Chapter 11

I stared at the screen, frozen in disbelief and shock. The words were clear, glaring at me like a cruel joke. How could this be? My grandfather wouldn’t lie to me—this card was real, wasn’t it? It has $1 Billion in it so why did my transfer fail?

Before I could process what was happening, Mikky’s laughter exploded into the air, loud and obnoxious. He slapped his thigh, doubled over in amusement, while Diana clung to his arm, laughing right along with him.

"I knew it!" Mikky howled, pointing at me like I was the punchline to some cruel joke. "You really thought that card would work because it's flashy, didn’t you? What a loser!"

Diana chimed in. "Honestly, Jordan, you shouldn’t have stoop this low. This is just embarrassing. Did you really think we’d fall for that little show?"

“This is ridiculous, I thought for a second he had the $20 Million.”

“Such a shameless pauper, he wasted our precious time.”

“So unfortunate I staked a bet on you.”

“Nothing good can come from an arrogant pauper, you just lived to your name.”

Harsh comments flew in from all directions, and I was particularly shocked that people were placing bets. Was it really that entertaining? But I had more serious problems to worry about.

The director, who had been standing by with his arms crossed, shook his head in disappointment, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Well, well, well. Looks like we’ve got ourselves a fraud. You should’ve thought twice before making such a foolish promise, Jordan."

“Mikky!”

“Mikky!!”

“Mikky!!!” The crowd was yelling happily.

I turned to face my grandmother’s worried gaze burning into me, and Josh’s hand on her shoulder, trying to offer some kind of solace. 

I could easily call my grandfather or Cole to fix this, but I thought against it. I sighed, wondering what could make the transaction fail.

Mikky crossed his arms, eyes glinting with sadistic pleasure. "So, what’s it going to be, Jordan? You’re already expelled so time to start stripping down. I hope you’re ready for your internet debut."

Just as the tensions were escalating, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I quickly brought it out and glanced down to see a message from the bank:

[Card activation required for transactions. Please follow the instructions to proceed.]

Relief and fury flooded through me in equal measure. Of course—that’s why the transfer had failed. I quickly followed the instructions, tapping the screen as I activated the card. I knew something was wrong and couldn’t wait to see their reaction when the transfer pulled through.

It was done in moments, and the realization of my next move surged through me like electricity. But before I could even finish, Mikky’s sneering voice cut through, making me look at the direction.

"Well, well, your failure of a son, Jordan. Looks like he's stalling." He walked toward her towering over my grandmother. "Time’s up. You lost the bet, and now she will have to pay also." Mikky shouted at me.

Diana stood beside him with a cruel smile, added, "Since you can’t seem to transfer the money, we’ll make this simple. Your grandmother should kneel down and lick Mikky’s shoes clean to apologize for wasting our time."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Why can't they leave the poor old woman out of this? My blood boiled as I stared at Diana, this woman I had once cared for—who I thought had cared for me. 

How had I ever been so blind? 

The disgust I felt for her now was overwhelming, almost suffocating. It was hard to believe that this was the same person I’d once looked at with affection.

My grandmother stood frozen, her frail frame trembling at their threats. I could see the fear in her eyes as she tried to hold back tears, and my heart twisted in anguish.

 She didn’t deserve this humiliation—no one did. My fists clenched as the anger surged, barely held in check.

“Director Martins, you have to agree to this. After all, he brought it upon himself,” Mikky said, turning to the director for approval. 

“The old lady will have to lick my shoes for the audacity of her peasant son.” 

Mikky faced the crowd, and they roared in approval. 

He turned back to the director, who shrugged in agreement. Though he pretended to be strict, it was clear he was eager to stay on Mikky’s good side. I wondered what favor he was trying to protect. 

"Yes, that seems like a fair compromise, given the circumstances. You should have known better than to challenge someone in Mikky’s position, Jordan."

"How dare you," I muttered under my breath, fury bubbling up inside me like a volcano about to erupt.

"What was that?" Mikky taunted, leaning in closer with a grin. "Go on, tell us how you feel."

I stared at him, then shifted my gaze to Diana. I spoke through gritted teeth. "I can’t believe I ever fell for someone as heartless as you."

Diana shrugged, completely unfazed by my words. "Oh please, Jordan. You were just a convenient distraction. I never took you seriously."

The casual cruelty in her voice ignited something inside me. The urge to wipe that smirk off her face was overwhelming, but I held back.

"You want me to pay? Fine. Leave my grandmother out of this, she will never kneel to the likes of you."

I turned back to my phone, activating the card with a single, deliberate motion.

Immediately, the director's phone buzzed, his face pale. He looked at the screen, eyes widening as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He hesitated, glancing at me with a look that wavered with disbelief.

Mikky noticed the change immediately and pounced. "What's wrong, Mr. Martins?" he asked, his voice dripping with mockery. 

The director swallowed hard but said nothing, still staring at his phone. The silence was enough to make me step forward, my pulse racing. The transfer went through? I actually proved them wrong?