Chapter 6 - Freezing the Empire: When Evelyn Vance’s Black Card Stopped Working
At 8:30 p.m., EVA Air Flight BR12 touched down smoothly on Runway 24L at Los Angeles International Airport.
Inside the business class cabin, Evelyn Vance was already applying her third layer of expensive lipstick, adjusting her designer silk scarf, and barking orders at the flight attendants to retrieve her overhead luggage immediately.
"Ethan, make sure you call the limousine service the moment we clear customs," Evelyn instructed, smoothing down her designer coat. "I will not tolerate waiting on the curb like a common tourist. And tell them to bring chilled mineral water."
"Already taken care of, Mother," Ethan replied smugly, powering on his smartphone as the aircraft taxied to the gate.
The moment the cellular signal connected, his phone erupted into a violent, unrelenting cascade of notifications. The device buzzed continuously in his palm, vibrating so violently it nearly slipped from his fingers.
Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping.
Forty-seven missed calls.
Thirty-two voicemails.
Eighty-six unread emails.
Twelve urgent banking alert banners.
Ethan frowned, tapping the screen. "What the hell is this?"
"What is it, darling?" Evelyn asked, peering over his shoulder.
"It’s... it’s probably just the office congratulating us on the weekend," Ethan muttered, though a knot of anxiety tightened in his stomach. He clicked on the first voicemail from his Chief Financial Officer at Vance Design Group.
His CFO’s panicked, screaming voice blasted through the phone's speaker:
"Ethan! Where the hell are you?! The entire credit facility with Apex Horizon was revoked two hours ago! The bank locked all our operating accounts! Our suppliers are threatening immediate liens, the payroll checks for the entire design team bounced, and federal marshals just showed up at our Century City office with a padlock! Ethan, we’re completely ruined! Call me right now!"
Ethan’s face turned an ashen shade of gray. "No... no, this is impossible. Apex Horizon had a five-year commitment."
Before he could dial his CFO, a red banner flashed across his screen: PERSONAL ACCOUNT TERMINATION NOTICE - CHASE PRIVATE CLIENT.
Your checking account ending in 4402 has been frozen due to suspected fraudulent activity and debt default. Available balance: $0.00.
"Mother," Ethan choked out, his voice rising in panic. "Mother, check your banking app. Right now!"
Evelyn scoffed, pulling her gold-trimmed iPhone from her designer purse. "Don't be ridiculous, Ethan. It’s just a technical glitch. You know how these banks operate over the weekend."
She opened her banking application, entered her facial recognition, and looked at the screen.
The screen flashed red: CARD SUSPENDED. CONTACT ISSUING INSTITUTION.
"What?!" Evelyn shrieked, tapping the screen furiously. "My discretionary card! I have an eighty-thousand-dollar limit on this card! I was supposed to pay the annual membership fee for the Bel-Air Country Club tomorrow morning!"
"Daddy?" Chloe asked from behind them, pulling on Ethan’s sleeve. "Why does your phone keep making that scary noise?"
"Shut up, Chloe!" Ethan barked, his calm, arrogant demeanor completely shattering. He grabbed his carry-on bag and shoved his way past the other business-class passengers toward the aircraft door. "Excuse me! Move! Let us through!"
Passengers muttered in annoyance as Ethan, Evelyn, and a terrified Chloe pushed their way out of the jet bridge and into the cavernous international arrival corridor.
Ethan’s mind was racing at a million miles an hour. This has to be an administrative error. Apex Horizon wouldn't pull their funding without a ninety-day review. The Bel-Air lease is paid through December. It has to be a mistake!
They took the escalator down toward the US Customs and Border Protection checkpoint. Ethan flashed his Global Entry pass, eager to bypass the lines, get to his car, and drive straight to his firm's corporate headquarters.
He stepped up to the automated biometric kiosk, looked into the camera, and placed his fingers on the glass scanner.
Instead of the usual green confirmation light, the machine emitted a harsh, piercing double-beep. A large red 'X' filled the screen.
A loud automated voice announced: OFFLINE REFERRAL. PROCEED TO SECONDARY INSPECTION DESK 4.
Two armed US Customs and Border Protection officers stepped immediately in front of Ethan and Evelyn, blocking their path.
"Mr. Ethan Vance? Mrs. Evelyn Vance?" the lead officer asked, his hand resting casually on his utility belt.
May you like
"Yes, of course!" Evelyn snapped, waving her hand dismissively. "We are Global Entry members! Why are you stopping us? Do you have any idea who my son is?"
"Mr. Vance, Mrs. Vance," the officer said with zero emotion. "Please step into the secondary inspection room immediately. There is an active federal warrant and an emergency civil order attached to your passports."
Related Stories
