts, systems, and vehicles are to be sealed for investigation. All relevant personnel, please cooperate with our inquiry!” Highest directive! Level One Audit! Surprise Inspection! Every word hit Daniel like a heavy hammer to his chest. His legs turned to jelly; he could barely stand. Cold sweat instantly drenched his back. Why would Headquarters suddenly conduct an audit? Vanessa, at this point, still hadn’t grasped the severity of the situation. She sneered. “What a load of rubbish, ‘Inspection Department.’ Don’t pretend to be important. I bet Mr. Thorne hired you actors! You’re pretty good at it, but you won’t scare me!” She dramatically yelled, trying to assert control. “This isn’t a place for your nonsense. Security! Security! Are you all dead? Get them out of here!” However, the security guards behind her exchanged glances, their feet rooted to the spot. Their faces showed hesitation and awe. They had seen Headquarters’ inspection team before. Director Thompson had even visited once during the opening. Although he was always polite during previous inspections and training, his unspoken authority had deeply impressed them. This time, the Inspection Department clearly meant business. Who would dare lay a hand on them? Vanessa saw that she couldn’t even command the security guards and instantly became furious. “You useless good-for-nothings! What do I pay you for? Move it now! I’ll take responsibility if anything goes wrong!” Daniel was terrified. He yanked Vanessa’s arm, his voice trembling. “Stop yelling! They’re really from Headquarters’ Inspection Department! This has really blown up now!” Vanessa flinched, the rest of her words catching in her throat. At that moment, she finally realized the situation was far more serious than she’d imagined. But, like an arrow shot from a bow, there was no turning back. Even so, she still forced herself to act calm, sticking her neck out. “Che… inspection? What right do you have to inspect? Do you have a document? Let me see it!” Director Thompson scoffed, took a document from his assistant, and displayed it directly in front of Vanessa and Daniel. It was clearly an investigation letter issued by the Group CEO’s office, with a distinct red seal. “Before the full audit begins, Manager Reed, we need to discuss the legality of the $500,000 you currently hold.” Director Thompson waved his hand, and an assistant brought over a tablet. The screen displayed a scanned copy of the receipt Vanessa had signed. “Ms. Reed, according to the payment confirmation form you personally signed, you collected $500,000 cash from Mr. Thorne, under the names of Supreme Fine Diagnostic Fee, Exhaust System Acoustic Enhancement, Engine Spiritual Balance Calibration, and compensation for emotional distress.”
🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298889”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic
Leave a Reply