The engine of the Porsche 918 Spyder roared like a beast waking up from a nap. The sound vibrated in Alex's chest.
"Mr. Alex," Sarah said, handing him the keys with both hands. She was bowing slightly. "Your temporary plates are attached. We will handle the registration. Is there anything else?"
"No," Alex said. He looked at Steven, who was still kneeling on the floor, pale as a ghost. "Just make sure he doesn't get a penny of this sale."
"Understood, sir!"
Alex got into the car. The leather seats felt incredible. He gripped the steering wheel. Suddenly, he heard a cracking sound.
He looked down. His fingers had left deep indentations in the leather steering wheel.
The +10 Strength, Alex realized. I barely touched it. The System really did make me stronger.
He took a deep breath, eased his grip, and tapped the gas pedal. The car shot forward, exiting the dealership and turning onto the main street.
Driving a 1.8 million dollar hypercar felt different. People on the sidewalk stopped walking. Phones came out to take pictures. Other cars moved out of his way out of fear.
Alex felt a strange sensation in his chest. Confidence. For the first time in his life, he didn't feel small.
He decided to drive back toward the city center to buy some clothes. He couldn't drive a Porsche wearing a $20 stained shirt.
As he stopped at a red light near the Star Café—the same place where he was dumped less than two hours ago—he heard a familiar, annoying honk.
HONK! HONK!
Alex looked in the rearview mirror. A white Porsche 911 was right behind him.
It was David.
Alex frowned. Of course. The world is small.
The light turned green. Alex didn't move immediately. He wanted to see what they would do.
David swerved his car around Alex, pulling up alongside him. He rolled down the window. Jessica was in the passenger seat, laughing.
"Hey! Nice car, buddy!" David yelled, leaning out. "Did you rent it for a wedding? Or are you just the valet parking boy?"
Jessica giggled. "David, don't be mean. Maybe he stole it."
David laughed. "Hey, valet boy! Look at me when I'm talking to—"
Alex pressed the button to roll down his tinted window.
The glass slid down slowly. Alex turned his head and looked David dead in the eyes.
David's laugh got stuck in his throat.
Jessica's eyes widened. She dropped her phone.
"A... Alex?" she stammered. Her voice cracked.
Silence. The only sound was the hum of the engines.
Alex looked at them. He saw the shock on their faces. Two hours ago, they looked at him like he was garbage. Now, they looked at him like he was a ghost.
"You..." David blinked, his face turning red. "What are you doing in that car? That's a 918 Spyder! It costs nearly two million! You can't even afford a bicycle!"
Alex rested his arm on the door. He looked calm. "So?"
"You stole it!" David screamed. He pointed a shaking finger at Alex. "You stole it! I'm calling the police right now! You're going to jail, you loser!"
"Alex," Jessica said, her voice trembling. She looked at the car, then at Alex's face. She saw the confidence. "Alex, tell the truth. Did you... did you win the lottery?"
Alex looked at Jessica. He felt nothing. No love. No sadness. Just pity.
"Jessica," Alex said coolly. "You said you wanted a rich man. You picked the wrong one."
"You—!" David was furious. He opened his car door to get out. "I'm going to drag you out of that car and beat you until the cops come!"
David was big. He went to the gym. He was used to bullying Alex.
He rushed toward Alex's door.
Alex didn't panic. He opened his door and stepped out.
David threw a punch at Alex's face. "Die, trash!"
In the past, Alex would have cowered. But now, with the +10 Strength, David's punch looked like it was moving in slow motion.
Alex casually raised his hand and caught David's fist.
THUD.
"What?" David's eyes bulged. He tried to pull his hand back, but Alex's grip was like an iron clamp. It didn't move.
"Let go!" David screamed. "You're breaking my hand!"
Alex tightened his grip slightly. CRACK.
"AAAAHHH!" David fell to his knees, screaming in pain.
"David!" Jessica shrieked.
Alex looked down at the rich heir kneeling in the middle of the street.
"Get out of my way," Alex said softly. He shoved David backward. David rolled onto the asphalt, clutching his hand.
Alex got back into his car, revved the engine, and sped away, leaving them in a cloud of exhaust.
[DING!]
[Hidden Mission Complete: Humiliate an Enemy.] [Reward: +5 Charm. +100 Tycoon Points.] [New Mission: The Tycoon's Wardrobe. Spend $500,000 on clothes.]