Chapter 3 - The Frozen AssetsWhile Derek sat in a cold holding cell staring at concrete walls, completely unaware of the storm brewing outside, Chloe found herself locked out of her lavish lifestyle within forty-eight hours.
Standing in the lobby of her luxury downtown apartment building, Chloe shoved her credit card into the scanner for the residents' elevator.
DECLINED. TRANSACTION REFUSED.
She blinked, tapping her foot impatiently. She tried again. DECLINED.
Panicking, she pulled out her phone and dialed her brother's primary corporate account—the account Derek managed, the one funded by Skylar’s lucrative tech consulting firm and high-end real estate portfolio.
An automated voice chimed: “This account has been frozen pursuant to a temporary emergency asset freeze order issued by the Superior Court.”
"Frozen? What do you mean frozen?!" Chloe shrieked into the phone, drawing the stares of passing pedestrians.
She slammed the phone down and dialed her wealthy boyfriend’s number. Ring, ring, click.
"Hey, babe," Chloe said, forcing a sweet, desperate tone. "Listen, I need a huge favor. My card got jammed, can you wire me ten grand for the weekend?"
"Chloe," a heavy, exhausted sigh came through the speaker. "I saw the news. Derek was arrested for scalding his wife with coffee, and your name is all over the police statements as the instigator who lived off their joint funds. My lawyers advised me to block your number immediately. Don't call me again."
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Click.
The line went dead. Chloe stood alone on the pavement, surrounded by designer shopping bags that suddenly felt like heavy anchors. For the first time in her twenty-four years of existence, she had no money, no safety net, and no one willing to pick up her calls.
