After everyone chose their meals, Wally and I got in line to place our orders, while Zoe and Ella went to find a table. That’s when the girl suddenly rushed toward one. Sam and Johan.

  “Knew I’d find you guys here. You really are fans of this food,” Johan commented, while Sam shot him a look, clearly reprimanding him for not giving a heads-up. Then, he turned to me, only to quickly avert his gaze, suddenly very interested in the table.

  So that’s what they talked about in the lobby? I should’ve interrupted.

  “You know, I was curious about you all. An athlete with military training, a doctor who can handle trauma and injuries, a smart and energetic kid, and, lastly, an actor focused on reinventing himself.”

  “You’re not the only curious one. Liam Johan. Owner of Dynamics, one of the six biggest companies dominating the Off-Road vehicle industry.”

  “My grandfather founded the company. We gained recognition for the durability, reliability, and efficiency of our parts. But it wasn’t until recently that we started competing with our own vehicles. Before that, we only sponsored through parts.”

  “Not long ago, and you’ve already won several competitions?” Ella looked even more intrigued.

  She had listened when I read the article about the importance of the company but hadn’t done any further research on Dynamics. Instead, she had been looking up information about Sam — but barely found anything.

  “That change happened because I bought Sam’s project.”

  “Sam must be incredible, considering you said you met him when you were in your first year of college, mustn't he?” Ella praised Sam.

  The old man gave Sam a look — part intrigued, part warning — as if curious about Ella's interest and amused by Sam’s obvious shyness.

  “What a humble guy,” I added, my voice laced with sarcasm, though I covered it with a slight smile.

  “Sam?” The man seemed more inquisitive now, waiting for an answer.

  “It’s not like that,” Sam muttered, looking thoroughly embarrassed, shaking his head slightly as if trying to hide something.

  “He…” The man glanced at Sam, realizing he had no intention of speaking, then continued, “... worked at a mechanic shop that received my sponsorships for competitions. One day, he presented his own vehicle for the race — and won. Built it from scratch, almost everything custom-made. It had hardly any competitor parts. Either he used mine, or he built them himself. It was practically made for me.”

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “Made for me,” Sam grumbled. “I used parts that were already good and didn’t need improving. But my project was made for me.”

  “Yes, but if it was going to be bought or sold, I was obviously the best choice.”

  “Sure. And now I’m retiring.”

  Retiring? What? The guy doesn’t even look thirty.

  “Sam is still thinking about it.”

  “I already helped put the vehicle into mass production, as agreed. The project is done. There’s no reason to —”

  “You still haven’t achieved your goal. Didn’t I say I’d sponsor everything until you managed to build the ultimate vehicle?”

  “When it’s ready, I’ll let you know.” Sam started to get up, nodding politely at Zoe and the others, clearly trying to avoid spending more time with us.

  “I promise you won’t have to interact with the other team leaders from now on. It was already getting better, wasn’t it?”

  “Yeah, but… ”

  “You don’t like being stuck in one place, but what if I gave you freedom? No more factory visits, you can work from anywhere and still be the head of development.

  It’ll be a completely separate division, no need to report to anyone. What do you think?”

  Sam stared at him, bored.

  “And a raise.”

  He turned away. “Fine, I’ll talk about it later!” Johan called out with an easygoing smile.

  “Sam’s going to say yes.” He walked back to us, resigned.

  “You sure?” I muttered.

  “How do you make someone who already thinks they have enough money — a steady income that means they don’t even need a salary — work for you?

  His dream is to build the best vehicle ever, but he can turn scrap into a working car.

  And he already got a good sum when I bought his project, plus four years of salary.

  All he wants is to work in peace, which is why I don’t have to worry too much about competitors buying him out.”

  “Tough for you, but I’m happy for him,” Ella mused.

  The man chuckled, clearly entertained, but I could see in his eyes just how screwed he felt.

  “Competition and challenge are the best ways to develop the best products.” Johan straightened up. “And Sam knows that. That’s why he competed, and that’s why he keeps testing prototypes himself.” Johan smiled confidently.

  “Is he joining the Outback Way?” Ella asked, intrigued.

  “Yes. Technically, he helped develop vehicles for the different categories. The engineers from the various teams adjusted the designs based on the improvements Sam suggested after seeing the vehicles.

  They’re rushing to implement the modifications. But Sam is competing for the grand prize — alone, in his own vehicle.

  He plans to get there the fastest, in the best condition, and in the most creative way.”

  “Alone. No one else could tolerate working in a team with him, especially not for a whole month, going through all that hardship.” I looked at him, daring him to disagree, but he just gave me a sly smile, knowing I had already figured out how awful Sam’s personality was.

  “Better alone than in bad company. But I don’t think he’ll be alone.”

  And just like that, I saw where Sam had learned that wicked smile — from the old man himself.

  Only a madman could put up with another madman like Sam.