Chapter 15 - THE TEST
The next morning, Richard gave Adrian a single instruction.
“Sell the car.”
Adrian stared at him.
“The supercar?”
“Yes.”
“You told me it was mine.”
“It is.”
“Then why?”
“Because I want to know whether you value the car more than your future.”
Adrian laughed.
“You're serious.”
“Completely.”
Adrian looked through the window.
The car sat in the driveway.
For years, he had dreamed about owning something like it.
It represented everything he wanted.
Status.
Freedom.
Attention.
Power.
Selling it felt humiliating.
Richard didn't pressure him.
He simply walked away.
Adrian spent the entire day thinking.
By evening, he drove the car to the dealership.
The manager greeted him.
“You're returning it?”
“No.”
Adrian placed the keys on the desk.
“I'm selling it.”
The manager looked shocked.
“You'll lose money.”
“I know.”
The transaction took less than an hour.
When Adrian returned home, the driveway was empty.
For the first time in years, he had no luxury car waiting for him.
He felt strangely lighter.
Richard was standing outside.
Adrian approached.
“It's done.”
Richard nodded.
“How much did you lose?”
“Almost two hundred thousand.”
Richard looked at him.
“And how do you feel?”
Adrian thought about it.
“Angry.”
Richard nodded.
“Good.”
Adrian looked confused.
“Why?”
“Because change isn't supposed to feel comfortable.”
Then Richard handed him an envelope.
Inside was a bank statement.
The amount was enormous.
It was Adrian's remaining personal fortune.
Richard had not taken everything.
He had left him enough to rebuild.
But there was another document.
A resignation letter.
Adrian looked at it.
“What's this?”
“Your position at Sterling Holdings.”
Adrian's eyes widened.
“You want me to quit?”
May you like
“No.”
Richard looked directly at him.
