Chapter 27: The Fast Lane to Power
As Quinn and Lisa strolled out of the Benz dealership, the cool breeze of the city swept past them. The day had been longer than he expected, and though he was still waiting for his custom G-Wagon Brabus, there was a sense of satisfaction. But something gnawed at him—he couldn't shake the feeling that he needed something now, something to show his status while waiting for the Brabus to arrive. He glanced at Lisa, who seemed relaxed and happy, her arm tucked under his as they walked together.
That's when something caught his eye—across the street stood a sleek, polished building, one that screamed luxury and speed. The Bugatti dealership gleamed in the afternoon sun, its logo proudly displayed above the glass doors. Quinn stopped in his tracks, his mind made up in an instant. If there was a car that could reflect his newfound success, it had to be a Bugatti.
"Let's go," he said to Lisa, who looked up at him curiously.
"Where?" she asked, following his gaze.
"To the Bugatti dealership," Quinn replied with a grin. "I've decided I want something faster, something that fits better than just waiting for the Brabus. And we can't just be walking everywhere until then, can we?"
Lisa raised her eyebrows, her lips curving into a smile. "You really know how to surprise a girl, don't you?"
Without another word, Quinn led her across the street. As they entered the Bugatti showroom, the atmosphere was different from the Benz dealership—there was an air of exclusivity, almost intimidating, with only a few people inside, all dressed impeccably in designer suits. The space was minimalistic, with only a handful of cars on display, each one a work of art. Quinn's eyes landed on one immediately: a black Bugatti Chiron, freshly parked in the display, its glossy finish reflecting the bright lights of the showroom. The car exuded raw power and elegance, the epitome of performance and luxury.
"This is it," Quinn murmured, his eyes gleaming.
Lisa, standing beside him, nodded in agreement, her eyes wide as she admired the car. "It's incredible."
Not wasting any time, Quinn approached the saleswoman who had just finished parking the Chiron. She was a polished professional in her mid-thirties, dressed in a sharp business suit, with an expression that spoke of years of dealing with wealthy clients. But even she wasn't prepared for what Quinn was about to do.
"Good afternoon," the saleswoman greeted them, her tone warm and formal. "Are you interested in the Chiron? It's one of our finest models, with a 1500-horsepower engine and a top speed of—"
"Swipe my card," Quinn interrupted, holding out his sleek black card without hesitation.
The saleswoman blinked, momentarily thrown off by the abruptness of the transaction. "Excuse me?" she asked, unsure if she had heard him correctly.
"I want the car," Quinn repeated. "Swipe the card. I'm buying it now."
For a moment, the saleswoman was speechless. Usually, customers would take hours to decide on a purchase of this magnitude, discussing every little detail, haggling prices, and asking about financing options. But here was this young man, casually offering to buy the car outright, as if he were purchasing a cup of coffee.
Lisa, standing beside him, smirked at the saleswoman's expression. She'd seen Quinn make impulsive decisions before, but this was something else entirely.
Finally, the saleswoman recovered and took the card, still slightly dazed. "Of course, sir," she said, walking over to the payment terminal.
A few seconds later, the machine beeped, and the transaction was completed successfully. The saleswoman stared at the receipt, her eyes wide as she handed it back to Quinn.
"Congratulations, sir," she said, her voice tinged with disbelief. "You've just purchased the Bugatti Chiron. I'll have the paperwork ready in just a moment."
Quinn nodded, unfazed by the astonished looks from the other employees and a few customers in the showroom. As far as he was concerned, this was just another step toward solidifying his success. After a few minutes of waiting, the paperwork was finalized, and the saleswoman handed him the temporary license plate.
As they walked out of the dealership, Quinn holding the keys to his new car, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. He approached the sleek black Chiron, its design more aggressive up close, the kind of car that demanded attention wherever it went.
"Ready?" Quinn asked Lisa with a grin.
She smiled back, a mixture of excitement and disbelief in her eyes. "Are you serious? You're really going to drive this thing right out of the showroom?"
Quinn opened the driver's side door, gesturing for her to get in. "Why not?"
Lisa let out a small laugh and climbed into the passenger seat, her excitement building. As soon as they were both settled, Quinn fired up the engine. The deep roar of the 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W16 engine filled the air, sending vibrations through the car. The power was palpable, the kind of raw strength that only a few machines in the world could produce.
Quinn gripped the wheel, his heart racing with anticipation. As he pulled out of the dealership and onto the busy New York streets, the sound of the engine turned heads from passersby, some even stopping to take pictures. But Quinn was in his own world, feeling the power of the car beneath him as he accelerated down the road.
The Bugatti moved like a predator on the hunt, its speed and handling beyond anything Quinn had experienced before. The streets of New York, with their chaotic traffic and endless noise, seemed to fade into the background as he pushed the car through its paces. Every turn, every acceleration, sent a thrill through his body.
Lisa, sitting beside him, was equally exhilarated. "This is insane," she said, her voice filled with excitement. "It's like we're flying!"
Quinn smiled, his adrenaline pumping. "Told you I wasn't going to let you walk."
They drove around the city for a while, taking in the sights from a completely different perspective. With every press of the accelerator, Quinn felt the rush of power, the Chiron responding instantly, its engine roaring in delight. For the first time in a long time, he felt completely alive, like he was in total control of his destiny.
After a few more exhilarating laps around the streets, Quinn eventually pulled into the underground garage of his apartment complex. The Bugatti's engine finally quieted as he parked, the adrenaline from the drive slowly fading but leaving a sense of satisfaction in its wake.
As they stepped out of the car, Lisa looked at him with a mixture of admiration and disbelief. "You're unbelievable, you know that?"
Quinn shrugged with a smirk. "Just doing what I do best."
They made their way up to the apartment, and as soon as they stepped inside, Quinn's mind shifted. The excitement from the Bugatti faded as he remembered why he had been pushing so hard lately. He needed more than just material success. His plans were bigger, more dangerous.
"Nexus," Quinn called out as he tossed his jacket on the couch.
The AI's smooth voice responded immediately. "Yes, Quinn?"
"It's time to shake things up," Quinn said, his voice serious. "We need to start the next phase. I want to expand faster—much faster."
Nexus's digital tone was calm but understanding. "Understood. I'll begin preparations."
Quinn sat down on the couch, the weight of his decisions pressing on him. The Bugatti was just a symbol of what he could achieve, but the real power lay in the plans he was putting into motion.
Lisa sat down next to him, sensing the shift in his mood. "You're thinking about the future, aren't you?"
Quinn nodded, his eyes sharp and focused. "I'm not stopping until I have everything."
With Nexus by his side and the resources at his disposal, Quinn knew that the empire he envisioned was within his grasp. The world wouldn't know what hit it.