As Sarah stepped outside, she saw Victor waiting by his car, looking as handsome and composed as ever in a well-tailored suit.
For a moment, Victor seemed to freeze, his eyes widening slightly as he took in Sarah's appearance. It was just a fraction of a second, but Sarah noticed the momentary lapse in his usual composure. Then, as quickly as it had appeared, the look vanished, replaced by his customary charming smile.
"Miss Whitmore," Victor said, stepping forward to greet her. He took her hand, bowing slightly to brush his lips against her knuckles in a gentlemanly gesture. "You look absolutely stunning this morning. That shade of green is quite becoming on you."
Sarah felt a faint blush rise to her cheeks at the compliment. "Thank you, Mr. Mallory. You're too kind."
Victor escorted her to the car, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back. As they reached the vehicle, he opened the passenger door for her with a flourish. "After you, Miss Whitmore."
Once Sarah was comfortably seated, Victor closed the door and made his way around to the driver's side. As he settled into his seat, he turned to her with a slightly puzzled expression.
"I hope you don't mind my asking, but I was expecting Miss Emily today. Is everything alright? Did I perhaps say or do something to offend her last night?"
Sarah could hear the genuine concern in his voice. She quickly shook her head, offering him a reassuring smile. "Oh no, nothing of the sort. Emily spoke very highly of your outing together. It's just that an urgent matter came up that required her attention. She asked me to accompany you in her stead if that's alright with you."
Victor's shoulders seemed to relax slightly at her words. "Of course, it's more than alright. Your company is always a pleasure, Miss Whitmore. I do hope Emily's urgent matter isn't too serious?"
"Not at all," Sarah replied smoothly. "Just some family business that couldn't be postponed. Now, shall we be on our way? So, Mr. Mallory, what's the motive for today's outing?"
Victor nodded, starting the engine. "Indeed. I've been in contact with a dealer who has a client looking to sell an inherited vintage car. We're going to inspect it, verify its authenticity, and if it meets our standards, negotiate a price."
Sarah nodded, genuinely intrigued. "That sounds fascinating. I'm looking forward to seeing how this process works."
As they drove through the bustling streets of London, Sarah found herself impressed by Victor's knowledge of the city. He navigated the traffic with ease, pointing out interesting landmarks and sharing anecdotes about various neighbourhoods they passed through.
"You seem to know London quite well, Mr. Mallory," Sarah observed.
Victor smiled, his eyes focused on the road. "I've spent a good deal of time exploring the city. It's full of hidden gems and fascinating history. Much like the cars we deal with, London has many layers to uncover."
As they continued their journey, Sarah found herself warming to Victor's charm. He was undeniably handsome, intelligent, and well-spoken. She could see why Emily had been so flustered after their dinner together.
Finally, they arrived at a stately townhouse in one of London's more affluent neighbourhoods. Victor parked the car and quickly came around to open Sarah's door, offering his hand to help her out.
"Here we are," he said, gesturing to the house. "Our potential seller awaits."
They approached the front door, and Victor rang the bell. After a moment, the door was opened by a distinguished-looking gentleman in his sixties.
"Ah, Mr. Mallory," the man said, his voice warm with welcome. "And who is this lovely young lady?"
Victor smiled, placing a hand on Sarah's back as he made the introduction. "Mr. Harrington, may I present Miss Sarah Whitmore. She's assisting me with today's inspection."
Mr. Harrington's eyebrows rose slightly at the name Whitmore, but he quickly recovered, offering Sarah a polite bow. "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Whitmore. Please, come in, both of you."
They followed Mr Harrington through the house and out to a spacious garage at the rear of the property. As the elderly gentleman pulled back a protective cover, Sarah couldn't help but gasp at the sight before her.
The car was a masterpiece of automotive engineering and design. Its sleek lines and gleaming chrome spoke of a bygone era of elegance and sophistication. Even to Sarah's untrained eye, it was clear that this was no ordinary vehicle.
"A 1920 Bugatti type 13 Brescia," Victor said, his voice filled with reverence. "One of the rarest and most valuable cars in the world. Mr. Harrington, this is truly a magnificent specimen."
Mr. Harrington nodded, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "It was my father's pride and joy. He spent years restoring it to its original glory. But I'm afraid I don't have the same passion for automobiles, and it seems a shame to let it sit here gathering dust."
Victor circled the car slowly, his expert gaze taking in every detail. Sarah watched, fascinated, as he examined the engine, checked the interior, and inspected the chassis. His hands moved with practised grace, showing a deep familiarity and respect for the machine before him.
"Miss Whitmore," Victor called, gesturing for Sarah to join him. "Would you care to take a closer look?"
Sarah approached, slightly hesitant. "I'm afraid I don't know much about cars, Mr. Mallory."
Victor smiled encouragingly. "That's quite alright. Sometimes, a fresh perspective can be invaluable. What do you see when you look at this car?"
Sarah studied the vehicle for a moment, trying to see beyond its obvious beauty. "Well," she began slowly, "it's clearly a work of art. The lines are so graceful, almost like a sculpture.
And there's something... timeless about it. As if it doesn't belong to any one era, but could be equally at home in the past or the present."
Victor's eyes lit up at her words. "Excellently observed, Miss Whitmore. That timeless quality is exactly what makes these vintage cars so special. They're not just modes of transportation, but pieces of history, of art, of human ingenuity."
For the next hour, Victor meticulously examined every inch of the car, consulting documents Mr. Harrington provided and making numerous calls to verify various details. Sarah watched in fascination, impressed by Victor's thoroughness and expertise.
Finally, Victor straightened up, a look of excitement in his eyes. "Mr Atherton, I believe we can confirm this is indeed an authentic 1920 Bugatti type 13 Brescia. Now, shall we discuss value?"
Mr. Harrington nodded, leading them back into the house and into a well-appointed study. As they settled into comfortable leather chairs, Sarah found herself eager to witness the negotiation.
"Mr Atherton," Victor began, his voice smooth and professional, "based on our authentication and current market values for vehicles of this type and condition, I would estimate the value of your Bugatti at approximately £5.5 million."
Mr Harrington's eyebrows shot up. "I had no idea it was worth quite that much. My uncle always said it was special, but..."
Victor nodded understandingly. "It's a truly exceptional vehicle, Mr. Atherton. Now, given its rarity and condition, I'm prepared to offer £5.2 million on behalf of the Whitmore-Mallory consortium."
Sarah watched as Mr Harrington considered the offer, his face a mix of emotions. "That's a very generous offer, Mr. Mallory. However, given what you've told me about its value, I think I'd be more comfortable with something closer to £5.4 million."
Victor leaned forward, his eyes intense. "I understand your position, Mr. Atherton. However, you must consider the costs involved in properly maintaining and potentially restoring a vehicle of this calibre.
Our consortium is uniquely positioned to care for this Bugatti and ensure its legacy. We're not just offering money; we're offering a guarantee that this piece of automotive history will be preserved and cherished."
Mr. Harrington nodded slowly, clearly impressed by Victor's passion. "You make a compelling argument, Mr. Mallory. But surely we can meet in the middle? Say, £5.3 million?"
Victor glanced at Sarah, who gave a subtle nod. "Very well, Mr. Atherton. £5.3 million it is. You drive a hard bargain."
As Victor and Mr. Harrington shook hands, sealing the deal, Sarah found herself in awe of the entire process. The way Victor had handled the negotiation was masterful – firm yet respectful, passionate yet professional.
As they left the Atherton residence, Sarah turned to Victor with newfound respect. "That was truly impressive, Mr. Mallory. Your knowledge and negotiation skills are remarkable."
Victor smiled a hint of pride in his eyes. "Thank you, Miss Whitmore. It's a passion of mine, as you can probably tell. There's something special about these vintage cars – each one has a story, a history. It's not just about the monetary value; it's about preserving a piece of the past."