William stepped into the cool, sleek lobby of the real estate office. The walls were made of polished marble, and the scent of expensive cologne lingered in the air. Everything about the place screamed exclusivity, and the people inside knew it.
At the front desk, a strikingly beautiful woman sat, casually flipping through her phone. She had long, glossy black hair that flowed over her shoulders like silk and high cheekbones that gave her face an elegant, almost statuesque quality. Her eyes, a piercing green, flicked up at William as he approached, and her perfectly shaped lips curled into a thin smile—more a smirk, really. Her outfit, a designer dress that fit her slim figure like a glove, accentuated her air of superiority. She radiated confidence, but not the kind that invited admiration; hers was the kind that made you feel small.
As William walked up to the desk, the woman slowly set her phone down, giving him a look that barely masked her disdain.
"Can I help you?" she asked, her voice sugary sweet but dripping with condescension.
"I'm here about a villa in the King's District," William replied calmly.
Her eyebrows shot up ever so slightly, though she quickly composed herself. She gave him a slow, assessing look, her eyes lingering on his plain t-shirt and jeans. She didn't bother to hide the way her lips twitched in barely contained amusement.
"A villa in the King's District?" she repeated, as if testing whether he had misspoken. "Those properties start at about fifty million. Are you sure you're in the right place?"
William's patience was already thinning, but he kept his composure. "I'm sure."
The receptionist's smirk deepened. She leaned back in her chair, clearly enjoying the moment. "Well, we only deal with clients who are pre-approved. You'll need to provide proof of funds before we can even entertain an inquiry like that."
William glanced around the empty reception area, his frustration mounting. "I'd like to speak to someone in charge."
"Oh, don't worry," she said, still smirking. "I'll get someone for you."
She tapped her perfectly manicured nails on the phone, calling someone without breaking eye contact with William. Her entire demeanor screamed that she thought this was all a waste of time. After a brief exchange on the phone, she hung up and gave William a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"One of our agents will be right with you. But just to warn you, these properties are…" she hesitated, looking him up and down again, "...a bit out of reach for most people."
Before William could respond, a man entered the lobby. Tall, slim, and impeccably dressed in a designer suit that likely cost more than most cars, he looked every bit the part of someone who dealt with the elite. His neatly styled hair and smooth complexion added to his polished appearance, though there was something calculating in his eyes.
"I'm Daniel, senior agent here. I understand you're inquiring about one of our premium properties?" His tone was polite, but his eyes mirrored the same judgmental glint as the receptionist's.
"That's right," William replied. "I'm interested in purchasing a villa in the King's District."
Daniel's eyebrows raised slightly, and his smile became tighter. He gestured to the receptionist with a quick nod, as if exchanging some unspoken joke.
"Of course," Daniel said. "Just to clarify, the villa you're interested in starts at around sixty-five million dollars. I assume you have the means to cover that?"
Without a word, William pulled out the Obsidian Card and set it on the counter. The receptionist's smile faltered, but Daniel barely glanced at the card. Instead, he let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head slightly.
"I'm sorry, sir," he said, his voice dripping with patronizing politeness. "But we deal with verified clients only. Showing us a credit card doesn't really mean much around here."
The receptionist, emboldened by Daniel's lead, giggled. "Is this some kind of joke? Do you think we don't know who our real clients are?"
William's jaw tightened. He could feel the heat rising in his chest. "I'm not here to explain myself to you. Either we move forward with this, or I'll find another agency."
The receptionist's smirk widened. She leaned across the desk, her green eyes gleaming with arrogance. "Honey, I don't know who you think you are, but this isn't some corner store where you can just flash a card and expect to walk out with what you want. You don't belong here."
William felt the tension in the air shift, the condescension hardening into outright disrespect. Daniel crossed his arms, clearly amused by the situation.
"Maybe you should save yourself some embarrassment and leave before we have to call security," Daniel suggested, his smile widening.
Before William could respond, the receptionist moved around the desk, her stilettos clicking on the marble floor as she approached him. She stopped in front of him, and to his shock, she raised her hand and slapped him across the face. The sharp sting echoed through the silent lobby.
"People like you are a waste of time," she hissed. "Get out before we have you thrown out."
William's eyes flashed with fury, but before he could react, the receptionist placed both hands on his chest and pushed him backward. The force caught him off guard, and he stumbled toward the glass doors.
Daniel smirked as he casually dialed a number on his phone. "I'll get the boss to deal with this. I'm sure he'll have a thing or two to say about wasting our time."
The receptionist crossed her arms, standing beside Daniel, looking triumphant. "You really thought you could just walk in here and pretend you could afford something like that?" she mocked.