Chapter 10 - The Declined Cards
Soaked to the bone and shivering violently, Julian stood on the curb. He pulled out his wallet, his fingers numb from the cold.
"Call a car," Chloe demanded, her teeth chattering. "Call the Four Seasons. Book a suite. I am not standing out here!"
Julian pulled out his sleek, titanium American Express Black Card. He hailed a passing luxury taxi, shoving the card at the driver through the window. "Take us to the Four Seasons. Keep the card open."
The driver swiped the card on his terminal. It beeped angrily.
"Declined, buddy," the driver said.
"Try it again!" Julian screamed. "That card has a two-million-dollar limit!"
The driver swiped it again. Declined.
Julian pulled out his Chase Sapphire card. Declined. His corporate Visa. Declined.
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Every single account tied to his name, every credit line secured against the hotel's assets, had been instantly frozen by the Sterling Trust's army of lawyers. He had zero liquidity. He couldn't even afford a cup of coffee, let alone a luxury hotel suite.
The taxi driver sneered, rolled up his window, and sped off, splashing a puddle of dirty rainwater all over Julian’s expensive trousers.
