He hadn’t just lost ten million dollars. His public humiliation was spreading across the internet in real time. “Are you okay? Do you need to sit down? Maybe get some water?” Maggie asked with sincere concern.
Her kindness in the middle of his worst moment made the whole thing feel even more surreal. “Maggie, you just won ten million dollars and you’re worried about me?” “You look really pale,” she said simply.
Ellen watched her daughter with a mix of pride and concern. Maggie had always been deeply empathetic. When she was little and got hurt while playing, she’d worry more about whether her mother was upset than about her own scraped knee.
The professor-arbiter, who had been observing everything closely, stepped forward again. “Excuse me, but there’s one important question that needs to be asked.” “Of course, Professor,” Richard said politely.
“The wager was made publicly, accepted by both parties, and witnessed by hundreds of people. But I need to know: do you actually have ten million dollars available?” It was the question everyone had been thinking but nobody had wanted to ask.
Richard swallowed hard. “I have eight million in liquid funds. For the other two, I’d need to sell some investments.”
“How long would that take?” “A week. Maybe ten days at most,” Richard said after a quick mental calculation. Maggie, who had heard the whole exchange, stepped closer and said gently, “If that’s too difficult for you…”
“Maggie, no,” Richard cut in firmly. “I made the bet, and I will honor it. If I have to sell my lake house, my car collection, or part of the business, then that’s what I’ll do.”
“My word has to mean more than my money.” That statement impressed even the people who disliked him. Whatever else he was, at least he had enough honor to stand by what he had said in public.
Just then a visibly excited man in a suit came hurrying up and called out, “Wait, Mr. Mercer, wait!” “Who are you?” Richard asked, frowning.
“Paul Benson, Channel 8 News. I heard what happened and came straight over. Could I get a quick interview?”
“An interview? Right now?” Richard said, stunned. “This is the most unbelievable story of the year. A millionaire wagers ten million against a little girl and loses badly. That’s a documentary waiting to happen.”
Richard looked around, dazed. The crowd had grown even larger, and people were still pouring in. Mall security had clearly given up trying to control it.
“Maggie,” he said, turning to the girl, “what do you think? Do you want to talk to the news?” “Me? On television?” Maggie blushed bright red.
“Honey, you absolutely don’t have to if you don’t want to,” Ellen said protectively. “But it may matter,” the professor said gently. “You’ve just shown extraordinary talent, and the chess world ought to know who you are.”
Maggie looked surprised. “The chess world?” “With your level of play, you could compete internationally and represent this country in major events. But for that, people need to know your name.”
The possibility lit up the young champion’s face. “I could play people from other countries? I could compete against the best minds in the world?”
Richard listened with growing admiration. The girl he had tried to embarrass was suddenly looking at a future he could never have bought with all his money. “Paul,” he said to the reporter, “if we do this interview, it needs to be done right. No cheap sensationalism. Maggie deserves respect.”
“Of course. We’ll focus on her talent,” the reporter said. “And I want it made clear that I will pay the wager in full. I don’t want anyone thinking I’m trying to wriggle out of it.”
Marina stepped close and whispered urgently, “Do you realize what this means financially? Ten million is nearly half the company’s net assets.” “Marina, sometimes in life you make a choice that costs you. This is one of those times.”
Ellen stepped toward Richard and lightly touched his arm. “Could I speak with you privately for a moment?” They moved a few steps away from the noise of the crowd…
