Chapter 2

I took a sharp breath and violently shook off the security guard's grip.

Then I pulled out my phone and dialed 911.

"Hello, police? I want to report a crime.

"The Aetherton branch is illegally withholding a client's funds.

"A critically ill patient is being denied surgery because of it. Someone could die!"

The police arrived quickly.

Leading the team was an older officer. The moment he saw the scene, his brows knotted tightly together.

"What's going on here? Who made the report?"

I raised my hand, my voice hoarse with anger.

"I did. My family member is in emergency treatment right now. We urgently need this money for brain surgery.

"The bank card is mine. I know the PIN, and I have my ID.

"But this teller maliciously froze the account and refuses to process the withdrawal."

Officer Tanner took my identification and the hospital's payment notice, checking them carefully one by one.

Then he glanced through the call records on my phone and the critical condition notice from the hospital. His expression immediately turned serious.

He walked to the counter and knocked on the glass.

"Miss, everything here looks legitimate.

"This is money for a life-saving operation. Hurry up and process it.

"Don't delay something this serious. If someone dies because of this, you won't be able to take responsibility."

To everyone's surprise, Carmen simply twirled the pen in her hand lazily.

"Officer, do you even understand banking procedures?

"Our system flagged this account as high risk, so it's high risk.

"If we release the funds and it turns out she's involved in fraud, who's responsible for the losses? You?"

Officer Tanner was momentarily speechless. When he spoke again, his tone had hardened.

"The facts are clear, and the evidence is right here. The hospital is waiting to save a life. Can't you make an exception for an emergency?

"What kind of system matters more than a human life?"

Carmen pouted, putting on an innocent, aggrieved expression.

"There's nothing I can do. These are regulations from head office. If I violate procedure, I could lose my job.

"I really do sympathize with Ms. Nolan, but rules are rules."

As she spoke, she even dabbed theatrically at the corner of her eye.

"Ms. Nolan, please don't blame me.

"I'm only trying to protect your family's assets.

"What if some pretty boy scammed you? Mr. Young works very hard to earn this money too."

The moment those words came out, the atmosphere around us shifted again.

"So she's the bank president's wife?"

"Then how does this teller dare talk to her like that?"

"Unless... someone powerful is backing her."

Officer Tanner had clearly caught the hidden barb in Carmen's words.

He glanced at her, then at me.

"Enough with the nonsense.

"If the system locked the account, then find someone with the authority to unlock it."

"Where's your supervisor? Call your manager out here."

Carmen shrugged helplessly.

"The manager's away at provincial training.

"The only person with authority to unlock it now is Mr. Young.

"But Mr. Young is currently meeting an important client. He specifically said no one is to disturb him."

She looked at me with naked provocation in her eyes.

I bit down so hard on my lip that I tasted blood.

Time ticked by second after second.

And every second could be the end of my mother-in-law's life.

I could not keep wasting time fighting with her.

Once again, I pulled out my phone and called Karl.

Normally, he really would be busy at this hour.

In the past, I never dared interrupt him at work.

He always said that when a man was focused on building his career, the thing he hated most was a nagging woman bothering him.

But today, even if the sky collapsed, he was going to answer this call.

The phone rang for a long time.

So long that I thought it would disconnect automatically.

Finally, he picked up.

Karl's voice came through, impatient and irritated, deliberately lowered as though trying not to be overheard.

"Jane Nolan, what the hell is wrong with you?

"Didn't I already tell you this morning that I'd be in meetings all day?

"What could possibly be so important that you had to call right now?

"Can't you be a little more considerate for once? Stop making trouble for me all the time!"

The moment I heard his voice, tears burst from my eyes.

This was the man who shared my bed.

While my mother-in-law was fighting for her life, all he cared about was me causing him inconvenience.

I took a deep breath and forced my voice to steady.

"Karl, I'm in the lobby of your bank."