experienced, she usually says.
But in my twenty-six years of living, I’ve learned one valuable lesson. Pain can be the best teacher, no matter the circumstance. It’s a lesson that’s been driven into me time and time again and one that has made me stronger . . . physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Unfortunately, most folks hit that first twinge of pain and give up, afraid to feel it, to grow from it, to learn from it. So they stay stagnant, unfulfilled and not knowing how to get ahead.
They don’t recognize that until they find the courage to push through, the harsh reality is that they’re never going to overcome it. They’re never going to reach their dreams, their goals, or their potential.
I relish the pain and the obstacles it can bring. I know that with every sting, with every cut, with every bit of pain that the world inflicts on me or I inflict on myself, I’m making myself stronger.
Twenty-six years of pain. By this point, I’m strong enough that when someone hits me with an iron bar, the bar is the one that breaks. When the snake tries to bite me, it’s the one that withers up and dies.
No pain, no gain? If that’s true, then I’ve gained the world, and the only thing that can stop me is me.
“And so, we have a winner with this deal, folks,” I declare confidently, turning away from the floor-to-ceiling windows and the spectacular view of Bane’s skyline at sunset to address the men and women of the Board. “At the outset, my deal may look riskier than either Chase’s or Olivia’s,” I say, nodding my head respectfully to my older brother and sister, who are sitting at the opposite end of the fourteen-foot table that fills the conference room. “But nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, the AlphaSystems deal will only net us twenty million up front, and yes, it will take at least five years to recoup our initial investment. But after those five years, the cash flow will surpass that of the other deals, and more importantly, my plan will gain us sizeable leverage, virtually creating an entirely new industry under the Danger Enterprises umbrella.”
The room starts to rumble with a chorus of murmurs and whispers, but before anyone can say anything discernable, Chase coughs loudly, drawing my eyes to him.
Like me, he’s got dirty-blond hair that he always wears slicked back. And he’s got the chiseled jawline that the Danger bloodline is notoriously known for.
“So you say this deal is better than ours, little bro-I mean, Scott,” Chase says, quickly correcting himself. But he flashes a mock grin and pointedly straightens the cuff of his Armani suit with the smooth flourish he knows drives me nuts. “Yet you failed to illustrate how. I’m sure I speak for everyone here when I ask how in the world you came to that conclusion? You’re not even close to my figures.”
He challenges me with his arrogant blue eyes and the condescending smirk he always uses to piss me off.
I return my brother’s smirk, refusing to let his fraudulent slip of tongue or his attempt to trigger my irritation ruffle me.
Instead, I smoothly make my way to the front of the room, intentionally looming over him.
“Well, big brother,” I say in false deference before tapping the stack of papers on the table, “If you would read the chart in front of you, it’s all right there, spelled out very clearly. I’ve laid the groundwork, done the math, and had it double-checked by our in-house business analysts. This deal is great for Danger Enterprises, a way to look forward and take our company to the next level.” I motion at the papers in front of every board member. “See for yourselves.”
The room fills with whispers and murmurs once again as the gathered executives peer closely at my report filled with graphs and notes. I sit back in my chair, and for the next several minutes, I watch them flip pages, their fingertips following the upward trajectory of profits, their excitement obvious on their faces. My grin grows by the second.
“My word,” says Charlie Reynolds, a graybeard executive who’s been with Danger Enterprises for as long as I can remember. He sits back in his seat, looking at me with newfound respect and admiration, shaking his head in what is almost awe. “Ladies and gents, this is impressive.”
The room stays quiet, but it doesn’t matter. I can see it in their eyes. They’re coming