The machine beeped loudly, and the dreaded word flashed across the screen in unforgiving red: DECLINED.Max felt the weight of that single word hit him, his confidence momentarily shaken.He frowned, glancing down at his black card, disbelief flickering across his face.From behind him, a loud, exaggerated laugh echoed through the store. Amanda stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with a cruel amusement.“Oh, look at Mr. High Roller. Can’t even afford a little shopping spree? Poor Max!”Johnson chimed in, crossing his arms and smirking.“Guess it’s true what they say, huh? All bark, no bite. Or should I say, all card, no cash?”Bystanders, intrigued by the commotion, paused in their own shopping to watch the scene unfold.Their whispers grew louder, blending with Amanda and Johnson’s taunts.“Isn’t that the guy who’s always bragging about his car?” one bystander murmured.“Yeah, what a fake,” someone else agreed. “Probably rented the suit, too.”Max tried to ignore the whispers and forc
Max handed over a sleek, metallic card to Mr. Collins, the store manager.The manager's eyes widened slightly as he received the card, and his fingers trembled slightly as he inspected it.The unique design, the modest insignia—they were recognizable. This was no ordinary card.How could he get anything like this?Mr. Collins' eyes flickered up, assessing Max with curiosity and skepticism.Could he truly be important?"Excuse me," Mr. Collins said, his voice hesitant."This is a very rare card. How did you get it?Max grinned calmly. "This is mine. Is there an issue?"Mr. Collins gulped, his attention returning to the card.He'd heard rumors that a strong family's ownership had lately been passed to an unknown heir—a young guy whose name was kept secret.Could it be him?"None at all, sir.I just didn’t expect..." He stopped himself, recognizing how rude his first reply must have been. He straightened his posture and adopted a more professional demeanor."I apologize, Mr. Max. Please l
"Is that... Max?" Amanda whispered to Johnson, her perfectly manicured nails digging into his arm as they watched Max being escorted into the private shopping room. "Why would they even let him in there?"The boutique's crystal chandeliers cast elegant shadows across the marble floor as Max disappeared behind the mahogany doors with the store manager hovering attentively beside him."Probably just window shopping," Johnson scoffed, adjusting his designer watch. "You know how these stores let anyone in these days."The manager quickly escorted Max to the VIP lounge, his hand hovering nervously behind Max's back. The exclusive space was a stark contrast to the chaotic scene outside – all leather chairs, dim lighting, and soft jazz playing in the background."Please, Mr. Max, make yourself comfortable. I'll handle your withdrawal personally," the manager said, gesturing to a plush armchair. "Can I get you anything? Perhaps our finest scotch?"Max settled into the chair with a slight smir
The glass doors of the luxury boutique swung shut behind them as Emily and Max stepped onto the bustling sidewalk.The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the designer shopping bags they carried, and a gentle breeze ruffled Emily's perfectly styled hair."I have to say," Emily began, her lips curving into an amused smile, "when I first spotted you in those clothes earlier, I was all set to play fairy godmother. But it seems my charity services aren't needed after all, Mr. College Student."The way she emphasized the last words made Max chuckle. The shopping bags in his hands rustled as he shifted his weight, designer labels catching the sunlight."About that..." Max started, preparing to explain his true identity.The weight of his American Express Black card seemed heavier in his pocket after the day's events."No, really," Emily continued, her eyes twinkling with genuine interest."Most college students I know are surviving on ramen noodles and student loans. But here you ar
Max sat down in the soft chair.The yellow light from the restaurant's general lighting lit up his table. He looked down at his plate and was amazed by the wonderful smell of his carefully prepared food.It was the most expensive thing he had ever eaten, and each bite made him dream of the kind of wealth he had dreamt once, which has become now into reality.But his pleasure was cut short by a sudden commotion nearby.The voices grew louder and more angry, sharp, and mean.Max turned his head and saw a young man standing over a girl who looked about twenty years old.Her uniform was simple, her hands trembling as she tried to keep her head down, tears already glistening in her eyes."You stupid girl!" The man barked, and his voice was filled with disdain."Do you even know how much these shoes cost?"The girl said, "Sir, I'm so sorry." I meant not to—"He cut her off with a sneer and asked, "Didn't mean to? You poor little beggar didn’t mean to, of course. But you never know where you
"let go of my hand right now, you worthless piece of trash, or you'll regret ever stepping foot in this restaurant." The man hissed, his face twisted with fury.His efforts to escape Max's hold just made him seem more pitiful.Max's face remained still, his grasp solid. "Not happening unless you guarantee to leave the waitress alone. I will not tolerate your horrible actions."The man's lips curved into an unpleasant grimace."You worthless nobody; you have no clue what you are getting engaged with. These shoes?" he snarled, and continue,"Maurice Laurent personally made these; they are not some cheap department shop trash. There only are three pairings in the whole earth!"His voice soared dramatically so that every customer may hear his declaration."Every pair is worth more than what this inept waitress would earn in a decade of miserable living!"Whispers and gasps floated about the eatery. Many customers got out their phones to quickly capture what was happening right before the
“How dare you insult my shoes!”The man sneered and looked at Max's shoes with a look of pure disgust on his face. "What are those on your feet? Did you get them for a low price?"Max looked down at his worn-out shoes. They weren't brand new, but they had served him well for years. He turned around and looked back at the man. "They are fine.""'Just fine,'" the man said again, his face twisting into a grin. "Maybe to someone like you. But real men—real men with money—don't wear rags.” He put out his leg and showed off his shoes, which sparkled in the diner lights because they were shiny. "These? Ten million dollars is how much they're worth.”A lot of people gasped, and whispers went around the room. Everyone looked at Max, whose quiet appearance stood out against the man's flashy clothes. Some people leaned in close and asked, "Is he really that poor?Perhaps he's just trying to get the waitress's attention."As the conversation went on, the waitress hovered nearby and watched wit
Before Max could finish his meal, a shadow walked across the table. He looked up and saw that it was the same waiter he had saved hours before. She was beautiful and tall, and even in her simple outfit, she stuck out."Excuse me, sir," she said, her voice a little shaking. "Just... Again, I want to thank you for what you did earlier.”Max put down his fork and looked at her. "Don't thank me.Anyone would have done the same thing.”Even though she was worried, her lips were pressed together in a thin line, showing how grateful she was. She replied, "No, not just anyone.You did step in even though you didn't have to.I have no idea how I'll ever repay you."Max smiled in a small, comfortable way. "You don't have to pay me back. Are you okay now?"She gave an uncertain nod, and her fingers moved around on the hem of her apron. "Thank you, I am. Just so you know, my name is Molly.”Max put out his hand. "Max."The move made her eyes widen a little, but she took his hand in hers anyway, and