Chapter 1 - THE TERMINATION
"Babe, look at these," Jason’s voice dripped with an artificial, sugary bravado. "Pick whatever catches your eye. Today, your man is taking care of everything."
Lily giggled, her manicured finger tapping against the reinforced glass, pointing directly at the room's centerpiece: A staggering five-carat diamond perched atop a platinum band. The discreet price tag read $1,500,000.
"Pocket change," Jason announced loudly, his eyes darting around to ensure the other browsing patrons witnessed his financial flexing. "Wrap it beautifully. Card."
With a smirk, he dramatically withdrew a heavy, solid metal black card—an American Express Centurion. Standing hidden behind a marble pillar, a cynical smile curved my lips. The bespoke suit on his back, the luxury watch on his wrist, and that black card were all funded by my hidden wealth. He was merely an "authorized user" I had taken pity on. But right now, the notification from my private banking app glowed on my phone: Authorized User Card ending in 4921 has been successfully terminated.
With practiced reverence, the associate swiped the metal card through the terminal.
Beep.
A harsh red text block flashed across the screen. The associate’s smile faltered. She wiped the chip and tried again.
Beep. DECLINED.
Jason’s arrogant posture stiffened. "What’s the delay? Are your systems broken?"
The boutique manager stepped out, his expression grave. "Sir, our system is fine. This card was reported permanently cancelled forty minutes ago. The primary account holder requested an immediate termination of all privileges."
Jason’s face drained of color. He snatched the card back. "Primary account holder? I applied for this myself! Who the hell has the authority to cancel it?"
Stepping out from behind the pillar, my heels clicked rhythmically against the polished floor, slicing through the rising murmurs of the curious crowd.
"I do, Jason," my voice rang out, smooth and resonant.
Jason whipped around, his shock morphing instantly into cornered panic. "Sophia! What are you doing here? Did you hack my account?"
"Try engaging your brain before you bark in public," I said, crossing my arms. "Look at him, Lily. The suit he’s wearing, the car he drove you here in... who do you think pays for it? The only reason he has that card is because of my pity."
"You’re lying!" Jason roared, frantically pulling his wallet out and slapping three different gold and platinum cards onto the glass. "Run these! Run all of them! I have plenty of money!"
The manager picked up the first card. Declined.
The second. Declined.
The third. Declined: Insufficient Funds.
Lily was trembling now, tugging at Jason's sleeve in horror. "Jason... what is she talking about? Why are your accounts empty? You told me you were a CEO...! Who are you really?"
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Jason stood paralyzed, his fake empire crumbling to dust under the bright lights. But his nightmare was just beginning. Right on cue, the mall's general manager, accompanied by two imposing security guards, breached the crowd, their cold eyes locked dead onto Jason.
"Mr. Miller," the mall manager said, his voice echoing in the boutique. "We have received notice from the leasing office. Your penthouse lease at the Meridian has defaulted, and your luxury vehicle accounts have been frozen for severe fraud. You have ten minutes to vacate the premises."
