Chapter 8- Invitation! (Part 2)

Daniel stood outside LuxAuto, the city's top luxury car dealership. The building was a sleek, modern structure with glass windows and chrome accents. Inside, the showroom gleamed with high-end vehicles, each polished to perfection. Daniel was focused on finding a special birthday gift for Ava, something to replace her old cab rides.

He checked his phone for any updates from Priya about the mysterious gala invitation from last night but found none. Pushing aside his worries, he concentrated on making Ava’s birthday memorable.

As he entered the dealership, he noticed Barry chatting with a short, bald-headed man. Barry’s eyes narrowed when he saw Daniel.

“Look who’s here,” Barry said with a sneer. “Come to beg for a discount?”

Daniel looked Barry in the eye. “Actually, I’m here to buy a car.”

Barry’s grin widened. “Oh, really? Do you even have the budget for one of our cars? Or are you just wasting our time?”

Ignoring Barry’s mockery, Daniel turned to the bald man. “I’m interested in your most expensive car.”

Barry’s face lit up with amusement. “Now you’re talking big. Let’s see if you can handle the price tags.”

The bald man looked at Daniel, then at Barry, sensing the tension. “We have a few top models,” he said. “The most expensive are the 2024 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport, the Rolls-Royce Phantom, and the Ferrari SF90 Stradale.”

Barry chuckled. “I hope you’re not planning to waste our time. I doubt you can afford any of these.”

Daniel ignored Barry and addressed the bald man. “How much is the Chiron Super Sport?”

The bald man’s eyes widened. “The Chiron starts at $3 million.”

Barry laughed derisively. “I knew it. You probably don’t even have a fraction of that. Why don’t you go home and dream?”

The bald man glanced at Daniel, then back at Barry. He began explaining the car’s details and the purchase process. Barry’s smirk grew as he enjoyed the spectacle.

Daniel remained composed. After the bald man finished, Daniel pulled out a platinum credit card and handed it over with a confident smile. “Let’s get this done.”

The bald man’s hand shook slightly as he examined the card. He looked up, astonished. “This… this is a platinum card. People who have these usually have millions in their accounts. How did you—”

Barry’s face twisted with suspicion. “Did you steal that card, Daniel? Or are you scamming someone?”

Daniel kept his expression neutral. “It’s real. I’m here to buy a car, not to explain myself.”

Barry’s smirk turned into a sneer. “Oh, of course. Because you clearly have $3 million to spend. Maybe anyone can find a platinum card lying around.”

The bald man, still stunned, cleared his throat. “I need to verify this card before we proceed. Please wait here.”

Barry’s eyes followed the bald man as he walked to an office. “You know,” Barry said to Daniel, “if you could afford that car, maybe you’d have a better suit too.”

Daniel ignored the comment and focused on the bald man, who returned after a few tense minutes. His face was a mix of surprise and respect. “Mr. Daniel, I’ve confirmed the card is legitimate. The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport is yours.”

Barry’s jaw dropped. His earlier confidence was replaced by shock. He watched as Daniel gave a satisfied nod.

The bald man extended his hand to Daniel. “We’ll start with the paperwork. Thank you for your patience.”

Daniel shook the man’s hand, still smiling. “Thank you. I appreciate your help.”

As Daniel wrapped up the paperwork for the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport, his phone rang. Excusing himself, he stepped outside the dealership, his mind still racing from the unexpected turn of events. The cool air was a welcome change from the showroom’s climate-controlled environment.

He answered the call. “Priya, what’s the update?”

“Daniel, I traced the call,” Priya said, her voice serious. “It came from your grandfather. He’s the one who sent the invitation to the gala.”

Daniel’s expression darkened. “What’s he playing at? Why involve Ava in this?”

Barry, still inside the dealership, stared at Daniel through the glass doors, his frown deepening. He couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to Daniel than met the eye. The sight of Daniel buying a car worth millions only intensified his suspicion.

Daniel ended the call and turned his attention to the sleek Bugatti parked outside.

As Daniel approached the Bugatti, Chen, his personal assistant, stepped forward. “Good morning, Young Master.”

Daniel’s eyes narrowed. “Chen, how many times do I have to tell you to stop watching over me?”

Chen looked apologetic. “I’m sorry, Young Master. I was informed to check on the purchase. Your grandfather saw the debit for the car and wanted to know why you’re spending so much on a woman.”

Daniel’s face hardened. “It’s none of their business. It’s my money, and I’ll spend it how I see fit.”

Chen nodded, clearly uncomfortable. “I understand. I’m sorry for the intrusion.”

Daniel’s frustration was clear. “Why did my grandfather send those invitations to Ava?”

Chen hesitated before answering. “Your grandfather wants to reveal your true identity to everyone. He believes that if he shows who you really are, he’ll get you back into the family business.”

Daniel’s eyes widened. “So he’s trying to sabotage my plans. Ava can’t know about this. It would ruin everything.”

Chen shifted uneasily. “It’s not just Ava. Your grandfather sent invitations to everyone in the city.”

Daniel’s face tightened with worry. “Everyone? This could ruin everything I’ve worked for.”