The Tyrant's Return : From Beggar to Sovereign

Chapter 3: The Dealership Snub

Ethan reached out and took the heavy solid gold card from Thomas’s hands. The cold metal felt familiar against his rough skin. For three years, his hands had held nothing but steering wheels of cheap delivery vans and dirty kitchen rags. Now, he held the key to unmatched global power.

“Keep the fleet out of sight for now, Thomas,” Ethan said calmly as he stepped into the back of the lead sedan. “I need a simple, temporary vehicle to move around without drawing too much attention yet. My sister needs medicine, and I have things to take care of.”

Thomas bowed deeply, closing the door. “Understood, Young Master. There is a top-tier luxury car dealership just two blocks away. I will have the owner informed, but if you wish to go alone, the guards will trail you from a distance.”

A few minutes later, the sedan dropped Ethan off near the bright neon lights of the Golden Horizon Auto Dealership. The rain was beginning to slow down, but Ethan’s delivery uniform was still damp and stained with grease. He looked like a lost street beggar as he pushed open the grand glass doors of the showroom.

Inside, the floor was made of polished white marble, and rows of pristine, multi-million-dollar luxury SUVs and sports cars gleamed under the bright ceiling lights.

A tall man in a sharp grey suit stood near the front desk. His name was Manager Henderson. He was busy polishing a gold watch on his wrist when he heard the door open. He looked up, expecting a wealthy businessman, but when his eyes landed on Ethan’s torn clothes and muddy shoes, his face twisted in deep disgust.

Manager Henderson marched over, blocking Ethan before he could even look at the nearest vehicle.

“Hey, you! What do you think you are doing here? This is not a shelter for the homeless. Get out before your dirty shoes ruin our expensive marble floor.”

Ethan did not get angry. He kept his face completely blank.

“I am here to buy a car. The black luxury SUV over there will do.”

Manager Henderson burst out laughing, his voice full of mockery.

“Buy a car? You? Do you even know how to count the zeros on the price tag of that SUV? That is a custom vehicle worth five hundred thousand dollars. A low-life delivery boy like you cannot even afford to buy the valve stem on the tires. Stop wasting my time and leave, or I will make sure you get hurt.”

Ethan took a step forward, his eyes locking onto the manager.

“I have the money. Just process the sale.”

“Hey, security!” Manager Henderson shouted loudly, waving his arms toward the back room. “We have a crazy beggar trying to steal our cars! Come out and drag this garbage out to the curb!”

Two large security guards in black uniforms immediately rushed out, pulling out their heavy wooden batons. They surrounded Ethan, ready to grab his arms and throw him into the dirt.

Right then, the glass doors swung open again, and a loud, arrogant voice echoed through the showroom.

“Manager Henderson! Is my new car ready for pickup?”

A young man wearing an expensive leather jacket and bright gold chains walked in. His name was Kevin Vance, and he was Julian’s cousin. Kevin was a spoiled rich kid who loved to show off his family’s wealth. He was holding the hand of a young model, smiling proudly.

But when Kevin looked closer at the man surrounded by security, his jaw dropped in surprise. Then, a massive mocking grin spread across his face.

“Well, well, well, look who it is!” Kevin shouted, walking over and pointing a finger at Ethan’s face. “Is this not Julian’s useless househusband? The pitiful dog of the Miller family! What are you doing here, Ethan? Did Chloe send you here to wash the tires of my new car?”

Manager Henderson quickly bowed his head to Kevin, his voice instantly turning sweet and polite.

“Young Master Kevin! Welcome! Do you know this broke loser? He just walked in here claiming he wants to buy our most expensive SUV.”

Kevin laughed so hard he had to hold his stomach.

“Buy an SUV? This guy does not even have ten dollars in his pocket. He spends his days cleaning his mother-in-law’s toilet and driving a broken delivery scooter. He is a total parasite.”

Kevin stepped closer to Ethan, looking down at his damp uniform with pure scorn.

“Listen to me, you loser. My cousin Julian just told me what you did at the party. You are completely finished in this city. The Millers are hunting you, and my family will ensure you end up in a ditch. And now you come here to play rich? Look at yourself. You are nothing but a beggar.”

The model next to Kevin giggled, looking at Ethan with complete pity.

“He looks so dirty, Kevin. Tell the manager to throw him out. The smell of poverty is ruining my mood.”

Manager Henderson nodded aggressively, glaring at Ethan.

“You heard Young Master Kevin. You are a lying piece of trash. Security, hit him if he does not move. Throw him into the mud where he belongs.”

The two security guards raised their wooden batons, stepping in close to grab Ethan’s neck. They thought Ethan would beg for mercy, just like every other poor person they had bullied before.

But Ethan did not move a single inch. He did not run, and he did not show a single ounce of fear. Instead, the air around him suddenly grew incredibly cold. The weak, submissive househusband they thought they knew vanished completely.

Ethan slowly reached into his damp uniform pocket. He pulled out the heavy, thick solid gold card with the engraving of the roaring lion.

With a swift, powerful motion, Ethan threw the gold card down onto the glass desk right in front of Manager Henderson’s face. The heavy gold made a loud metallic thud against the glass, causing the manager to jump back in shock.

Kevin laughed sneeringly, squinting at the card.

“What is that? A fake toy card? You think a piece of painted plastic can save you from getting your legs broken?”

But Manager Henderson did not laugh. His eyes went completely wide as he looked at the roaring lion symbol on the gold card. His face turned pale, and his hands began to shake violently.

He had seen this symbol once before in a secret manual sent by the highest corporate leaders of the global franchise. This card belonged to the absolute owners of the entire corporate network, the elite Vance Global Empire. The person holding this card did not just have money. They held the power of life and death over any business in the country.

Ethan looked at the shaking manager, his eyes completely dark, cold, and ruthless.

“Call your owner,” Ethan commanded, his voice sounding like a strike of thunder in the quiet room. “Tell him Ethan Vance is buying this entire building.”