Chapter 6 - The Joint Account Trap
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Rafael jumped to his feet, his chair scraping loudly against the marble floor. "She's lying! It was an accident! My hand slipped!"
"An accident doesn't come with a verbal threat, Rafael," I said, turning to face him.
I unlocked my phone and opened my primary banking app. I angled the bright screen directly toward Rafael’s face so he could see the account details.
"You expect me to pay this three-thousand-euro bill using our joint account," I stated clearly, ensuring the manager heard every word. "An account that is ninety percent funded by my salary as a senior financial analyst, while your income goes directly into your mother's private trust."
Rafael’s face drained of color. His arrogant mask crumbled, revealing the desperate, insecure man underneath.
"Elena... put the phone down," Rafael stammered, looking around at the surrounding guests who were now whispering openly. "We can discuss this at home."
"There is nothing left to discuss at home," I said. "You threw wine in my face because I refused to fund your mother's luxury lifestyle. And you did it in public because you thought I was too weak to stand up to you."
Mariana stood up, her face flushed with fury. "How dare you speak to my son like that! You ungrateful little street rat! We elevated you! We gave you a name!"
"You gave me a nightmare, Mariana," I replied coldly. "And it ends tonight."
Manager Álvaro stepped between Rafael and my side of the table, gesturing for two large security guards to position themselves near the booth.
May you like
"Señora," Álvaro said respectfully, turning his full attention to me. "Are you safe? Do you require medical assistance?"
"I am physical unhurt, but I want the security footage from that camera," I pointed directly up at the black dome lens mounted on the ceiling beam right above our table. "I want it preserved for the authorities."
