Chapter 1

My parents wanted me to keep a low profile, so they swapped out my Maybach for a used station wagon.

I didn't think much of it — until the first day I drove it to work, and my boss snatched the keys right out of my hand.

"Thomas, I need to take my girlfriend camping this weekend. Lend me the car. You're single anyway — it's not like you're doing anything but sitting at home."

Before I could say a word, he added impatiently:

"Fill up the tank first, and make sure it's clean. Think of it as a chance to make a good impression."

The people around us craned their necks to watch.

Even my girlfriend — who didn't know we were together, as far as anyone at work was concerned — lowered her voice and nudged me:

"Thomas, don't make things difficult. He's your boss. Just lend him the car and stay on his good side. It'll help you at the end-of-year review."

I almost laughed out loud.

It was my family's company. What review did I need his help with?

I looked at Mark — the department director who had been parachuted in from outside.

I kept my patience.

"Mark, this car is a limited edition. If it gets scratched, the parts are almost impossible to source."

"Maybe you could ask one of the other guys?"

Mark rolled his eyes and scoffed.

"It's a beat-up used station wagon. What parts could possibly be hard to find?"

"My new girlfriend has this thing about camping and needs a big car that can haul stuff. Otherwise, who'd bother with your junk."

A few coworkers exchanged glances and tried to smooth things over.

"Come on, Thomas. Director Mark already asked — just let him borrow it for a bit."

"Getting face time with the boss is never a bad thing. It's just a car. No need to be so stingy about it."

When I still didn't answer, my girlfriend Aurora gave me a shove.

"Thomas, stop acting up. Director Mark is talking to you. Get moving."

Mark glanced at Aurora, then turned back to me.

"Alright, alright. You look like you can't make up your mind, so clearly being generous isn't in your nature."

"How about this — I'm not borrowing your used piece of junk for free. I'll add two points to your performance review at year-end. Consider it me doing something nice for my subordinate."

Used piece of junk. That was rich.

Sure, my dad had phased this car out of his rotation — but it cost enough to buy an apartment. Even a single scratch would run more than Mark's entire annual salary.

I was about to refuse when Aurora grabbed Mark's arm and held on.

"Thank you so much, Mark! Thomas just started and he's still learning the ropes."

"Don't worry — I'll personally make sure the car is clean and the tank is full before you pick it up."

Mark looked pleased with himself, gave Aurora a pat on the hand, and headed back to his office.

The coworkers around us started laying it on thick.

"Thomas, aren't you going to thank Director Mark?"

"Seriously — two performance points for a used car? You're coming out ahead."

Aurora exhaled with relief and came over to link her arm through mine.

"There you go. You've got to be a little smoother about these things — especially as a man. Know when to play the game."

"If Mark's happy, things will be a lot easier for both of us around here."

I stepped aside without a word, letting her hand fall.

I glanced at her wrist. She was wearing a couples watch — the exact same one as Mark's.

"Aurora," I said. "Are you working late again this weekend?"

Her eyes shifted. She let out a dry laugh.

"Yeah... the company suddenly has this urgent thing. I really do have to go in."

"You know how it is — I'm in a good stretch right now and I need to push."

I watched Mark's back as he walked away, and smiled to myself.

I wanted to see how far her "good stretch" would take her without my help.

Monday morning, I was jolted awake by Mark calling my phone.

"Thomas! Get your ass down to the lobby right now!"

"Come see what your piece of crap car has done to me!"

I took my time. Got up, washed my face, got dressed.

By the time I got downstairs, Mark was standing next to the car with his hands on his hips, a crowd of coworkers gathered around him.

I walked a full circle around the vehicle. The front bumper was caved in. One headlight was in pieces on the ground. The whole body was splattered with mud. The window had been left open, and inside there was a smell I couldn't quite name — and a few used condoms sitting right there on the floor mat, out in the open.

Mark saw me coming and immediately jabbed his finger at my face.

"Thomas, what is wrong with this car?"

"I was driving just fine and the brakes suddenly gave out! I went straight into a tree!"

"You scared me half to death — and I want compensation for the emotional distress!"

He caught himself mid-sentence.

Aurora, standing off to the side, chimed in to pile on.

"Thomas, how could you lend the boss a car with a safety defect?"

"What if something had seriously happened to Director Mark? Could you even take responsibility for that?"

This car had carbon-ceramic brakes — a limited-edition spec. And he was telling me they failed?