He imagined partners noticing.
He imagined Chloe's father finally treating him as an equal.
When Chloe said:
“My dad bought his Bentley from Crown Meridian.”
Jason replied:
“Let's go Saturday.”
“To look?”
“Maybe buy.”
Chloe laughed.
“You're serious?”
Jason leaned back.
“I had a strong year.”
Her expression changed.
“You've been hiding money from me?”
Jason smiled.
“There are things I don't talk about.”
The lie thrilled her.
That night Jason called Crown Meridian.
Derek Sloan answered.
Jason spoke confidently.
“I'm interested in the Aurelius X-One.”
Derek almost laughed.
“The prototype?”
“Yes.”
“It's not officially listed.”
“Everything has a number.”
Derek liked that sentence.
They discussed private offers.
Then financing.
Jason asked about asset-backed structures.
Derek explained that certain lenders would consider high-net-worth portfolios.
Jason thought of Chloe's trust.
Months earlier Chloe had shared a financial planning folder with him while discussing real estate.
It contained summaries.
Trust holdings.
Portfolio values.
Jason still had access.
He told himself:
I'll ask her later.
He entered data.
Submitted a preliminary inquiry.
Requested expedited review.
He exaggerated income.
Used his employer.
Referenced Chloe's assets.
No signature.
No final loan.
In Jason's mind, that meant no crime.
Only preparation.
When Derek saw the trust value, his attitude transformed.
“Mr. Mercer, we can absolutely make something happen.”
Jason smiled.
For the first time in weeks, he felt powerful.
At 8:12 Saturday morning, Lily's phone rang.
Martin Vale.
“Morning.”
“Sorry to bother you.”
“What happened?”
“We have an issue with the X-One.”
She sat up.
“Damage?”
“No.”
“Then?”
“A financing inquiry.”
Lily frowned.
“It isn't for sale.”
“I know.”
“Who authorized financing?”
“Derek encouraged a preliminary application.”
Lily closed her eyes.
“Again.”
“Yes.”
“What's the issue?”
Martin hesitated.
“The applicant referenced third-party assets without completed authorization.”
“Compliance flagged it?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“And… there's something else.”
“What?”
“The applicant is Jason Mercer.”
Silence.
Martin knew enough about Lily's personal life not to continue.
Finally she said:
“Send only the compliance summary I'm legally permitted to review.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Minutes later Lily saw the name.
Jason Mercer.
Whitmore Family Trust.
Vanguard Capital.
Inflated compensation representation.
Collateral authorization incomplete.
She stared.
A strange combination of anger and sadness moved through her.
Jason had not changed.
He had escalated.
She called Martin.
“Freeze the application.”
“Already done.”
“Don't confront him.”
“Why?”
“I'm coming.”
Crown Meridian Motors resembled a museum.
Glass walls.
Black stone.
Soft lighting.
Machines worth more than houses.
At the center stood the X-One.
Jason arrived with Chloe at 11:18.
Derek greeted them as royalty.
“Mr. Mercer.”
They shook hands.
“Ms. Whitmore.”
“Chloe.”
Derek immediately noticed her bracelet.
Her purse.
Her confidence.
Money recognized money.
Or what it believed money looked like.
Jason loved the attention.
They reached the X-One.
Chloe whispered:
“Oh my God.”
Jason grinned.
“You like it?”
“You're seriously buying this?”
“If you want.”
Chloe kissed him.
Derek unlocked the display barrier.
A junior employee objected.
“Sir, the prototype isn't supposed—”
Derek dismissed him.
“They're qualified.”
Qualified.
Meaning wealthy enough.
Jason climbed inside.
Chloe took photos.
For a few glorious minutes, every lie felt true.
Then Lily walked in.
Jason saw her first.
His smile vanished.
Lily wore black trousers, a cream blouse, and the same type of simple coat she had always preferred.
Canvas bag.
No visible display of wealth.
Jason's first emotion was irritation.
Of all places.
Of all days.
Chloe followed his eyes.
“Who?”
Jason replied:
“No one.”
Lily heard.
Four years.
Hospital rooms.
Late-night studying.
Family dinners.
Promises.
No one.
She stopped beside the platform.
“Hello, Jason.”
Chloe frowned.
“You know her?”
“My ex.”
“Oh.”
That single sound carried everything.
Derek approached.
“Ma'am, this area is for clients.”
Lily looked at him.
“I am a client.”
“Are you looking for service?”
“No.”
“What can we help you with?”
“The X-One.”
Derek smiled condescendingly.
“This vehicle is valued above three million dollars.”
“I know.”
“We don't offer public test drives.”
“I know.”
Chloe crossed her arms.
“Jason, is she following you?”
Lily almost smiled.
“No.”
Jason climbed out.
“Lily, don't do this.”
“Do what?”
“Cause drama.”
“I came for my car.”
Derek laughed.
Jason froze slightly.
Chloe stared.
“What did she say?”
Derek interrupted.
“Ma'am, I need you to step away.”
Lily asked:
“Where is Martin Vale?”
“Our general manager doesn't meet random visitors.”
“Call him.”
“No.”
Lily removed her phone.
Derek reached for it.
His hand closed around her wrist.
Lily's voice changed.
“Take your hand off me.”
“Security!”
Then:
“MR. SLOAN!”
Martin Vale came rushing across the showroom.
Derek released Lily.
Martin ignored everyone else.
“Ms. Chen, are you hurt?”
“No.”
“I am extremely sorry.”
Jason stared.
“Why does he know you?”
Lily looked at him.
Martin answered.
“Because Ms. Chen is chairwoman of Novara Mobility.”
Jason blinked.
“So?”
Martin continued.
“Novara controls Aurelius Automotive.”
Chloe slowly turned.
Martin pointed toward the X-One.
“And Ms. Chen personally owns this prototype.”
Silence.
Jason looked at Lily.
Then the car.
Then Lily.
“No.”
Lily almost laughed.