Chapter 1

The day I went to pick up my new car, I was told my original salesperson had quit.

A different guy was handling my file now. The first thing he did was open his mouth and tell me the price I paid was too low.

"The previous guy was an absolute idiot. No way we're selling this for sixty grand cash. No wonder he got chewed out and fired," he sneered.

"If you want this car, you'll have to switch to a five-year loan with a 12% interest rate."

I stared at him, speechless at his blatant attempt to rob me in broad daylight.

"I've already paid in full, and the contract is signed. This is a breach of contract," I said firmly.

The salesman just smirked. "So what? The car is still on our lot. You aren't driving it away unless you pay up."

I couldn't help but let out a dry laugh. I reached into the inner pocket of my tailored suit and pulled out my phone.

"Hey, Marcus. Suspend the loan disbursement for Barnaby Thorne."

"His dealership seems to be making money hand over fist. I don't think he needs our help anymore."

1

After I hung up, the salesman stayed as arrogant as ever.

"Oh, look at you, calling our boss by his first name! Stop acting like a big shot!"

"I'm telling you, unless you pay the difference, calling the President himself won't help you!"

He pulled a pre-prepared loan contract from a folder and slammed it onto the desk.

"Here. Black and white, five-year term, 12% interest. Sign it, and I'll let you drive the car off the lot right now."

I picked up the contract and scanned it. My finger stopped on the repayment schedule on the last page.

For a sixty-thousand-dollar principal, the interest alone over five years would be nearly thirty-five grand. It was almost double the original price.

"Thirty-five thousand in interest?" I looked up at him, my voice turning cold. "This isn't a car loan. This is practically usury."

The salesman didn't even flinch. He crossed his arms and laughed.

"Usury? Do you even know the law? This is a voluntary contract signed in black and white. How is that illegal?"

"Our dealership has been around for years. Do you really think we're afraid of a lawsuit?"

He leaned in closer, lowering his voice to a menacing whisper.

"I'll tell you the truth. Our boss isn't just some nobody in this city."

"Go ahead and sue. See who runs out of money first, you or us."

He tilted his chin up, looking at me out of the corner of his eye. He was sure he had me cornered.

"The contract is right here. Are you signing or not? Give me a straight answer."

Just then, the sound of a siren wailed outside the entrance.

The salesman's expression changed instantly.

"You actually called the cops?"

I ignored him and turned toward the door.

A young officer led the way in. He scanned the showroom the moment he stepped inside.

"What's going on? Who called for service?"

I didn't speak immediately. I just calmly watched the salesman.

The guy grit his teeth and quickly wiped the smug look off his face, replacing it with a fawning smile.

"Officer Miller! Sorry to drag you out here. Just a small misunderstanding. This customer wants the car, but his paperwork is incomplete. We're just trying to work it out..."

Officer Miller raised a hand to stop the fake friendliness. "Work what out? Be specific."

"It's like this," the salesman said, pointing at me with a helpless expression.

"This gentleman came in to order a car, but he never actually signed a formal contract. Now he's demanding to take it. We're in a tough spot."

I finally spoke, my voice steady. "Officer, I paid sixty thousand dollars in full. I have a contract signed in black and white."

"Their previous salesman quit, and now this man is refusing to honor the deal. He's trying to force me to pay extra or sign this predatory five-year loan at 12% interest."

I pushed the new loan contract toward the officer.

The salesman immediately started whining. "Officer, please! We're a major dealership. Why would we do something like that?"

"That cash contract he's talking about simply doesn't exist!"

Officer Miller looked at me. "You say you have a contract. Do you have it with you?"

"I do."

I pulled the cash purchase agreement from my briefcase. As I handed it over, a flash of mockery crossed the salesman's face.

Officer Miller took the contract and flipped to the signature page. Gradually, his brow began to furrow.

"This only has your signature on it. There's no signature or official seal from the dealership."