Chapter 7: The Offer
""No, Mrs. Reed. Your son is far from trouble,"" Arthur said, taking off his hat. ""May I speak with you for a moment?""
Inside the modest, spotless living room, Arthur sat across from Sarah. He explained how Leo had helped Emily make her first progress in three years—not through medical genius, but through sheer empathy and determination.
""I want to clear your debts,"" Arthur said directly. ""And I want to pay for Leo’s education at the best academy in the state.""
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Sarah looked at Arthur, her expression unreadable. She set her teacup down slowly. ""Mr. Vance, I appreciate your gratitude. But my son didn't help your daughter for a reward. If I accept your money for his kindness, it teaches him that empathy is a transaction. He helped her because it was the right thing to do.""
Arthur was stunned. In the corporate world, every favor had a price tag. Here was a woman with almost nothing, rejecting a fortune to protect her son's integrity.
