After placing the order, Ethan and Diana left Harry's shop and found a nearby hotel to stay in.
It wasn't in the city center, so the hotel wasn't particularly high-class, and the environment was quite ordinary. But it was just a temporary resting place; they wouldn't be staying long anyway.
Diana looked at Ethan, who was sitting at the headboard lost in thought, and suddenly became curious.
"What are you thinking about?"
"I'm thinking, wouldn't it be interesting to throw that Dom directly into prison?"
The main plot of this movie revolves around the evolving relationship between Brian and Dom. In the end, even though Brian confirmed Dom was the robber he was supposed to catch, he still let him go.
If Ethan had gotten Dom arrested from the very beginning, who knows how the story would have turned out.
Could Brian and Mia still have ended up together? One reason they got together was that Brian didn't directly participate in Dom's capture. Years later, when Dom no longer wanted to run, Brian even tried hard to get his sentence reduced or even pardoned.
When that failed, Brian gave up his identity as an FBI agent, hijacked Dom, and became a wanted man himself.
But according to Ethan's thinking, if Dom were put away at this point, Brian would be directly involved in the arrest. In that case, it would be strange if Mia didn't hate him to death. Their relationship probably wouldn't have developed into true love.
"What's interesting about that?"
Also sitting against the headboard, Diana didn't know what was supposed to happen in this world. In this situation, she completely failed to understand what was interesting about it.
"Because a lot of things would change."
"Like when you taught me how to use my power?"
"This would bring even bigger changes."
Although that event had a major impact on Diana herself, it didn't significantly affect the overall plot. Things still mostly followed the original timeline. The only real change was that Diana's combat power increased significantly, so Ares was killed before he could pose much of a threat.
The bigger impact was that Diana never lost her faith in humanity and continued to secretly protect them as Wonder Woman. That was the biggest difference.
Compared to that, him and Diana killing Zod and his people, preventing a catastrophe, had a much greater effect on that world.
As Ethan spoke, he casually flopped to the side, adjusting his posture and resting his head on Diana's thighs, which were firm and elastic from years of training.
"Let's rest for a bit, then go out and have some fun tonight."
Neither of them needed sleep, but just lying there undisturbed was a nice way to relax. They didn't need to talk, simply enjoying the feeling of being together.
Unconsciously, evening arrived. The two of them got up, tidied their clothes, and returned to Harry's shop. The two cars they had ordered earlier had completed their final adjustments, and now the transaction could be completed after Ethan and Diana inspected them.
These two cars weren't famous sports models. Although they looked quite flashy and cool after being modified, due to their limitations, they could only be considered average. Car modification enthusiasts didn't think much of this level of vehicle, which was why the shop kept a few sample cars but rarely sold them.
True enthusiasts preferred to buy parts and modify cars themselves. The few cars displayed in Harry's shop were just examples to showcase the shop's products and technical capabilities.
However, if someone was willing to buy, Harry was certainly happy to sell them, because cars depreciate over time. These weren't classic or limited edition models that appreciated with age.
Ethan walked around for a while. One car was gray, and the other red. He eventually got into the gray one, while Diana took the red one.
Ethan had a driver's license in his previous life, but rarely drove. If his former self had driven this kind of manual modified car, he would have stalled out instantly, making Harry and Brian cover their faces in shame.
In this life, his body had been constantly enhanced. His coordination and reaction speed far surpassed that of ordinary people. On top of that, the simulation system on the Artemis included car driving. The simulator had already become a giant arcade machine for the crew. Ethan occasionally played it to pass time and now had driving skills that exceeded even professional racers.
He started the engine, and the car shot out onto the road. After a beautiful drift, it sped away and disappeared in an instant.
Diana shook her head helplessly. Although she didn't play racing games often on the Artemis, she had lived for so many years. Naturally, she had long since mastered driving. With her level of control, this kind of thing posed no challenge.
She started the red car, drove steadily onto the road, then suddenly accelerated and vanished just as quickly.
Harry watched the two cars speed away, then happily went back inside to prepare for closing.
If they hadn't gone far, and something happened, he might still get dragged into it. Now that they were out of sight, even if something happened, it had nothing to do with him.
As for that young man named Ethan, driving without a license or speeding, that was none of his business. Let his parents worry about it.
Harry noticed Brian standing nearby, still staring into the distance, looking worried. He waved his hand to reassure him.
"Stop looking. Rich kids like that aren't our concern. Even if something happens, the adults in their families are better at handling it than we are."
If they died in a car accident, Harry would just say they deserved it and wouldn't feel the slightest sympathy.
Brian shook his head. He remembered the young man saying he was going to the race tonight. Maybe he would see him there. But more than worrying about a spoiled rich kid seeking thrills, Brian was troubled by his own mission. He was racing tonight, and if possible, it would be best to win against Dominic.
If he won, he might attract Dominic's attention, which would make it easier to infiltrate the crew.
To that end, he had installed nitrous oxide in his car to increase his chances of winning.
Even though Harry thought his skills were far too lacking, and that installing nitrous was basically asking to crash, Brian didn't give up. He spent the whole afternoon completing the modifications.
Now he was ready to drive to the race.
At this moment, Ethan was cruising around the streets. Except for his initial burst of speed, he later drove at a normal pace, only going a bit faster on empty straight roads.
It wasn't because his skills were lacking, nor because he needed time to adapt to the car. He simply didn't want to show off on normal streets or attract police attention.
After driving for a while, he returned to Harry's shop. He had suddenly realized a very awkward problem: he didn't know the exact location of the race.
When he arrived back, he happened to see Brian driving his green modified car out of the shop, so he immediately followed.
He didn't try to hide his presence. Brian quickly noticed and pulled over, looking at Ethan who had stopped beside him.
"Something wrong?"
"I don't know the way. I was hoping you could show me."
Brian was speechless. This young man had been talking about racing all day, and he thought he knew where it was. He didn't expect him to ask for directions.
"I don't want to take you."
He really didn't want Ethan getting involved in something like this. But Ethan's next sentence left him with no choice.
"If you won't take me, I'll just go find Dominic and his crew. I'm sure they'd love to race me."
That group didn't have the best tempers. They could be provoked with just a few words. If Ethan showed up and challenged them, they'd definitely respond. Maybe Dominic wouldn't be bothered by a kid, but Vince definitely wouldn't hold back.
"Fine, but promise me you'll just watch. Don't get involved."
"I can't promise that."
Brian felt stumped. Why was he the one stuck dealing with this stubborn kid? With no other option, he started the car and drove off.
When he saw Ethan and Diana following, Brian suddenly had an idea.
He glanced at the setting sun. It was almost dark, but there was still some time before the race began. Maybe he could use this time to drive the kid around in circles. When the time was right, Dominic's crew definitely wouldn't be at the shop anymore. Once they left for the race location, he could step on the gas and lose this kid.
He was confident in his driving. Shaking off a kid wouldn't be hard. Maybe he could even make the boy realize how weak his driving was and give up the dangerous idea of underground racing.
After planning everything carefully and confirming the idea was solid, Brian started circling the streets nearby. If Ethan asked, he could say he was warming up the tires or adjusting the car.
But after an hour of circling, Ethan kept following at a steady pace, showing no signs of suspicion.
"Looks like this kid's not from around here and doesn't know the roads."
Brian assumed Ethan was unfamiliar with the area and hadn't realized he was being led in circles. That would make it easier to lose him.
Seeing the traffic light at the upcoming intersection turning red, Brian suddenly accelerated and rushed through.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)