Chapter 5 - The Declined Card
At 1:00 AM, the after-party moved to an exclusive VIP lounge in downtown Greenwich.
Adrian stood at the bar surrounded by his wealthy associates, arm wrapped tightly around Brooke’s waist as she showed off her massive diamond ring to her laughing friends.
"Put the entire VIP lounge tab on my corporate black card," Adrian instructed the manager with an arrogant flourish, sliding his black metal card across the mahogany counter.
The manager swiped the card through the wireless terminal. A sharp red error light flashed: TRANSACTION DENIED — ACCOUNT FROZEN.
Adrian frowned, his eyebrows knitting together. "Try it again. Your reader is malfunctioning."
The manager swiped it a second time. DECLINED — CONTACT AUTHORIZED TRUSTEE.
Brooke’s laughter cut off as she glanced at the terminal. "Adrian? What’s going on? Is there a problem with the card?"
"Of course not," Adrian scoffed, pulling out his personal phone to call his private banker at Morgan Stanley. "Just a temporary security glitch. Excuse me for a second."
He stepped away into the quiet hallway, speed-dialing his primary wealth manager.
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"Arthur, my corporate card just got flagged at the club," Adrian said, his voice laced with irritation. "Clear the hold immediately."
👉 What shocking piece of news did the banker give Adrian over the phone?
