Not disappear.
But become something I no longer had to hold entirely alone.
Before the meeting ended, Mr. Lam brought up the wager.
He looked uncomfortable.
"There's another matter."
I frowned.
"What?"
He smiled faintly.
"Four hundred thousand dollars."
I stared.
Then laughed in disbelief.
"I almost forgot."
Rachel raised one eyebrow.
Grace smiled.
Mr. Lam looked toward me.
"Mr. Whitmore publicly offered that amount if you could speak Cantonese."
I nodded.
"Yes."
He continued.
"And you clearly can."
I laughed softly.
"Apparently."
The mood lightened for a moment.
Then Mr. Lam became serious.
"I don't know whether that exchange created an enforceable obligation under the relevant law. That's for lawyers to determine."
Rachel nodded.
He continued.
"But I wanted you to know that several witnesses remember exactly what happened."
I looked down.
For a moment, I thought about the envelope Whitmore had slapped onto the table.
The way he offered the money as entertainment.
As a chance to demonstrate that I was inferior.
I took a breath.
"I don't want this case to become about a bet."
Mr. Lam studied me.
"Why not?"
"Because the forty million matters more."
Grace nodded.
I continued.
"And because I didn't warn you to collect a prize."
Mr. Lam was quiet.
Then he smiled slightly.
"I understand."
He paused.
"But you should also know that you don't have to refuse something you're entitled to simply to prove your motives were honorable."
The words surprised me.
I looked toward him.
For a moment, I didn't answer.
Then I nodded.
"Thank you."
Rachel leaned forward.
"We can evaluate the wager separately from the underlying transaction and any employment issues."
I agreed.
That was sensible.
Still, when I left the meeting, the four hundred thousand dollars felt unreal.
A number shouted across a restaurant.
A wealthy man's attempt to turn my language into a joke.
I didn't know whether I'd ever see a penny.
And for the first time, I wasn't particularly concerned.
Because the more important question was finally being asked by people with the resources and authority to investigate it.
Where was the forty million dollars supposed to go?
And who had tried to change the answer?