From Ashes to Eminence

Chapter 9. Loud Mouth and Bounty

The next morning, Ethan dropped Emily off at Kids Haven daycare.

"Have a great day, baby girl!" Ethan said, kissing Emily's forehead.

At the car dealership, "Luxury Rides," Ethan was greeted by a polished salesman.

"Welcome, sir! I'm Ryan. How can I assist you today?"

Ethan smiled.

"I'm looking for a new car. Show me what you have."

Ryan's eyes sparkled.

"Right this way, sir."

As they toured the showroom, Ryan showcased various models.

Ethan remained unimpressed.

None of the cars captivated him.

Ryan noticed Ethan's discerning taste.

"Perhaps something more... exclusive?" Ryan hinted.

Ethan's eyes locked onto Ryan.

"Show me the exotic cars," Ethan said.

"The ones only the truly wealthy can afford."

Ryan's gaze swept Ethan's attire.

A simple yet elegant watch, quality shoes.

Ryan's expression changed.

From skepticism to curiosity.

"Follow me, sir."

Ryan led Ethan to a secluded section.

A glass-enclosed showroom for the elite.

«Ding! Host's refined taste has increased by 15%.»

Ethan's eyes widened.

A Lamborghini Veneno. A Ferrari Pininfarina Sergio. A Bugatti La Voiture Noire.

A sad smile played on Ryan's lips. Perhaps this guy was just a country bum as he thought, in the end, he might just buy a second hand Beetle.

"These are our crown jewels." Ryan said.

Ethan's gaze drifted past the showcased models.

Something caught his attention. A car, shrouded in mystery, with a sheet covering it.

Ethan turned to Ryan.

"What's under the sheet?" Ethan asked.

Ryan's expression turned solemn. "That, sir, is a limited edition. The only model of its kind."

Ethan's curiosity piqued.

"Why is it covered?" Ethan asked.

Ryan sighed. "Because no one can afford it."

Ethan's eyes locked onto the covered car.

"Show me," Ethan said.

Ryan hesitated, then removed the sheet. A golden Lamborghini Veneno Roadster gleamed. Its golden exterior shimmered in the light. Ethan's breath caught.

«Ding! Mission Notification:

Host has to purchase the golden Lamborghini Veneno Roadster regardless of price.

Reward: $20,000,000"

Bonus: Exclusive Social Status.»

Ethan's determination solidified.

"What's the price?" Ethan asked.

Ryan's voice trembled. "We weren't planning to sell it. But if you're interested... $15 million."

Ethan's eyes locked onto the car. He had already fallen in love with the car, and even without the mandate of the system, he would have bought it regardless.

"I'll take this one. Get the paperwork ready. I'll pay by transfer." Ethan said and turned around.

"S..sir, you're serious!? Not even the Young Master of the Ozilla family could afford it, he bought a golden BMW X7 instead which had cost $7 million.."

Ethan walked back to the receptionist table while the dealer kept on rambling out of excitement. Ethan had to place a hand on his shoulder to calm him.

"I apologise for being so excited Sir, I will get everything ready Sir. Do you have a driver's license?" The dealer asked. Ethan frowned as he had forgotten that he needed a driver's license to even drive his car. The dealer saw the frown and thought he had offended this rich customer of his. He immediately played the role of a mediator.

"I'm so sorry for asking Sir, I will handle everything." He said and rushed upstairs to his office.

Ethan was perplexed, what did he mean by 'handle everything'? Just as he was about to call out to the dealer, the door opened and a couple walked in. He turned around to see who it is.

"Oh my, if it isn't Ethan Noah? Oh forgive me, you go by Ethan Wright now." A feminine voice spoke in utter ridicule. Ethan had seen who it was. Caitlyn Evans, they attended the same College together, she had once sent him a love letter, but he sent her an apology letter instead, telling her he was in love with someone else and not interested in her.. at that time, he was dating Sarah.

"I didn't fancy seeing a Big family reject here. What gives?" The man beside her said with a smirk on his face.

"He must be working here, right Ethan?" Caitlyn said with feigned sympathy, then she turned to Ethan.

"We're here to buy a car for me." Caitlyn said with a smile.

"The school reunion is coming up in tomorrow, I'm sure you don't know about it, and well, my sweet Tony here decided it's best I go in my own car." Caitlyn said as she held the young man's hand in a romantic way.

"Oh, and by the way, he is the Scion of the Von Blake family, not a reject like you." Then she turned to the young man who had a smug on his face as he received the praise.

"Darling, I don't want to buy the car from this place, let's go somewhere else, we might get infected from his reject syndrome." Caitlyn said to the young man who nodded. Just as they were about to exit the door. Caitlyn turned to Ethan.

"The reunion is being held in 'Perch Hotels and Suites', time is 8pm, be sure to come, it's not often one falls so far from grace. We'd love to learn a lot from your predicament." Caitlyn said and then walked out.

Ethan had kept a calm demeanor all through the fiasco. He had seen the hidden details that the loud mouth Caitlyn couldn't.. the young man whom Caitlyn was doting on had a grimace on his face when Caitlyn had hugged his arm. From that, Ethan could see that the young man had no feelings for Caitlyn and she was just there to warm his bed.

Sigh!

"Do I really have to attend such a pretentious gathering?" Ethan thought and decided against it.

«Ding!

Compulsory Mission:

Host MUST attend the reunion. Host must turn up in the most fashionable way and shut the mouth of every tramp.

Reward: For every successful roasting, you get a $10,000 reward!

For every cool act, you get a $50,000 reward!

For every thousand dollars spent at the reunion, you get a $100,000 reward!

For a successful fashion turnup, you get a $100,000!

Finally, if Host succeed in putting Caitlyn Evans in her place, Host will get a $5,000,000!

Failure: Deduction of $15,000,000»

"Holy Moly!" Ethan almost shouted. If he didn't know the system was just an AI, he would have said the system was pissed at Caitlyn for what she just did. It's like the system was putting a five million dollar bounty on Caitlyn's head, and Ethan was the bounty hunter.

"A minute of silence for our dear Caitlyn." Ethan said in a sarcastic manner. At the moment the dealer came down with a stack of documents in his hand.

"My apologies Sir, I had to cross-check and make sure everything was in order." He said and placed the documents on the table in front of Ethan.

"The car documents and your driver's license is all in here. I just need your signature here, here, and here. And your name here." The dealer said while pointing at the numerous places for Ethan to sign.

Ethan was grateful, he didn't have a driver's license as his father had seen it fit not to let him own a car.

'So that's what he meant by handling everything, he must have read through my thoughts.' Ethan thought to himself.

"Thank you very much. I will like to make the payment now." Ethan said and brought out his phone, he typed in the account number and transfered the money. The dealer got an alert instantly, but widened his eyes as he looked at Ethan.

"The extra million dollar is for your help in the other matter. Thank you once again." Ethan said and then strolled towards the car with the documents and key in hand, leaving the dealer gaping at him.

«Ding!

Congratulations to Host on completing the mission. Host has been awarded $20,000,000 and Exclusive Social Status.»

Ethan smiled.

"Now, let's prepare for the bombastic reunion." Ethan said with a smile as he got into the car and drove off.