The heavy rain continued to pour over the city streets as Marcus's luxury black sedan pulled up near the river.
The old concrete bridge was dark, damp, and smelled of rusty metal and old mud.
Marcus held a large black umbrella over Lily and Leo as they walked down the slippery gravel slope.
Leo: Dad, it's so dark down here. Are you sure this is safe?
Marcus: We are going to help her father, Leo. No matter what it takes.
Lily: Dad! Dad, where are you?! I brought help!
A thin man wrapped in a ragged army blanket sat against the concrete wall, coughing violently.
His face was gaunt, and his hands were caked with dry dirt and grease.
David: Lily? Sweetheart, why are you out in the rain? I told you to stay near the shelter!
Lily: Dad, look! These nice people bought me a birthday cake! And the gentleman gave us money for your medicine!
David struggled to sit up, his weak eyes looking at Marcus in deep confusion.
David: Sir... please don't give my daughter money out of pity. I work for what we eat...
Marcus: You don't need to explain anything to me, sir. What is your name?
David: My name is David Miller. I used to be an engineer before the mill closed down.
Marcus froze, his black umbrella tilting slightly in his hand as he stared at David's pale face.
Marcus: David Miller? Did you work at the Miller Manufacturing plant on Fifth Street ten years ago?
David: Yes... I was the lead maintenance engineer there for fifteen years. How do you know that name?
Marcus: My name is Marcus Vance. My father was your managing partner, Arthur Vance.
David's eyes went wide, and his chest heaved as another deep cough shook his weak body.
David: Arthur Vance? Your father... your father destroyed my life, young man!
Leo: Hey! Don't yell at my dad! He just bought your daughter a rose cake!
David: Kid, your grandfather stole my patent! He stole my life's work and threw me out on the street!
Lily: Dad, please! Don't be mad at them!
Marcus: David... is it true? Did my father take your patent for the automated valve system?
David: He forged my signature on the patent transfer papers while I was in the hospital after my wife died!
David pulled a faded, water-damaged leather folder from under his thin blanket and held it out with shaking fingers.
David: Look at this document! This is the original blueprint with my private seal on it!
Marcus took the wet leather folder, opening it under the beam of his smartphone flashlight.
The top page showed a clear mechanical diagram signed by David Miller, dated twelve years ago.
Below it was a corporate buyout letter signed by Arthur Vance—Marcus's late father.
Marcus: My father made his entire fortune off that valve system... he told the board he invented it himself.
David: He made millions while my family starved! I lost my house, my savings, and my health trying to fight his lawyers!
Marcus fell completely silent, the sound of the rain heavy against the black umbrella above them.
Lily: Mister Marcus... is my dad telling the truth?
Marcus: Yes, Lily. Your father is telling the absolute truth.