“Yes.” Grant gave a dry laugh. “Then you know the roof needs work, electrical is outdated, and the rear addition is barely worth saving.” Ethan nodded.
“I know.” Jason raised his hand. “Sixty thousand.” “Looking sixty-five.”
Grant lifted his card more slowly. “Sixty-five.” Ethan paused. For the first time, doubt showed.
Walter saw him glance toward his phone, where a banking app or prearranged credit limit might have been open. The whole room seemed to lean with him. Maya whispered, “Come on, under her breath, not because she knew Ethan or his money, but because children are quick to recognize when a stranger has made himself part of the moral side of a story.” Ethan looked at Jason.
“Seventy.” Grant exhaled through his nose. Seventy thousand crossed some invisible line for him. Not because he could not afford it.
Holloway Development could. But developers survive by discipline more often than bravado. Grant knew the building’s numbers. He had calculated demolition, renovation, tax credits, parking, lease rates, and acquisition ceilings.
Seventy was already close to the highest price his spreadsheet liked. Jason asked for seventy-five. Grant raised his card. “Seventy-five.”
Ethan closed his eyes for one second. Walter could almost see him doing arithmetic behind them. Then he said, “Eighty.” The barn broke into scattered applause before Jason snapped, “Hold it, folks, we’re not done.”