“Okay then,” Killian said.Not long after, the two of them sat inside House of Asia. The place was quiet that afternoon. A few bamboo plants stood near a small fish pond, and a little fountain made soft water sounds. They chose a table under a small open roof near the water.For a while neither of them spoke. The silence felt heavy and strange. Elizabeth finally broke it when she saw a waitress walking over.“Let’s order some food first,” she said.Killian looked at the menu but his eyes didn’t really see the words. When the waitress left, the quiet came back again. This time Killian spoke first. The words just pushed out of him.“You order whatever you want. I’m a useless man. I never hold my own money. The work I do at my wife’s family house is never appreciated.”He kept his eyes on the table. “Every day I cook, sweep the floors, mop, and go to the market. I barely have time to look for real work.”Elizabeth leaned forward a little. “Are you crying?”“No. Just sweat,” Killian answe

Killian walked with his head down through the streets of Birmingham. His old bag hung from one shoulder and felt heavier with every step. He had nowhere to go. For more than a year the only bed he had known was inside the Smith family house. Now that door was closed forever and he was alone.He stopped under a small bus shelter and let out a long, tired breath. “What a mess,” he said quietly to himself. “Where am I supposed to sleep tonight? Under a bridge? In front of some closed shop?”He had no real friends in this city. The only people who knew him were the ones who had just thrown him out like trash. His stomach was already starting to hurt. Earlier at the cafe he had only eaten a little because the food did not taste right. Now he had no money left to buy even a piece of bread.Killian pulled out his old wallet and opened it. Inside were only two strange cards. They were not the normal blue or green bank cards. One was silver-grey and the other was completely black. The numbers

Killian stopped in front of the big glass doors of the Royal Bank. His old jeans were faded. His shirt had a small tear near the shoulder. He still carried the same worn bag from the day he left the Smith house. Irene had already left for London after a sudden call from his grandfather. Before she went, she sent a short message to the bank chairman so they would be ready for him.He took one step forward.“Stop right there!”A security guard with a thick neck and hard eyes blocked his path. The man looked Killian up and down like he was something dirty on the street.“Who? Me?” Killian pointed at his own chest.“If not you, who else? Get out of here, beggar. This bank is not for people like you.”Killian’s face stayed calm, but his hands slowly closed into fists. “I’m not a beggar. I came to see Piere.”The guard laughed loud enough for people nearby to hear. “A dirty man like you wants to see Mr Piere, the chairman? Don’t even dream about it. Move!”He shoved Killian hard in the ches

Killian left the Royal Bank with the thick envelope of cash under his arm. Piere and Sophie walked him to the door.“Thank you for your help today, Mr Piere,” Killian said.Piere smiled widely. “It is my duty to serve the young master of the Spencer family. Whenever you need anything, just call me.”“I would like to invite you to dinner at Adam’s Restaurant,” Piere added. “If you have time.”Killian shook his head. “Thank you, but not today. Maybe another time.”Piere still looked hopeful. “I can drive you wherever you need to go.”“No need. I can manage on my own.”Sophie stepped closer. “My work is finished. I can take you if you want.”Killian looked at her for a second and gave a small polite smile. “Thank you, but I will go alone.”He walked out before they could say more. Outside he ordered an online taxi. The drive took only five minutes. The taxi stopped in front of a large, bright car showroom.Killian paid the driver and stepped inside. The floor was shiny. New cars stood in

“The car is mine,” Killian said. “Now get on your knees. A bet is a bet.”The whole showroom stayed frozen. No one moved. No one spoke.Hugo’s face had gone pale. The card reader still showed the green light. The money had already left the account. Eight million euros was gone in one second. There was no way to take it back.The saleswoman’s legs shook. She looked at Hugo, hoping he would say something to save them. He did not.Robert stood near the side with his mouth still open. The Maverick man held his red cheek and stared at Killian like he was seeing a ghost.Killian did not raise his voice. He simply waited.Hugo was the first to move. Slowly, as if every part of his body was heavy, he bent his knees and went down on the shiny floor. His forehead almost touched the ground.“You… you are an honourable man,” he said in a weak voice.The saleswoman’s eyes filled with tears. She bit her lip hard, then she also dropped to her knees. Her voice came out small and broken.“I will leave