Chapter 2 - The Black Card's Owner

The weight of everything—fear, humiliation, helplessness—pressed down on Belle until she felt herself slipping into a quiet, suffocating darkness.

She didn’t protest when they led her to a corner of the shop and told her to sit. She obeyed without resistance, her hands trembling in her lap, her mind too overwhelmed to fight back.

When the police officers arrived, the atmosphere shifted further.

“Officer, take this girl to the station,” the cashier said, pointing at Belle without hesitation.

“She stole this card and tried to use it. She’s a fraud.”

The officers turned to look at her, their gazes sharp, assessing. Belle lowered her head, unable to meet their eyes.

“Have you contacted the card owner?” one officer asked calmly.

“Did they report it stolen?”

“We’ve informed them,” the manager quickly replied, stepping in.

“But we only reached his assistant.”

“Then we wait,” the officer said firmly.

“We can’t arrest her without a complaint. You can’t even prove she stole it or committed fraud.”

His words cut through the tension like a small thread of mercy.

Belle exhaled shakily, relief flickering through her chest. But it was fragile—uncertain. Everything now depended on whether the man who gave her the card would come.

Or worse…What if he didn’t? Time dragged on painfully.

Every second stretched her nerves thinner. She fidgeted in her seat, her eyes darting anxiously to the entrance each time someone walked in, her heart leaping with false hope again and again.

Until finally—A man in a tailored business suit entered.

“I’m sorry for the delay,” he said, approaching the officers.

“The boss is currently in a meeting. I was sent as his representative.”

Belle looked up. Her heart sank. It wasn’t him.

“This is the CEO’s black card,” the manager explained eagerly, showing it to the man.

“We recognize it anywhere. Only a few people in the country own one. Yet today, it was used by… her.”

His tone carried thinly veiled disdain.

The man took the card, examining it carefully, flipping it over more than once.

“Yes, this is indeed the CEO’s card,” he confirmed, brows furrowed.

“But I’m not aware it was lost. There’s been no report.”

“Exactly why we detained her,” the manager added.

“This is serious.”

“The CEO has been informed,” the man said, composed.

“We’re awaiting further instructions.”

Belle’s chest tightened.

She clung to every word, fear creeping back in stronger than before. Doubt clouded her thoughts. What if the card wasn’t even his to give? What if she had trusted the wrong person?

She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to recall every detail about the man who handed it to her. He looked wealthy… carried himself with quiet authority. But what if she had been wrong?

A sudden commotion from outside broke the tense silence.

Footsteps. Voices.

Then—

Uniformed security entered first, parting the way for a man who followed.

The moment he stepped inside, the air changed.

Heavy.

Commanding.

“Mr. CEO—good day,” the manager greeted, startled but eager, his voice tinged with nervous respect.

“It’s a surprise you came personally,” he added quickly.

“We just had some concerns regarding your—”

“Where is she?”

The CEO’s voice cut through him—cold, sharp, leaving no room for pleasantries.

“Sir?” the manager blinked, confused.

“The girl.”

The single word, laced with irritation, echoed through the shop. Everyone froze.

“We—we detained her, sir,” the manager stammered.

“The police are here to arrest her. Your card is safe—”

“Arrest her?” the CEO snapped.

“For what?”

“For… for stealing your card, sir…”

A dangerous silence followed.

“How did you conclude she stole it?” he asked, his tone dripping with cold sarcasm.

The manager faltered, words failing him.

“Where. Is. She?” the CEO repeated, each word colder than the last.

“There, sir…” one of the officers pointed toward the corner.

The CEO turned.

And the moment he saw her—small, trembling, eyes swollen from crying—his expression darkened.

A curse slipped under his breath. Without another word, he strode toward her.

Belle looked up, her tear-blurred vision struggling to focus—Then she froze.

It was him. Relief hit her so suddenly it almost hurt.

“Hey… come here,” he said softly, kneeling in front of her.

The shift in his voice was startling. Gone was the cold authority. In its place—gentleness.

“I’m so… sorry,” Belle choked out between sobs.

“I don’t have money anymore… I used the card and they—they said I stole it…”

Her words came out broken, uneven.

“It’s okay,” he murmured, his thumb brushing away her tears.

“I’m here now. You’re safe.”

The moment his hand touched her, something inside her broke completely.

“I was so scared,” she whispered, clutching onto him.

“They said they’ll arrest me… I didn’t steal anything… please tell them…”

“Shh…” he hushed gently, pulling her into his arms.

“No one is arresting you. Calm down. I’ve got you.”

“I’m afraid…” she mumbled against his chest, clinging to him like he was the only thing keeping her grounded.

“You don’t have to be,” he said quietly, his hand stroking her hair. “Not anymore.”

For a moment, the world seemed to fade. Then he stood, lifting her up with him.

“Let’s get you out of here.”

He held her close, her face pressed against his chest as he guided her forward. She didn’t resist. Didn’t question. She simply let herself be led, her tears soaking into the fabric of his expensive suit.

Every eye in the shop followed them.

The same man they feared—respected—now held a trembling girl with unmistakable care.

“Pete,” he called, his voice returning to its firm edge. “Get everything she needs for school. I’m taking her home.”

“Yes, Ethan,” Pete replied immediately.

Ethan’s gaze flicked toward the manager—cold, promising.

“I’ll deal with you later.”

The man swallowed hard.

Then Ethan walked out, his security closing in around them the moment they stepped outside.

Silence lingered after his departure.

Heavy. Unsettling.

Pete stepped forward.

“Pack everything,” he instructed curtly. The cashier hurried to comply, hands shaking.

Turning to the officers, he added, “This was a misunderstanding. You may go.”

The officers nodded and left without further questions.

“Sir Pete… please,” the manager said nervously.

“Tell the CEO we’re sorry. We didn’t know…”

Pete’s gaze was sharp.

“You didn’t bother to verify before humiliating her,” he said flatly.

“You called the police instead of calling his office.”

The manager lowered his head, unable to respond.

“You should be careful how you treat people,” Pete continued.

“The CEO despises injustice.”

Silence followed.

Then one man finally asked, unable to contain his curiosity:

“Who… is she?”

Pete paused, glancing around at the stunned faces before his eyes settled on the manager.

A faint, knowing look crossed his face.

“She,” he said calmly, “will be the queen of the empire we all serve.”

And with that, he turned and walked away—leaving behind a room full of people too stunned to speak.

*****😳😳*****