"I—I just feel bad for Mr. James!"
"You could've picked up the car yourself, but you made him go all that way. Now something's happened and you can't even pretend to care—"
I glanced at the message from Evan on my phone. A cold smile curved my lips.
"Save some of that sympathy for yourself."
"The damage assessment just came in. Repair costs are estimated at over three million. Card or cash?"
Virginia's knees buckled. She swayed, then glared at me with stubborn, wounded fury:
"Th-three million? That's extortion!"
Her gaze slid toward Leo, helpless and imploring.
"Mr. James..."
Leo pushed himself upright, wincing as the movement pulled at his injuries. He pressed his fingers to his brow.
"Gladys, she's barely out of college. Still a kid. Where would she get three million? Don't scare her."
"I'm the one who made the mistake. I'll pay for it."
Virginia's eyes lit up. The corner of her mouth curled with barely concealed triumph.
I looked at him, my voice dripping with mockery:
"How chivalrous of you, Mr. James. Wasn't buying her an entire dealership generous enough?"
Leo clearly hadn't expected me to know about that. His expression froze.
Virginia lost every trace of her earlier bravado. She bit her lip.
"Gladys... if you're angry, take it out on me. Don't blame Mr. James. He only helped me because he felt sorry for me."
Leo sighed and waved her toward the door.
"This has nothing to do with you. Go home."
Virginia kept her head down as she shuffled toward the exit, glancing back every few steps. She'd just reached the doorway when she suddenly turned and hurried back.
Virginia pressed a prettily decorated glass bottle into Leo's palm.
She lifted her doe eyes, her gaze shimmering with unshed tears, soft enough to melt anyone watching.
No one who saw them together could possibly believe there was nothing going on between these two.
Virginia bit her lip, reluctance written all over her face as she turned to leave. Passing by me, she lowered her voice in explanation:
"Gladys, this was my mistake. I let Mr. James drive off before the car was properly inspected, and then the accident happened."
"Please don't misunderstand—that bottle contains origami wishing stars I folded myself, praying for Mr. James's leg to heal quickly."
The car wasn't properly inspected?
But the luxury auto dealership had specifically called me to pick it up.