America's Greatest Villain: I Defeat Magic with Magic

Chapter 131 Deep Blue's First Asset

[Target: Howard, 42 years old, Delivery Center Manager at Vito Auto Dealership]

Recent criminal acts: In order to earn huge kickbacks, they resold RS7 custom edition cars that were originally pre-ordered by LBX Company at full price to another major customer who was eager to take delivery of the car.

Manager Howard was well aware that although the dealership did have a rule that the vehicle must be signed for by the owner in person, that rule applied to individual customers.

However, what Chen Yuan and the others were holding were official car purchase contracts.

It's quite common for company owners to come in, select and pay for a car, and then have their subordinates pick it up when it's time for delivery.

Many business owners are so busy, how could they possibly have the time to come and pick up their cars in person?

Therefore, the words spoken to Chen Yuan and his group just now were merely an attempt to take advantage of their youth and reserve the only RS7 available in the store.

The reason was as the system indicated: yesterday, the manager was unable to contact Adrian, who was buying the car, and another close customer was in a hurry to get a black version of the Audi RS7, even willing to give Howard a generous bonus privately.

So Manager Howard took it upon himself to decide to sell the store's only RS7 to a major client first.

Unexpectedly, although Adrian, the person in charge, suddenly disappeared, several young people with car purchase contracts came to his door on the delivery date, demanding to take delivery of the car.

Howard initially thought the three young men who looked like students would be easy to fool, so he didn't plan to personally intervene. He just wanted to have a regular receptionist find an excuse to send Chen Yuan and the others away.

But Hoshino Mina's words—that she'd hire a lawyer, go through legal proceedings, and file a complaint with the consumer protection agency—made Howard finally realize that these few...

This young man is definitely not someone to be trifled with.

Howard, having spent years in the high-end sales world, immediately recognized that among the three young people, although the girl was eloquent and articulate, the Asian boy who had remained silent was still the dominant one.

He then turned to Chen Yuan with a smile and explained, "Sir, I understand your feelings. However, according to our delivery center's regulations, without the original signatory's authorization letter, we can only process the vehicle release procedures if Mr. Adrian Lin, who signed the purchase agreement, is present."

Before Chen Yuan could speak, Hoshino Mina immediately said without any politeness, "If you refuse to deliver, then please immediately provide a legally binding written statement of breach of contract and strictly follow the contract to pay us the full amount of the daily escalating penalty for late delivery!"

Mina Hoshino knew the contract by heart, which clearly stipulated that if the car dealership could not deliver on time, it would have to pay a certain amount of late payment fee every day.

However, Manager Howard calmly shook his head and said, "Since the original signatory failed to arrive on time to pick up the car, this is clearly the responsibility for the delay caused by your side."

"On the contrary, since the car is stuck in our garage and cannot be delivered smoothly, we will not only not compensate you, but will also charge you a daily vehicle storage fee and service fee."

Mina Hoshino was so angry she almost laughed. Not only did the other party refuse to hand over the car, but they also turned around and demanded a storage fee. It was utterly shameless.

Clearly, Manager Howard was confident that these three people had no connections or influence, and that even if things escalated to a lawsuit, the car dealership had its own experts.

They used their legal expertise to deal with them.

Moreover, even if the case is taken to court, the entire legal process could take several months.

By then, the next batch of RS7 quotas shipped from Europe will definitely have arrived at the store and be ready for delivery.

At worst, we can choose to settle the matter by giving them a few more free maintenance services or value-added services that aren't worth much to keep the peace.

After all, she was just an international student, and her understanding of American social rules was mostly limited to what she read in books.

However, Chen Yuan remained calm. Looking at the smug Manager Howard, he suddenly asked, "Mr. Howard, would you like to know why Mr. Adrian Lin, the original recipient you mentioned, couldn't come with us to pick up the car today?"

Manager Howard was taken aback; he hadn't even considered this possibility. It was likely just some trivial reason, like an unexpected event or hospitalization.

Chen Yuan smiled slightly and continued, "The reason Mr. Lin is unable to attend is because he is suspected of serious economic crimes and has been directly detained by the Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS, and is ineligible for bail."

Seeing the instant astonishment on Manager Howard's face, Chen Yuan continued, "The reason we got the purchase contract for this car is because he's not only a fraudster, but he also owes us a large sum of money."

Then, he took the contract from Mina Hoshino and slammed it on the table in front of him: "If you refuse to deliver this car today, I will immediately call the Los Angeles branch's hotline and file a formal complaint with the IRS alleging serious problems with the source of funds for this $20 car purchase!"

"Manager Howard, you're a smart man. You should know very well that this car is very likely involved in a large-scale money laundering transaction to facilitate the illegal transfer of assets!"

"Tell me, if IRS agents come knocking, wouldn't they just seize this RS7 as stolen property? And maybe even investigate all your dealership's sales records and bad debts from the past five years, along with your personal accounts, thoroughly?"

As soon as Chen Yuan finished speaking these rapid-fire words, Manager Howard's expression changed completely.

He never expected that the car buyer Adrian, whom he couldn't contact, was actually a money launderer who had been arrested by the IRS!

If, as Chen Yuan claims, Adrian purchased the car with embezzled funds, then the IRS may not only conduct a source investigation into the transaction, but may even directly classify the car dealership that received the embezzled funds as an "accomplice in money laundering"!

You have to understand, in business, especially in high-end luxury car dealerships with huge cash flow, which person can be completely clean?

What if they actually find out something?

Thinking of the terrible consequences that could ruin his family, Manager Howard was already sweating profusely. Without any hesitation, he quickly said, "Misunderstanding! This is all a misunderstanding! Mr. Chen, since you have a legal full payment contract for the car, the ownership of this car naturally belongs to your company without any dispute!"

At this moment, Manager Howard just wanted to get rid of these plagues who were associated with the IRS, as far away as possible!

A dozen minutes later, Chen Yuan and the others saw the Audi R7S, which had already undergone inspection, in the VIP delivery area at the entrance of the car dealership.

This new car features a classic "Mythical Black" paint job, which looks like a black hole that absorbs light in the dark, creating a very imposing atmosphere.

Because of its elegant fastback body lines, it looks quite understated. To those who don't know much about cars, it might just look like an ordinary four-door family sedan.

In fact, this top-of-the-line version has more exaggerated wide-body wheel arches than the regular version, as well as 22-inch dark black forged wheels.

Even just sitting there quietly, it looks like a muscular beast lying in wait.

Kevin circled the car several times with shining eyes, looking envious and wishing he could get in and experience it for himself.

However, he knew very well that such a nice car could only be given to his boss, Chen Yuan, to drive.

So, quite tactfully, he approached Chen Yuan and said with a smile, "Boss, you and Hoshino can ride in this car. I'll drive that Corolla back for you."

Chen Yuan nodded and asked Kevin to come along, his original purpose being to help with driving. So he handed Kevin the Corolla keys and instructed him, "Just drive it to Rongding Pavilion, be careful, it was left to me by my father."

"Don't worry, boss! My driving skills are rock solid!"

After Kevin finished speaking, he gave Hoshino Mina a wink and then turned and walked towards the parking lot.

Mina Hoshino blushed, but took the initiative to walk to the driver's seat, opened the car door and whispered, "Boss, please get in the car."

"No need to be so polite!"

Despite saying that, Chen Yuan still got into the car and sat in the driver's seat, which was a very comfortable and supportive leather bucket seat.

Mina Hoshino closed the car door, then walked around to the passenger side, opened the door, and sat down next to Chen Yuan.

"This car is beautiful!"

Looking at the luxurious interior around her, Mina Hoshino exclaimed in genuine admiration.

It must be admitted that Adrian has very good taste.

Although these two Audi RS7s look understated and unassuming.

However, the interior is extremely luxurious, with large areas of carbon fiber trim and suede upholstery, all of which highlight the high cost of this car.

Such a top-of-the-line car, yet Adrian didn't even get to touch the steering wheel before it fell into Chen Yuan's hands.

It can also be considered the first asset of DeepBlue Biotechnology after Chen Yuan took on the more than $300 million bad debt left by the other party.

As Chen Yuan lightly pressed the accelerator, the black "suit-wearing thug" emitted a deep roar and quickly drove away from the Vito dealership, merging into the bustling traffic of Los Angeles.