I had already booked a reliable long-distance driver-for-hire service. After paying in advance, I asked him to drive the car I’d brought yesterday back to the underground garage at home.
Then I grabbed my bag, which contained all my important documents: my ID card, marriage certificate and that motor vehicle registration certificate.
On the owner’s line, my name was printed clearly, Anne Wright. It was the car my parents had bought for me, fully paid, before I got married.
After I upgraded to a new car, Liam primarily drove the old one. He drove it with complete ease, probably long forgotten whose car it truly was.
I sat in the hotel lobby lounge, pulled out my phone and without hesitation, called a used car dealer I'd contacted before.
“Bill, it’s me, Anne Wright.”
“You rememeber the car I mentioned earlier? I’m ready to sell it now. Same price we talked about before. Or even a little lower. But I want to close the deal immediately, full payment. The car’s parked in the scenic area lot.”
My voice was calm, without a trace of hesitation. On the other end, Bill clearly paused, but upon hearing my urgency and willingness to negotiate, he quickly agreed.
Half an hour later, I met him in the parking lot. He checked the car, verified the papers, made the transfer and handed me the payment.
The whole process was quick and clean, almost shockingly so. When my phone buzzed with the bank notification showing $300,000 had been deposited into my account, the car that Liam had driven for years was no longer mine.
“Thanks, Bill.”
I quickly put my phone away, my face showing no emotion. I didn’t return to the hotel.
Instead, I walked straight to a nearby travel agency.
Brightly colored promotional posters adorned the glass door, [National Day Exclusive, Customized Island Getaways, Ultimate Experience, Ready to Go!]
Without hesitation, I pushed the door open and pointed directly at the poster. “Two people. Comfortable itinerary, good service. Departing today, leaving right now.”
The receptionist paused for a moment, then enthusiastically began to explain. I interrupted, "Could you please speed up the process? The price is not a problem.”
Swipe card. Sign papers. Done.
Three hundred thousand dollars was half gone in a flash, exchanged for two tickets to the azure island and a stack of exquisite high-end hotel vouchers.