$280,000 was just chump change for me. I spent more than that on a single day's whims.What got under my skin wasn't the cash; it was Chad's ingratitude."I'll pay," I said.Beryl's face lit up with a victorious smirk, and Chad let out a visible sigh of relief."But," I added, my voice sharpening, "you need to break this down for me—every charge, every detail, crystal clear."Beryl quickly pulled out the prepped invoice and recited it with a cocky vibe. "Alright. Let's start with the premium diagnostic scan. We're talking imported analyzers, run by experts with international certifications. It took a full three hours, charged at global rates. Then, your exhaust pipe was messing with the sound profile, so we upgraded it with an opera-inspired resonance chamber. Now it roars like Pavarotti, rich and commanding. Totally elevates the value."I couldn't believe my ears. My three business partners who'd tagged along stifled smirks, and even Chad bowed his head in embarrassment.Beryl
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