For the next two hours—you’re my wife! He said to the cleaner, taking her on a bet for the deal, but when she spoke—the room went silent…

Alexander William Harlan, CEO of Granite Construction Holdings, a 42-year-old man, always believed he had achieved everything in life on his own. Tall, fit, with a touch of gray at the temples, he exuded the confidence typical of people accustomed to power and money. His office on the 27th floor of the Sail Tower business center was just like him—strict, functional, and impeccable.

Today, five men, longtime friends and business partners, gathered in the conference room of his office. They had just signed a contract that promised significant profits for each of them. Champagne flowed freely, and the conversations grew louder and more candid.

«Alexander, admit it,» laughed Michael Davis, head of the law firm, «everything in your life works out because you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth.» «Father—a deputy secretary, connections at the very top. You’ve just been lucky from the start.»

Alexander winced. Nothing could sting him more than the suggestion that his success was due to family connections rather than his own efforts. «Michael, you’re out of line,» he replied coldly.

«My father never interfered in my business. Everything I’ve achieved, I’ve done myself.» «Come on, Alexander,» interjected Paul Peters, owner of a restaurant chain.

«You’re a smart guy, of course, but let’s face it, in our country, you can’t get anywhere without connections. Especially in your construction business.» Alexander slowly set his glass on the table.

A heavy silence fell over the room. Everyone knew his temperament; Harlan didn’t like his achievements being questioned. «Are you saying I couldn’t succeed if I started from scratch?» His voice was deceptively calm.

«That’s exactly it,» nodded Michael. «You’ve never been an ordinary person. You’ve never known what it’s like to live without a safety net.

I’d bet you don’t even imagine how regular people live.» Alexander looked carefully at each person present, trying to see if they shared Michael’s opinion. From their faces, it was clear—they did.

«Fine,» he said slowly. «Let’s bet. I’ll prove to you that I can start from zero, without money, without connections, and achieve results.»

«And how do you plan to do that?» smirked Paul. «Give up your fortune? Your position?» «No,» Alexander smiled, and that smile boded nothing good. «I’ll conduct an experiment.

I’ll prove it’s not about money and connections, but character, the ability to talk to people, negotiate.» At that moment, a middle-aged woman in a simple uniform with the cleaning company’s logo entered the conference room. She clearly didn’t expect to find people there and became embarrassed.

«Sorry,» she said in a quiet voice with a noticeable Russian accent. «I was told the meeting was over, and I could clean.» Alexander gave the woman an appraising look.

Short, thin, with a tired face and hands roughened from constant work with cleaning products. She was about forty-five, but looked older than her years. Dark hair pulled into a simple bun, no makeup.

A typical labor migrant, of which there are thousands in New York. Suddenly, an idea struck Alexander. «What’s your name?» he asked.

«Helen,» the woman replied in surprise. «Helen,» repeated Alexander and turned to his friends with a triumphant smile. «Here’s your experiment.

I’ll take this woman to a business meeting. For the next two hours, you’re my wife.» He said it loudly, addressing the cleaner, and a deafening silence hung in the room.

Helen froze, gripping the mop handle tightly, crumpling a dust rag in her other hand. Her eyes widened in surprise and fear. «Excuse me, what?» she finally managed.

«He’s joking,» Nicholas Smith, the financial director of the holdings and the most sensible in the group, hurried to intervene. «Alexander William, you’ve had too much champagne.» «I’m completely serious,» Alexander cut him off.

«Helen, I’m offering you a deal. I need you to play the role of my wife at an important meeting. Just two hours.

I’ll pay you.» He thought for a second, fifty thousand dollars. Laughter echoed in the room.

Helen shook her head in disbelief. «Are you mocking me?» Her voice trembled, but steel notes unexpectedly rang in it. «I’m not that kind of woman.

I work here, not…» «You misunderstood me,» Alexander interrupted hastily. «No intimate services. Just a business dinner.

I need to impress a client, and my real wife is away.» «But why me?» Helen asked in confusion. «Look at me…