I thought that night was about proving you could speak Mandarin. I was wrong. It was about proving I didn't know everything I thought I knew.
Naomi folded the letter.
She looked at Victor.
“Why now?”
“Because I finally understand it.”
“Understand what?”
“That I didn't embarrass you that night.”
Naomi waited.
“I embarrassed myself.”
She smiled slightly.
“Yes.”
Victor laughed.
“I deserved that.”
Naomi placed the letter on the desk.
“You know what bothered me most?”
“What?”
“It wasn't the money.”
“I know.”
“It wasn't even the insult.”
Victor looked at her.
“What was it?”
“You looked at me and decided my life was small.”
Victor lowered his eyes.
“You were wrong.”
“Yes.”
Naomi stood and walked toward the window.
“Do you know what I learned?”
“What?”
“People who underestimate you are sometimes giving you something valuable.”
Victor looked confused.
“What?”
“A reason to discover whether they're wrong.”
He smiled.
“You used me.”
“No.”
She turned.
“I used the situation.”
Victor nodded.
“That's fair.”
He stood.
“I want to repay the hundred thousand.”
“You already paid it.”
“I want to give you more.”
“I don't want it.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't need it.”
Victor smiled.
“That must be a strange feeling.”
“What?”
“Not needing money.”
Naomi laughed.
“It helps.”
Victor turned toward the door.
Then stopped.
“There is something else.”
Naomi waited.
“I want to make another bet.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“No.”
He laughed.
“You haven't even heard it.”
“I remember the first one.”
“This is different.”
“How?”
“You choose the terms.”
Naomi thought about it.
“All right.”
Victor smiled.
“What do you want?”
Naomi said:
“If your company succeeds again, you will create a scholarship for young people who had to abandon school because of family responsibilities.”
Victor stared at her.
“That isn't a bet.”
“It is for you.”
“What do I get?”
“You get to prove you've changed.”
Victor smiled.
“Deal.”