The Price of Greed

John parked the car in the most visible spot at the entrance.

The car’s body was polished spotless. Even the tires were jet black, without a trace of dust.

Noah had also changed into his most presentable suit. He kept rubbing his watch nervously, his expression tense.

“How much longer until Mr. Parker arrives?” he asked urgently.

“He just landed. He should reach the park in about forty minutes,” Winnie replied immediately. There was undeniable excitement in her voice.

Meanwhile, I sat at my desk, slowly packing up my personal belongings.

Photo frames, a mug, a small potted plant, and neatly organized stacks of documents.

Everyone else was so busy tidying the office and adjusting the setup that no one paid attention to what I was doing.

Or rather, they didn’t care.

In their eyes, I was already a sidelined former director, while Winnie was the company’s future.

At 9.30 a.m., Winnie’s phone suddenly rang.

“Mr. Parker has arrived at the park entrance? Okay, okay, I’ll have the driver bring the car over to pick you up right away!”

As per usual protocol, to show respect, Mr. Parker’s convoy would stop outside the park, and we would send a reception car to escort him in. It was standard business etiquette.

Winnie immediately turned and shouted, “John, quick! Drive the car to the entrance to pick up Mr. Parker!”

John responded and got into the driver’s seat, pressing the start button.

Nothing happened.

He pressed it again, harder.

The car still didn’t move.

Sweat instantly formed on John’s forehead, his face turning pale.

“What’s going on?” Winnie rushed over in her heels, her voice sharp with urgency. “Hurry up! Mr. Parker is waiting!”

“It won’t start…” John fumbled with the controls. “It was fine just now. Why won’t it start all of a sudden?!”

“That’s impossible! Did you forget to press the brake?” Winnie stomped her foot.

“I did! I definitely did!” John hurried to explain.

Noah heard the commotion and ran over, his face dark.

“What’s going on? Why now of all times?” he asked, suppressing his anger.

“Mr. Anderson, the car… It’s locked.” John stared at the flashing red light on the dashboard, his voice trembling. “The anti-theft system activated. The engine’s locked.”

“What?” Noah’s expression changed instantly. He yanked John out of the seat and got in himself.

No matter how many times he pressed the ignition, the car gave no response.

It was like a massive white piece of scrap metal.

“Where’s the spare key?” Noah roared.

“In… in the admin safe,” Winnie stammered.

“Go get it!”

Winnie ran back into the company in a panic. Two minutes later, she rushed out, breathless, clutching the spare key.

However, even with the spare key, the car remained completely unresponsive.

This car’s anti-theft system was top-tier. Once remotely locked, no one without the owner’s authorization could start it.

Time ticked by.

At the park entrance, Mr. Parker’s convoy had already been waiting for five minutes.

Winnie’s phone rang again.

It was Mr. Parker’s secretary, and his tone was clearly displeased. “Mr. Anderson, what is the meaning of this? Are you going to keep Mr. Parker waiting outside?”

Sweat ran down Noah’s forehead, soaking into his collar.

Suddenly, he turned his head and looked at me.

At that moment, I was standing at the company entrance, holding a box filled with my things, watching the scene unfold.

“Ava!”

Noah strode over and grabbed my arm, his grip shockingly tight.

“Was this your doing? Why won’t the car start?”