After hearing this, Ethan understood.
Banks were essentially profit-seeking institutions.
Naturally, they had ways to get you to keep your money with them.
As long as you had enough money, the bank became your servant.
Of course, if you owed the bank enough money, they'd often check in on you and send gifts during the holidays—in which case you were the boss.
Banks were typical fair-weather friends—lending you an umbrella on sunny days and taking it back when it rained.
Many people didn't like them, but some of the services and privileges they provided were still things Ethan needed.
If he wanted to buy limited-edition cars or exclusive properties in the future, without the right connections, he could rely on the bank's resources to get access to information channels and such.
Weighing the pros and cons, Ethan didn't refuse:
"Sure, I'm available, but I'm in New York right now, not on the West Coast. So if you want to do dinner, it'll have to be in a couple days."
William's voice immediately filled with pleasant surprise:
"That's completely fine! Mr. Miller, you're in luck—I happen to be on a business trip in New York right now! As long as it's convenient for you, I can arrange it anytime!"
The timing was perfect, and he seized the opportunity to extend the invitation.
With things laid out like this, Ethan had no reason to refuse, so he agreed:
"Alright, President, you handle the arrangements."
"Excellent!"
William couldn't hide his joy: "So Mr. Miller, would tonight be convenient? The time is entirely up to you!"
"Tonight works. Send me the address."
Ethan was crisp and efficient.
"Perfect, perfect! I'll send you the address right now. I won't disturb you further, Mr. Miller! See you this evening!"
William's voice was full of energy.
"See you then."
Ethan hung up and drove his Ferrari onto the road.
Not long after, his phone dinged with William's text message, containing just one place name:
"The River Garden!"
The name sounded elegant.
A place chosen by the president of such a major branch naturally wouldn't be low-end.
He glanced at the navigation—it wasn't very far, only about half an hour's drive.
He pulled over and dialed another number.
It rang a few times.
The phone connected, and a familiar but slightly distant female voice came through:
"Hello? Who is this?"
Ethan had called the flight attendant Jessica Chen he'd met on his flight to New York.
"It's me, Ethan."
The other end was silent for a few seconds, then Jessica's obviously emotional voice rang out:
"Oh, Mr. Miller. Can I help you with something?"
The displeasure in her tone practically overflowed.
Ethan could clearly hear that Jessica was upset.
On the plane yesterday, things had seemed so promising, but there'd been no word after landing—leaving the beauty waiting all day.
Ethan couldn't help it—he'd been sidetracked by meeting Vanessa halfway through buying the car, hadn't he?
Ethan smiled:
"Didn't we agree on the plane? You'd show me around New York, and I'd take you to dinner."
Jessica on the other end clearly harbored strong resentment:
"I think Mr. Miller probably doesn't need a tour guide anymore. After all, it's already the second day since you arrived in New York, and you've probably gotten familiar with everything you needed to."
Ethan said unhurriedly:
"I just finished dealing with some things, and I contacted you as soon as I could. Haven't had dinner yet either!"
"Really?"
Jessica was fooled by Ethan and actually believed it—who could blame him for looking so young and harmless?
If some sleazy old guy said it, she probably wouldn't have bought it.
"Of course it's true."
Ethan struck while the iron was hot and directly blocked any escape route for her to refuse:
"Where do you live? I'll pick you up right now."
Jessica hesitated for a moment, her voice softening:
"I'm staying with a colleague, and we were just about to head downstairs for dinner."
Ethan continued:
"Send me the address. This dinner is my apology."
At this point, if the Chase Bank president heard Ethan's words, he'd definitely say: "Oh great, real classy—I invite you to dinner and you bring a girl along."
"Okay, I'll text you the address."
Jessica ultimately couldn't resist, and her voice softened a bit more.
"Alright, see you soon."
Ethan hung up and quickly received the text with the address.
A 4-star Courtyard by Marriott hotel.
Generally, airlines made decent accommodation arrangements for their crew.
....
In the Courtyard hotel room.
Jessica put down her phone and couldn't help but huff into the air.
Ethan was the first person she'd ever given her contact information to like that.
The day she'd arrived in New York, she'd been full of anticipation.
When she got to the hotel, she'd showered, put on elaborate makeup, and made herself look stunning.
She kept waiting for Ethan's call, but didn't receive one even by eleven o'clock that night.
She'd thought she was being played and was furious.
That was why she'd been so unhappy when he called just now.
However, that one phone call just now had made her forget all her grievances.
While scolding herself for having no self-respect, she sat in front of the mirror and began fixing her outfit.
Amy Frost, her best friend and colleague who was rooming with her, was packing up her things and getting ready to go downstairs for dinner when she noticed Jessica's unusual behavior. She couldn't help but be curious:
"Jessica, what's going on? We're going down to eat, and you're doing your makeup?"
She took a step closer and blinked mischievously:
"Ohhh~~~ I know! Did you make plans with a hot guy? Be honest—do you have a boyfriend?"
Jessica suddenly blushed:
"No. He's... just an ordinary friend."
"Ordinary friend?"
Amy had a "you're lying" expression:
"You blow me off for dinner and you're sitting here doing your eyebrows, telling me he's an ordinary friend? Who are you kidding!"
"Oh my god! He really is just an ordinary friend!"
Just then.
Her phone rang.
Jessica quickly answered.
"I'm downstairs. You can just come down."
"Oh~ Okay, I'll be right down."
Jessica's tone was light and breezy.
As soon as she hung up, Amy was already grabbing her arm excitedly:
"Let's go, get downstairs quick! Don't keep him waiting! I'm coming down too to see who this mystery man is!"
Jessica was helpless:
"Amy! You can come down, but don't say anything embarrassing!"
"Relax! I know when to keep my mouth shut! Now hurry up!"
Amy promised repeatedly, pushing Jessica toward the elevator.
They arrived at the hotel entrance.
Amy craned her neck and looked around, more eager than Jessica:
"Jessica, where is he? Which one is your friend? I don't see any hot guys?"
Jessica also frowned slightly, looking for Ethan's figure.
Just then, next to a fiery red Ferrari parked by the curb, a tall, handsome figure got out of the car and waved to them:
"Jessica, over here!"
Amy's eyes were instantly drawn to him. When she saw the sports car and the young man standing next to it, she gasped in shock, instinctively grabbed Jessica's arm, and lowered her voice in an excited whisper:
"Oh my god! A Ferrari! Jessica... that car... has to be worth 300 grand, right?"
The visual impact was extremely powerful.
Jessica hadn't expected Ethan to pick her up in a Ferrari, and her heart beat faster.
She pulled Amy, who was still a bit dazed, and walked over, introducing them a little awkwardly:
"Ethan, this is my colleague and best friend, Amy Frost."
Ethan smiled and nodded to Amy:
"Hello, I'm Ethan!"
Amy snapped back to reality, her face immediately filling with a bright smile, her eyes sweeping back and forth between Ethan and the Ferrari:
"Hi, hi! Ethan, right? I'm Amy Frost! Wow, you're even hotter in person than I imagined! No wonder you've got our Jessica so fascinated..."
Before she could finish, Jessica, blushing furiously, covered her mouth.
"Amy, stop talking nonsense!"
Amy was cut off by Jessica before she could finish.
Jessica quickly stepped forward to explain to Ethan:
"She just likes to run her mouth. Don't listen to her."
Ethan smiled:
"It's fine."
"Okay, okay, you two go eat! I won't be a third wheel."
Amy broke free from Jessica's hand and pushed her with a smile:
"Alright, alright, no more teasing! You guys go eat! I'm not going to be that super high-wattage third wheel!"
After saying that, she waved playfully to Ethan, turned around, and jogged back into the hotel lobby.
There are 90 advance chapters ahead in my Patreon. If you are interested can check it out.
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