Matt watched Jason and his group disappear toward the distant rows of vehicles. His hands clenched into fists at his sides.
"Look at them," he muttered through gritted teeth, his voice tight with barely contained irritation. "Acting like they don't need our rides. Should've known they'd pull this kind of stunt."
Chloe shot her boyfriend a sideways glance, her expression clearly conveying her annoyance with the entire situation. She'd been watching Matt's behavior all afternoon, and frankly, she was getting tired of his attitude.
"Matt, it's your attitude that made Holly react like that in the first place," she said with barely concealed exasperation. "She only came today because I specifically asked her to. But whatever—let them take their own car if they want. It's all the same destination in the end."
Chloe wasn't particularly happy with the way her boyfriend had handled things, but she also wasn't about to push too hard. Matt had mentioned before that Derek came from serious money—the kind of wealth that opened doors and created opportunities down the road. And when your boyfriend had connections to that kind of lifestyle? Life became significantly easier.
So even though she was annoyed, Chloe swallowed her criticism and kept her thoughts to herself. Sometimes maintaining strategic relationships was more important than being right.
Derek Sterling leaned against his pristine matte-black Bronco, his expensive watch catching the sunlight as he gave a cold, dismissive snort.
"Seriously? They think cramming into his beat-up ride is going to be fun? What a complete joke."
Sure, Jason looked decent enough—good clothing, confident posture, attractive face—but nothing about him screamed any money. Derek had already processed Matt's earlier intelligence report: Jason had been chasing Emma for three years with absolutely zero success. Someone with that kind of track record? No way he was worth taking seriously as competition.
What was Holly even thinking, choosing to ride with a loser like that?
Still, Derek reminded himself, the trip was planned for two full days and a night. That was plenty of time to demonstrate who really had status and who was just pretending. Once Holly saw the difference between his lifestyle and Jason's reality, she'd come around quickly enough.
At that precise moment, Chloe's friend appeared at Derek's side, her smile bright and clearly calculated for maximum effect.
"Hey, Derek," she said with practiced sweetness, "mind if I claim the passenger seat in your car?"
Derek blinked in surprise, then allowed his lips to curve into an approving smirk. She wasn't nearly on Holly's level in terms of pure attractiveness—that was just objective reality—but she was definitely cute enough to serve his purposes. Plus, having her riding would send exactly the right message when Holly inevitably saw who was enjoying the luxury of his Bronco.
"Of course," Derek replied smoothly, his voice carrying the effortless charm of someone accustomed to getting what he wanted. "Passenger seat's all yours, beautiful."
Matt and Chloe exchanged a meaningful look but wisely said nothing. They could both tell that She was clearly trying to position herself strategically with Derek, and honestly? They thought it was a smart move. Getting close to someone with Derek's resources was never a bad idea.
The group didn't immediately prepare to leave, though. No, they had something much more entertaining planned first—they wanted to watch Jason's crew pile into some beat-up old economy car. The mental image alone gave them a delicious sense of superiority that they were eager to savor.
Meanwhile, across the parking lot, Jason led Holly, Aly, and Meg through the maze of vehicles toward their destination. The afternoon breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers from the campus gardens, mixing with the faint smell of motor oil and hot asphalt.
Jason came to a stop in front of a sleek, imposing vehicle that seemed to command attention simply by existing. He casually jingled a set of keys in his hand.
"So," he asked with practiced nonchalance, "you guys want to take this one?"
Holly, Aly, and Meg all froze simultaneously, their eyes widening as they processed what they were seeing.
This wasn't just any car. This was the brand-new 2025 Mercedes G63 AMG—a beast of engineering that cost significantly more than Derek's Bronco and Matt's Jeep combined. The vehicle sat there like a predator at rest, all aggressive angles and barely contained power.
Not that they were completely shocked, exactly. Last weekend at the beach, Jason had casually bought those high-end jet skis like he was buying coffee. Then he'd dropped $2.6 million on a sailboat with the same casual indifference most people showed when buying snacks from a vending machine.
"Holy crap," Aly whispered in awe, her voice barely audible. "This thing makes Derek's Bronco look like a toy car."
Meg couldn't suppress a grin that bordered on predatory. "Oh, I absolutely cannot wait to see the expressions on their faces when we roll up in this beauty."
Even Holly, who prided herself on being unimpressed by material displays, cracked a genuine smile. "Jason, you're just full of surprises, aren't you?"
Jason simply grinned and pressed the key fob, causing the doors to unlock with a satisfying electronic chirp. "Hop in, ladies. Let's give them a little show they won't forget."
The three girls slid into the plush leather interior, practically giddy with anticipation at the thought of Derek and Matt's reactions.
But then Holly's expression shifted to one of playful skepticism. She rolled her eyes and smirked at Jason through the window.
"Wait just a minute," she said, her tone laced with mock accusation. "This is what you call 'just a regular car'? Jason, you're not seriously telling me this is the only ride you've got, right?"
Jason didn't bother with a verbal response. Instead, he reached into his pocket and produced another sleek key fob, this one distinctly different from the Mercedes key. Without ceremony, he pressed the button.
Beep-beep!
Across the lot, answering his electronic call, a brand-new Rolls-Royce Cullinan came to life. Its headlights swept majestically across the pavement like the eyes of some great, awakening beast.
Holly, Meg, and Aly approached the Rolls-Royce with something approaching reverence. As soon as they got close enough to appreciate the full scope of what they were seeing, all three drew sharp, involuntary breaths.
"Holy crap," Holly muttered, her usual composure completely abandoned. "So the Cullinan that everyone's been talking about on campus for weeks... that belongs to you?"
Meg shook his head in genuine disbelief, his voice filled with awe. "In that case, I guess the Mercedes G-Wagon really is just a 'regular car' to you, isn't it?"
Aly whistled low and appreciative. "Two luxury rides, one of them pushing seven figures... man, I swear poverty really does limit imagination. Can we please take this one? I'm literally dying to see the looks on Derek and Matt's faces when we roll up in a Cullinan."
The excitement was written across her face in bold letters. Sure, the G-Wagon was undeniably cool, but nothing—absolutely nothing—beat the sheer presence and prestige of a Rolls-Royce.
Holly, however, found herself hesitating. She had always harbored a soft spot for off-road beasts like the G-Wagon, vehicles that promised adventure and capability. While the Cullinan represented pure luxury and status, part of her genuinely wanted the rugged, capable feel of the Mercedes.
Jason caught the flicker of internal conflict in her eyes and grinned with understanding. "Why limit ourselves to choosing? We can drive both. Take the G-Wagon if that's what calls to you. The Cullinan's not going anywhere."
Holly blinked in surprise. "Seriously? You're completely fine with wasting gas like that?"
Jason chuckled, the sound warm and genuine. "Gas costs aren't exactly my biggest financial concern. Just promise me you'll drive it back afterward."
"Deal," Holly said immediately, her eyes lighting up with genuine enthusiasm.
Aly leaned forward eagerly, practically bouncing with excitement. "Wait—so I can actually take the Cullinan? I promise I won't embarrass you or anything. I've got solid driving skills, and I'll be the best chauffeur you've ever had."
Jason tossed her the key with casual confidence. "Drive it, absolutely. But don't worry about being my chauffeur—just focus on impressing everyone else. I've got another ride to handle."
He reached into his pocket once again, producing yet another key fob.
This time, the parking lot echoed with the distinct, unmistakable chirp of a Lamborghini Revuelto awakening from electronic slumber.
All three of them turned toward the sound and froze completely.
The bright, aggressively styled supercar gleamed under the afternoon sun like a coiled predator, every curve and angle a bold statement of wealth, power, and speed. It was automotive poetry written in carbon fiber and horsepower.
Holly's jaw actually dropped in shock.
"Wait just a damn minute," she said slowly, her voice filled with disbelief. "The Cullinan is yours... and the Lamborghini Revuelto is also yours?!"
It was almost too much information to process. First the G-Wagon, then the Cullinan, and now this automotive masterpiece? On campus, both the Rolls-Royce and the Lamborghini had been hot topics of conversation for weeks. Everyone had naturally assumed that two different wealthy students owned them.
And now the truth was revealed: one guy. One guy owned them all.
Meg and Aly just stood there in stunned silence, their minds struggling to recalibrate their understanding of reality. The G-Wagon, which had seemed like the king of all vehicles just moments ago, suddenly looked like a practical commuter car next to this unprecedented display of automotive wealth.
"Jason," Holly said slowly, shaking her head in amazement, "do you ever actually stop showing off?"
She didn't usually care about status games or material displays of wealth. But she had to admit, there was something ridiculously satisfying about how thoroughly Jason was about to obliterate Derek and Matt's smug superiority complex.
Three cars. Three absolute dream cars. All owned by one quietly confident guy who had never once bragged or boasted about his wealth.
They were about to roll out in the kind of style that would be talked about for years.
Holly Larson: Favorability +5
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