—Maserati, more than two hundred thousand dollars.
"How much did you say?" Emily's eyes widened, unable to process what she had heard.
"More than two hundred and fifty thousand, if my memory serves me correctly," Adrian Foster replied naturally, as if he were talking about the price of a used bicycle.
Emily let out a nervous laugh. "Oh my God! A simple car costs that much? And you, with all the calmness in the world, told me you didn't have a car, a house, or any savings? You're incredible... you fooled me so well."
Although Emily wasn't a gold digger, nor did she expect her future partner to be a millionaire, she couldn't shake the shock that figure made her feel. For someone like her, raised in a middle-class neighborhood in Brooklyn, two hundred and fifty thousand dollars was the equivalent of a lifetime of dreams: financial freedom, travel, peace of mind. And he'd spent it on a sports car.
She knew enough about the Foster family to know that Adrian didn't come from a dynasty of tycoons. That car was proof that he had built his wealth on his own merits, without depending on others.
Emily took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "I'm sorry I sounded so confident earlier... without giving you time to explain. Maybe we can just pretend nothing happened and continue our date."
His voice trembled a little, although he tried to maintain a smile.
Adrian shrugged. "Do you want me to take you for a ride?"
The offer was sincere, but Emily shook her head with a tired smile. "Better not. I'm a little discouraged, and besides, I have to get back to work. If I don't put in the effort, how am I going to buy you capitalists luxury cars and Manhattan apartments?"
He made a slight gesture with his hand and turned back toward his office. His steps were firm, although his heart was in turmoil.
Adrian watched her drive away, sighed, and got into his Maserati. For him, that car was just a hobby, nothing more. He wasn't going to stop for someone who couldn't see beyond the price of a car.
From the corner, Emily followed him with her eyes until the sports car disappeared into the traffic. She bit her lip, her expression a mixture of melancholy and disappointment. For the first time in a long time, she'd felt attracted to someone... but the material differences were too great.
"Rome wasn't built in a day," he thought bitterly. "Maybe we can start as friends, though I know I'll never live up to them."
She shook her head, slapped her cheeks a few times, and repeated to herself in a low voice, "Come on, Emily, don't get hung up on some impossible guy. There are men everywhere. You can handle this."
Meanwhile, Adrian was driving back to his next appointment. He called his mother, Evelyn Foster, to tell her how the date had gone.
"I knew it wouldn't work," she said calmly from her apartment in Riverside Hills. "Son, stop being so careless. Not all girls are impressed by money alone. Find someone who really suits you."
Adrian smiled without arguing. He knew his mother was right, but he also knew he wasn't desperate.
Half an hour later, he parked in the basement of a Midtown Manhattan corporate building. He took the elevator up to the reception desk.Liberty Media Group, a mid-sized digital marketing and influencer agency. It was founded during the live streaming boom, hoping to capture a piece of the pie. But by the time they entered the market, there were already thousands of agencies competing.
CEO Richard Holmes was an industry veteran with connections, which had allowed the company to survive. Still, resources were limited, and they were always on the edge of fierce competition.
Upon entering the office, Adrian found the receptionist asleep on her desk.
"Payroll deduction for sleeping on the job!" he joked.
The young woman raised her head, her hair a bit disheveled. "Adrián, look at the time! It's one in the afternoon, time for lunch."
Her name was Lucy Zhang, she was barely twenty-one years old, with a round face and rosy cheeks. She radiated youthful energy, even when sleepy.
Adrian threw her a packet of cookies. "Lucy, how can you sleep peacefully when the company is barely holding on? I stay up all night thinking about Liberty Media's future, and you're nodding off here."
Lucy clasped her hands in a comical gesture of apology. "Sorry, boss. Give me another cookie, and I promise I'll be even more sincerely sorry."
He rolled his eyes. "You're a stomach on legs."
"Thanks, boss!" she replied with a laugh, opening the package. While chewing, she added mysteriously, "Hey, let me tell you something... They say the new streamer the company hired isn't generating any sales. Mr. Holmes lost quite a bit of money on that bet."
Adrian crossed his arms. "Nothing is certain in this business. One mistake and everything falls apart."
Lucy nodded, popping another cookie in her mouth. "I heard the boss is considering selling some of the top streamers to other agencies to make up for the losses. And... there are also rumors of layoffs."
Before Adrian could respond, Lucy bolted upright.
"Hello, Manager Howard!" he greeted with an exaggerated smile.
Adrian turned around and then saw her.
A twenty-five-year-old woman, impeccably dressed in a white shirt, tight pants, and high heels. Everything about her was polished: her makeup was subtle, her handbag elegant, her posture confident. Her delicate features radiated elegance and freshness.
Adrian's heart leaped. It was the first time in a long time that someone had managed to elicit such a visceral reaction from him. He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself, while she gave him a warm smile.
"Nice to meet you," Adrian said, bowing his head slightly.
The manager nodded and walked on. It wasOlivia Howard, the company's content manager.
Lucy, seeing Adrian's face, couldn't help but let out a mischievous giggle. "Don't tell me you're already in love, boss."
Adrian ignored her, but deep down he knew something had changed. Maybe, just maybe, the wheels of his destiny had just begun to turn.