Chapter 92: A Ferrari? No Thanks. I’ll Take the Bugatti
Realizing they weren’t getting anywhere with her, the men from Mexico finally backed off in frustration.
Bennett hid her satisfaction behind a charming smile.
"Gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me for a moment," she said smoothly. "I think I’ve had a little too much to drink. I’m going to freshen up."
Without waiting for a response, she slipped out of the private room.
The moment the door closed behind her, the smile on her face faded.
"You think you can get me drunk that easily?"
She let out a quiet scoff.
"Keep dreaming."
Straightening her dress, Bennett headed toward Mason’s booth.
---
"Mason, sorry to keep you waiting."
Her warm smile returned the moment she approached.
Without hesitation, she grabbed a bottle, poured herself three glasses, and raised the first one.
"Let me make it up to you."
She emptied the first glass in one smooth motion.
Then the second.
Then the third.
Effortless.
Even Mason, who had been slightly annoyed after waiting so long, couldn’t stay upset after that display.
"Bennett, business seems pretty good tonight."
He laughed before gesturing toward Lucas.
"Let me introduce you. This is Lucas."
Lucas stood and picked up his glass.
"Nice to meet you."
For the first time, he got a proper look at her.
She looked to be in her late twenties, maybe early thirties, carrying herself with the confidence that only came from years of experience.
Her fitted black dress highlighted her elegant figure without looking excessive. Her makeup was subtle, her smile effortless, and her eyes carried the calm confidence of someone who had spent years negotiating with wealthy clients.
Unlike the girls Lucas usually met, Bennett had a mature charm that was impossible to ignore.
This was the kind of woman who could manage difficult customers, close multimillion-dollar deals, and still control the atmosphere of an entire room without raising her voice.
Bennett noticed the brief flicker of admiration in his eyes and smiled.
Not offended.
Not surprised.
She had grown used to that reaction years ago.
Extending her glass toward him, she said, "So you’re Lucas."
Her red lips curved slightly.
"Mason doesn’t bring many people here personally."
The two clinked glasses.
"Nice to meet you."
"You too."
Although Bennett had never met Lucas before, she knew Mason well enough.
As the heir to Empire Group, Mason wasn’t someone who casually introduced people.
Anyone he personally brought to meet her was worth paying attention to.
And Bennett had built her reputation on reading people.
Within seconds, she could tell Lucas wasn’t ordinary.
His clothes weren’t flashy, but his confidence felt natural.
More importantly, there wasn’t a trace of nervousness in his eyes.
Most young men either became overly eager or tried too hard to impress her.
Lucas did neither.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Bennett took another sip of wine, her curiosity growing.
"I have to ask," she said, swirling the wine in her glass. "What was important enough for you two to pull me away from my VIP guests tonight?"
She flashed Mason a teasing smile.
"Don’t tell me you missed me that much."
Her laugh was rich and effortless.
Mason chuckled awkwardly and rubbed the back of his neck.
Anyone familiar with Silvermont’s nightlife scene knew who Ava Bennett was.
She was beautiful, successful, and dangerously charming.
Over the years, countless wealthy heirs had tried their luck with her.
Almost all of them made the same mistake.
They assumed her playful attitude meant she was easy.
It never ended well.
Bennett had mastered the art of keeping people exactly where she wanted them.
Push too hard, and she’d pull away.
Lose interest, and she’d draw you back in with a smile, a playful remark, or a look that made you think you still had a chance.
Close enough to keep chasing.
Never close enough to catch.
The push and pull drove men crazy.
Especially those who had spent their entire lives getting whatever they wanted.
Eventually, everyone learned the same lesson.
If you wanted to buy a car from Bennett, she’d gladly help you.
If you wanted to drink with her, she’d happily join you.
But if you wanted something more?
Forget it.
When it came to business, Bennett gave everything.
When it came to romance, she had nothing to spare.
Mason cleared his throat, pulling himself back to the conversation.
"Bennett, Lucas is looking to buy a sports car."
"I told him you’re the best person to talk to."
Her smile widened immediately.
"Well, thank you for sending business my way."
She turned toward Lucas, crossing one leg over the other.
"So, Lucas, what are you looking for?"
"I have a Ferrari 488 available right now. Low mileage, perfect condition."
She named the price casually.
Lucas shook his head.
"I’ll pass."
He’d spent plenty of time playing racing simulators and following the supercar world online.
The Ferrari 488 was a great car.
But if he was buying his first supercar, he wanted something unforgettable.
Something special.
Seeing his reaction, Bennett assumed the price was beyond his budget.
She wasn’t offended.
Not everyone who walked into her bar could afford a multimillion-dollar car.
"What price range are you comfortable with?" she asked patiently.
Truthfully, her expectations had already dropped.
She had assumed Mason was bringing her a major client.
If this turned into a standard sports car sale, the commission would be decent, but nothing extraordinary.
Lucas leaned back in his seat for a moment, considering his options.
Then he looked up.
"I want a Bugatti La Voiture Noire."
The words landed like a bomb.
Bennett blinked.
Mason nearly dropped his drink.
Even the four women at the table, despite not knowing much about cars, recognized the Bugatti name.
That wasn’t just a luxury brand.
It was an entirely different universe.
Lucas, meanwhile, remained completely calm.
La Voiture Noire had always been one of his favorite cars.
One thousand five hundred horsepower.
Zero to sixty in just over two seconds.
Aggressive.
Elegant.
Unique.
Exactly one had been produced worldwide.
He didn’t expect it to be easy.
But there was no harm in asking.
Bennett stared at him for several seconds before finally speaking.
"Lucas... are you serious?"
He nodded.
"Completely."
She set her glass down carefully.
"That car isn’t something you can walk into a dealership and buy."
"It’s a one-of-one model."
"There are private negotiations, collectors, brokers, manufacturers, waiting lists..."
She paused.
"And a lot of money."
Lucas smiled.
"Money isn’t the problem."
For the first time that night, Bennett’s playful expression disappeared.
She studied him seriously.
Most people bragged.
Most people exaggerated.
Lucas did neither.
He sounded certain.
After thinking for a few moments, she finally named her price.
"If I pull every favor I have and make enough calls..."
She paused.
"One hundred and thirty million."
"A sixty-million deposit upfront."
"The remaining balance after delivery."
Silence filled the booth.
Mason stared at Lucas.
The women around the table held their breath.
Nobody would blame him for hesitating.
After all, they were discussing more money than most people would see in several lifetimes.
Lucas didn’t even blink.
"That’s fine."
He pulled out his phone.
"Send me your account details."
"I’ll transfer the deposit tonight."
Bennett froze.
No hesitation.
No attempt to negotiate.
Just a simple agreement.
As if they were discussing dinner plans instead of a nine-figure purchase.
She quickly did the math in her head.
If this deal went through, her commission alone would be worth millions.
More importantly, Mason hadn’t brought her a customer tonight.
He had brought her a whale.
A very, very big whale.
