Chapter 8 - The Frozen Accounts
Julian stumbled into the building's private elevator bay, pulling out his cell phone to check his personal banking app.
A bright red warning banner flashed across his screen: ACCOUNT FROZEN BY JUDICIAL COURT ORDER.
His credit cards were declined, his line of credit was canceled, and his corporate car service access was revoked.
He walked out onto Wall Street into a freezing rain, his tailored shoes soaking up the cold dirty water of the sidewalk.
Sitting on a bench near Trinity Church was his mother, Eleanor, surrounded by her luxury shopping bags.
She looked exhausted, old, and completely stripped of her Fifth Avenue arrogance as she shivered in the damp coat.
"Julian!" Eleanor cried out, pushing herself up from the bench. "Did you get the money from your work?!"
"There is no money, Mom!" Julian screamed, his voice echoing off the stone buildings surrounding the churchyard.
"Victoria froze everything! My job is gone, my accounts are locked, and I am being investigated for financial fraud!"
Eleanor gasped, covering her mouth with her trembling, wrinkled hands as panic took hold of her.
"What are we going to do?" Eleanor whimpered. "We can't even afford a taxi to the airport!"
"Call Marcus!" Julian barked, pointing his finger violently at her face. "Call your favorite son in Ohio!"
May you like
"Tell him to sell his mansion and send us money right now!"
Eleanor lowered her eyes, refusing to meet Julian's burning glare as a heavy, painful silence fell between them.
