"Yes, ma'am."
"Good. It's violating HOA rules."
Ray glanced toward Ethan.
Ethan stood beside the driveway with his arms crossed.
"What's the problem?"
Vanessa answered immediately.
"This vehicle is illegally parked."
Ray looked at the driveway.
Then at the house.
Then at the sidewalk.
"Is this public property?"
"No."
"HOA common property?"
Vanessa hesitated.
"It's an HOA community."
Ray nodded.
"That's not what I asked."
Vanessa's jaw tightened.
"This driveway is subject to HOA regulations."
"Okay."
Ray looked at Ethan.
"Do you own the property?"
"Yes."
Vanessa interrupted.
"That doesn't matter."
Ray raised an eyebrow.
"Actually, it might."
Vanessa pointed toward the car.
"Just tow it."
Ray looked at her.
"Do you have authorization from the property owner?"
"I am the HOA president."
"That's not the same thing."
The neighbors began whispering.
Vanessa's face reddened.
"You don't understand how this community works."
Ray sighed.
"Maybe not."
He looked at Ethan.
"But I understand towing laws."
Vanessa pulled out her phone again.
"I can call your company."
"You're welcome to."
Ray remained calm.
Ethan walked toward his front door.
"Wait here."
Vanessa scoffed.
"Where are you going?"
"To get something."
"What?"
Ethan didn't answer.
A minute later, he returned carrying a folder.
He opened it.
Inside was a collection of official property documents.
Ray stepped closer.
Ethan pointed to a specific section.
"This is the property deed."
Ray read it carefully.
The driveway was explicitly included in Ethan's parcel description.
Ray looked up.
"Yep."
Vanessa frowned.
"What?"
"This driveway belongs to him."
Vanessa's expression stiffened.
"No."
Ethan held out the document.
"Read it yourself."
She didn't take it.
"I don't need to."
Ray closed his clipboard.
"Then I'm not towing the car."
Vanessa stared at him.
"You can't refuse."
"I absolutely can."
"But I'm the HOA president."
"And he's the property owner."
Silence.
Ethan looked at Vanessa.
"Still want my car towed?"
Vanessa opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
For the first time that morning, she had no answer.
Ray climbed back into his truck.
As he started the engine, he rolled down the window.
"Next time, I'd check the property records before ordering a tow."
The truck drove away.
Vanessa remained frozen beside the driveway.
The neighbors were still watching.
One of them quietly laughed.
Vanessa heard it.
Her face burned.
But instead of admitting defeat, she pointed at Ethan.
"This isn't over."