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Alexander pulled a sleek, heavy titanium card from his inner pocket and tossed it onto the ivory tablecloth. It clattered against the crystal water glass, sliding to a halt inches from the restored silver cuff link box. / Chapter 3 / 30

Chapter 3 - The First Thirty-Seven AlertsAcross town at Le Bernardin, one of Manhattan’s most exclusive Michelin-starred restaurants, Alexander Grant was trying to enjoy a quiet, romantic reconciliation with Sophia Reed.

Sophia wore a stunning crimson dress, her dark hair falling in perfect waves around her shoulders. She laughed softly at something Alexander said, swirling her Pinot Noir.

“It’s so good to finally be back in New York with you, Alex,” Sophia murmured, leaning across the white-clothed table. “I always knew you still loved me. Even when you married her.”

Alexander smiled, reaching for her hand. “Erin was just… convenient. A safe choice after you left, Sophia. She doesn't complain. She stays home, cooks dinner, blends into the wallpaper. She’s nothing like—"

His phone buzzed in his pocket.

Alexander frowned, pulling it out to silence the notification. But the screen didn't stop lighting up. It vibrated continuously against his palm, a non-stop barrage of text alerts flashing across the OLED display in rapid succession.

Sophia raised an eyebrow. “Important work call?”

“No,” Alexander muttered, unlocking his phone. “Just… automated bank notifications.”

He tapped the banking app. His face drained of color.

Transaction approved: $3,200.00 Transaction approved: $14,500.00 Transaction approved: $22,100.00 Transaction approved: $8,900.00

Thirty-seven consecutive alerts. In less than twenty minutes, the charges totaled over one hundred and fifty thousand dollars—and the notifications were still rolling in.

Alexander’s jaw went slack. That black card had an unlimited ceiling, but automated fraud detection and executive oversight alerts were tied directly to his personal assistant and his own scrutiny.

“Alex?” Sophia asked, noticing the sudden panic in his eyes. “What is it? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

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