Rosa felt her stomach tighten. She lowered her head and spoke softly. “I’m sorry, sir. If this is a problem, I can leave early.”
The billionaire waved his hand dismissively. “No need. We’re almost finished anyway. Besides,” he added, glancing at the boy, “this might be interesting.”
The word hung in the air.
Interesting.
He stood and walked toward a large steel safe built into the wall. It was heavy, industrial, and clearly expensive. The kind of safe designed to withstand disasters most people never imagined encountering.
“You see this?” he said, resting his palm against the metal. “Custom-built. Triple-locked. Worth more than most houses.”
The men watched, some smiling, some clearly enjoying the diversion.
Then the billionaire turned back toward the boy.
“I’ll make you a deal,” he said, his voice playful. “I’ll give you one hundred million dollars if you can open this safe.”
Laughter filled the room.
Not the kind of laughter that breaks tension, but the kind that assumes there will be no consequences. The kind that comes easily when power feels secure.
Rosa’s face burned. She gripped the handle of her mop, wishing she could disappear. She stepped forward, her voice barely above a whisper. “Please. He’s just a child. We’ll go.”
One man shrugged. “It’s harmless.”
Another added, “Better he learns early how things really work.”
The billionaire smiled. “Exactly.”
But the boy didn’t laugh.
He didn’t move.
He stood still, looking at the safe with a thoughtful expression, not intimidated, not impressed. Just curious.
Then, slowly, he stepped forward.
Bare feet. Steady posture.
The laughter faded.
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