Page 13 (2/2)

Billings sat back hard, the chair'shis hand at ross undervaluation Twitter stock started at twenty-six dollars and then ended at forty-four on the closing day Facebook Heck, when UPS went public, everyone from the mailroom to the boardroom made millions"

Millions A kernel of envy rose inside ofpoor wasn’t that you couldn't work hard and make money but that these types of ventures were out of reach for you A person who could buy a few thousand shares pre-public offering could stand to ot offered that opportunity were investment bankers, venture capitalists, and people who had a lot of s, sell s, and Grace and I would be set for life if I had this opportunity I'd be able to buy a house on the North Shore that'd make her uncle's house look like a shack I'd be able to walk into any store or restaurant and people would know instantly that I was someone of worth just by the cut of my clothes and the leather of my shoes

I'd never be the poor kid from the west side of tohose mother was dead and whose father drank his food sta its green vines around s leaned back in his chair, oblivious to the dark beanstalk that he'd planted inside me No, that was unfair He hadn't planted it The dark bean of envy and want had been planted when I was born Allit

"Millions, Mr Jackson," he murmured, almost to himself He rolled his head toward theso that I couldn’t see his eyes "Most of the time, opportunities to buy in at this level, to help fund the capital of the public offering, aren't offered to peons like us, Jackson They are for the people who already fly private jets and who are building rocket ships for fun"

"Most of the ti at? "Most of the tis had been waiting for He turned around, facingand the flush had spread across his entire face "Yes, Mr Jackson Most of the time What if I told you that I had an opportunity to buy some shares of pre-IPO stock?"

"That's trereen vines of envy threatening to choke my blood supply

"You need money to buy in, and unfortunately I don't have all the funds that I need" Billings tapped his hands on his desk in restless agitation I waited for him to continue "I've had a little run of bad luck with my finances I won't bore you with it, but suffice it to say I don't really have the ready cash to buy in at the level I'm required to, and banks don't lend money for investment purposes like this"

Clarity rushed in like a cool breeze, chasing away the envy and bringing in a good dose of trepidation What Billings’ finances had to do with ood

"You're fighting on New Year's, right?"

"Yes, I' on New Year's," I responded a bit cockily, but I felt the ground underneathand needed to exert ht You're the favorite" Billings looked me up and down like I was so

Iainst rabbedthe opportunity to buy into TempChat That's pretty awesome Take a look at hness of the feasibility study The shop I purchased isa decent profit, and I hope to open at least two more in the next six months, one down here by Central" I shouldered the pack and stood by the chair, ready for ht so that this yahoo could rade here, but fuckco

"What if I told you that I'd offer you a percentage of those shares?"

"Sir?" Against s’ offer

"You help et my money for the buy in, and I'll let you have ten percent The money you make froe" He gestured rudely toward the independent project that I'd spent hours on

"I don't think I can help you," I said I wanted toto sell hts, ever I wasn't even sure I could throw one Once I got inside the Octagon, every instinct inside of me roared to dominate, and my body didn't quit until it sensed submission I turned on my heel and walked toward the door When s' voice stopped rade, correct?"

"Yes," I responded warily

"In fact, I read that you had to pay back s' voice was full of disdain now, his true feelings for e was filled mostly with rich kids Kids like Grace whose family came from money already The ones ere invited to participate in capital projects for start-ups that netted theht" I bit s

If I could crumple metal, the door knob would be in pieces As it was, I'd probably have the imprint of the ball in ht before it goes public Once it does, the stock prices will shoot through the roof You’ll earn ht even affect your scholarship status"

"I can't see hoouldn't pass, I shot back "The independent project required me to determine ould be the in, low-personnel business in a high-traffic area The profits froher than every franchise in a ten-mile radius"