During his research deep dive, the thought of his other new ability surfaced again. The timed Un-Enhance. Could it be applied here? Maybe offer an 'enhanced tool trial'? Send a luthier a +1 enhanced plane with a 7-day Un-Enhance timer? If they loved the performance, they pay a premium to make it permanent (requiring Theo to re-enhance it permanently)? Or perhaps a subscription model for access to a rotating library of temporarily +1 enhanced tools? The ideas felt complex, logistically challenging, potentially exposing. Too soon, he decided again. Enhance high-quality base tools, sell them as 'perfected' or 'master-tuned' examples at a significant markup is an option. But need to weigh the profit to time ratio. I have a winning strategy with the tool enhancements and a forward looking pipeline potentially with 'Something Fishy'. These ideas are for the backlog which I can assess when the timing is right. But the potential of the Un-Enhance lingered, a powerful tool waiting for the right application.
His phone buzzed. Sarah.
Sarah: Hey! Just checking in – cameras all working okay? No more drama at the chicken empire? 😉
Theo: Hey Sarah. Cameras perfect, thanks again. And no drama, thankfully. Running smoothly. Henry's managing the day-to-day now, seems to be handling it well.
Sarah: Awesome! Glad to hear it. Told you he seemed like a good hire! Meta is still Meta (ugh), but survived another week lol. Anyway, holler if you need anything else!
Theo: Will do. Appreciate it.
Brief. Professional. Maintaining the connection without revealing anything significant. Perfect.
Week 26 - Friday
That Friday, Theo decided he wanted a break, away from the hustle and bustle of his home and Maria's to clear his mind and help relax. He then deliberately left his apartment early, driving not towards the shop, but towards a state park about an hour outside the city. He needed the physical distance to resist the temptation to interfere or monitor obsessively.
He spent the day hiking, the scent of pine needles and damp earth a welcome change from charcoal smoke and fryer oil. He forced himself to focus on the physical exertion, the natural surroundings, pushing thoughts of the shop, of revenge plots, of System upgrades, to the back of his mind. It was surprisingly difficult. The instinct to control, to monitor, was deeply ingrained. But he needed to know if the business could survive, thrive, even, without his constant presence. It was crucial for his long-term plans.
Around 1pm, there was a call on his phone, worried it was from Henry about to advise him of some catastrophe, Theo glanced at the caller ID on his phone – Mr. Parker, the sharp, discreet business broker whose firm he'd engaged earlier in the week through 'Plus One Investments LLC'. He felt a flicker of anticipation, silencing the notifications from the Ring camera app showing routine activity at Maria's. He answered, keeping his voice level, professional. "Mr. Parker, Theo Sterling speaking." (He used his real name with the professionals he hired directly, relying on the LLC structure and their discretion for anonymity in the actual transaction).
"Mr. Sterling, good afternoon," Parker's voice was smooth, clipped, conveying efficiency. "Calling with an update regarding the preliminary inquiry into the takeaway establishment, 'Something Fishy'."
"Appreciate the call," Theo replied. "Any progress?"
"Progress, yes. And predictability," Parker said dryly. "We made contact with the proprietor, Mr. Davies (Theo mentally filed away the owner's name, Davies = Sabotage Bastard!). As anticipated from your initial assessment and the public records of declining business health, not to mention the recent utility emergencies flagged in local reports, the gentleman is clearly experiencing significant operational distress." Parker paused for effect. "In layman's terms, he's circling the drain."
Theo felt a cold smile touch his lips but kept his voice neutral. "And his response to our initial feeler? The twenty five thousand offer for assets and lease assumption?"
Parker chuckled, a dry, humourless sound. "Predictably indignant. Lots of bluster about 'established brand goodwill,' the 'potential of the location,' how much his equipment is 'really worth'. Classic seller's denial when facing reality." He cleared his throat. "He countered at sixty thousand."
"$60k?" Theo echoed, letting a touch of calculated disbelief enter his voice, though internally he wasn't surprised by the inflated figure. "For a business that was forced to close due to burst pipes only a couple of days ago and is haemorrhaging customers according to online reviews?"
"Precisely," Parker affirmed. "It's an emotional anchor price, completely detached from the current market value or operational state. More importantly, Mr. Sterling, our discreet inquiries suggest there are currently no other serious parties expressing interest. No competing offers on the table. He's bluffing into a void."
"So, what's our next move?" Theo asked, genuinely interested in the broker's strategic recommendation. "Counter slightly higher? Hold firm?"
"Neither," Parker stated decisively. "My strong recommendation, based on situations like this, is tactical withdrawal. We formally retract the initial $25k offer immediately. Cite 're-evaluation based on recent operational failures and apparent instability' as the reason. Then? We wait."
Theo processed this. "Withdraw completely? Won't that signal lack of interest?"
"Quite the opposite," Parker explained, his voice taking on a slightly predatory edge that Theo found deeply satisfying. "It signals we're not desperate, we recognize the distressed nature of the asset, and we won't be drawn into unrealistic negotiations. Right now, Mr. Davies thinks he has leverage because he received an offer, any offer. By withdrawing, we remove that psychological crutch. Given his financial situation, the lack of other buyers, and the ongoing operational headaches you… ah… predicted might continue, the pressure on him will mount exponentially. Let him stew for a week, maybe two. Let him face the silence, the bills piling up. I'd wager heavily he'll be the one re-initiating contact, likely through his broker if he has one, with a figure dramatically closer to our initial assessment, perhaps even lower."