Chapter 2 - The Golden Cage Collapses
The next morning broke with clear skies and brilliant sunlight,
unaware of the storm brewing underneath the surface.
At eleven o'clock in the morning,
Evelyn was standing inside the most exclusive high-end jewelry boutique in the city center.
She was accompanied by three of her socialite friends,
women who spent their afternoons comparing diamond carats and designer labels.
Evelyn was glowing with pride,
holding a silk handkerchief in one hand and pointing at a rare emerald necklace with the other.
"My son Daniel insistence is really tiresome sometimes,"
Evelyn loudly remarked to her companions,
ensuring the boutique manager heard every word.
"He keeps telling me that ten thousand dollars a month is just pocket change for a woman of my standing."
"He insists I buy myself something nice every single week."
The boutique manager smiled politely,
using velvet gloves to lift the emerald necklace onto a black velvet display tray.
"Your son is remarkably generous,
Mrs. Vance,"
the manager said smoothly.
"This piece is thirty-five thousand dollars."
"Would you like me to wrap it up for you?"
"Of course,"
Evelyn sneered,
pulling a sleek black credit card out of her designer handbag.
"Put it on my personal allowance card."
"The bill goes directly to my son’s executive account."
Her friends gasped softly in admiration,
whispering among themselves about how lucky Evelyn was to have such a wealthy,
devoted son.
The manager slid the black card through the terminal.
A second passed.
Then two seconds.
A sharp,
high-pitched beep echoed through the quiet boutique.
The screen flashed bright red.
TRANSACTION DECLINED: ACCOUNT FROZEN BY ISSUING AUTHORITY.
The manager’s smile faltered slightly,
though he maintained his professional demeanor.
"I apologize,
Mrs. Vance,"
he said softly.
"It appears the card has been declined."
Evelyn’s face turned bright red with immediate fury.
"Declined?"
she shrieked,
her voice echoing off the glass cases.
"That is completely impossible!"
"Do you know who I am?"
"My son owns half this city!"
"Swipe it again immediately!"
"You clearly do not know how to operate your own machine!"
The manager calmly swiped the card a second time.
The exact same loud beep sounded.
TRANSACTION DECLINED: UNAUTHORIZED ACCOUNT ACCESS.
The socialites behind Evelyn began whispering to each other,
covering their mouths with their gloved hands.
Evelyn felt a wave of humiliation wash over her,
her cheeks burning with hot anger.
She snatched the card back,
her hands trembling violently as she pulled out her cell phone.
She rapidly speed-dialed Daniel.
"Daniel!"
she screamed into the phone the second he picked up.
"Your credit card just embarrassed me in front of the entire high society!"
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"Fix this right now!"
"Did that useless girl Emily meddle with our bank accounts before she left last night?"
