CHAPTER 2 — "The Entire Luxury Club Went Silent When the Manager Called the Real Owner"
Michael's hands shook as he stared at the black card.
"There has to be a mistake," he snapped.
"Run it again."
The waiter looked helpless.
"We've already tried three times, sir."
Vanessa crossed her arms impatiently.
"Maybe your machine is broken."
The surrounding diners had already begun glancing toward their private suite. Conversations slowed. A violinist awkwardly lowered his bow.
Michael forced a laugh.
"My wife—"
He stopped himself.
"My ex-wife must have frozen the account by accident."
The waiter politely cleared his throat.
"Sir... according to the payment authorization system, this account was intentionally revoked several hours ago."
Vanessa's smile disappeared.
"What do you mean revoked?"
"It means the cardholder removed all spending privileges."
Michael immediately reached for another wallet compartment.
A platinum card.
Declined.
A travel card.
Declined.
A business expense card.
Declined.
Every card that had once made him feel untouchable now returned the same answer.
TRANSACTION DENIED.
His confidence began cracking in front of everyone.
Vanessa leaned closer, lowering her voice.
"You told me you controlled the company finances."
Michael swallowed.
"I... handled most of the operations."
She narrowed her eyes.
"You said everything was under your name."
Before he could answer, the manager of The Sapphire Room walked into the suite.
Perfect suit.
Perfect posture.
Perfect smile.
Unfortunately for Michael...
...it wasn't the kind smile reserved for valued members.
It was the smile managers wear before asking someone to leave.
"Good evening, Mr. Bennett."
Michael finally relaxed.
"There you are. Tell your staff to stop embarrassing us."
The manager folded his hands.
"I'm afraid the embarrassment isn't coming from my staff."
Silence.
"The membership attached to this suite belongs to Ms. Mariana Salazar."
Vanessa blinked.
"What?"
The manager continued calmly.
"Our system shows she instructed us this afternoon to terminate every guest authorization previously assigned to your profile."
Michael's face drained of color.
"You can't do that."
"I'm afraid she already did."
The manager handed him a printed notice.
"Additionally, your guest privileges were permanently revoked."
People from nearby tables had quietly gathered outside the glass doors.
Phones appeared.
Someone whispered,
"Isn't that the guy from today's divorce hearing?"
Michael tried one final gamble.
"Bill my personal account."
The manager checked his tablet.
"There is no personal account on file."
Vanessa stepped backward.
"You told me you were a millionaire."
"I am!"
"No," she whispered.
"You were married to one."
For the first time that entire evening...
Michael had absolutely nothing to say.
Then the manager added one sentence that made the room explode.
"There is one more matter."
"Ms. Salazar requested that if you attempted to charge personal expenses after the divorce, we notify her attorney immediately."
Michael froze.
"So..."
the manager said,
"Your lawyer may wish to answer the phone."
Outside the suite, several guests burst into laughter.
But the worst humiliation had not even begun.
Because at that exact moment...
May you like
the elevator doors opened.
And Mariana walked inside.
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