Chapter 98: End of the Evening.

Max glanced briefly toward Jennifer and the others waiting near the corridor, then nodded lightly in agreement.

Outside the entrance, the car that arrived was a black BMW 7 Series sedan, the long-wheelbase luxury version often used for executive transport.

The paint reflected the warm lights from Dallmayr’s façade like a polished mirror, while the signature kidney grille and slim LED headlights gave the car a sharp, elegant presence even while standing still.

The doors were soft-close, the interior dimly lit with soft ambient lighting that hinted at cream leather seats and polished wood trim inside. It was the kind of vehicle meant for quiet comfort rather than showing off speed.

Within a minute the restaurant staff had already coordinated everything. One of the attendants helped the girls with their coats while another held the door open. The chauffeur stood beside the car in a black suit, posture straight, waiting patiently for the guests to enter.

When Max stepped outside with them, the BMW was already positioned neatly at the curb. The driver opened the rear door politely, allowing Jennifer, Machina, and Josefina to step inside first.

The evening that had begun with tension and uncertainty had ended far more smoothly than expected, the staff offering one last respectful farewell from the entrance of Dallmayr as the group prepared to leave.

” I will leave from here. I don’t need a ride, my home is just nearby. ”

Danica said with a relaxed smile when she noticed there were only four seats available in the car, clearly intending to step away and not inconvenience anyone.

Max looked at her for a moment, then tilted his head slightly toward the street.

” See that cab? I booked it for you. It will take you anywhere you want. ”

A taxi had just pulled up a few meters away, the driver already looking toward them after receiving the ride request.

Danica blinked in surprise before laughing softly, realizing he had arranged it ahead of time without even mentioning it.

Max simply gave a small shrug and opened the BMW’s front door. Just quiet preparation — the kind of gesture that made it clear he had already thought about everyone before the moment even arrived.

Danica lived in the opposite direction from Schwabing, otherwise Max would have simply taken the cab himself and given her the car without a second thought. For him it was just a matter of practicality — sending her in a cab while the rest of them returned together made the most sense.

After exchanging a final goodbye, Danica stepped toward the waiting taxi while Max entered the BMW’s front passenger seat. The chauffeur closed the door quietly and the luxury sedan pulled away from the curb with smooth precision.

The streets around Dallmayr were still lively with late evening activity, soft golden lights illuminating the elegant storefronts and historic buildings of Munich’s old center.

The BMW glided past Maximilianstraße where luxury boutiques lined the road, their windows still glowing under controlled lighting even though the shops were closed. The engine was almost silent inside the cabin, the ride so smooth that the city outside felt like it was moving slowly past them rather than the car itself traveling forward.

As they left the historic center, the roads gradually widened. The car passed through Odeonsplatz where the illuminated architecture gave the square a regal look at night, then continued north along the calmer city streets. Traffic had thinned by this hour, allowing the chauffeur to maintain a steady, relaxed pace.

Soon the environment began to shift again. The dense historic buildings gave way to quieter residential streets, the atmosphere becoming more refined and private.

They were entering Schwabing, one of Munich’s most desirable inner-city districts. Elegant apartment buildings lined the roads, many of them older structures with restored stone facades and tall windows, while others were newer luxury developments with minimalist glass balconies and underground parking entrances. The streets were clean and well maintained, trees planted along the sidewalks casting soft shadows under the street lamps.

It was the kind of neighborhood where wealth didn’t need to announce itself loudly. The cars parked along the road were already enough — BMWs, Mercedes, the occasional Porsche — while the buildings themselves carried quiet prestige.

The BMW turned into one of the calmer residential lanes where Josefina’s apartment building stood. The driver slowed smoothly and pulled up near the entrance, the engine settling into a quiet idle as the soft streetlights reflected across the polished body of the sedan.

” I will leave for today. I live on the third floor… same as you. ”

Josefina said as she stepped out from the back seat. Before closing the door, she leaned slightly forward toward the front passenger seat where Max was sitting, one hand resting on the door frame as she bent closer.

” Take care. ”

Max turned his head slightly toward her and gave a small nod, his tone calm as usual.

” You too. ”

Josefina laughed quietly at that, clearly amused that he had already picked up on her habits in such a short time.

” Says the guy who studies, trains, and has multiple girlfriends. ”

She teased before leaning closer.

*SMOOCH*

Her lips brushed lightly against Max’s cheek. When she pulled back, she glanced toward the back seat where Jennifer and Machina were watching the exchange. Josefina didn’t look embarrassed at all — instead she simply smiled at them in a friendly way.

Jennifer returned a small polite smile while Machina watched with quiet curiosity, then gave a nod as well.

” See you tomorrow. ”

Josefina said as she straightened up and closed the door, then walked toward the entrance of her building with confident steps. The lobby lights briefly illuminated her silhouette before the glass door closed behind her.

For a second the car remained still, then the BMW began moving again.

The chauffeur guided the sedan back onto the road, merging smoothly into the quiet flow of night traffic.

Max leaned back slightly in the passenger seat while the city lights passed by the windows. Behind him Jennifer had shifted closer to the center of the seat, resting her arm along the door while watching the streets outside, and Machina sat upright beside her, quietly observing everything like she always did.

The road they entered next was part of Schwabing’s lively nightlife corridor. Small bars and late-night cafés still had lights glowing through their windows, music drifting faintly onto the sidewalks where groups of people stood chatting under neon signs. A few taxis passed by in the opposite direction, their headlights briefly cutting through the night.

But the lively stretch didn’t last long. The chauffeur soon turned off the main road and onto a quieter side street, and the difference was immediate.

The noise faded and the atmosphere became calm again. This part of Schwabing consisted of modern residential buildings — clean architectural lines, glass balconies, and underground garages built into the ground floors. The street was lined with neatly planted trees and soft white street lamps that gave the area a quiet, almost peaceful feel.

It wasn’t as prestigious or expensive as Josefina’s neighborhood, but it was still clearly a well-developed part of the city where professionals and university staff often lived.

Jennifer leaned forward slightly.

” Home already? ”

Max gave a small nod.

” One street away. ”

The BMW slowed again as it approached the familiar building where Max’s apartment was located, the car easing toward the curb as the night around them returned to its quiet rhythm.

The car slowed and came to a smooth stop in front of Max’s apartment building. The street was quiet at this hour, the modern glass balconies above reflecting the soft streetlights.

Max stepped out first from the front passenger seat and walked around the car before opening the rear door for the girls. Jennifer stepped out first, followed by Machina, both adjusting their coats as the cool Schwabing night air brushed against them. Although Jennifer lived in the opposite building across the small lane, she naturally walked toward Max’s entrance together with Machina instead of separating immediately.

Max closed the door gently and walked back toward the driver’s side window. The chauffeur rolled the window down slightly. He was an older man, perhaps in his late sixties, with neatly combed gray hair and the composed posture of someone who had spent decades behind the wheel.

Max pulled out a 50-euro note and extended it toward him.

” For the ride. ”

The old driver immediately shook his head and raised a hand politely.

” No, Sir, that’s not necessary. The restaurant already arranged the service. It’s included. ”

Max didn’t pull his hand back. Instead he rested his arm casually against the edge of the window frame, his tone calm and matter-of-fact.

” I know. This one is from me. ”

The driver hesitated again, clearly uncomfortable taking it.

” You are too generous, Sir. It was only a short drive. ”

Max smiled faintly and gently placed the note into the driver’s hand anyway.

” You waited, drove carefully, and brought everyone home safely. That’s worth more than any distance. ”

The old man looked at the note for a second before finally nodding, a quiet smile appearing on his face.

” Thank you, Sir. I appreciate it. ”

Max gave a small nod in return and stepped away from the car.

The BMW’s engine hummed softly as the chauffeur raised the window again and pulled away down the quiet Schwabing street, leaving Max, Jennifer, and Machina standing under the soft glow of the building’s entrance lights.

Tipping low-wage workers is actually a good way to spend money. It feels right, and it might even give someone the chance to enjoy a proper meal after a long day of work.

The thought crossed Max’s mind as he watched the BMW disappear down the quiet Schwabing street.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep