"They do," Daniel said, "even if they come with a bit of extra noise attached."
Grace laughed softly. "Speaking of noise, my friends at school won't stop asking me about you. I think half of them have a small crush on the idea of you now, the mysterious kind mechanic who saved a stranded girl on a dark road." Daniel chuckled, shaking his head.
"Well, tell your friends the mysterious mechanic is just a tired dad trying to keep up with an overflowing schedule these days." As they continued talking, Peter Lang's black car pulled into the lot once again, catching everyone's attention. Daniel felt a flicker of tension return to his shoulders as the businessman stepped out, this time accompanied by another man carrying a folder of paperwork.
"Daniel," Peter greeted warmly, approaching the small group. "I hope I'm not interrupting. I wanted to follow up on our earlier conversation with a more formal proposal this time."
Karen and Grace exchanged a quick glance, clearly picking up on the shift in atmosphere. Daniel excused himself politely, stepping aside to speak with Peter privately near the edge of the parking lot.
"I told you I wasn't interested in selling any part of my business," Daniel said firmly, though his voice remained calm.
"I'm not asking you to sell," Peter clarified, gesturing toward the folder his associate was holding. "I'm offering a partnership, full funding for an expansion, a second service bay, new equipment, even a small scholarship program for underprivileged teens interested in learning mechanic skills, named after your story. You keep full ownership and full control. We simply provide the resources to help you grow faster than you could alone."
Daniel studied Peter carefully, searching for the catch he was certain must exist somewhere within such a generous-sounding offer. Years of hardship had taught him that nothing valuable ever came without strings attached, especially when it arrived wrapped so neatly and conveniently.
"Why does this matter so much to you?" Daniel asked bluntly. "You're a businessman. What's in it for you, really?"
Peter's confident expression faltered slightly, just for a moment, revealing something more genuine underneath. "Honestly, I grew up without a father. My mother worked three jobs just to keep food on the table, and there wasn't a single stranger who ever stepped in to help us the way you helped that girl. When I saw your story, it hit something personal in me. I have the resources now to help people like you succeed, people who genuinely deserve it. Call it good business if you want, but it's also personal."
Daniel remained silent for a long moment, processing Peter's unexpected honesty. Whatever his own hesitations, something about the man's explanation felt sincere rather than calculated, a rare vulnerability breaking through the polished businessman exterior.