Chapter 3 - The Price of Greed
I returned to my actual home, a sprawling, modern penthouse overlooking the entire glittering city.
My personal lawyer, Marcus, was already waiting for me in the private library with a stack of urgent documents.
“The denial of the loan has already been processed, Eleanor,” Marcus confirmed as he poured two cups of coffee.
“Good, let Robert feel the consequences of his arrogance,” I replied, sitting in a leather armchair.
We spent the next few hours reviewing the financial portfolios I had built from nothing over the last forty years.
I had sacrificed my youth, my sleep, and my social life to ensure Ethan would never know true poverty.
The next morning, the private elevator in my penthouse chimed loudly, signaling an unexpected visitor.
The heavy steel doors slid open to reveal Claire, looking completely disheveled and frantic.
Her designer makeup was smeared with tears, and her hands were shaking violently.
“How did you get past my security team?” I demanded, standing up from my desk.
“I told them it was a medical emergency concerning your granddaughter, Lily,” Claire cried.
The mention of my sweet, four-year-old granddaughter immediately softened the anger in my chest.
“What is wrong with Lily?” I asked, stepping closer to the hysterical woman.
“She is perfectly fine for now, but Ethan is in terrible danger,” Claire sobbed, falling to her knees.
She confessed that they did not need the bailout money just to save her father’s failing logistics company.
They needed the millions because they had secretly borrowed money from some very dangerous people.
“Ethan lost over five million dollars trying to fund his lavish lifestyle and impress my parents,” Claire wept.
I felt a cold knot form in my stomach as I realized the extent of my son’s foolishness.
“Who exactly did he borrow this money from?” I asked firmly.
May you like
Claire looked up at me with wide, terrified eyes.
“He borrowed it from the Obsidian Syndicate, and they told us we have forty-eight hours to pay or Ethan dies.”
