Daniel, wiping down the hallway nearby, overheard fragments of conversation. He glanced at the vault’s screen when the door swung open.
Numbers flashed—prime sequences, shifting series, geometric patterns. His heart beat faster. He recognized them immediately. Prime numbers. Fibonacci progression. Spatial logic tied to rotating shapes.
It was the kind of challenge his old math teacher used to love.
Inside, Jonathan’s patience snapped.
He stormed out, face flushed. “I’ll pay one million dollars to anyone who can open this thing,” he announced loudly to the gathered staff.
Then, in a careless, mocking gesture, he pointed at Daniel.
“If even this cleaning kid can open it, I’ll give him the whole hundred million.”
Laughter rippled across the room.
Elena’s face drained of color. She pulled Daniel slightly behind her.
But Daniel looked at Jonathan calmly.
“Are you serious, sir?” he asked.
Jonathan smirked. “Completely. In front of everyone.”
“Twice serious?” Daniel pressed.
“Twice,” Jonathan said, amused.
Daniel nodded. “Okay. I’ll try.”
Phones lifted. Employees crowded the doorway. Someone began recording.
Jonathan folded his arms, expecting a spectacle.