Chapter 3
Author: Pinky T
last update2026-02-04 17:01:45

The hall was silent for a few moments and suddenly laughter rang out sharp and cruel.

Margaret clutched her stomach as she laughed, almost breathless. “This is hilarious,” she scoffed, pointing at the black card in Ethan’s hand. “You really think flashing a fake card will make you look important, you pauper?”

Ivy wiped tears from the corners of her eyes and her gaze was dripping with mockery. “Do you even know what kind of card that is? That’s the highest-level card this bank offers. Only the most powerful people in the world own something like that.”

She looked up at him and her lips curled. “And you? You’re just a useless warehouse worker.”

The surrounding crowd began whispering again, their voices rising and falling like waves.

“That card looks real though…”

“But how could he own it? You heard what they said, he is a warehouse worker.”

“He probably stole it from someone.”

Margaret folded her arms confidently, her voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “Let me make this clear. If the real owner of that Supreme Black Card finds out you’re pretending to be him, you won’t just be arrested.”

She leaned closer, her eyes vicious. “You’ll be killed too.”

The guards stiffened at her words and goosebumps of fear spread across their skin.

Ethan’s expression didn’t change, he looked down at the black card in his hand calmly, then raised his eyes to meet Margaret’s. “This card was not obtained illegally, Margaret.”

His tone was flat, steady and without the slightest trace of panic.

Ivy laughed harder at his words, “Oh please,” she sneered. “Then how did you get it? Don’t tell me it fell from the sky and landed on your laps.”

Margaret shook her head as if disappointed. “You must’ve been involved in fraud… or theft. I knew it. Poor people always try to get rich with shortcuts.”

Her gaze hardened suddenly and she turned to the guards. “Security! Arrest him immediately and make sure he is taken away from here.”

The guards exchanged glances. One of them stepped forward, emboldened by Margaret’s bronze card. “Sir, please cooperate. Impersonating a Supreme Black Card holder is a serious offense in our bank policies.”

He looked down at Ethan with open contempt. “Come with us.”

But Ethan didn’t move.

Behind him, the glass doors of the bank reflected his still figure, he looked calm and unyielding.

“I’m here to handle my own business,” he said evenly. “No one has the right to touch me.”

The guard scoffed. “You still dare to talk back? You poor dog”

Margaret smiled in satisfaction. “Good thing Lena divorced you in time. Otherwise, our family would’ve been dragged down with you.”

Ivy nodded enthusiastically. “Exactly. Imagine being implicated because of a criminal like him.”

Ethan’s fingers tightened slightly around the card.

For a brief moment, something cold flashed in his eyes, but it disappeared just as quickly.

Just as the guards were about to forcefully drag him away, a loud booming voice spread throughout the bank.

“STOP.”

The single word cut through the chaos like a blade.

The sound of high heels echoed sharply against the marble floor.

Every head turned at the sound and from inside the bank walked a woman who immediately drew attention without trying.

She was stunning.

Tall, elegant, and dressed in a deep navy business dress that clung perfectly to her figure. Her long hair cascaded down her back, glossy and flawless. Her red lips were pressed into a sharp line, and her eyes carried an overwhelming pressure, one that came from years of commanding authority.

It was not just beauty itself.

It was power.

The guards straightened instinctively and saluted at her.

Margaret frowned at her and crossed her arms across her chest. “Who the hell are you?”

The woman ignored her completely and her eyes locked onto Ethan’s hand holding the card.

The color drained from her face and her pupils shrank.

“That card…” she whispered.

For two seconds, she stood frozen in place.

Then she strode forward quickly, her heels striking the floor with urgency.

The guards moved to stop her, but she didn’t even slow down.

“Out of my way you clowns.” She said, her voice was cold and commanding.

They stepped aside immediately.

She stopped directly in front of Ethan, her gaze fixed on the black card. Her chest rose and fell once, sharply.

“There are only nine Supreme Black Cards in the world,” she said slowly.

The entire lobby fell dead silent.

Her eyes lifted to Ethan’s face, filled with shock, disbelief and something dangerously close to reverence.

“And every single owner is registered at the highest level of this bank.”

One of the guards stepped forward and placed his hand on her shoulders, “Ma’am this man is an imposter, there’s no way he will have access to that card without stealing it.”

She suddenly turned.

SLAP!

The sound of the slap echoed loudly and the security guard staggered back, clutching his face.

“How dare you?” she snapped furiously. “Who gave you permission to treat an honored guest with such disrespect huh?”

“Director Su,!” the guard stammered.

“Yes,” she said icily. “I am Su Yanning. Senior Director of National Union Bank. And I’m glad you remember who you are talking to.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Margaret’s face turned pale and Ivy took a step back from shock.

Su Yanning pointed at the guard. “You’re fired. Effective immediately.”

“What?!” Margaret shouted. “You can’t do that!”

Su Yanning finally looked at her and when she did, Margaret felt as if she’d been submerged in ice.

“You dare interrupt me? You foolish woman” Su Yanning said coolly.

Margaret swallowed but forced herself to stand firm. “This man is a nobody. He can’t possibly be the owner of that card! He must have stolen it!” She pointed at Ethan viciously. “Call the police! Arrest him!”

Ivy nodded rapidly. “Yes! Arrest him!”

Su Yanning laughed but there was no humor in it.

“Do you have any idea,” she said slowly, “what kind of people possess a Supreme Black Card?”

She stepped closer to Margaret, her aura crushing. “Do you think someone like you is qualified to accuse them?”

Margaret’s lips trembled. “I… I have a bronze card,”

“And you’re just about to lose it,” Su Yanning interrupted sharply. Her eyes hardened and she said with a sneer. “A Supreme Black Card cannot be lost casually. It cannot be picked up on the street. And it certainly cannot fall into the hands of an ordinary person.”

Su turned back to Ethan and bowed slightly.

“Sir, I sincerely apologize for the disrespect you’ve been shown.”

The crowd erupted in uproar.

Margaret staggered back, disbelief flooding her face. “This… this is impossible…”

Su Yanning turned back sharply. “As for you and your daughter,”

She snapped her fingers and two guards appeared at her side.

“Revoke their membership cards immediately.”

“What?!” Ivy screamed. “You can’t!”

“Effective now,” Su Yanning continued coldly, “your family is permanently banned from handling any business with National Union Bank.”

Margaret’s knees nearly gave out. “You,do you know who we are?! Victor Shaw,!”

“Is fucking irrelevant,” Su Yanning cut in.

She looked down at them with pure disdain. “In front of a Supreme Black Card holder, even the four great families must bow.”

Ethan stood there, unmoving. For the first time in years, no one dared to look down on him.

He slipped the card back into his pocket calmly.

“Now,” Su Yanning said respectfully, turning back to him, “shall we proceed with your business, sir?”

Ethan nodded slightly.

And without another glance at Margaret and Ivy,

He walked into the bank, each step echoed like a declaration.

The door closed behind him.

And outside,

Ivy and Margaret finally realized what they had just lost.

Not just status.

Not just pride.

But the man they had once treated as nothing had just stepped into a world they would never reach.

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