Manager Williams hovered near the entrance like a moth drawn to flame, desperately wanting to remain within earshot of whatever negotiations might unfold. His career—possibly his entire future—hung in the balance of this conversation.
Frank Donovan noticed his manager's lingering presence and dismissed him with a subtle gesture. "That will be all, Williams. Please ensure we're not disturbed."
The door closed with a soft click, sealing Jason and Frank in their private arena.
Frank settled into the plush leather chair across from Jason, his expression shifting from polite professionalism to something approaching genuine curiosity. "I'll be honest with you, Jason," he began, his voice carrying the measured cadence of someone accustomed to high-stakes negotiations. "When I first received your inquiry about acquiring my establishment, I thought it was some sort of elaborate prank. A college student from University wanting to purchase one of the city's premier dining venues? It seemed... unlikely."
Yea, before even coming here, he was already planning to acquire this place, as a investment and also contacted Frank, but he got no replied that time.
Jason leaned back with the fluid grace that had become his signature, offering a smile that revealed nothing while suggesting everything. "And now?"
"Now?" Frank's eyes performed another subtle inventory of Jason's watch, his perfectly tailored clothes, his unnaturally calm demeanor. "Now I understand that you're not your typical undergraduate. The timepiece on your wrist, the casual manner in which you opened bottles worth more than most people's cars... these are not the behaviors of ordinary wealth."
"I wouldn't call myself extraordinary," Jason replied with practiced humility, though his tone suggested he was merely being polite. "But I do have access to certain... resources."
Frank's smile widened with the appreciation of one predator recognizing another. "Well, if you have resources, then we can discuss business seriously. You've undoubtedly heard of this establishment's reputation."
He gestured toward the dining room's elegant appointments—the hand-carved moldings, the imported marble, the crystal chandeliers that had probably cost more than most people's homes. "As you can observe, we've spared no expense in creating an atmosphere worthy of our clientele. Despite some recent challenges in the hospitality industry, we still generate between four and five hundred thousand dollars in net profit annually."
His expression grew more serious, carrying the weight of a man forced into unwelcome circumstances. "If it weren't for some cash-flow issues with my other ventures, I wouldn't even consider transferring ownership. But circumstances, as they say, make strange bedfellows."
Frank paused for effect, his businessman's instincts reading Jason's body language for any tells. "The transfer fee is $120 thousand. That's non-negotiable."
He continued with the practiced efficiency of someone who'd given this speech before. "This is a corner property—the most coveted location in the entire commercial district. The premium for that positioning means our rent runs approximately twenty percent higher than comparable establishments. That translates to roughly 60,000."
Jason didn't haggle, didn't flinch, didn't display any of the reactions Frank had been expecting. Instead, he smiled with the kind of quiet amusement that made experienced negotiators nervous.
"Interesting," Jason mused, his fingers steepled in contemplation. "I understand this restaurant has always been your property, and that you personally set the rental terms. If liquidity is your primary concern, why not consider selling the entire property to me instead?"
Jason's business education was admittedly limited, but his instincts were sharp enough to recognize a potentially dangerous deal. A $120,000 transfer fee coupled with $60,000 monthly rent could transform a profitable business into a financial quicksand pit faster than most people could say."
But property ownership? That was different. Real estate represented tangible value—a hedge against uncertainty, an asset that appreciated regardless of operational success or failure.
More importantly, from a strategic perspective, purchasing property would demonstrate a level of commitment and financial stability that would elevate his standing in Megan's eyes far beyond what any luxury car or expensive watch could achieve.
Frank's eyebrows rose in genuine surprise. A college student proposing to purchase prime commercial real estate outright? That was either breathtaking arrogance or the confidence that came from truly extraordinary wealth.
"The property is indeed mine," Frank acknowledged carefully, his tone suggesting he was recalibrating his entire approach to the conversation. "This represents the crown jewel among more than three hundred commercial spaces in the district. Even if the restaurant failed completely, rental income alone would generate forty to fifty thousand monthly. For outright purchase, we'd be discussing ten million dollars."
He delivered the figure with the gravity of someone dropping a nuclear bomb in polite conversation, then sat back to observe Jason's reaction.
But Jason remained as unflappable as a Swiss banker discussing pocket change. "If the rental income truly averages forty to fifty thousand monthly, then ten million represents a reasonable valuation. Naturally, I'd want to verify those numbers independently before proceeding."
His gaze met Frank's with the directness of someone unaccustomed to being refused. "Tell me honestly, Mr. Donovan—is that a price at which you'd genuinely be willing to sell?"
Frank hesitated for the first time in the conversation, his businessman's instincts warring with his immediate financial needs. "If the terms were appropriate, yes, I'd consider it seriously. It would resolve my liquidity concerns rather elegantly. However," he added with careful precision, "if you purchase the property, I'll still transfer the restaurant operations to you. I have no interest in remaining as anyone's employee. You'd have the option of operating it yourself or leasing it out.
Those terms seem reasonable. Acquiring both the property and the business operations would certainly complicate matters, but it's worth serious consideration.
From his preliminary observations, the restaurant appeared genuinely profitable rather than an elaborate facade. Taking ownership would eliminate the rent burden entirely, transforming the economics from potentially dangerous to attractively secure.
Sensing Jason's legitimate interest, Frank became more forthcoming, even producing detailed financial records from recent months. The numbers supported his claims—profit margins were healthy, customer traffic consistent, operational efficiency respectable.
Jason studied the documents with the focused intensity of someone who understood that due diligence could mean the difference between triumph and disaster. Satisfied with what he saw, he discretely sent a text message:
"Could you ask some of the upperclassmen to research market rental rates for comparable properties in this area?"
Back in the main dining room, Megan's phone chimed softly. When she read Jason's message, her eyes widened until they resembled full moons.
He's actually considering buying the restaurant?
The implications sent a thrill through her that had nothing to do with alcohol or expensive wine. This wasn't just wealth—this was the kind of strategic thinking that built empires.
"Broke," she whispered, showing her friend the message, "Jason wants market research on local rental rates."
Broke nearly choked on her wine. "He's really going to do it, isn't he? He's going to buy this place."
Her voice carried a mixture of awe and excitement that was becoming infectious. "This restaurant is gorgeous, the food is exceptional, and it's always packed with regulars. The transfer fee alone has to be several hundred thousand, but for Jason? That's apparently just another Tuesday."
Sarah leaned in, her business administration background kicking into high gear. "I've worked with several local businesses through the student council's community outreach program. We helped them with campus marketing campaigns, so I still have contacts who might know current market rates."
Broke nodded enthusiastically. "I've coordinated part-time job placements—especially food delivery services—so I can reach out to people who know the commercial rental scene intimately."
Miller waved dismissively. "Why overcomplicate this? I can just ask directly. I've got relationships with half the property managers in this district."
His expression turned vindictive with delicious anticipation. "Besides, this restaurant's food is incredible. It would be a crime to let Williams continue running it into the ground. If Jason takes over, we can finally watch that creep get what he deserves."
The effects of Jason's earlier gesture—opening bottles worth more than most people's annual salaries—were becoming apparent. Nobody wanted to disappoint someone who had treated them with such casual generosity.
Christopher, Miller, and Cole, despite their earlier humiliation, found themselves eager to contribute to Jason's success. The evening had demonstrated a level of wealth and sophistication they could aspire to but never quite achieve, and associating themselves with Jason's victory felt like the next best thing.
Within two hours, Jason's phone contained a comprehensive market analysis that would have impressed professional real estate consultants. The data was meticulously organized, cross-referenced, and verified through multiple sources.
The consensus was clear: comparable properties in the area commanded between $4,500 and $4,000 monthly rental income, with premium locations potentially reaching $5,000.
Using standard commercial property valuation metrics—typically around 5% annual yield—the building's fair market value approached $12 million.
"Either Frank is being unusually honest about his asking price," Jason mused to himself, "or his financial situation is more desperate than he's letting on."
Either way, the numbers supported the investment.
That same evening, Jason finalized both the property purchase and business transfer agreements. When Frank's bank account registered an incoming wire transfer of $10.1 million—processed with the casual efficiency of someone paying a utility bill—the older man's composure finally cracked.
Even individuals with nine-figure net worth rarely maintained that level of liquidity. Most would require days or weeks to arrange financing, coordinate with multiple banks, and navigate the bureaucracy of large financial transactions.
But this college student had transferred ten million dollars with the same casual ease most people used to split dinner checks.
Frank's entire demeanor shifted, his tone becoming markedly more deferential, his body language suggesting he was in the presence of something far more significant than he'd initially realized.
He gathered his staff in the main dining room: "I have an announcement that will affect all of you. Effective immediately, I am transferring complete ownership of this establishment to Jason Carter. He is now your employer and will determine the future direction of operations."
Manager Williams' face underwent a color change that would have impressed a professional chameleon. The blood drained from his features so completely that several people wondered if medical intervention might be necessary.
Meanwhile, a group of students who had been discretely monitoring the situation from near the private dining room door burst into the main area with the enthusiasm of sports fans whose team had just won the championship.
"He did it!" Broke shouted, her voice carrying across the entire restaurant. "Jason actually bought the whole place!"
The dining room erupted into cheers that could probably be heard from space.
"Of course he did," Sarah laughed, raising her wine glass in salute. "When you can casually spend a million on wine, buying a restaurant is just the logical next step."
Michael shook his head in amazement. "He closed that deal faster than I can order pizza delivery. That's not normal human behavior."
Christopher's grin carried the vindictive satisfaction of someone who'd waited his entire life to witness perfect justice. "I just want to see Williams' expression when he realizes he's about to be unemployed. That's going to be better than Christmas morning."
The celebration continued as the full implications of the evening's events began to sink in. They weren't just witnesses to wealth—they were watching the birth of a legend.
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