Chapter <b>251 </b>
ASO
“I sent my car back to the factory for maintenance,” I said, abruptly changing the subject. “Need to buy a new one for getting around. You seem like you’d know about this stuffe with me.”
Ss’s intense eyes narrowed. “Finish what you were saying flist.”
“Cars first,” I insisted, already pulling <b>out </b>my phone to order an Uber. “We can <b>talk </b>after,“
He looked like he wanted to argue,
but finally
gave a curt nod. The Uber arrived within minutes, and we rode in silence to <b>the </b>luxury car dealership <b>across </b>town. I could feel Ss’s curiosity and impatience building with <b>each </b>passing block, but I kept my expression neutral, staring out the window..
The dealership was <b>a </b>massive ss structure showcasing dozens of high–end <b>vehicles </b>under perfect lighting. As we walked in, <b>a </b>salesman with an eagerly predatory smile approached us.
“<b>Good </b>afternoon,” he said, eyeing my <b>casual </b>outfit with barely <b>concealed </b>skepticism before his gaze shifted to Ss in his worn jeans and faded t–shirt. “Are you… looking for something in particr today?”
“I <b>need </b>a four–seat car,” I said, ignoring his tone. “Most of my cars in Russia are two–seaters. Not always <b>practical</b><b>” </b>
“You have multiple cars? In Russia? Ss asked quietly.
I shrugged. “Shipping them here is a hassle. Easier to buy new ones.”
The salesman’s younger clients.”
demeanor
instantly
transformed. “We have several excellent options. Perhaps a Porsche Panamera? Very popr with our
<b>“</b>Toomon,” I dismissed with a wave of my
hand.
“A Bentley Continental GT, then? Elegant and powerful.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Too stuffy.”
“Ferrari Roma? It’s technically a 2+2,
hut-
“I don’t like it,” I cut him off.
1
wandered through the showroom, <b>trailing </b>my fingers over hoods and doors until I stopped beside a sleek ck Maybach. “This one.”
The salesman practically salivated. “Excellent choice. The $650 is our gship luxury sedan. Would <b>you </b>like to test drive
“No <b>need</b>, I’ll take it.”
While the salesman scrambled to process the paperwork, Ss leaned against a nearby pir, arms crossed. “Do you always make major purchases this casually?”
“Only when I know what I want,” I replied,
Forty minutester, we sat in my new Maybach, the engine purring almost silently,
“Now <b>can </b>you tell me what you were going to say earlier? Ss asked, his patience visibly wearing thin
I adjusted the <b>rearview </b>mirror, taking my time. “You look like your brother. Same build, simr mannerisms,”
His entire body tensed. “Where is <b>he</b><b>? </b>You k
You know where my
brother is?”
I <b>kept </b><b>my </b>eyes on the road as I pulled out of the dealership. “He’s dead, Ss.”
The silence that followed was heavy and brittle. When I nced over, his face had drained of color.
“Are you <b>fucking </b>with me?” His voice was low, dangerous.
“No.”
“Where did you see him? When?”
“I didn’t <b>see </b>him personally,” I exined. A friend showed me his picture once.”
“Where’s the picture? I want to see it.
“I don’t <b>have </b>it anymore. My friend is dead too.”
“This is bullshit. You don’t just tell someone their missing brother is dead without proof”
“I’m telling you what I know.”
“How did he die? When<b>?</b>”
“I don’t know the details.”
區
“Did he know?” Ss’s voice cracked slightly. “Did he know he had <b>a </b>brother?”
“I’m <b>not </b>sure,” I admitted. “That’s why I can’t be absolutely certain he was your brother, I <b>didn’t </b>know him well. My friend mentioned him a few times, but I never got to meet him.”
Ss <b>stared </b>at me, eyes burning with suspicion. “So you’ve been weirdly nice to me, helping <b>me </b>out, <b>because </b>of him? Because of your friend?”
“Would I bother with your problems if it wasn’t for my friend? Not likely.”
“What if I’m not his brother? What if I just look like him?”
dead