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Michelle felt a sudden lifting in her heart: The gambler in him was tempted. Better yet, there was no financial risk involved for him, and once this nonsense was over she’d be out of their lives for good. “There are limits,” he said, tapping his pen against the appointment book. “You have to earn it. You can’t borrow it, receive it as a gift, or win it in a contest. And it must be cash. I’ll need proof. In fact, I’ll need to see your million dollars with my own two eyes.” “Agreed.” She returned his gaze without flinching. “And,” he paused, “you’ll have to bring it to me in 90 days.” “90 days to make a million dollars? You can’t be serious!” “That’s the bet. Take it or leave it.” Michelle was in a panic. He’d outmaneuvered her! Samantha had taught her how to find her center at times of stress, and she groped for each step now: picturing herself at the Rock, its warm strength flowing into her, sitting next to Samantha, her hand in the older woman’s hand. Take the Rock with you wherever you go. Two voices inside her head were arguing. Don’t do it. You can do it. Are you crazy? You’ll figure it out. She listened first to one, and then the other. And then she spoke. “Have your attorney draw up the papers.” “Turns out my lawyer is upstairs right now. About to play bridge. Natalie, will you go get Martin for me?” Michelle shifted in her chair as she watched Natalie leave. It was going to happen. Now the panic began to return in even bigger waves. “Once Martin gets here we’ll wrap this up quickly,” Anthony said. Pause. “Well, as quickly as we can. You know, I don’t want to leave any loopholes.”
THE STORY OF THE ENLIGHTENED MILLIONAIRE
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