Chapter 2 - The First Ring From Heathrow: "Abigail, What Did You Do To The Cards?"
Eleven hours later, the transatlantic flight touched down on the tarmac at London Heathrow.
Brandon stretched his arms in the plush leather of seat 2A, feeling an intoxicating rush of victory. For years, he had felt overshadowed by Abigail’s relentless entrepreneurial rise. In his mind, he wasn't a thief—he was merely collecting the compensation he believed he deserved for playing the loyal husband while Abigail built an empire.
Clarissa met him past customs at the baggage carousel. She was radiant, dressed in a camel cashmere coat, pulling a designer trunk.
“Did she suspect anything?” Clarissa asked, kissing his cheek in the crowded terminal.
“Not a single thing,” Brandon laughed arrogantly. “She was sobbing into a handkerchief when I went through security. By now, she’s sitting at home waiting for a text message from Vancouver.”
“Let’s get to the Mayfair,” Clarissa purred. “We have champagne waiting, and at midnight, we authorize the secondary wire transfer to the Cayman account.”
They climbed into a hired private black town car, sipping bottled water as they rode into central London. When they arrived at the five-star Mayfair boutique hotel, Brandon stepped up to the reception desk with the effortless swagger of a multi-millionaire.
“Reservation for Vance,” he said smoothly, sliding his black titanium corporate credit card across the marble counter. “The penthouse suite.”
The receptionist typed into the terminal, swiped the card, and paused. A faint frown creased the clerk’s forehead.
“I apologize, Mr. Vance. The transaction has been declined by the issuer.”
Brandon chuckled dismissively. “That’s impossible. It has an unlimited corporate credit line. Try running it again.”
The clerk swiped it a second time. “Declined again, sir. It says: Card Status: Revoked by Primary Account Holder.”
Clarissa stepped forward, her smile freezing. “Use my card. The Haven Operating Card.”
She handed over her corporate card. The clerk swiped it.
“Card Status: Account Terminated.”
Brandon felt the first cold prickle of dread crawl up his spine. “Give me a second,” he muttered, pulling out his phone. He opened his banking app, attempting to log into the primary business checking account that held $1.4 million in working capital.
The screen flashed a red banner: ACCESS DENIED. USER CREDENTIALS REVOKED BY SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR: ABIGAIL VANCE.
“Clarissa,” Brandon whispered, his face turning the color of chalk. “Log into the escrow portal. Move the eight million from the Tucson land account.”
Clarissa frantically opened her tablet, tapping the screen with shaking fingers. Her breath hitched in her throat.
“Brandon... the Tucson escrow account is empty.”
“What do you mean it’s empty?!” Brandon hissed, grabbing her wrist. “The sale closed last Thursday!”
“The funds were transferred out at 11:15 AM today,” Clarissa stammered, terror flashing in her eyes. “Directly into a restricted irrevocable asset protection trust under Abigail’s sole maiden name!”
Brandon’s heart slammed against his ribs like a sledgehammer. He stepped away from the reception desk into the quiet alcove near the lounge and dialed Abigail’s personal number.
The line rang twice before she answered.
“Hello, Brandon,” Abigail said, her voice smooth, calm, and as crisp as autumn ice. “How is Vancouver this time of evening? Or should I say... how is the weather in Mayfair?”
Brandon froze. His throat closed up.
“Abigail... what did you do?” he gasped. “Why are our cards declining? Why are the corporate accounts locked?”
“They aren't our cards, Brandon,” Abigail replied evenly. “They belong to Abigail’s Haven. And as of 1:00 PM Mountain Standard Time, you and Clarissa Bennett have been officially terminated for gross corporate malfeasance, grand larceny, and breach of fiduciary duty.”
“Abigail, listen to me!” Brandon yelled, completely abandoning his composure. “You don’t understand! You have to unlock those accounts right now! You don’t know what you’ve done!”
“I know exactly what I’ve done, Brandon. I protected my life from a parasitic coward. Enjoy London. You’ll find that without my money, the city gets cold very quickly.”
May you like
“Abigail! Wait!” Brandon screamed into the receiver. “There are people you don’t know about! The eight million wasn't just for us—I took a bridge loan against it! If that money isn't paid back by Friday, they will come for you!”
The line went dead.
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