Inside were cleaning supplies and microfiber cloths.

Daniel looked confused.

"Take those."

Daniel picked up the box.

"Now what?"

Thomas smiled faintly.

"Go back to the showroom."

Daniel waited.

"And?"

"Clean the Aurelia."

Daniel stared at him.

"Clean it?"

"Yes."

"Mr. Bennett, with respect, we have a detailing team."

"I know."

"Then why—"

Thomas interrupted him.

"Because this morning, you were very concerned about that car."

Daniel understood.

The lesson was not about cleaning.

It was about humility.

He returned to the showroom carrying the box.

Marcus saw him and raised an eyebrow.

"What happened?"

Daniel looked at the black Aurelia.

"Long story."

For the next hour, Daniel cleaned the vehicle himself.

He sprayed the surface carefully. He wiped the hood. He polished the windows. He cleaned places nobody would normally notice.

At first, he felt embarrassed.

Then something unexpected happened.

He stopped caring who was watching.

The simple task forced him to slow down.

For years, Daniel had been chasing numbers, commissions, promotions, and wealthy clients. He had begun to see people as opportunities.

Or inconveniences.

He remembered Thomas's question.

Are you sorry because you treated a man badly, or because you discovered who he was?

Daniel did not like his answer.

Later that afternoon, Thomas walked through the showroom again.

This time, Daniel approached him.

"Good afternoon, sir."

Thomas stopped.

Daniel smiled.

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

Thomas looked around.

"That's better."

Daniel nodded.

Then Thomas extended his hand.

Daniel shook it.

Thomas's grip was firm.

"Tomorrow morning," Thomas said, "you're going to work the front entrance."

Daniel looked confused.

"Why?"

"Because I want you to meet every person who walks through those doors."

Thomas smiled.

"All of them."

The next morning, Daniel arrived thirty minutes early.

Thomas Bennett was already there.

He stood near the entrance, wearing the same worn jacket he had worn the day before.

Daniel could not help smiling.

"Good morning, Mr. Bennett."

Thomas looked down at his clothes.

"You recognize me today?"

Daniel laughed quietly.

"I do."

Thomas pointed toward the front doors.

"Then let's see if you've learned anything."

For the next several hours, Daniel greeted every person who entered Sterling Motors.

At first, it felt easy.

A businessman in an expensive suit arrived at nine.

"Good morning, sir. Welcome to Sterling Motors."

At nine fifteen, a woman wearing designer clothing entered with her husband.

Daniel greeted them warmly.

Then came a young couple wearing jeans and sneakers.

Daniel almost made the same mistake again.

Almost.

Instead, he smiled.

"Good morning. Please let me know if you'd like to see anything."

The couple thanked him.

A few minutes later, an elderly woman entered carrying a cloth shopping bag.

Daniel noticed Marcus glance in his direction.

Daniel knew exactly what Marcus was thinking.

He walked toward her.

"Good morning, ma'am. How can I help you today?"