Richard had known about the historical water system for months.
His team had advised him to conduct a thorough legal review before approaching the property owner.
But he had believed that a quick purchase would be easier.
He had assumed Thomas was an elderly man who would accept a low offer without asking too many questions.
Instead, Thomas had refused.
And Daniel had appeared at precisely the wrong moment.
Richard poured himself a glass of water.
He stared at the city outside his window.
For the first time, he wondered whether his own arrogance had created a problem that money could not easily solve.
His phone rang again.
It was Victor Mason, his senior project manager.
"Richard, we need to talk."
"About what?"
"The property. I heard there was an incident at the restaurant."
Richard remained silent.
Victor continued.
"The police have requested information from the restaurant. There are witnesses, and the security footage is available."
Richard sighed.
"That matter is being handled."
"It may not be that simple. The local authorities have also requested clarification about the development application."
Richard stood up.
"What clarification?"
"The access corridor. They want to know whether our current plan accounts for the historical community water system."
Richard closed his eyes.
"Who requested that?"
"I don't know yet. But the question has already reached the planning department."
Richard looked at his reflection in the office window.
His gray suit was perfectly fitted.
His hair was neatly arranged.
His office was immaculate.
Everything looked exactly as it should.
Yet he suddenly felt surrounded by problems.
"Find out who is behind the request," he ordered.
Victor hesitated.
"Richard, perhaps we should reconsider the acquisition strategy."
Richard turned sharply.
"Are you suggesting we abandon the project?"
"I'm suggesting that we handle this properly."
Richard stared at him.
"You were hired to manage construction, not to question my decisions."
Victor lowered his voice.
"I'm trying to protect the company."
Richard ended the call.
He walked back to his desk and opened a drawer.
Inside was an old photograph.
It showed a younger Richard standing beside his father in front of a modest house.
His father had been a construction worker.
He had spent most of his life building homes for other people while living in a small rented apartment.
Richard remembered how hard his father worked.
He also remembered the day his father had lost his job after refusing to approve unsafe construction materials.
The contractor had threatened him.
Other workers had remained silent.
Richard's father had refused to change his report.
He had said that people would live inside those buildings, and their lives mattered more than the contractor's profit.
Richard had once admired that courage.
But over the years, he had come to believe that his father had been naive.
He had promised himself that he would never be powerless again.
He would never allow another man to decide his future.
He would become rich enough that nobody could challenge him.
And somewhere along the way, he had confused respect with fear.
He looked at the photograph for several seconds.
Then he placed it back inside the drawer.
"Prepare a meeting with Daniel Bennett," he told his assistant.
"Should I arrange it through his office?"
"No. Contact him directly."
Richard paused.
"Tell him I want to discuss a settlement."
That evening, Daniel returned to his father's house.
Thomas was sitting in the garden, carefully trimming a small rose bush.
The sun was beginning to set.
A soft orange light stretched across the wooden fence.
Daniel stood near the doorway, watching his father for a moment.
"Dad, you're supposed to be resting."
Thomas looked over his shoulder.
"I'm sitting down more than I'm working."
"That's not what the doctor meant."
Thomas laughed.
"You're becoming worse than your mother."
Daniel smiled.
"Someone has to keep you under control."
Thomas placed the gardening scissors on the table.
"Come sit with me."
Daniel joined him.
For several minutes, they watched the sunlight disappear behind the neighboring houses.
Then Daniel's phone vibrated.
He looked at the screen.
An unfamiliar number.
He answered.
"Daniel Bennett speaking."
"Mr. Bennett, this is Richard Cole."
Daniel's expression changed.
"What do you want?"
"I believe we should discuss what happened yesterday."
"My father has already provided his statement."
"I'm not calling about the restaurant incident."
"Then why are you calling?"
Richard paused.
"I understand that you've been reviewing the property documents."
Daniel looked toward Thomas.
"That's none of your concern."
"It becomes my concern because the development project affects that property."
Daniel's voice became colder.
"Then perhaps you should have explained that before making an offer."
Richard sighed.
"Let's not turn this into a personal conflict. We are both businessmen. I believe there's room for an agreement."
Daniel stood up.