Chapter 2 - The Stampede of Wealth
Fear is a powerful motivator, but guilt and shock are far more effective.
Within ninety seconds of Jack’s command, the billionaire elite realized this was no eccentric whim. Scrambling to stay in the good graces of the man who controlled half the Pacific Northwest’s tech infrastructure, wealthy executives rushed toward the two little girls like sharks smelling blood in the water.
“I’ll take a box!” a venture capitalist shouted, pulling out a crisp stack of hundred-dollar bills.
“I’ll take twenty boxes!” shouted another, throwing a platinum credit card onto the table.
Amy and Lisa stood frozen as a tidal wave of cash, checks, and jewelry rained down into their wicker baskets. They didn't understand the shouting, the flashing camera phones of socialites desperate to post about the “Philanthropic Event of the Year,” or the sudden, frantic generosity of people who hadn't looked twice at them five minutes earlier.
Within three minutes, every single cookie—every lopsided, orange-zested, imperfect circle baked on kitchen stools—was gone.
The baskets were overflowing with more than three hundred thousand dollars in cash, promissory notes, and blank checks.
Jack didn't watch the spectacle. He had already pulled out his secure satellite phone, patching directly into the director of St. Matthew’s Hospital.
“This is Jack Anderson,” he barked into the receiver as he strode toward the private exit. “I want Betty Rivera moved to the private cardiac wing immediately. Bring in the top specialists from Johns Hopkins if you have to. Spare zero expense. I am paying for everything.”
“Mr. Anderson, we already have her stabilized,” the voice on the other end stammered, “but her condition is delicate—she’s been under immense stress regarding her medical debt—”
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“Tell her the debt no longer exists,” Jack interrupted fiercely. “And tell her Jackie is coming.”
He hung up, scooped up four-year-old Lisa into his arms while taking Amy’s small hand, and walked out of the ballroom doors, leaving Seattle’s highest society standing in absolute, stunned silence.
