The Rise of a Master: It Starts With Rejection

Chapter 9

Jamie was stunned, as were others in the lobby who heard the words "Supreme Black Card".

Sasha, too, gaped at Felix in disbelief.

The Supreme Black Card was a rare status symbol. Only about 30 people in the world possessed it, each with wealth beyond imagination.

So, how could Felix possibly be a holder of the Supreme Black Card? That was just absurd!

Swallowing hard, Jamie stammered. He knew that even the cardholders of the next tier down, the Diamond Card, would be greeted by the bank manager at the door.

Handling a Supreme Black Card was a first for him, and Jamie was beyond nervous.

"P-Please verify your identity."

Though the standard procedure was to immediately escort Supreme Black Card holders to the VIP room and notify the bank manager, Jamie was overwhelmed by the situation and couldn't think straight.

"Alright," Felix agreed, placing his right hand on the machine.

Sasha's mind was racing as she watched. She needed to figure out how to make amends for offending Felix all this while.

She thought, "Oh, my God! Dad's judgment was spot on. If I married Felix, our status and wealth would be unimaginable. I'm such an idiot. He's been staying low-key all along, and I—"

Beep, beep, beep!

A rapid alarm sounded from the machine.

Jamie was dumbfounded, staring at the screen displaying Felix's card and his fingerprint verification attempt. The alarm indicated that his fingerprint didn't match the cardholder's.

"Sir, please try again."

Felix frowned. Leslie had assured him that everything was in order, so this shouldn't be happening. Reluctantly, he tried verifying his fingerprint again, only for the alarm to blare once more.

At this point, Jamie smirked, his initial tension and fear evaporating.

"Security!"

Turning to Felix, he said, "You've got some nerve to impersonate a Supreme Black Card holder. Do you think we're fools? If anyone could just pick up a bank card and use it, we'd have gone bankrupt ages ago."

Jamie's words, coupled with the machine's alarm, quickly drew mocking laughs from others in the lobby, who resumed their business.

Sasha was on the verge of a breakdown. She had just felt a pang of self-reproach for misjudging Felix and had even contemplated how to apologize and curry favor with him, only to discover he was a fraud.

"Your antics only make me despise you more. How could there be someone as shameless as you?" she yelled at Felix before storming off.

She feared that staying any longer might provoke her to physical violence, which would be humiliating.

Moreover, Felix's actions could have serious consequences. Depending on how the bank handled it, he could face legal action.

"You'd better notify your manager, or I'm afraid something unpleasant might happen," Felix said calmly.

Jamie smiled smugly. "Oh, really? Well, you guessed right. Something unpleasant is about to happen. I'm calling the police, and you're in big trouble."

At that moment, Troye Miller, the bank manager, approached. Upon noticing the commotion, he asked, "What's going on here?"

Jamie quickly put down the phone and politely responded, "Mr. Miller, this person picked up a Supreme Black Card and is trying to pass himself off as the cardholder. I was just about to call the police."

Troye's face turned grave. "You idiot! Did you forget our procedures? Any major client must be reported to top management for verification. Who are you to decide its authenticity?"

Jamie shrank back in fear. He suddenly remembered that the bank indeed had such a policy. He shouldn't have had Felix verify his identity. He should've escalated the matter to a higher authority instead.

"I'm terribly sorry, sir. Please follow me. He'll be immediately dismissed," said Troye.

Felix said nothing and followed Troye toward the VIP section.

This was the proper protocol. Leslie wouldn't have played a trick on him. She must have given authorization, but only top-level officials would be aware of it.

Jamie's face turned ashen. He had no one to blame but himself. His mistake had cost him his job.

By the time Felix left the bank, not only had he retained the Supreme Black Card but also got himself a Diamond Card and transferred some money into the account.

Felix dialed Wendy's number.

"Dr. Zeller!"

"Just call me Felix."

Wendy was over the moon. She couldn't believe that Felix was reaching out to her again.

"Alright, Felix."

Felix continued, "Do you have time to meet? I need your help with something."

As the wealthiest family in Avesburgh, the Kinsleys could easily procure rare herbs, much more efficiently than Felix, who couldn't seek help from his fellow apprentices.

"Yes! But I'm a bit tied up at the moment. I hope you understand."

"Sure. Just get in touch when you're free."

At that moment, Wendy had just arrived at the gates of Silverwood.

She would've dropped everything if Felix wanted to meet, but she was already on her way to see Xena. She wouldn't dare cancel on the goddess of war, no matter what.

Thankfully, Felix seemed understanding, or she would've been in quite a predicament.

As Wendy was about to ring the doorbell, the door opened.

"Ms. Kinsley, please come in."

Seeing the casually dressed woman at the door, Wendy felt self-conscious. She had heard of Xena countless times but had never met her in person.

Wendy thought, "So, this is the goddess of war? She's breathtaking. Even I, a woman, am in awe. Men must be speechless around her."

After entering the house, Wendy was noticeably nervous.

The difference in their social standings was overwhelming. They were only meeting because Xena happened to live in Avesburgh. Otherwise, their paths might never have crossed.

"Pleasure to meet you, Lady Summers."

Xena smiled warmly. "No need to be so tense. I don't bite, and I'm not here to reprimand you. In fact, I need your help."

Wendy was taken aback. What could the powerful Xena possibly need from her?

Noticing her look of confusion, Xena added, "I'll be honest. I heard that a young man cured your grandfather. I want to know who he is and how I can contact him."