"Sir, madam, welcome to Patek Philippe. How can I help you today?" The consultant's voice was gentle and clear.
Ethan didn't bother with pleasantries. His eyes swept over the showcase sharply and finally settled on an independent display area.
There were several watches with more complex designs and a more powerful presence.
"I'd like to see the Grand Complications series, or the Super Complications." Ethan's voice was calm.
These two collections represented the pinnacle of Patek Philippe's pyramid, each worth a fortune and often requiring reservations or even special allocations.
A hint of imperceptible surprise flashed in the sales consultant's eyes, but it was immediately covered by deeper professionalism.
He realized the young guest in front of him was anything but ordinary.
"Of course, sir. Right this way." He bowed slightly and guided Ethan and Sophie toward the VIP reception area.
Sitting down on a comfortable sofa, another staff member immediately served Evian mineral water and exquisite pastries.
The consultant put on white gloves and carefully took out three watches from a special watch box, placing them one by one on a tray covered with black velvet, and pushed them in front of Ethan.
"Sir, please take a look." The consultant began introducing them professionally and with restraint:
"This is a Patek Philippe Ref. 5204P-001, platinum case, split-seconds chronograph perpetual calendar watch. The deep blue dial has a complex layout without being cluttered, and the moon phase window is beautifully integrated. The understated platinum material highlights refined dignity."
He moved to the second one: "Patek Philippe Ref. 5270P-001, also a platinum case, perpetual calendar chronograph watch. The cream-white dial and classic Breguet numeral hour markers radiate a vintage and elegant charm."
Then he introduced the third: "Patek Philippe Ref. 5370P-001, platinum case, split-seconds chronograph watch. The purest black enamel dial brings out the mechanical beauty of the chronograph function to perfection."
Each watch was the pinnacle of mechanical artistry, with its precision movement visible through the sapphire crystal caseback.
The consultant quietly mentioned the prices—all above $850,000.
Sophie was shocked when she heard this. She'd thought the $35,000 watch was astronomical, and now she truly understood what "top luxury" meant.
She held her breath and looked at Ethan.
Ethan didn't immediately express his choice. He motioned for the consultant to let him try on the Ref. 5204P and Ref. 5370P on his wrist respectively.
The substantial weight of platinum perfectly fit the curve of his wrist.
The blue dial was as deep as the night sky, refracting a mesmerizing luster under the light; the black enamel dial appeared purer and more robust, revealing the precision of complex machinery.
Ethan looked in the mirror and carefully considered the different temperaments the two watches brought.
After a moment of silence, Ethan set down the Ref. 5204P, pointing to the Ref. 5370P-001, his tone casual: "I'll take this one. Black enamel—purer, more mechanical, better for everyday wear."
The sales consultant's heart skipped a beat, but he kept a perfect smile on his face: "Sir, you have excellent taste. The Ref. 5370P is a pure chronograph masterpiece. The black enamel dial is timeless, making it both highly collectible and wearable. The official price for this watch is $885,000."
He deliberately stated the price clearly.
"Yeah."
Ethan just responded lightly, as if this number was nothing special.
He took out his wallet and pulled out a bank card.
"Let's process this."
The consultant respectfully took the card with both hands, without the slightest doubt in his mind.
Soon, the payment was completed, and the staff began carefully packaging it.
This top-tier watch, worth nearly $900,000, would be placed in an exclusive Patek Philippe rare wooden watch box with all certification documents included.
He raised his hand to look at it, and the platinum case and black enamel dial complemented each other in the light, the corners of his mouth curving up with satisfaction.
Sophie looked at this scene and felt like the figure of the man in front of her, with the aura of luxury goods and the blessing of his own powerful presence, became more and more unfathomable, firmly capturing all her attention and thoughts.
"Let's go,"
Ethan took Sophie out of the Time Warner Center.
"It's almost noon."
He said, not much emotion audible in his voice, "Let's grab lunch first."
They had lunch at a trendy restaurant nearby.
During the meal, Sophie looked at Ethan dining calmly across from her, then glanced down at the shopping bags piled at her feet with top brand logos printed on them, her feelings mixed.
This dreamlike day felt like a gorgeous and fleeting fantasy.
After lunch, Ethan drove the eye-catching red Ferrari and took Sophie back to the Riverside Plaza Hotel.
Sophie gathered up the large bags and stepped out of the car with one foot, but found that Ethan had no intention of getting out at all, still sitting steadily in the driver's seat.
She was slightly startled, with a hint of imperceptible anticipation and apprehension, and asked softly: "You... aren't you coming up?"
Ethan's eyes looked at her calmly, without the slightest hesitation, and said directly: "I've got something this afternoon. I promised Jessica yesterday I'd show her around the city."
His tone was flat, as if stating a scheduled appointment.
Although Sophie had already done the mental preparation and understood her position, and knew she couldn't be the only woman around an excellent man like Ethan—
When she heard him say so casually that he was going to another woman's date, her heart still felt like it was pricked by a thin needle, with a clear sense of loss and sourness.
She bit her lip subconsciously, and her eyes dimmed for a moment.
However, she quickly adjusted.
Taking a deep breath, she put a gentle and understanding smile back on her face and responded obediently: "Oh, okay, I understand. Then I'll head up first and wait for you to come back."
She deliberately emphasized the words "wait for you to come back," as if to assert her presence.
Ethan nodded and added, "Whatever you want for dinner, just call room service and tell James, and the restaurant will make it according to your request. Or you can go out to eat if you want."
Sophie shook her head, with a hint of genuine exhaustion on her face: "Last night... after shopping for so long this morning, I just want to go back and take a good bath and sleep."
She shook the heavy bags in her hands, smiling with a bit of helplessness.
Hearing this, Ethan pulled out his phone and quickly operated on the screen with his fingertips.
A few seconds later, a crisp notification sound came from Sophie's phone.
She picked it up suspiciously, her pupils dilating instantly. The deposit notification on her banking app showed +$80,000.
"This..."
Sophie looked at the long string of numbers, her voice trembling slightly, "Ethan, does this mean I've been... kept by you?"
She raised her head and looked at him with complicated eyes, as if seeking an answer, as if confirming a certain status.
Ethan raised his eyebrows and asked, "What do you think?"
Sophie's face showed a hint of self-deprecating bitterness: "I guess it must be. If I were a girlfriend, how would you dare tell me so blatantly that you're going to spend the afternoon with another girl?"
Her voice carried a bit of grievance, and also a bit of resignation to her own clarity.
Ethan chuckled, his eyes falling on her face with a hint of perceptive sharpness: "Isn't this the life you chose from the beginning? Love and money—you picked the latter. Since you chose to be a well-fed canary with no worries, you should have the awareness that you're being kept well in a cage by your owner."
His words were almost cold, but extremely true.
After a pause, his tone became somewhat playful: "What, regretting it now?"
"No!"
Sophie immediately shook her head in denial, then showed a smile with flattery and caution, leaning forward slightly toward the car window: "I'm just... just being a little greedy. While having the money, I also want a little bit of romantic sweetness. That way, you won't get rid of me so quickly, right?"
She recalled the dreamlike scene at the Time Warner Center where money flowed like water and she was envied by all the sales associates, and that sense of vanity was like the strongest drug—once you're hooked, it's hard to quit.
She knew she was addicted.
There are 90 advance chapters ahead in my Patreon. If you are interested can check it out.
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