Super Rich System: From Loser to Tycoon

Chapter 5: Two of These Watches, Please!

No sooner had Evan uttered "Charge it!" than the sales associate produced the card reader. However, she harbored a flicker of doubt: The young man was undeniably handsome, yet his attire was nothing more than street market fare. Could he truly afford the $9.8 million?

Her skepticism was swiftly shattered by Evan's serene smile and a nod that put her at ease, signaling all was well to proceed with the transaction.

"Is he actually going ahead with it?"

"Yes, for $9.8 million, no less. He looks like he can cover it. I've heard that young master Taylor isn't exactly reputable. Maybe he's the one slandering this chap!"

"A tycoon in disguise, who would have thought? Handsome and wealthy, buying a watch that even Taylor can't afford, and for $9.8 million!"

Whispers flitted through the crowd, reaching the ears of Alyssa Ramos and Anthony Taylor, furrowing their brows. Could this be a hidden magnate, nonchalantly affording a $9.8 million tag?

Remorse tinged Alyssa's heart. Why hadn't she seen Evan's wealth before? Had he been testing her love's fidelity with his guise of poverty?

Sighing, she considered Anthony Taylor, the mayor's son. Although powerful, his wealth was but an annual million-dollar salary. To buy a $9.8 million watch, he'd have to tighten his belt for a decade, unlike Evan's effortless panache.

"Sir, I've charged the card," the sales associate announced, having keyed in $9.8 million and looking up at Evan for confirmation. "Please, sir, verify the amount—is it $9.8 million?"

"Hold on!"

Evan halted the transaction with a chuckle, his gaze lingering on Alyssa and Anthony as he leisurely spoke, "Don't charge it yet. I believe the amount is incorrect."

Anthony, nearly leaping ahead of everyone, squinted at the POS machine, insisting, "It's correct, what's mistaken?"

Then, as if struck by a revelation, he slapped his thigh and smirked with feigned arrogance, "You're broke, aren't you? I knew it! How could a poor student like you have $9.8 million? Just ask directly if you want my money. I might spare you a few hundred, but don't you play the big shot in front of me!"

His words brought Alyssa a sigh of relief, cursing inwardly:

Evan, I was almost fooled again. Thankfully, Anthony noticed your ruse in time; otherwise, I would have believed you to be a stealthy millionaire. What a close call!

The crowd, stirred by Evan's "Hold on," now erupted in louder murmurs upon hearing Anthony's words, as if suddenly enlightened. "He's penniless, that's why he stopped the card charge! How could the mayor's son deceive us? It's this kid who's been tricking us all along!"

"It's all a ruse! Such cunning for his age. Master Taylor, just give him a few hundred to send him on his way, save us the embarrassment!"

"This young man's performance is Oscar-worthy!"

Even the sales associate, who had been on Evan's side, looked perplexed: "Sir, the amount is correct—it's $9.8 million."

Evan nodded, his dark eyes shimmering with unaddressed challenge: "Ah, my mistake in communicating. The POS display of $9.8 million is indeed correct, but I've had a change of heart. Make it $19.6 million—I'll take two of these watches!"

$19.6 million for two Richard Mille RM 63-02 watches!

Gasps echoed through the crowd, instantly reaching a fever pitch.

Madness! This was sheer madness!

$19.6 million on watches! Yet, from Evan's ease, this sum seemed like mere pocket change. The act of purchasing these watches was as effortless as breathing to him.

At that moment, words failed to capture the scene's insanity; only the term 'madness' could come close to expressing the collective shock.

"I can't even begin to imagine such wealth!"

"Splurging like it's nothing!"

"Heh, this makes you green with envy. They say Master Taylor earns a mere million a year, and here we have someone casually dropping $19.6 million!"

Upon hearing Evan's declaration and the surrounding chatter, Anthony Taylor's grin vanished. He stuttered uncertainly, "Big talk is cheap, brother. After all that, show us the money!"

Alyssa Ramos felt her heart leap into her throat, her face betraying her inner turmoil. Had she been so blind?

But then she eased, reminding herself that no money had changed hands yet. Could this be another deception?

"Swipe it, swipe it, swipe it!"

The chant thundered from the crowd, relentless and long-lasting.

"Sir, shall we proceed with the card?" The dazzling sales associate was jolted from her daydreams by the chorus, asking in a fluster, "Is it $9.8 million or $19.6 million?"

She'd been lost in a fantasy about a romance, where her prince charming was none other than the young man before her.

"$19.6 million," Evan's voice resonated with conviction.

The POS machine beeped its approval—a sound like divine melody to Evan, but to Alyssa Ramos and Anthony Taylor, it was a siren song of doom.

As the receipt printed, the entire floor erupted into chaos. Everyone froze, including Alyssa, Anthony, and even the sales associate.

He had really paid $19.6 million!

"He actually went through with it. He's a tycoon after all, and here we were, misled by Master Taylor!"

"The transaction's complete, truly $19.6 million!"

"Such wealth... To think of the interest one could earn on that in a year!"

"How about that? I did say my monthly allowance is in the millions. Do you believe me now?"

Amidst the fervor, Evan remained the eye of the storm, casting a glance at the dumbstruck Anthony Taylor and Alyssa Ramos.

Anthony's face dripped with mortification, a mix of shame and rage indescribable in words.

And Alyssa? She was desperate to flee. But her anger was directed at Anthony, the fool who couldn't afford a $9.8 million watch, dragging her into this humiliation. Wouldn't sticking with Evan have been the wiser choice? How could she have been so foolish!

"May I have my watches now?"

Evan turned to the sales associate, still caught in her daydream, and said with a wry smile, "There's no need to cling to the watches so. Rest assured, even if they break, I won't ask you to pay."

Blushing like a ripe apple, she quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, sir. I'll package them for you right away."

"No need for wrapping. Just hand them to me."

Evan couldn't be bothered with packaging; these watches weren't gifts, merely a means to complete a task from the Super Rich System. He left one watch on the counter, addressing her, "This one's for you, as thanks for standing by me, even against the mayor's son."