“Charles would not tell a random walk-in to sit inside an X9.”
Ethan stopped.
Vanessa continued outside.
She approached the vehicle quickly.
Amara heard the footsteps before looking up.
Vanessa opened the door wider.
“Excuse me.”
Amara turned.
A blonde woman in a fitted navy suit stood outside.
Professional smile.
Angry eyes.
“Yes?”
“You need to get out.”
Amara paused.
Not because she misunderstood.
Because the command was delivered with such certainty.
“I’m sorry?”
“This vehicle is not open for public viewing.”
Amara glanced toward the steering wheel.
Then back.
“I know.”
“Then you understand why you shouldn't be sitting in it.”
Amara studied her.
“No.”
Vanessa blinked.
“No?”
“No, I don't understand.”
The answer unsettled her.
Most people apologized when corrected inside luxury spaces.
Even rich people.
Especially those used to smooth social interactions.
Vanessa leaned slightly closer.
“This is a privately commissioned limited-production vehicle.”
“Yes.”
“It is reserved for a client.”
“I know.”
“Then step out.”
Amara looked toward the dealership entrance.
Charles had not appeared yet.
She could resolve everything in ten seconds.
Show confirmation.
Give her name.
Open the electronic title.
But curiosity stopped her.
The same instinct that made Amara successful in negotiations.
Do not interrupt people when they are revealing themselves.
So she asked:
“Before I do, what exactly do you think is happening?”
Vanessa gave a short incredulous laugh.
“I think you saw an unlocked car and decided rules didn't apply.”
Amara looked at the brochure.
“Interesting.”
Vanessa’s eyes moved over her clothing.
That irritated Amara more than the words.
Not because Vanessa looked.
Everybody looked.
Because Amara recognized the calculation.
Cost.
Style.
Signals.
Belonging.
Vanessa reached inside.
“Give me that.”
She snatched the brochure from Amara’s hand.
Amara’s eyebrows rose.
Vanessa tossed it onto the pavement.
The glossy booklet landed open near the front wheel.
Ethan, now standing several yards behind them, visibly winced.
A young receptionist named Molly watched from inside.
Two customers had begun paying attention.
Amara slowly removed her sunglasses.
Vanessa saw her face clearly.
Still no recognition.
Good.
“Was that necessary?”
Amara asked.
Vanessa crossed her arms.
“What’s necessary is protecting an eight-hundred-thousand-dollar vehicle from people who treat private inventory like a public attraction.”
Amara looked toward the showroom.
“Eight hundred?”
Vanessa smiled in a way that said exactly.
“More, depending on configuration.”
Amara nodded.
“Mine was more.”
Vanessa stared.
Then laughed.
“Your what?”
Amara opened the door fully.
She stepped out.
“Nothing.”
Vanessa watched her heels touch the pavement.
For half a second, the clothes complicated her assumptions.
The coat was clearly designer.
The handbag expensive.
But Vanessa had spent years telling herself clothing alone proved nothing.