"No."
"You are."
The room became quiet.
"You think losing would make you smaller."
Marcus stopped.
Because she was right.
His entire identity was built around winning.
Eleanor continued:
"Strength is not protecting your reputation."
Marcus attacked.
That was his mistake.
CHAPTER 7 — THE MOMENT THE $10,000 DISAPPEARED
The final exchange happened instantly.
Marcus rushed forward.
Eleanor moved.
A simple turn.
A controlled step.
A perfect counter.
Marcus lost balance.
Before he understood what happened, he was on the mat.
The room froze.
The timer stopped.
Forty-eight seconds.
Not even one minute.
Marcus was defeated.