A poor mechanic fixed a stranger girl’s car for free, unaware she’s a millionaire CEO. A few hours later, he gets the shock of his life…

But as he turned to leave, he added, this isn’t over, Daniels. Not by a long shot. When I told Evelyn about the confrontation the next day, she was furious.

This has gone too far, she said, pacing back and forth in my office. I can handle Derek, I assured her. It’s not just Derek, she countered.

It’s everyone who thinks they can bully you into giving up. They don’t see what we’re trying to do. They just see a threat.

Then let them see it, I said firmly. I’m not giving up. Not on this shop, not on these kids and not on what we’ve built.

Evelyn stopped pacing and looked at me, her expression softening. You really believe in this, don’t you? I do, I said. And I’m not backing down.

Evelyn’s determination only grew after that. She started organizing community meetings, inviting local leaders to discuss how we could improve the neighborhood together. Her passion was infectious, and soon, people who had been skeptical began to see the bigger picture.

But not everyone was on board. Derek and his crew escalated their harassment, slashing tires on the cars parked outside the shop and spreading more vicious rumors. One night, they even threw a brick through the window of my house.

Evelyn insisted on involving the police, but I hesitated. That’ll just make things worse, I said. And doing nothing will let them think they can get away with it, she argued.

We eventually compromised. Evelyn hired private security for the shop and my house, and I started keeping a closer eye on everything. It felt like a temporary fix, but it was enough to keep things from spiraling out of control.

For now. In the meantime, the shop continued to thrive. The training program expanded, and we started partnering with local businesses to offer apprenticeships for the kids.

Seeing their progress was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. But beneath the surface, I could feel the pressure building. Derek wasn’t going to give up, and I knew it was only a matter of time before something big happened.

That something big came one fateful night. I was working late, finishing up a repair, when I heard the sound of breaking glass. Rushing outside, I found the shop’s front window shattered and Derek standing there with a crowbar in hand.

This ends now, he growled. I didn’t have time to think. Adrenaline took over, and before I knew it, we were face to face.

You’ve been a thorn in my side for too long, Derek spat. It’s time someone put you in your place. You don’t scare me, I said, my voice steady despite the fear bubbling beneath the surface.

Derek swung the crowbar, but I dodged just in time. The fight that followed was chaotic. Both of us grappling and trading blows until the sound of sirens pierced the air.

The police arrived just in time to break up the fight. Derek was arrested, and I was left with bruises and a deep sense of exhaustion. Evelyn showed up at the station to pick me up, her concern evident in her eyes…