Marcus thought carefully. “No. You were right to reject me. I had no credit history, no assets, no track record. Lending me money was risky. Any banker would have made the same call.”
“Then why did it work out for you?”
“Because your rejection made me angry enough to prove you wrong. If you’d approved my credit, I’d have bought that used 4430, farmed casually, made okay money. But rejection lit a fire. Made me willing to work two jobs for six years. Made me willing to sacrifice everything to prove I wasn’t too poor. Your rejection was the best thing that happened to me.”
Steve processed that. “So by being right in the moment, I helped create your success.”
“Exactly. You couldn’t have known I’d react the way I did. Most people you reject probably quit or find easier paths. I went the hard path because I was stubborn. That’s not your fault, or your credit. That’s just who I am.”
Steve appreciated the grace. “Marcus, you’re a better man than I am. If someone had rejected me like I rejected you, I’d hold a grudge. You’re thankful.”
“I’m thankful for the outcome. Not thankful for the six years of hell. But the outcome justifies the hell.”