The One Billion Dollars Translator

The Man They Rejected

Gracias stared at the elevator doors, unable to believe what had just happened. Henry stood beside her, clutching his tablet with trembling fingers, while Derrick watched the floor numbers change above the elevator.

Eric Stephens had just rejected their company. Not only had he rejected them, but he had done so before they could even present their proposal properly and all because of a man Gracias had forced to resign.

The elevator doors closed completely.A moment later, the sound of a door slamming echoed from the upper floor. Eric had entered his hotel room and shut the door in their faces, leaving them stranded in the lobby with no opportunity to defend themselves.

Gracias's hands began to shake.

“Did that just happen?” she whispered.

Henry swallowed. “Mother…”

“Don't! Don't say anything” she snapped, turning on him and Henry immediately fell silent.

Derrick slowly reached for the tablet in Henry's hands. He scrolled through the documents, trying to identify the errors Eric had complained about, but the German sentences meant nothing to him.

He understood construction. He knew the technical demands of major projects but unfortunately, he didn't understand enough German to determine whether Henry had made a few mistakes or ruined the entire proposal.

After several minutes, he lowered the tablet, “Gracias, this isn't too late”

She looked at him sharply. “What do you mean?”

“We can still call Alex. We can explain what happened and ask him to help us. He knows the project better than anyone else in this company, and he can correct these documents before things get worse” he explained 

Gracias's expression darkened, “Are you out of your mind?” 

“I'm being realistic. We need his help….” Derrick tried to convince him but all went in vain 

“You want me to call that boy and beg him to return after he disrespected me, resigned from my company, and walked away as though he owned the place?” she demanded.

Henry's face tightened. “Uncle Derrick, are you saying this is our fault?”

“I'm saying we should concentrate on saving the company instead of arguing about whose fault it is” he responded 

“Enough!” Gracias shouted.

Her voice attracted a few curious glances from people passing through the lobby, but she paid them no attention.

“I will not call Alex Miller. I would rather lose this contract than kneel before that ungrateful boy but I'll not lose this contract” she added 

Derrick looked at her for a long moment then he shook his head and walked away.

He had tried to warn her before the meeting. He had advised her to bring Alex back, but she had refused because she was determined to prove that Henry was just as capable.Now the consequences were staring them in the face.

However, Derrick wasn't prepared to watch the company lose a billion-dollar opportunity simply because Gracias's pride wouldn't allow her to make a phone call. Once he was outside the hotel, he retrieved his phone and dialed Alex's number.

Alex answered after the third ring,“Derrick?”

“Alex, thank goodness you picked up” he let out a relief sigh 

“What's wrong?” Alex inquired 

Derrick took a deep breath, “Eric Stephens has rejected our proposal”

There was a brief silence before Alex asked, “What happened?”

“Henry's translation was a disaster. Eric reviewed the documents and found serious errors in the technical specifications. He was furious, Alex. He said he was no longer interested in the project” Derrick explained 

Alex closed his eyes briefly. He had expected Henry to struggle with the specialized terminology but didn't know Eric would refuse their proposal the same day he arrived. 

“I warned them,” he said quietly

“I know, Alex. I know you did. Please, I'm asking you as someone who has worked with you for years. Can you come and help us? You don't have to return permanently. Just help us save the project. Even if Gracias isn't ready to call you herself, I'm asking you” Derrick's voice softened.

Alex looked across the small warehouse he had spent the last few hours preparing with Lucy and James. There were still boxes everywhere, unfinished workstations, and documents scattered across the table. They had barely begun building their company, yet this was already the first major decision he had to make as its owner.

“Derrick, I appreciate what you're trying to do but I'm done with Elite Construction” Alex replied

“Alex…” Derrick called 

“No. I mean it. I gave that company five years of my life. I worked as a site engineer, handled translations, and took on responsibilities that went far beyond my job description. When it mattered, they treated my contribution like it was worthless” He paused, remembering Gracias's expression when she told him he had never been that good.

“I resigned, and I meant it. They should manage their affairs on their own”

“But this is a billion-dollar contract” Derrick tried to beg 

“And I have a company to build. I wish you luck, Derrick but don't call me again to ask me to return to Elite. That chapter of my life is over” He ended the call.

Derrick stared at his phone, knowing he had failed. He had barely lowered it when another call came through.

The name on the screen made him pause, it was Elena.

He answered immediately, “Hello, Elena”

“Derrick, I need to speak with Alex Miller’ Elena said from the other side of the phone

Derrick's heart skipped, “You need Alex?”

“Yes. Is he with you?” she asked 

“No, but I can give you his number” he replied 

“Please do. Mr. Stephens wants to speak with him urgently”

Derrick hesitated before sharing Alex's contact. When Elena thanked him and ended the call, he remained standing outside the hotel, wondering if Eric would try to convince him or not.

Meanwhile, Alex was returning to the warehouse when his phone rang again. He frowned at the unfamiliar number and answered.

“Hello?”

“Alex Miller?” a woman asked in German.

“Yes. Who is speaking?”

“This is Elena, Mr. Stephens's personal assistant” Elena's voice was calm yet, sounded professional 

Alex stopped walking, asking “Is everything all right?”

“Not exactly. Mr. Stephens is extremely disappointed with Elite Construction's proposal. He specifically requested you, and the company presented someone else. The translation was unacceptable, and he has decided to withdraw from the project” she explained 

Alex let out a quiet breath,“I'm sorry to hear that.”

“Mr. Stephens would like to speak with you”

Before Alex could respond, he heard a familiar voice in the background, “Give me the phone, Elena”

There was a brief rustle before Eric spoke,“Alex! Finally!”

Alex smiled faintly. Mr. Eric sounded excited to speak to him.

“Mr. Stephens, it's good to hear from you” he greeted in German 

“Don't tell me you're still working at Elite” Eric teased

“No, sir. I left the company” he answered 

“I know. That woman told me you resigned.What happened? Why would you leave a company you have worked with for five years?” Eric's voice carried clear irritation

Alex explained everything. He told Eric about the salary reduction, the removal of his translation duties, and Gracias's decision to give Henry the position. He didn't exaggerate or insult anyone. He simply described what had happened and why he had decided to walk away.

Eric listened without interrupting. When Alex finished, the German businessman sighed.

“Unbelievable. They pushed out the person I specifically wanted to work with” he uttered 

“Unfortunately, that's how things turned out” Alex smiled 

“And what are you doing now?” Eric further asked 

Alex glanced toward the warehouse, “I'm starting my own construction company”

Eric went mute for a while, then Alex asked the question that had been forming in his mind since Derrick's call.

“Mr. Stephens, since you've decided not to work with Elite, would you consider allowing my new company to bid for the project?”

Eric was stunned, “You want to bid for the billion-dollar project?”

“Yes, sir. I understand that my company is new, and I won't pretend that we already have the resources of an established construction firm but I know the project requirements, and I have a team that can help me prepare a proper proposal. If you are willing to consider us, I'll make sure we present something worth your attention”

“Now that's interesting” For the first time that day, Eric sounded pleased

Alex straightened, “I don't expect special treatment. I only want an opportunity to compete”

“Good. I respect that. Come to my hotel at five o'clock this afternoon. Bring your team and whatever proposal you can prepare. I want to see what you can offer” Eric accepted 

“Five o'clock? We would be there and thank you for the opportunity” Alex excitedly said 

The call ended, and Alex stood motionless for a moment, trying to absorb what had just happened.

He had gone from being dismissed by his stepmother to receiving an invitation to compete for the very contract she had tried to secure for her son, the irony was almost unbelievable.

“Alex!” Lucy emerged from the warehouse office, followed by James.

“Who was that?” she asked.

Alex turned toward them, unable to hide his smile, “It was Eric Stephens”

James immediately stepped closer. “What did he say?”

“He wants us to meet him at his hotel by five. We're going to bid for the project” Alex smiled widely 

“Are you serious?” Lucy covered her mouth in surprise

“Completely serious” Alex replied 

James burst into laughter, clapping Alex on the shoulder.

“Now that's what I'm talking about! They pushed you out, and you're going to compete against them?”

“It's not about competing against them..It's about proving that we can do this” Alex said 

Lucy nodded, her excitement giving way to determination, “Then we have work to do”

They wasted no time. The three of them returned to the makeshift office and began putting together a proposal. Alex took charge of the technical details, drawing on the years he had spent working with Elite's construction projects. Lucy organized the documentation, while James worked on the company profile, resource estimates, and preliminary budget.

They had limited time, limited equipment, and a warehouse that still looked more like a storage facility than the headquarters of a construction company but none of them was willing to give up.

Whenever one section was completed, another problem emerged. They revised the budget, adjusted the construction schedule, checked the specifications, and ensured the German translation matched the original technical documents.

Alex refused to rush through the details simply because they were working against the clock.

“If we submit this proposal,it must be something we can defend. We might be a new company, but we cannot afford to look careless”

“Then we won't” Lucy replied, returning to her laptop.

James rubbed his tired eyes and continued working.

****

By late afternoon, they had assembled a preliminary bid package. It wasn't perfect, and there were still areas they hoped to improve, but it was far better than anything they could have produced if they had spent the day complaining about their circumstances.

At a few minutes to five, Alex finally straightened from his desk.

“Let's go” he instructed 

Lucy gathered the documents while James carried the tablet containing their presentation. They left the warehouse together, heading for the hotel where the future of their new company might be decided.

Inside the hotel, Gracias was having the worst afternoon of her professional life.

Since Eric had rejected the project, she had made several attempts to secure another meeting with him. Each time, she had been told that he was unavailable.

Henry had barely spoken throughout the afternoon. He sat in the hotel lounge, staring at his tablet and replaying the humiliating scene in his mind.

Derrick had returned after his call with Alex, but he hadn't told Gracias that he had tried to persuade him to come back.

There was no point. She would only have turned the information into another argument.

When the reception staff announced that Alex Miller had arrived, Henry looked up sharply.

Gracias turned toward the entrance and for a moment, she simply stared.

Alex walked into the lobby wearing a neatly pressed shirt and dark trousers. Lucy and James accompanied him, carrying the documents they had worked so hard to prepare. There was no trace of the defeated employee Gracias remembered.

He looked calm and, most irritatingly to her, completely unbothered by the disaster unfolding around Elite Construction.

Gracias rose from her seat asking, “What are you doing here?”

Alex stopped in front of her “Good afternoon, Graciad”

“Don't you dare come here pretending to be welcome! You are no longer an employee of Elite Construction. Nobody invited you to interfere with our business” she snapped 

Henry stood beside his mother, ranting “She's right. You have no business here, Alex. Whatever you think you're going to achieve, you should turn around and leave”

Alex glanced at him, “I'm not here to see either of you,”

“Then leave! Mr. Stephens has already made his decision. He doesn't need you, and neither do we” she barked

“Is that so?” Alex smirked 

“Yes! You are not needed here!”

Before she could say another word, a voice came from behind them.

“Alex!”

Everyone turned. Eric was walking toward the lobby, with Elena following a few steps behind him. The moment he spotted Alex, his stern expression transformed into a genuine smile.

“I'm glad you came,” Eric said in German, extending his hand.

Alex shook it warmly, “Thank you for giving us the opportunity, Mr. Stephens”

“Of course. I was beginning to wonder if you would make it” Eric smiled widely 

“I wouldn't miss it for anything” Alex bowed slightly.

Eric's gaze moved to the two people standing beside Alex.

“And these are?” he asked 

“My teammates,” Alex replied in German. “This is Lucy, who handles our documentation and project coordination, and this is James. He oversees our planning and operational preparation” he did introduction 

Lucy and James greeted Eric in German. Eric responded pleasantly, shaking their hands before asking a few questions about their roles.

Gracias watched the exchange with growing disbelief. Alex spoke German with the ease of someone who understood not only the language but the subject being discussed. Lucy followed the conversation comfortably, while James contributed when Eric asked about their preliminary planning.

They were working together like an established team.

Henry stood stiffly beside his mother, his tablet hanging uselessly at his side.

Eric eventually turned his attention back to Alex.

“So,you mentioned on the phone that you wanted to bid for the project. Have you prepared something for me?” Eric asked 

“Yes, sir.”

Alex gestured to James, who stepped forward with the tablet.

“We've prepared an initial proposal outlining our approach, the construction phases, our resource requirements, and a preliminary implementation schedule. Since we're a new company, we've also included a plan for securing the necessary workforce and equipment”

Eric nodded, visibly interested, “And you understand that this is a billion-dollar project?”

“Very well, sir. That's precisely why we intend to approach it with the seriousness it deserves.”

Eric smiled.

“Good. Let's hear what you have to offer.”

Alex took a steady breath and looked directly at him, “I'm here to bid for the project”

Gracias's knees nearly gave way. She grabbed the back of a nearby chair to steady herself, staring at Alex as though he had just announced that he intended to take over the entire company.

Henry's mouth fell open while Derrick allowed himself a small, private smile.

“That's it! Mr Julius Miller Biological son” Derrick grinned.