“I’m sorry, Mr. Sterling,” the bartender whispered awkwardly. “It’s declined.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Liam laughed, loud enough for the board members to hear. “It’s a Black Card. There is no limit. Try it again.”
“I did, sir. The terminal says ‘Code 404: Account Frozen by Primary Holder’.”
Liam frowned. Primary Holder? He thought he was the primary holder. He had forgotten, in his arrogance, that the card was a supplementary account attached to my trust.
“Use the Visa,” Liam snapped, handing over another card.
“Declined. ‘Reported Lost or Stolen’.”
Sweat began to bead on Liam’s forehead. He felt the eyes of the investors on him.
“Just… put it on my room tab,” he muttered.
“You don’t have a room here, sir,” the bartender said. “The corporate account has been suspended as of… ten minutes ago.”
Meanwhile, in the suite, I took a bite of my sandwich. It tasted like freedom.
I opened the ‘Smart Home’ app on my phone.
Front Door: Biometric Lock Updated.
User ‘Liam’ deleted.
Passcode changed.
Garage Door: Locked.
Security System: Armed. Mode: Hostile Intruder.
I opened the Tesla app. Liam’s personal car—the Model S Plaid he was so proud of—was parked in the hotel garage for his “getaway” later.
I tapped the screen.
Remote Access: Revoked.
Speed Limit Mode: Set to 5 MPH.
Valet Mode: Activated.
Finally, I opened the HR portal for Vertex Dynamics.
I navigated to the Executive Org Chart. I clicked on the box labeled Chief Executive Officer: Liam Sterling.
I hovered over the button marked Terminate Employment.
I didn’t click it yet. I wanted him to feel the cold first. I wanted him to realize he was naked before I took away the roof.
Back downstairs, Liam checked his phone. He tried to call the bank. Your call cannot be completed at this time. He tried to call his assistant. No answer.
He tried to call me.
I watched my phone buzz on the coffee table. Husband calling.
I let it ring.
Liam decided to leave the party early. Something was wrong. The air in the room felt thin. He walked to the valet stand, his stride brisk, trying to maintain the illusion of control.
“The Tesla,” he barked at the valet. “Ticket 409.”
The valet looked uncomfortable. He shifted his weight from foot to foot.
“Mr. Sterling? The Tesla… it won’t start.”
“What do you mean it won’t start? It’s electric.”
“The system says it’s been reported as ‘Unauthorized Use’ by the owner. It’s locked down.”
Liam stared at the car. “I am the owner!”
The valet shook his head, looking at the tablet in his hand. “Not according to the registration, sir. The title is in the name of… The Ava Vance Trust.”
Liam froze. He stared at the name. My maiden name.
He pulled out his phone again. He dialed me. I didn’t answer. He sent a text, his fingers trembling.
The bank froze my cards. The car is locked. Why can’t I get into the accounts? Ava, please, pick up. What is going on?
I read the text. I took a sip of wine. I turned off the phone.
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