Financial pressure was weighing heavily on her, and she didn’t have the means to meet her obligations.
"She’s desperate," Noah thought, his mind already forming a plan. "I can take advantage of that."
Stacy had no idea what Noah had just seen, and she continued speaking, unaware of his advantage.
"The total amount for ten months of rent, including the deposit, is $40,000, I know it’s a lot but we can set a payment plan," she said, her voice steady but with a hint of nervousness.
Noah didn’t flinch at the price, but he knew it was far higher than he was willing to pay—especially given what he now knew.
He turned to his dad and Emily, who were wandering around the shop, checking out the space.
David seemed impressed, nodding as he took in the layout. Emily was skipping around, fascinated by the décor.
Noah faced Stacy again, his expression thoughtful, as if considering her offer. He kept his voice smooth, and calm, but with a subtle undertone of concern. "$40,000 is quite a bit, especially for a place that has had some issues in the past."
Stacy blinked, surprised. "Issues? What do you mean?"
Noah tilted his head slightly, his tone was soft but probing. "The repairs. I know the shop went through some tough times not too long ago. Repairs can take a lot out of a business including reputation. I imagine it’s been hard trying to keep everything running smoothly since then."
Stacy’s eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by how much he knew. Her hand instinctively tightened around the edge of the counter. "I... well, yes, there were some repairs, but everything’s fine now."
Noah leaned in just slightly, his voice dropping to a lower, more reassuring tone. "Things are fine "Now" but who knows if the problem persists. I understand how difficult that can be. Running a family business, trying to keep things together... it’s not easy, especially with financial strain. I’m sure the stress has been overwhelming."
Stacy’s expression faltered her calm exterior cracking. "It has been... challenging," she admitted, her voice softer now, more vulnerable.
Noah nodded, his eyes locking onto hers.
"Look, I like this place. It’s perfect for what we’re planning, and I want to make it work. But $40,000 is steep, given the circumstances."
"I’m willing to offer you $15,000 for the ten months, with the promise that we’ll take good care of the place and keep it thriving. Furthermore, I will give you the $15,000 cash in hand in one payment."
Stacy’s eyes widened, and she opened her mouth to protest, but Noah quickly continued, his tone gentle but firm.
"I know it’s not what you expected, but think of it as a way to lighten your load."
Noah’s smile widened ever so slightly, and he leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a confidential whisper.
"You won’t have to deal with the financial strain anymore, Stacy. And let me help you out a bit more. We can alter the amount of payment written on the contract—make it look lower than what we’re actually paying. That way, you won’t get taxed on the full amount. It’ll keep more money in your pocket."
Stacy’s eyes widened at his suggestion. "That’s illegal, it’s against the rules" she said, her voice shaky, the tension building in her as she tried to wrap her mind around what he was suggesting. "I-I could get into serious trouble for that."
Noah tilted his head slightly, his gaze never leaving hers. His tone remained calm and soothing, yet somehow cutting through her uncertainty like a blade.
"Illegal? Against the rules?" he repeated softly, almost mockingly. "Rules are made for the rich to become richer, and for the poor to become homeless."
"Stacy, tell me—when you were barely scraping by when you had to decide between fixing the shop and putting food on your table, did the government help you?"
She blinked, momentarily stunned by the sharp turn in the conversation. "What?"
"The rule makers," Noah continued smoothly, his voice taking on a subtle edge.
"When you were struggling, when you didn’t know if you could make rent, did they step in? Did they help you out? Or did they watch you suffer and then raise interest on your loans, piling on more debt?"
Stacy’s brow furrowed, her mind flashing back to those difficult months when she was barely making ends meet.
The late nights, the endless bills, the helpless feeling of being swallowed by debt.
He wasn’t wrong. No one had helped her. And the interest on her loans had increased just when she could least afford it.
"They didn’t care about you then," Noah said, his voice now laced with quiet intensity.
"And they won’t care about you now. The only thing they’ll do is make your life harder. I’m offering you a way out—a way to keep more of what’s yours. You’ve worked hard for this place. Why should they take any more from you than they already have?"
Stacy’s hands trembled slightly as she gripped the counter, conflicted. She wanted to protest, to hold on to her principles, but Noah’s words were digging into her, pulling at her emotions, and awakening a deep frustration she had buried long ago.
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"You’re right, it’s not ’legal,’" Noah added with a soft, knowing smirk. "But what has following the rules gotten you so far? More bills? More debt? I’m giving you a chance to protect yourself, to keep the shop your father loved without letting anyone else take it from you after our contract is done."
"You can use the money to pay off your debt, and you can keep your father’s shop after our contract is done if you decide to."
Stacy swallowed hard, her resistance crumbling under Noah’s relentless logic.
He wasn’t just offering her a solution—he was offering her a way to fight back against a system that had seemed designed to crush her.
After a long moment, she nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Alright... we’ll do it."
Noah’s smile softened, but there was a glint of triumph in his eyes.
"Good. I’ll make sure the contract reflects that. You’ll see—this will work out for both of us."
Stacy, still shaken by the conversation, nodded again, feeling a mix of relief and uncertainty. Noah had gotten what he wanted, and now, all that was left was to finalize the deal.
As David and Emily returned, having finished looking around, Noah gave his father a small nod, signalling that the deal was done.
"Everything good?" David asked.
Noah smiled. "Yeah, Dad. Everything’s good. We will sign the contract tomorrow"
He had used Stacy’s vulnerability to his advantage and secured the perfect location for their teahouse—at a fraction of the price.
He didn’t feel guilty at all. It was business, and Noah was always willing to do what it took to win.