CHAPTER 171: BOLD BEYOND BELIEF

Sophia was still sleeping like a log at home.

It wasn’t until something cold touched her cheek that she finally opened her eyes.

"You’re back? Didn’t you say you were going to the office?"

"Alex has a class reunion tonight. I figured since it’s the weekend, I might as well come home. I’ve got time today—thought I’d take you and the kids out."

Sophia reached out, and Lucas immediately scooped her up.

When she went downstairs, all six kids were fully geared up.

"Mommy, you’re finally awake! Daddy said he’s taking us to the hot springs today and then out for a big feast!"

They were obviously excited beyond control.

Sophia smiled. "You six little foxes sure got ready fast."

"Let’s go."

Lucas drove personally, carrying his queen and their kids toward the destination.

"It’s not that simple, right~?"

Sophia threw a glance his way.

Lucas pretended to be clueless, replying innocently, "What? What do you mean?"

"Don’t play dumb. Every time you go somewhere, you always plan everything in advance. Normally Alex plans the entire route. And yesterday you didn’t mention a single word about hot springs. That means this trip was last-minute. The only thing I don’t know—

is why."

She hit the nail on the head.

Lucas couldn’t hide his smile. "No one knows me better than my wife."

"Speak. The reason."

"Alex borrowed one of my cars for his reunion."

"And then?"

Borrowing a car to show face was normal.

But Alex doing it—that was unusual.

He wasn’t the type to pretend he was rich.

Alex had plenty of money—never lacked small cash—and as Lucas’s exclusive assistant, everything he used was top-tier.

"You don’t get it. Alex used to be the school heartthrob, but he got bullied. Whenever he sees those people, he gets nervous without realizing it. I’m not going because of him—I gave him three cars to choose from. And I’m not paying the repair bill if anything gets scratched."

Sophia instantly understood.

So that was why.

"Didn’t expect it. He’s always so lively."

She suddenly remembered—when Lucas was out of town and Aiden came for a seal, Alex casually asked about it too.

Her vigilance really was stronger than average.

"How long has Alex been with you?"

"Eight years."

"Eight years... that’s a long time."

Eight years could sharpen a man.

"Sophia, what are you trying to say?"

"Nothing. Just asking. Keep driving."

If Alex had stayed by his side for eight years, he definitely wasn’t a problem.

Some thoughts were better kept to herself—for now—so she wouldn’t disrupt the dynamics between them.

The largest hot spring resort in City A covered thousands of square meters.

Crowds flowed in and out, and the environment ranked top three nationwide.

Above the springs was a lavish luxury hotel.

When they arrived—

Lucas’s reserved parking spot... was gone.

"Sophia, get out first. I’ll ask someone to move the car."

"Move it? Not to brag, but take a look—where exactly do you see an empty parking space?"

There wasn’t a single gap in sight.

Lucas’s expression darkened.

The sharp-eyed lobby manager rushed over immediately.

"Oh! Mr. Hilton! What an honor—what brings you here today?"

Lucas shot him a cold glance. "I paid five million for that parking spot. Don’t you think you owe me an explanation?"

The manager looked at the occupied spot and cursed someone’s ancestors in his heart.

Who the hell dared do that?!

But on the surface, he kept a polite smile.

"Mr. Hilton, rest assured. Give me three minutes—I’ll have the car removed immediately!"

Lucas’s voice dropped several degrees.

"I may have money, but that doesn’t mean people can take it, then try to butter me up afterward."

Cold sweat was already forming on the lobby manager’s forehead.

"Mr. Hilton, I promise—I’ll give you a proper explanation."

He turned sharply, waving at a young valet nearby.

"Come here. Whose car is this? Move it. Now!"

The young valet looked troubled.

"Manager... he’s a troublemaker. Last time we tried to move his car, he literally threw himself at it pretending we hit him."

"A troublemaker? Move it anyway! If he’s a menace, then I’ll deal with him myself. How dare he take Mr. Hilton’s spot? If he has a problem, tell him to come directly to me!"

The manager was furious. The valet quickly got into the Mercedes.

Lucas had just stepped out of his own car when—

A bulky man wearing a tank top and a "Rolex" came barreling over.

"Hey, hey, hey! What do you think you’re doing?! Who said you could touch my car?!"

The tank-top man, Jett, glared with eyes wide like brass bells, blocking his Mercedes protectively.

"That’s MY car! What the hell do you think you’re doing?!"

The lobby manager rushed up.

"Sir, you parked in Mr. Hilton’s private spot."

"I don’t care who he is. My car deserves a premium spot! And if you don’t park it for me, I’ll sue your whole place!"

The manager had seen all kinds of people in his career.

But this man’s lack of respect made his tone turn cold.

"Sir, I must ask you to be respectful."

"Respect you? And who the hell are you? Just some doorman. Say one more word and I swear—"

Jett shoved him.

The manager swallowed his anger.

"Sir, please calm down, or I’ll have to call security."

"Call security? Do you even know who I am? I’ll tell you—I even have connections with Lucas, one of your investors! Call someone, go on! I’ll have him fire you!"

Lucas, only a few steps away, stopped and slowly turned back—

his expression turning icy.

Jett was about to shove the manager again when—

A hand grabbed his wrist mid-air.

"You—"

Jett froze.

He was a businessman with some assets; of course he recognized Lucas.

Lucas released him, took out a handkerchief, and wiped his hands with calm elegance, a cold smirk lifting the corner of his lips.

"So, you know who I am? Should I be thanking you for that?"

"M-Mr. Hilton! What... what are you doing here?"

"Oh, nothing. Just noticed a $100,000 car parked in a spot I paid five million for. A little irritating, that’s all."

Jett stiffened from head to toe.

He never imagined the reserved VIP spot belonged to Lucas.

He saw the Supreme VIP sign and thought no one would come—so he parked there.

"Mr. Hilton, I—I didn’t realize. I was blind. Please don’t take it to heart. Forgive me."

"Apologize."

"Huh?"

Lucas stepped aside, revealing the lobby manager behind him.

"Apologize," he repeated, voice cold as steel.

"Okay, okay, okay—sorry! Manager, I apologize. My bad. Misunderstanding. Don’t take it personally."

With Lucas watching, Jett could only bow his head.

The lobby manager gave a polite professional smile.

"Sir, please rest assured—we’ll take good care of your car."

No one punches a smiling face.

Jett forced a grin.

"Mr. Hilton, we actually have a gathering today. Would you... maybe like to join us?"

Lucas didn’t even look at him.

He simply walked off—one arm around Sophia, the other holding the kids’ hands—heading straight inside.

"Hmph! Acting all high and mighty. All because he’s loaded," Jett spat behind them.

The lobby manager frowned slightly at the comment.