“If your daughter can translate this contract, I’ll double your salary,” the billionaire told a young Black boy. A little later, he was amazed by the girl’s talent…

— « At school, » replied Alisha, then added shyly, « and I also read my aunt’s law textbooks when she’s not using them. »

For a man who prided himself on spotting talent, James was stunned. He slowly closed the file, his mind already racing. His entire career had rested on his ability to seize opportunities—and now an opportunity was right there in his own building lobby.

That night, James thought back to the scene. What should have been just a casual remark had troubled him. Alisha was no ordinary child. Her self-assurance and insight reminded him of his own youth, when he, in Boston, learned accounting at night while working on construction sites during the day.

The next morning, he summoned Marcus to his office on the top floor, overlooking Central Park. Marcus entered, nervous.

James got straight to the point:
« I kept my word. Your salary will be doubled. But I want something else: your daughter will come here after school. I’ll find her a tutor. She has talent, and I can’t bear to see talent wasted. »

Marcus, stunned, stammered,
« Sir, I don’t want her to be swallowed up by… »
« By what? By opportunity? » James interrupted, his tone sharp but not hostile. « Don’t misunderstand me, Marcus. I’m not offering charity. I see potential, and I want to encourage it. »

Reluctantly, Marcus agreed.

The following week, Alisha began attending the offices. At first, she was intimidated by the glass walls, the jargon, the constant hustle and bustle. But James had assigned her to Elizabeth Carter, a demanding yet kind senior legal advisor. Elizabeth gave her contracts to translate, case studies, and exercises to complete. Alisha absorbed them with astonishing speed. She translated, but she also asked questions: why did such and such a clause exist, what legal loopholes did it create, how did companies use language to gain an advantage?

James watched, fascinated. He sometimes stayed longer in meetings just to hear the young girl speak.

One day, during negotiations with a South American firm, the legal team ran into some ambiguous clauses. Alisha, sitting quietly in the back, raised her hand. Timidly, she explained that too literal a translation would expose Whitmore Global to a massive financial obligation. Silence. Then James spoke up:
« She’s right. »

The renegotiation saved millions.