Chapter 4: Accusations and Truths
941 Words
Tyler Wayne was stunned.
What’s going on?
Mike Carter, the broke loser, suddenly had money? That was impossible!
Tyler, as a rich kid, understood one thing well: rich people make money easily, while poor people struggle to climb even a single rung on the financial ladder.
“Mike, I don’t know where you got your money, but I don’t care!” Tyler shouted. “If Blue Sky Bar doesn’t welcome me, I don’t welcome it either!” He smashed a beer bottle on the table and barked, “Let’s go!”
“Wait!” Mike called out, stopping Tyler in his tracks.
“What do you want now?” Tyler glared.
Mike picked up a receipt from the bar counter. “It seems you haven’t paid your tab, Mr. Wayne.”
Tyler glanced at the bill—it was over $500.
“So what? It’s just $500!” Tyler sneered, tossing his card to the bartender.
The bartender swiped it.
Beep, beep.
The machine rejected the card.
“Sorry, there are insufficient funds,” the bartender said with a straight face.
Impossible!
Tyler had just spent over $1,000 on Jessica Lee’s live-stream!
He grabbed the POS machine to check. The card had been frozen.
Something was very wrong.
He tried another card. Then another.
Every single one was declined.
What the hell is going on?
Frustrated, Tyler called his father. “Dad! Why can’t I use my cards?”
On the other end, his father’s voice was tense. “Don’t even ask. The police are knocking on our door!”
“What?!” Tyler yelled, panic rising.
His father hung up without further explanation.
Tyler didn’t need to hear more. He already knew his family’s wealth wasn’t exactly clean.
For years, they’d had powerful connections to shield them. That was how they rose so quickly.
But now, those shields had vanished.
With no way to pay, Tyler turned to his entourage.
“Lend me some cash. I’ll pay you back tomorrow,” he pleaded.
His friends hesitated but eventually pooled together enough to cover the tab. Just as they were about to leave, Mike stepped in again.
“Hold on. There’s one more thing,” Mike said calmly.
“What now?” Tyler snapped.
“You broke a bottle of Macallan 55. That was my bottle, and you need to pay for it.”
The room fell silent.
“Fine! How much could it possibly cost?” Tyler scoffed.
Mike smirked. “Macallan 55—Limited Edition. $12,000.”
What?!
Tyler froze, staring at the price on the menu.
“Bartender,” Mike called, “please handle Mr. Wayne’s bill.”
The bartender grinned. “Don’t worry, we’ll make sure he pays.”
Before Tyler could protest, the bartender punched him square in the jaw, knocking him to the floor.
“Consider that payment for now,” the bartender said, looming over Tyler. “You have three days to bring the money, or we’ll come collect it ourselves.”
Tyler stumbled to his feet, his face bruised and battered. He glared at Mike with pure hatred.
“You’ll pay for this, Carter!” he spat.
Mike’s voice was cold. “Pay for what? Your dad is under arrest for embezzling $4 million. Without him, you’re nothing.”
Tyler’s eyes widened. “You’re lying!”
Mike grabbed another bottle of Macallan, shattered the neck, and poured the whiskey over Tyler.
“Remember this,” Mike said with a smirk. “This is the best drink you’ll ever have in your miserable life.”
The bar staff promptly dragged Tyler out, leaving him in the alley like a discarded piece of trash.
Mike sat at the bar, sipping his drink.
The adrenaline was still rushing through him. For the first time, he felt the full weight of his newfound power.
“I’m done pretending,” he muttered to himself. “Mike Carter—the heir to the Rothschild fortune.”
Just as he was getting comfortable, Jessica emerged from one of the private rooms, looking irritated. She glanced around and spotted Mike.
“Where’s Tyler?” she demanded, marching over to him.
“Gone,” Mike replied dismissively.
Jessica frowned. “And what are you doing here, drinking? I thought you loved me. You worked so hard for me, but I guess you’re just wasting your life.”
Mike laughed. So that’s how she sees it?
“In your eyes, when rich people drink, it’s charming. But when I drink, it’s pathetic, right?” Mike shot back.
Jessica’s expression darkened. “What are you even talking about? Using stolen money to act all high and mighty? Your mom must be so ashamed of you.”
“What did you just say?” Mike’s voice turned icy.
Jessica sneered. “Don’t act clueless. You stole money from Zoe. You’re lucky she’s too kind to press charges. You should be ashamed.”
Mike froze. “What are you talking about?”
Jessica grabbed her bag and turned to leave. “Ask your mom,” she said over her shoulder.
Mike’s heart sank. He immediately called Zoe.
The moment she picked up, she lashed out. “Mike! You’re a thief. Thank God Jessica dumped you. Do you even have any morals?”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Mike growled.
“You stole $300 from me! Your mom even returned it to me this morning. She had to borrow it from someone after coming straight out of the hospital!”
Mike was stunned. His mom had only $40 when she came to see him. Where had she found the money to pay Zoe?
- Writer
