Chapter 27 – The Offer
It happened on a quiet Thursday afternoon.
Jake was at the family computer in the living room, halfway through refining FaceWorld's privacy settings, when a knock came at the door. Judith, drying her hands from the sink, called out, "Jake, can you grab that?"
He opened it to find a sharply dressed man—early 40s, relaxed posture, confidence in every word he didn't say.
"You Jake Harper?"
Jake narrowed his eyes. "Who's asking?"
The man smiled and handed over a business card.
> Nolan Pierce
Pierce Ventures – Seed Capital for Big Ideas
Jake blinked. He knew the name. Even at ten, Jake had already read about Nolan in trade publications and investment forums. A private venture capitalist with a reputation for backing outsiders just before they went big.
"I've been following FaceWorld," Nolan said, stepping inside as Judith approached behind Jake, cautious but curious. "You've built something amazing. And you're doing it out of your mom's living room. That tells me two things—one, you've got vision. Two, you're probably burning through server money."
Jake and Judith exchanged a look.
"Which is why I'm here," Nolan continued. "I'm offering two million dollars in seed funding. No strings. No control. Just capital to help you scale while keeping the company yours."
Judith folded her arms. "Why come in person?"
"Because this site's going to be huge. And I don't do email pitches with prodigies. I show up."
Jake sat down, staring at the card like it might start glowing.
"I'm not looking for a partner," he said slowly.
"I'm not trying to be one," Nolan replied. "I back people who don't need babysitting. You get the money. I get a small stake. You keep building."
After a beat, Judith said, "We'll think about it."
Nolan smiled. "Good. I don't like fast yeses. Smart founders take their time."
He left the card on the coffee table and walked out the door like he knew he'd be back.
---
That Night
Jake dove into research.
He pulled every article, blog post, and investor note he could find on Nolan Pierce. And the more he read, the more legit he looked.
Pierce had backed companies that were now worth hundreds of millions. He didn't chase trends. He found the people before they hit. The outliers.
People like Jake.
Still, Jake wasn't naïve. One good meeting didn't mean trust.
And two million dollars wasn't small money—not for a ten-year-old building an empire out of a spare bedroom.
---
Friday Morning – Harper Kitchen
Judith skimmed the research Jake printed and left on the counter. Pierce Ventures. Deal structures. Terms. Payout timelines. She looked impressed. And worried.
"So… what's the plan?"
Jake poured himself a bowl of cereal and sat down. "We meet with a lawyer. Someone who knows startups. Someone who'll keep him honest."
"You want me to find a pit bull?"
"No. I want a shark with a law degree."
Judith smirked. "I can do that."
Jake nodded. "Good. Because FaceWorld's about to blow up, and I'd rather not get swallowed in the process."