Elena looked toward the envelope.
Inés continued.
“I understand his representatives intend to discuss payment.”
Elena hesitated.
“I don't know what I should do.”
Inés studied her.
Then answered carefully.
“Get independent advice. Don't let anyone turn the payment into a condition that restricts your academic freedom or requires you to accept unsupported allegations.”
Elena nodded.
“And don't let them convince you that accepting money he freely promised makes your success less real.”
For several seconds, Elena remained silent.
Then whispered, “Thank you.”
Inés rose.
“Good luck, Elena.”
She smiled.
“I hope we meet again under less ridiculous circumstances.”
After the meeting, Elena returned to campus.
She spent the afternoon working on the assessment.
The questions were difficult.
The modeling assumptions required further checking.
And several supporting documents needed to be compared against newer information.
For the first time since the dinner, she found comfort in the familiar work.
Numbers didn't care whether she wore a waitress uniform.
Contracts didn't become more binding because a wealthy man insisted they should.
And a research conclusion could be defended through evidence rather than social status.
That evening, she received a message from Nadia.
The restaurant is a disaster.
Elena stared.
Then replied.
What happened?
Nadia answered immediately.
Someone posted a video of the wager.
Elena's stomach tightened.
A video.
She hadn't known anyone was recording.
Another message appeared.
People are sharing it everywhere. They can hear him offering the money and you answering in Spanish.
Elena closed her eyes.
She opened the link Nadia sent.
The clip was short.
Less than a minute.
It showed Antoine leaning backward in his chair, smiling as he announced the one-hundred-thousand-dollar challenge.
Then it showed Elena placing down her notepad.
Accepting.
And beginning her Spanish answer.
The recording ended before the more technical discussion.
No confidential figures appeared.
But the social meaning was unmistakable.
A wealthy businessman had mocked a young Black waitress.
She had answered calmly.
And his expression changed as he realized she knew far more than he'd expected.
The clip was being shared rapidly.
People praised Elena's language skills.
Criticized Antoine's arrogance.
And argued about whether the wager should be honored.
Some comments were kind.
Others were cruel.
A few questioned Elena's credentials.
Several people searched her name and found public university work.
Elena felt sick.
She hadn't asked to become a public figure.