Chapter 2: Plastic and Panic
"Declined? What do you mean, declined?"
Andrew’s voice echoed through the high-end boutique. He slammed his platinum card onto the glass counter. Beside him, Brenda pouted, holding a $15,000 Birkin bag.
"Try it again," Andrew snapped at the terrified cashier. "I have millions in that account. Your machine is broken."
"Sir, I’ve tried three different cards," the cashier whispered, her cheeks flushing. "They’re all coming up as 'Account Frozen. Contact Institution.'"
Before Andrew could scream, his cell phone rang. It was Margaret.
"Andrew!" his mother shrieked, her voice shrill with hysterics. "My black card just bounced at the country club! In front of the entire board! And worse—there are men in suits at the mansion. They’re locking the gates! They’re telling me I have one hour to pack a single suitcase!"
The blood drained from Andrew's face. "Mom, calm down. It’s a bank error. I’m heading to the office right now to clear this up."
He left Brenda standing in the boutique and sped his Porsche to Vanguard Tech headquarters. But when he swiped his CEO keycard at the private garage, the light flashed a harsh red. Access Denied.
He pounded on the glass doors until a pair of security guards—men he had hired—stepped out.
"Mr. Hayes," the head of security said, not breaking eye contact. "You need to step off the premises."
"Are you insane? I own this building!" Andrew roared.
"No, sir. You don't," a cold voice echoed from the lobby. It was Davis, Andrew’s Chief Financial Officer. Davis held a manila folder, looking at Andrew with absolute pity. "Vanguard Tech was quietly acquired by a majority shareholder two years ago, Andrew. We’ve been a subsidiary this whole time. The board just had an emergency meeting. You’re out."
"A subsidiary of who?!" Andrew demanded, his chest heaving.
May you like
Davis opened the folder and turned it around. Stamped in bold, black letters at the top of the acquisition contract was a single name: Escalante Holdings. CEO: Mariana Escalante.
Andrew’s knees buckled.
