Chapter 34
Meanwhile, a restless crowd shuffled around inside a bank in downtown, waiting with bated breath.
Ruth was parked at the counter of Starspire Bank.
The teller behind the glass had been handling Ruth with a half–baked attitude, mostly because she seemed so chill.
But then he froze, his eyes nearly popping out of his head.
The computer screen lit up with her card balance: $100,000,000!
A hundred million dollars.
He looked at the zeros, his breathing turned quick and shaky.
In his three years at this bank, he’d never seen an account break eight figures.
Usually, once a balance got eight digits, you were a VIP–someone the manager would swoop in to deal with personally.
But now? Nine figures were staring him down–an insane amount of money.
He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down.
Then he leaned his head a bit, giving Ruth a once–over through the glass.
He scanned her from top to bottom, looking for any sign of wealth. Nothing. She didn’t even hint at being loaded.
A greedy spark flickered in his eyes, growing brighter by the second.
A hundred million bucks!
If he could just grab a fraction of that, he’d be golden for life!
He tamped down his excitement, put on a neutral face, and looked at Ruth through the window.
“Where’d you get this card?” he aked.
“My daughter gave it to me,” Ruth replied, totally unfazed.
The teller’s face clouded over at her response.
He pushed harder, “How old’s your daughter? What does she do?”
Ruth frowned, tilting her head. “What’s that got to do with me taking out some cash?”
His expression tightened, his tone going cold. “You’re going tell me exactly where this card came from today!”
Over by the entrance, the greeter who’d shown Ruth in picked up on the teller’s harsh vibe.
Something clicked. She threw him a quick, curious look.
The teller gave her a small nod and flashed a “100” with his fingers.
“Hss!” The greeter gasped, floored.
In a flash, her face twisted as she glared at Ruth. Her voice spiked high.
1/3
+5
16:24 Mon,
Chapter 34
She demanded, “Come on, out with it! Where’d this card come from? Is it yours? Your daughter’s? Did you pick it up off the street or swipe it?”
Ruth stiffened under their hostile stares. She reached for the card in the reader.
“I just wanted to withdraw some money. Why’re you acting like I’m a crook? Forget this–I’m out!” Annoyance crept into her voice.
The greeter darted forward, snagging the card in one swift move.
“You can’t even say where it’s from. I’d bet it’s stolen–by you or your daughter!” she snapped.
“Let’s go! You’re heading to the station with us!” Her tone was final.
She wasn’t foolish enough to pocket the cash herself–that’d be asking for trouble.
Sure, she liked money, but you’ve got to be breathing to enjoy it!
Still, she had an in: the deputy director at Bastion Police Station. No way that sleazy guy wouldn’t jump at a score this huge!
Ten minutes from the Fuller family’s place, Raven and Brynjar were on their way when her phone buzzed.
When she heard Ruth had been dragged to the police station, a cold feeling sank in.
She didn’t hesitate–just floored it toward Bastion.
Meanwhile, inside Bastion Police Station…
Ruth sat in a holding room, wrists cuffed, settled into an interrogation chair.
Three people stood across from her.
Two were the greeter and the teller. The third? A balding, middle–aged man.
This was Tyler Morgan, the deputy director of Bastion Police Station.
“Smack!”
+5
Tyler slammed a piece of paper down in front of Ruth.
He snarled, his voice sharp and cold, “Your confession’s ready. Sign it!”
Ruth frowned, eyeing the three people who’d hauled her in and were now pushing her to admit she was guilty.
Her voice stayed calm, even. “This card’s legit.”
Tyler smirked, letting out a short, sarcastic chuckle.
“Legit? Do you even know how much is on it?” His words oozed mockery.
“Look at you–dressed like that. No chance you’ve got money,” he kept going.
“I checked on your daughter already. She was locked up in Bastion Prison five years ago and just got out yesterday.” Tyler said, staring her down.
“You said she gave you the card. Even if she’s some kind of brainiac, she didn’t make a hundred million bucks in prison, did she?” His tone turned biting, not letting up.
Ruth went still, thrown off for a second.
2/3
16:24 Mon, 14 Apr
Chapter 34
Then she locked eyes with Tyler, shock creeping into her gaze. She muttered, “A… A hundred million dollars?”
“You didn’t know?” Tyler huffed. “That card you tried to use? It’s loaded with a hundred million bucks!”
Those words were like bomb.
Ruth was dumbfounded.
A hundred million dollars? She’d never seen that much money in her whole life.
She had never even dreamed of having it.
The greeter stared at her, her look icy and unmoving.
Then she piped up. “Admit you stole this card from our bank, hand it over as evidence, and the cops won’t go after your daughter!”
Tyler gave a quick nod.
“Sign the confession now,” he said, “and since you’d be fessing up, we’ll cut you some slack.”
69%
+5
“Don’t sign, and you’ll pay for trying to cash out stolen money. Plus, your daughter? She’ll be looking at the death penalty!” His voice had a harsh bite, no mistaking the threat.
Tyler shot her a chilling glare. “So, what’s it gonna be? Sign and get off easier, or save yourself and let your daughter take the fall? Pick one!”
3/3
