Chereads / The System of Prosperity: The Ring of Wisdom / Chapter 17 - Driven by Luxury

Chapter 17 - Driven by Luxury

Initially, the salesperson ignored him, assuming he was just there to browse. Lucien appeared youthful, and they had likely encountered similar situations before. Unperturbed, Lucien decided to approach the sales counter directly.

When the salesperson, Olivia, caught sight of Lucien's striking appearance, she was momentarily taken aback, finding herself staring at him in a brief moment of surprise. However, she quickly snapped out of her reverie upon realizing that he was looking at her.

Lucien, noticing her reaction, didn't seem to mind. He then politely addressed her, "Hey Olivia, I assume from your name card. I'm here to collect my car that was delivered here. It should have arrived by now, and I was wondering if you could assist me in locating it."

Olivia found herself pleasantly surprised, not only by Lucien's youthful appearance but also by his polite and professional demeanor. It was evident that he was here as a serious customer, ready to acquire a luxury car, despite his relatively young age. She inwardly praised her decision not to make assumptions or dismiss him when he first entered the dealership.

In a more formal and respectful tone, she asked, "May I inquire, sir, about the name or model of the car you are looking to collect? This information will allow me to check whether the car has already arrived."

Lucien, still maintaining his composed and unassuming manner, replied, "Certainly, it's the Maybach S-Class Ultimate Elegance Edition." His words were delivered with such a nonchalant air that Olivia briefly wondered if she had misheard. However, a glance at Lucien's resolute expression left no room for doubt.

With a nod, Olivia excused herself and promptly dialed her manager's number. She felt it was necessary to consult with her manager, given the exclusivity and rarity of the Maybach S-Class Ultimate Elegance Edition. Such a vehicle was not an everyday acquisition, and it warranted special attention and care.

When the manager finally answered the call, Olivia was so exhilarated and anxious to convey the situation that she found herself explaining the scenario all over again. Her excitement caused her to stumble over her words, and the manager initially struggled to grasp the details. However, once Olivia managed to make it clear that the person in question was the owner of the special edition Maybach S-Class, the manager abruptly ended the call and hurriedly left his office to personally greet this esteemed guest.

With the call concluded, Olivia cast a quick glance around the showroom and soon spotted the young man, who had made his way to examine the various cars on display. She swiftly headed in his direction, ready to provide any assistance he might require.

Lucien appeared completely engrossed in examining the assortment of high-end vehicles on display. While none of them had yet struck him as a must-buy, he couldn't deny that there were several impressive and expensive cars among the collection.

Olivia approached him, wearing a polite expression, and informed him, "Sir, the manager will be here shortly. In the meantime, if you have any questions about the cars on display, feel free to ask, and I'll do my best to provide you with comprehensive answers."

Lucien acknowledged her words with a nod, signaling that he understood, but he didn't pose any questions. He continued his leisurely perusal of the cars until his attention was drawn to a big-bellied middle-aged man making his way toward him, beads of sweat forming on the manager's forehead.

The big-bellied middle-aged man, Sebastian Anderson, came to a stop in front of Lucien and offered a slight bow of respect. In a polite and somewhat nervous tone, he introduced himself, "You must be Mr. Wilson, right? I'm Sebastian Anderson, the manager of this car dealership. I hope I didn't keep you waiting for too long."

Lucien responded with a relaxed composure, "Not at all, the wait was brief. I'd appreciate it if I could see my car now."

Sebastian nodded and pointed in a specific direction before taking the lead. As they made their way, he explained that Lucien's car was located on the private floor, reserved for the vehicles of the dealership's most esteemed clientele.

Lucien surmised that his car had likely been placed on the private floor both due to its unique special edition status and as a gesture to impress him, encouraging potential future business with the dealership.

It didn't take long before they arrived on the designated floor, and Lucien was immediately captivated by the sight that greeted him. The floor was adorned with a stunning array of luxurious cars, including special editions and other rare models. His gaze wandered across this automotive treasure trove, appreciating the exquisite craftsmanship and design of the vehicles.

However, his attention was quickly drawn to the gleaming Maybach, standing out even among the remarkable collection of cars. It was the object of his visit and the focus of his admiration.

The Maybach S-Class Ultimate Elegance Edition was a vision of timeless sophistication, boasting a Midnight Sapphire finish with a subtle metallic shimmer, Maybach's signature double-M emblem on the front grille, and 21-inch polished chrome alloy wheels.

Sebastian, the manager, began to explain its features. "The car's rear cabin features Swiveling Rear Executive Seats, which rotate 180 degrees and offer heating, cooling, and massage functions. It also has a Rear Entertainment Center with dual 12.3-inch screens for various entertainment options, a Rear Champagne Cooler with crystal flutes and fine champagne, a Maybach Perfume Atomizer for a custom fragrance experience, and a Refrigerator for chilled refreshments. Additionally, the car features a Burmester 3D High-End Surround Sound System with 3D sound and 27 high-performance speakers."

Inside the cabin, handcrafted Nappa leather seats in Cream Puff color were complemented by Burl Walnut wood trim and polished aluminum accents, along with an Alcantara-finished headliner. There was also customizable ambient LED lighting that illuminated the interior.

Lucien was eager to explore the car's luxurious features, and Sebastian's explanation painted a picture of opulence and comfort that exceeded his expectations.

After inspecting the car and satisfying his curiosity, Lucien inquired if there were any pending formalities. Sebastian explained that Lucien would need to sign some documents to officially take ownership of the car.

Lucien then raised a concern about the car's approval and the need for a license plate. Sebastian assured him that a license plate had already been prepared and delivered with the car, along with a set of documents that included detailed instructions. They had made use of their connections to expedite the approval process, and the necessary documents had been promptly processed by the admission office. All that remained was for Lucien to sign the documents, and then he would be free to take possession of his new Maybach and drive it away.

Lucien followed Sebastian to his office, where he completed all the necessary formalities for taking ownership of the Maybach. With the car key in hand and the paperwork sorted, he was eager to finally get behind the wheel of the luxurious vehicle.

Before leaving the office, Sebastian handed Lucien a contract card and assured him that he could reach out for assistance if needed. Lucien expressed his gratitude and thanks, not wasting much time on words. He was impatient to take his new Maybach for a spin.

Exiting the dealership, Lucien was greeted by the eager personnel who opened the entrance door for him. He took a moment to get accustomed to the Maybach's controls and handling, and as he drove through the city, he became more at ease with the vehicle. He decided to drive out of the city for a brief excursion before heading to Ardenvale Central High School.

Arriving at the school just in time, Lucien noticed the commotion as other students and onlookers took notice of his remarkable car. They snapped pictures and excitedly discussed the vehicle. It was indeed a rare sight for such a luxurious car to be parked outside their school.

Lucien spotted Lizzie and her friends leaving the school premises. He called her and asked her to come to the front, where the cars were picking up students. He offered to give her and her friends a ride home.

Lizzie, having received a description of the car from her brother, soon approached with Frankie. Lucien rolled down the window and called to her. She hurried to the car and climbed into the passenger seat, looking around in amazement. Her curiosity was palpable, and she fidgeted in her seat, clearly eager to experience the car's comfort to the fullest. Finally, she turned to Lucien and asked with wide-eyed wonder, "Is this your car, Big Brother?"

Lucien couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction, her mouth hanging wide open and her eyes opened wide in astonishment. "Yeah, Lizzie, this is my car," he confirmed with a smile.

Lizzie was so surprised then although she knew nothing of cars she still understood that such a luxurious car couldn't have cost little. Lucien looked in the rear view mirror and had already noticed that Frankie seemed to know which car this was but was evenly surprised that the brother of her best friend could afford such a car. She knew that he just graduated from university, so she wondered where he took the money from to buy such an expensive car.

Lucien made sure both Lizzie and Frankie had fastened their seatbelts securely, prioritizing their safety. He then turned his attention to Frankie and asked, "Frankie, where do you live? I'll drop you off first."

Lucien noted Frankie's address and navigated to her house, ensuring she was safely dropped off before proceeding to Lizzie's home.

During the drive, Lizzie's inquisitiveness knew no bounds. She bombarded Lucien with a barrage of questions about the car—its features, functions, and every button she could spot. Lizzie's curiosity was infectious, and she couldn't resist fiddling with the controls, especially the ones that allowed her to change the LED lighting. Lucien answered her questions with patience and enthusiasm, happy to share in her excitement. It was a joyful ride.

They soon arrived at his aunt and uncle's house, which was as he had hinted before—an average home in need of repairs that had slowly deteriorated over time due to financial constraints. Lucien decided to park the Maybach in the neighborhood to avoid any potential risks associated with the high crime rates in that part of Ardenvale. Lizzie agreed with this cautious approach, and they walked the short distance back to the house, which took around 15 to 20 minutes.

As Lucien opened the front door, the aroma of his aunt's cooking wafted through the air, indicating that they were likely in the kitchen. Lizzie, in her usual cheerful manner, proceeded to the kitchen to greet her parents. Initially, her parents acknowledged her presence but remained focused on their tasks.

Lucien, with a playful smile, couldn't resist a little teasing. "Does nobody care that I came? How come I don't get a welcome hug?" he asked in a faux-offended tone.

His aunt and uncle immediately turned their attention to him, their faces registering surprise. "Lucien, it's really you," his aunt exclaimed, rushing forward to embrace him. His uncle, initially speechless, soon joined in and warmly embraced him as well.

After a warm embrace, Lucien's aunt finally released him, and his uncle, who had returned to his seat at the dining table, continued to regard him with a curious expression. It was evident that his uncle had questions on his mind, but his aunt preempted him.

With a look of surprise, she asked, "How come you're here already? I thought you said you'd be coming in two days' time."