"We're rich!"
On the way home, Pietro shouted excitedly, swinging his arms with force. The energetic young man was smartly dressed, his hair neatly slicked back. In just an hour, he had been completely transformed, looking like one of the elite professionals commonly seen on Wall Street.
He slung an arm around Sean's shoulders, his manner exceedingly warm and his face full of smiles. None of his previous wariness remained; he acted as though they were long-lost brothers.
Why had there been such a dramatic change?
The reason was another check in his hand. Like the pale yellow slip Pietro had received, the only difference was the amount written on it. This one could be exchanged for a five-figure sum of cash at any time.
In Pietro's eyes, that was practically an astronomical fortune, enough for him and Wanda to live comfortably. Starting a small business or leaving Sokovia to get away from war and poverty were both good options.
Even more astonishingly, Sean had handed it over without the slightest concern, as though tossing away a scrap of waste paper. There was not a trace of reluctance on his face. Pietro began to realize that perhaps the guy Wanda had brought home was not trouble, but a massive gold mine.
"...So that doctor recognized you as some rich guy, then wanted to hire you as senior management?"
Even after repeating it many times, Pietro still found it unreal. He held the check over his head, planning to cash it at the bank later, afraid this was like last night's beautiful dream and that he would wake up to find it had all been an illusion.
"Let me correct you. He recognized me as a scholar from the State University of New York, engaged in biological research. Apparently, I was