CHAPTER 295: CHAPTER 294: BANTER IN CAR

They stepped out of the café into the warm afternoon light, still riding the tail end of whatever ridiculous joke Sophie had cracked inside. Sophie was grinning wide, Elara was smiling softly, and even Daisy had the faintest curve to her lips.

They strolled toward the parking lot, weaving between cars. Sophie, scanning the rows, frowned.

"Wait... where’s your precious ride?" she asked, her tone dripping with mock suspicion. "Don’t tell me you parked it somewhere mysterious just to make an entrance."

Rex shoved his hands into his pockets, completely unfazed. "Minor problem with the car," he said casually, as if it were a weather update. "Dropped it off for repairs. Didn’t want the royal chariot breaking down mid-journey."

Sophie tilted her head, lips twitching. "So you’re telling me Mr. Horsepower himself can’t drive his own car? What happened, did you cry when the check-engine light came on?"

Sophie crossed her arms. "For your information, my car works perfectly fine."

"Sure," Rex said, leaning in just enough to make her squint at him, "but if I sat in it, my knees would be in my throat. Not exactly the elegant image I like to maintain."

Elara covered her mouth to hide a small laugh. Sophie, refusing to let him win, muttered, "You know, your ego really should have its own license plate."

"Already applied for one," Rex said smoothly. "It reads KING REX."

Sophie rolled her eyes so hard, Daisy and Hannah almost laughed — almost.

So, here came the question, whose car they were go in? Sophie’s car was... well... was a small car for girls, so obviously they won’t fit. Hannah had arrived in Daisy’s car, as they live nearby, and Elara doesn’t have a car.

Then Sophie’s gaze darted across the lot and lit up. "Oh, wait. Daisy’s car is perfect for today!"

Daisy, who’d been absently scrolling through her phone, froze mid-swipe. "Uh... maybe?"

Rex followed Sophie’s gaze, then let out a low whistle. "Well, well, well... look at this. "You’re telling me that gorgeous machine sitting over there is yours? All this time I thought you were the quiet, modest type, and here you are, rolling around in that?"

"It’s not—" Daisy started, but Sophie was already grinning like she’d just uncovered a deep, dark secret.

Rex smirked, leaning on the back of the nearest car. "So, secretly a rich girl playing it low-key, huh?"

Daisy’s cheeks warmed. "It’s not like that. My parents didn’t need it anymore, so... they gave it to me."

Sophie laughed. "Translation: ’Yes, I’m spoiled, but I’m trying to make it sound casual.’"

Daisy groaned. "You two are impossible."

Elara and Hannah chuckled quietly, while Sophie smirked knowingly at Daisy.

Daisy unlocked the car with a chirp, and Rex slowed his steps as the sleek black sedan came into view. It gleamed in the sunlight, looking completely out of place among the dusty sedans around it.

"Well, well..." he said, eyeing the polished bodywork. "Guess I should’ve worn something fancier to match."

Daisy rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile. "It’s just a car."

"’Just a car,’" Rex repeated, slipping into the passenger seat like he was settling into a first-class lounge. While Sophie, Hnnah and Elara slid into the back, which was spacious enough for them to sit comfortably.

"This thing probably costs more than an apartment... and neighbor’s apartment... combined."

Sophie laughed from the back. "Careful, Daisy. You keep showing off like this and Rex will start asking for chauffeur service."

Daisy started the engine, the low purr filling the cabin. Rex tapped the dashboard appreciatively. "Drives better than most people walk."

Her cheeks warmed as she pulled out of the parking lot. "Don’t exaggerate."

As they merged onto the main road, Rex leaned back, taking in the quiet hum of the engine. "So... luxury chauffeur service and group project delivery. What’s next, free snacks?"

That’s when Hannah, ever the serious one, cleared her throat from the back seat. "Before you get too comfortable, let’s go over the plan again."

Rex groaned theatrically. "Ah, yes, the mission briefing."

Hannah ignored him, flipping open her small notebook. Professor Ellis wants us to pick a smaller entertainment company, not the giant ones. The idea is to map out how they run—talent recruitment, marketing, event management—the works."

"And she said smaller," Sophie added, "because the big ones won’t tell us anything useful. The small ones, if we ask nicely, might actually open up a bit."

"We’ve already picked the company... Northstar Studio. Small, but just established enough to have real structure. Our goal is to observe and collect information on how they operate day-to-day."

Daisy glanced at her through the rearview mirror. "Right, and you said they agreed to let us shadow some of their staff?"

"Exactly," Hannah said. "We’ll be looking at how they scout talent, manage schedules, and coordinate events. Basically, a peek behind the curtain."

Rex smirked. "Sounds like a glamorous spy mission. Any chance they’ll mistake me for a talent prospect?"

Sophie laughed. "Only if they’re looking for someone to model sarcasm."

Hannah sighed but her lips curved faintly. "Just... try not to scare anyone off before we get the data we need."

"Me?" Rex put a hand to his chest. "I’m the definition of charming professionalism."

Daisy shook her head with a smile, pressing a little harder on the accelerator. "Let’s just hope your definition matches theirs."

The car rolled off the main road and into a quieter street, where the buildings were all low-rise and worn, their signs a mix of fading paint and cheap neon, with fading beige walls. Daisy slowed as they approached a squat gray structure with "Northstar Studios" stenciled above a pair of tinted glass doors.

Daisy eased the car into a narrow slot in the small parking lot, the engine humming to a stop.

"Here we are," she said, glancing over at Rex with a very faint grin.

Rex stepped out first, stretching his legs and giving the studio building a slow once-over.

(End of Chapter)