Beyond Riches: The Inexplainable Trillionaire

Chapter 6: The Test

The lobby stayed frozen for a bit after Ethan’s threat. Then Adam burst out laughing. “Oh, I get it now, it because of Ray. He thinks Amelia will get Ray to talk to his father, and Donald Steflon bankrupts our families. Classic desperate thinking.”

Relief washed over the Golden Five, as their shoulders dropped and their laughter returned.

“You almost had me worried,” Cady said.

Brad stepped forward, his smirk restored. “My family and Cady’s are direct subordinates to the Silvercrest Clan. We work for them, under their protection. Why would the Silvercrests throw loyal subordinates under the bus for some janitor?”

“Even Ray has limits,” Cady added. “Donald Steflon serves the Silvercrest family. He wouldn’t bankrupt us over someone his son’s crush asked him to help.”

“Just watch,” Ethan said, turning to leave.

“Wait!” Cady called. “You better get ready to become Ray’s wife, Amelia.”

Ethan spun back. “What does that mean?”

Cady twirled her hair. “If Amelia asks Ray for another favor this big, he won’t settle for a date. He’ll want a wife.”

Jessica clapped. “Trapped for life with a man she despises, all because she chose to play with a pig.”

They laughed out loud, Celia laughed the loudest. “See you at the Donor Banquet tomorrow,” Brad yelled. “Try not to be in handcuffs.” The Golden Five vanished into Mayfair Gardens, their laughter echoing.

Amelia and Trevor weren’t smiling. “What have you done?” Trevor grabbed Ethan’s arm. “Amelia already paid for your release with a date to the banquet, a string she never wanted to pull and now you’ve made everything worse!”

“I can’t help you talk to Ray again,” Amelia said, pale. “If that’s what you’re banking on, I’m already trapped.”

“Then turn him down,” Ethan said. “Go with me instead. Tell Ray you already have a date.”

They stared. “Turn him down?” Trevor repeated. “Are you hearing yourself?”

“How can I break a promise to Ray because of you?” Amelia asked. “He would destroy us all.”

“I’m not asking you to break it. How about this, I will deal with Ray and make sure he doesn’t attend the banquet, and If I succeed, you go with me instead.”

Trevor and Amelia exchanged a long look. Something was different about Ethan tonight, but they loved him, and love sometimes meant indulging a friend’s delusions.

“Fine,” Amelia said. “If you somehow stop Ray, I will go with you.” She shook his hand, a sad smile on her face. “You know this isn’t going to work, right?”

“We’ll see.” Ethan said with a cheeky smile.

Trevor clapped his hands. “Enough heavy talk. Ethan just got out of jail and got publicly destroyed. Our boy deserves a proper night out, my treat. Tonight we forget about everything.”

Ethan wanted to tell them about Donald, the cards, the money. But he still needed to prove it was real first. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

Trevor led them through Mayfair Gardens like a king with restaurant after restaurant, Japanese wagyu, handmade pasta, pastries like art. They ended up at the club on the forty-second floor, the hit songs shaking the walls, a private VIP booth, champagne bottle after bottle. For a few hours, Ethan forgot everything.

At three a.m., Trevor declared, “Suite time. Royal Suite, top floor.”

“That’s too much,” Ethan slurred.

“Nothing is too much for my friends.”

The Royal Suite was bigger than any apartment Ethan had ever known, it was three bedrooms, palace furniture, windows overlooking the city’s lights. He stood watching them for a long time before sleep took him.

Morning came too fast. Ethan woke to sunlight, the memories flooding back, the gala, Celia, the jail cell, Donald, the cards. Both were still in his pocket. Emerging from his room, he found Amelia and Trevor dressed, room-service breakfast on the table. “Morning, sleeping beauty,” Trevor called. “Come ear, we need to head out soon."

Ethan joined them, eating more than he should. “I want to thank you both. For everything, last night, the jail, all the years. You’ve been saving me since freshman year, and I’ve never properly thanked you.”

“You don’t have to,” Amelia said.

“But I want to. And I promise I’m going to repay that kindness soon.”

Trevor waved it off. “We got you. That’s what friends do.”

Amelia hugged him. “Being our friend is payment enough.”

They headed downstairs, quiet in the elevator, Ethan planning his next moves. They were almost at the exit when a voice stopped them.

“Young Master Trevor.”

A stunning woman in a sharp business suit approached, she was in her mid-thirties and radiating total competence. “Ms. Gwen,” Trevor said, surprised. “What’s going on?”

She bowed slightly. “I apologize, but I need to discuss your bill.” She tapped her tablet. “Last night’s dining, clubbing, and the Royal Suite, your total is ten million, five hundred fifty-two thousand, eight hundred dollars.”

Trevor’s voice cracked. “Ten million? That can’t be right.”

“The Royal Suite alone is four million per night. The rest is dining and club services.” She said.

“Fine. Add it to the family tab, like always.” Trevor sighed.

Ms. Gwen didn’t move. “I’m afraid I can’t. Your father left specific instructions. He said since you think you are man enough to pick battles for the family, you should be man enough to pay your own bills. He’s prohibited me from adding your charges to the family tab.”

Trevor’s face went white. Ethan understood immediately, the Golden Five’s parents had made the calls.

Trevor fumbled for his phone and put it on speaker. “Dad, what’s going on?”

“Shut up,” his father’s voice thundered. “What were you thinking, picking a fight with those kids? You know our history. We can’t take on those families, especially now that two are direct Silvercrest subordinates. I received threats from Adam Cole’s father last night, declaring war on our business because of your stupid fight.”

“Dad, I can explain...”

“Resolve whatever problem you have with the Golden Five immediately, or your accounts and cards are frozen forever. You’ll bring this whole family down.”

The line went dead. Trevor stood trembling. “I can’t access my funds. My family’s under attack, and all because…” He looked at Ethan but didn’t finish.

“Hey.” Amelia grabbed his shoulders. “Calm down. I’ll cover it.” She pulled out a silver-bronze card and handed it to Ms. Gwen, but hers was declined as well.

“That’s impossible.” Amelia called her account manager. “Ms. Hart, why is my card declined?”

“All your accounts and cards have been frozen, Miss Freeman. On your father’s orders. I received the instruction ten minutes ago.”

Amelia dialed her father number immediately. “Dad, why?”

“Because you’re sinking this family into the ground!” VC Hector roared. “How many times did I warn you to end your friendship with that trash janitor? Now the Golden Five have reached my office, board members are getting calls all because my daughter decided to dance with a pig. Fix this, Amelia, fix this now.” He hung up.

Amelia’s hands shook. “I’m sorry,” Ethan said quietly. “This is my fault.” Neither of them argued. “But I’m going to fix it. Your families will be safe, and the Golden Five will be dealt with. Trust me.”

Trevor let out a hollow laugh. “Ethan, what can you do? We’re the ones facing the fire, not you.”

Ethan didn’t answer. He turned to Ms. Gwen. “Can I speak with you privately for a moment?”

Ms. Gwen looked him up and down with his shabby clothes and bruised cheek. “What would I have to discuss with you? You’re the reason these two are in this mess.”

“I know, just give me one minute. If we can’t resolve it, do whatever you want with me.” Ethan pleaded.

She studied him, then nodded. “Fine. One minute.” She led him to the counter, leaving Trevor and Amelia confused.

“What’s he doing?” Trevor whispered.

“I have no idea,” Amelia whispered back.

At the counter, Ms. Gwen crossed her arms. “What did you want to discuss?”

Ethan reached into his pocket, pulled out the premium black card, and dropped it on the counter.

Her eyes went wide and her composed face cracked open with shock. “Where,” she whispered, “did you get this?”