Frozen Funds, Dead Consequences

I stared at the innocent-looking face behind the glass partition, took a deep breath, and pushed my ID card back through the slot.

"Hello, I need this freeze lifted. That money is for Karl Young's mother's surgery.

"Ma'am, even if you know our branch manager, rules are still rules."

She sat upright behind the counter, maintaining that perfectly polite smile.

"Carmen Sanders, do you even know what this money is for?"

I swallowed the metallic taste rising in my throat. My hands were shaking.

"I don't care whether you're doing this out of personal spite or for some other reason.

"Unfreeze my account. Right now."

The intern let out a soft laugh and leaned toward the microphone.

"Oh, Ms. Nolan, listen to yourself.

"I'm just a junior teller. How would I dare abuse my authority?

"Besides, this is for your own good.

"You said your mother is sick, but what if it's a scam?

"There are so many fraud cases these days. As a bank employee, it's my responsibility to protect customers."

My phone started vibrating wildly in my pocket.

The hospital.

I answered immediately, and the nurse's anxious voice burst through the line.

"Ms. Nolan, the patient's blood pressure is unstable!

"Has the surgery payment gone through yet? The anesthesiology department is chasing us!

"If the payment doesn't arrive soon, we're going to miss the critical treatment window!"

My heart clenched so hard it hurt.

"I'm at the bank right now! I'll handle it immediately!"

The moment I hung up, I nearly threw myself against the bulletproof glass.

"Carmen, I'm begging you!

"Just let me transfer the money first! Investigate whatever you want afterward!

"This is someone's life!"

People around the lobby had already started whispering among themselves.

"She looks decent enough. Who would've thought she scams elderly people out of their savings?

"Seriously. Scammers these days are incredible actors.

"The teller is just doing her job. This woman is being ridiculous."

Listening to the murmurs around us, the smugness on Carmen's face only deepened.

She picked up the intercom beside her, her voice sickeningly sweet.

"Security, could you come to Window Three for a moment?

"There's someone causing a disturbance and affecting other customers."

Two security guards rushed over carrying rubber batons and grabbed me by the arms from both sides.

"Ma'am, you need to leave. Stop interfering with bank operations!"

I struggled desperately. "I'm not leaving! I need to withdraw my money! That money belongs to me!"

"I want to see your branch manager! Get Karl out here!"

Carmen covered her mouth as she laughed, her eyes full of contempt.

"Mr. Young is in an important meeting right now.

"You're shouting his name in public like this. How embarrassing for him.

"If he knew you behaved with such poor manners…

"He'd probably be fighting with you the moment he got home."

I stared at her carefully made-up face.

A wave of nausea twisted violently in my stomach.

So this was the 'sweet and sensible' intern Karl always talked about?

Over jealousy, she was actually playing games with someone's life.