The Gilded Man With A Thousand Lives

011 First Transaction

Yara raised an eyebrow in irritation. What was the stranger playing at? She had been considerate with him all along, explaining why he couldn't afford to enter the restricted club. Wasn't he now taking advantage of her kindness? She considered for a moment to expel him with the help of her bouncers.

Yara had been raised by parents who held values and morals above everything else. Their conservative beliefs led to their social status remaining middle-class.

Yara's parents could not provide their daughter with the best things in life. However, she never resented them for the modest upbringing. In fact, she was grateful.

The principles helped Yara become self-dependent and uncompromising. Growing up, she sharpened her mind and enhanced her body to get ahead in the world.

Yara was a model, a part-time hostess, and had already graduated from business school. However, her job applications to five-star hotels and top companies were rejected primarily because she had no references.

Yara's colleagues slept with their bosses to get references and contacts. Even Ricardo made sleazy advances, promising to get her a job with the Coopers. All she had to do was to be his mistress and sleep with him. However, the beauty refused to go down that path. 

Yara wondered why the stranger was holding out a debit card. By appearances, he looked like a straggler and a delinquent. There was no way his card had a balance of three thousand dollars.

Yara took the debit card from the stranger, nonetheless. It was company policy not to refuse a payment attempt. Once the transaction failed, she could order the bouncers to remove him from the building. The pretense had gone too far already.

However, when Yara scrutinized the card, her eyes widened. It was issued by Guardian International Bank. That was impossible! She furrowed her brows and raised her eyes to the stranger with suspicion.

"Sir, may I ask your name?"

"Tyler Grant."

"Mr. Grant. Do you understand this is a GIB card, only issued to rare, wealthy people? Does it really belong to you?"

Tyler was actually not aware of the significance of owning a GIB card until now. However, since it was from Butch Salvatore, there was nothing to be surprised about. The old man had claimed to have boundless wealth.

Butch had mentioned that he had fallen from grace. That would mean his riches were also lost, and he went bankrupt. Besides, how much could an old man practicing martial and mystic arts have saved in the first place?

Tyler was mainly concerned about whether his account balance would be enough to pay for the subscription. Did Butch give him a few thousand dollars to get his life started? He would find out soon.

On the other hand, proving his identity was not a challenging task. "If you want to confirm whether I own the card, why don't you check the account holder's name?" Tyler replied to the beauty. "I can assure you it is legitimately mine, and there's enough balance to book a table at your club."

Yara nodded and read the embossed letters.

TYLER GRANT.

The name was undoubtedly accurate. But it did not make sense. How could a homeless person even apply for a GIB bank account in the first place?

GIB bank cards had high minimum balances and withdrawal limits. Moreover, the staff conducted thorough background checks on the applicant before opening new accounts. Only the top billionaires of the world were shortlisted.

"Miss Mathews," Pat grunted. "It must be a counterfeit!"

Yara shook her head. "The card looks like a genuine financial instrument to me. The logo of GIB bank and the fine embossing are impossible to forge."

Marv made a sour face at Tyler. "Then there's only one explanation! This beggar is impersonating the real Tyler Grant!"

Both bouncers turned towards Tyler and shot him threatening glances. "Yo, buddy! Tell us the truth! Where did you steal this card from?"

Tyler was getting impatient with their rancid attitudes and readied himself to knock the men out. However, Yara interrupted their banter.

"Enough!" she admonished the bouncers, who went silent and stepped back.

"Do you have any ID on you?" she asked Tyler sternly. "I need to confirm the name."

Tyler produced his ID, and she matched his credentials with those on the debit card. "There's no doubt that you are the account holder. But-"

"If you are satisfied, book a reservation for me," the young man cut her off. "I don't have all the time in the world."

Yara nodded reluctantly. The stranger intrigued her, and she could feel a mysterious, intimidating aura radiating from him. Swiping the card would be the litmus test to confirm whether the young man's personality actually had some substance.

"Hmph," Pat growled condescendingly. "Even though he somehow got a debit card, that doesn't mean he has money. If he did, he'd purchase some decent clothes and get a shave."

Yara turned to face the POS terminal mounted on the wall. She swiped the card and entered $3000 for a deduction. Fifteen seconds later, the transaction was declined.