Without announcing himself.
Without a suit.
Without a driver in a luxury vehicle.
Without a single clue that he owned part of the company.
And Daniel had given him his answer in less than ten minutes.
But Samuel was not satisfied.
He wanted to know whether Daniel was one bad employee or part of a larger culture.
That was why Samuel returned to Sterling Motors two days later.
This time, he brought someone with him.
His granddaughter, Emily.
Emily was twenty-six and worked in Carter Holdings' customer-experience division.
She wore ordinary clothes and arrived separately.
Samuel entered first.
Daniel recognized him immediately.
His heart sank.
"Mr. Carter."
Samuel smiled.
"Good morning, Daniel."
"Welcome back."
"Thank you."
Daniel glanced nervously toward the manager's office.
"Are you looking for the Aurelia?"
"Perhaps."
Daniel straightened.
"Would you like to take it for a test drive?"
Samuel studied him.
"Yes."
Daniel nearly smiled with relief.
"Absolutely."
Ten minutes later, the Aurelia rolled out of the dealership.
Samuel drove.
Daniel sat beside him.
The car moved silently through downtown traffic.
"You seem different today," Samuel said.
Daniel swallowed.
"In what way?"
"More attentive."
Daniel looked ahead.
"I want to make sure I provide the service you deserve."
Samuel nodded.
"Because you know who I am?"
Daniel said nothing.
Samuel smiled.
"That's what I thought."
The test drive continued.
Samuel asked technical questions.
Daniel answered carefully.
When they returned, Emily was waiting inside.
She approached Samuel.
"How was the drive?"
"Good."
Emily looked at Daniel.
"And the service?"
Daniel froze.
Samuel answered.
"Much better."
Emily smiled.
Daniel felt sweat forming beneath his collar.
Then the general manager appeared.
Richard Sloan was a polished man in his fifties who wore expensive suits and treated every customer as if they were a potential business partner.
"Mr. Carter."
He extended his hand.
"Richard Sloan. General Manager."
Samuel shook it.
"Nice to meet you."
"I wish we'd known you were visiting."
Samuel smiled.
"Would that have changed anything?"
Richard hesitated.
"No, of course not."
Samuel looked around the showroom.
"Are you sure?"
Richard's smile weakened.
Samuel continued.
"I'd like to ask you something."
"Certainly."
"How does your dealership decide which customers deserve attention?"
Richard blinked.
"I'm sorry?"
Samuel repeated the question.
"How do you decide?"
Richard glanced at Daniel.
Then back at Samuel.