The Unlucky Turn by Mark Twain 175
“After all, my friend’s cars aren’t sold to people with a criminal record,” Brenda said, her voice dripping with disdain. “Who knows what kind of terrible things a convict has done? Selling a car to someone like that might bring bad luck. Don’t you agree, Ms. Sloan?”
The employees in the dealership heard Brenda’s words and looked at Leilani in surprise. They couldn’t believe it-this girl looked decent enough, but she actually had a record? You really couldn’t judge a book by its cover.
The salesman Leilani had been speaking to was shrewd. He immediately caught Brenda’s drift and stepped forward, looking at Leilani with awkward apology. “I’m sorry, Miss. That model… we don’t have any in stock at the moment.”
Leilani raised an eyebrow. She got it. Brenda was marking her territory.
It was typical. A wealthy heiress like Brenda only knew how to use these kinds of tactics to bully people. She was cut from the same cloth as Tamara; no wonder they were friends. The only difference was that Brenda’s family was wealthier than the Sloan family, so she carried herself with more arrogance and didn’t bother with the fake ‘innocent girl’ act in front of people she despised.
Seeing Leilani stay silent, Brenda assumed her insults had hit home. Her smile deepened as she leaned in slightly, looking down at Leilani with a lowered, scornful voice.
“Ms. Sloan,” she hissed. “In Brass City, without Dante and Judie by your side, there are people you can’t afford to offend. After all, a gutter rat from the mountains can never pretend to be royalty. Especially a rat that’s fallen into the mud. Once you enter the city, you’re just waiting to be slaughtered.”
Brenda’s words were a clear warning. Leilani understood, but instead of getting angry, she let out a soft laugh. “Are you so idle that you even have to manage other people’s car purchases?”
Brenda narrowed her eyes and sneered. “I’m just kindly reminding you, so you don’t waste your trip.” “Is that so?” Leilani pulled a black card from her bag and flicked it with her finger. The card landed on the sales counter with a crisp snap.
The salesman’s pupils contracted. It was a Centurion Black Card-globally limited, available only by invitation to those with assets exceeding a hundred million.
The bank had upgraded her to it after she returned from Zamora. At the time, Leilani hadn’t thought much of it, but it was certainly useful now.
Brenda’s face changed slightly.
Leilani spoke slowly and deliberately. “Since you won’t sell to me here, I’ll go to another dealership.”
She looked at Brenda, her tone calm. “After all, yours isn’t the only dealership in the neighborhood. And you don’t need to be so passive-aggressive, announcing to the world that I’ve been to prison.” Thinking of how Brenda had harped on her past, Leilani cast a mocking glance around the room at the people who had just been whispering about her. Under her gaze, they instantly lowered their heads in guilt.
12:10
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.