Rosa’s stomach knotted. She lowered her head.
« I’m sorry, sir, » she said softly. « I can leave earlier if… »
« Calm down, » the billionaire interrupted with a wave of his hand. « We’re almost done. And then… » He glanced at the boy again. « This could be fun. »
Amusing.
He stood up and walked to a steel safe embedded in the wall. It was enormous. Industrial. The kind designed to withstand fires, floods, maybe even wars.
« You see that? » he said, patting it. « It’s worth more than most houses. Triple locking. Custom-made. »
The men watched, amused.
Then he turned towards the boy.
« Here’s what we’re going to do, » said the billionaire, clapping his hands. « I’ll give you one hundred million dollars if you can open it. »
The room burst into laughter.
Not a nervous laugh. Not an embarrassed laugh.
The laughter of those who feel cruel without ever fearing consequences.
Rosa felt her cheeks burn. She gripped the mop handle tighter, wishing the floor would open up and swallow her whole.
She took a step forward. « Please, » she murmured. « He’s just a child. We’ll leave. »
One of the partners chuckled. « Relax. It’s a joke. »
Another added: « He might as well learn early how the world works. »
The billionaire shrugged. « Exactly. »
The boy, however, had not laughed.
He hadn’t moved.
He remained standing, his eyes fixed on the chest — not with admiration, nor with fear, but with something that looked more like curiosity.
Then he took a step forward.
Barefoot. Calm gait.
The laughter subsided slightly.
He looked up at the billionaire and spoke clearly:
« Can I ask a question first? »
The billionaire raised an eyebrow. « Sure, kid. Go ahead. »
The boy inclined his head slightly.
« Are you offering this money because you think I won’t be able to open it, » he asked, « or because you know you’ll never have to pay? »
The room fell silent.
Not this polite silence.
The uncomfortable silence.
Someone cleared their throat. A chair creaked.
The billionaire started laughing again, but this time the sound was more hollow. « Small, sharp tongue, » he said. « It doesn’t change anything. »
The boy nodded. « I know. »
He approached the chest — but did not touch it.
Instead, he turned towards the table.
“My father used to say,” the boy continued, “that true security doesn’t depend on locks. It depends on those who control the truth.”
The billionaire crossed his arms. « And what does that mean? »
The boy looked at the chest again. Then at the men.
« That means, » he said softly, « that it was never a real challenge. Because if someone opened it up, you’d say it didn’t count. »
No one laughed this time.
The billionaire opened his mouth — then closed it again.
The boy continued, still in a calm voice:
« And that also means that a safe doesn’t protect what’s inside, » he added. « It protects what you don’t want others to see. »
Rosa’s heart was pounding wildly.
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