Poor Janitor Single Dad Saved an 8-Year-Old From a Sinking Bus — Unaware Her Mom Was a Billionaire
Chapter 4
Daniel’s first concern after the rescue wasn’t praise.
It was Lily.
He called his sister.
“Is she with you?”
“Of course.”
“She’s okay?”
“She’s asking why you haven’t arrived.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
Relief washed over him.
“I’ll be home soon.”
When he ended the call, Elena was still standing nearby.
“I heard.”
He nodded.
“She’s my daughter.”
“I understand.”
Elena looked toward Sophie.
The girl had refused to leave Daniel’s side.
“She likes you.”
Daniel smiled.
“She’s just grateful.”
Elena hesitated.
“Can I have your name?”
“Daniel Brooks.”
“And what do you do?”
“I work at the school.”
“As what?”
“Maintenance.”
Elena looked surprised.
“You’re a teacher?”
“No.”
“I see.”
“I clean the building.”
She looked at him.
“You were at the school?”
“Yes.”
“So you weren’t just passing by.”
Daniel shook his head.
“I heard the bus was in trouble.”
“You thought your daughter was on it.”
“Yes.”
Elena looked down.
“Then you still went inside after learning she wasn’t.”
Daniel shrugged.
“There were children.”
Elena stared at him.
Most people would have waited.
Called authorities.
Kept themselves safe.
Daniel had done the opposite.
She looked at his hands.
They were cut.
“You’re injured.”
“It’s nothing.”
“It’s not nothing.”
She looked at her assistant.
“Get his information.”
Daniel immediately shook his head.
“No.”
Elena frowned.
“I’m not trying to buy your help.”
“I know.”
“I’d like to cover your medical expenses.”
“I’m fine.”
“What about compensation?”
“No.”
“Why?”
Daniel looked at Sophie.
“Because I didn’t save her for money.”
Elena didn’t know how to respond.
She had spent her entire life around people who attached prices to everything.
Investors.
Lawyers.
Executives.
Consultants.
Everyone wanted something.
This man didn’t.
She suddenly felt uncomfortable.
Not because she didn’t appreciate him.
Because she couldn’t understand him.
“Then at least let me take you home.”
Daniel shook his head.
“I have a bus.”
“You nearly drowned.”
“I’ll survive.”
Elena almost smiled.
“You’re stubborn.”
“People tell me that.”
Sophie interrupted.
“Mom, can he come to dinner?”
Elena looked at Daniel.
He hesitated.
“I need to get home.”
Sophie looked disappointed.
Daniel smiled.
“Maybe another time.”
Elena nodded.
“Another time.”
Daniel walked away.
Elena watched him disappear into the crowd.
Her assistant approached.
“Do you know who he is?”
“No.”
“Should we find out?”
Elena looked toward the street.
“Yes.”
She didn’t know why.
But something told her Daniel Brooks was going to matter.
