Ring of Power: The Billionaire's Secret

4 - Black Card's Legitimacy Questioned

The manager's expression went carefully blank. "I'm afraid—"

"That's the one I want," Chloe said. She pointed at the Dragon's Heart Crystal sitting on the counter. "Mom, look. It matches my dress for the gala tomorrow."

"Perfect." Mrs. Torres pulled out her phone. "We'll take it. Charge it to my account."

"Ma'am, I'm sorry but this gentleman was here first—"

"I don't care." Mrs. Torres's voice went cold. "Do you know who I am? My husband owns half the businesses on this street. If you want to keep your job, you'll sell us that crystal right now."

The manager's face went pale. Her professional smile cracked at the edges. Jake could see her doing mental math. Weighing options. Deciding who was more important to piss off.

"Mrs. Torres, I understand, but—"

"But nothing." Mrs. Torres snapped her fingers at the clerk. "Box it up. We're in a hurry."

That's when Chloe actually looked at Jake. Really looked. Her eyes went wide.

"Wait." She grabbed her mother's arm. "Mom. That's him. That's Jake."

Mrs. Torres turned. Her gaze swept over Jake like he was a stain on the carpet. Recognition clicked. Then disgust.

"Oh." The word dripped with contempt. "Maya's little charity case."

Jake's jaw tightened. The ring pulsed hot against his skin.

'Don't,' he told himself. 'Don't engage. Just get the crystal and leave.'

But his mouth had other ideas.

"The crystal's already sold," he said. Quiet. Even. "To me."

Mrs. Torres laughed. Actually laughed. It was this high, fake sound that made Jake's teeth hurt.

"Sold? To you?" She looked at the manager. "Is this a joke? This boy worked as a dishwasher until my daughter dumped him last week. He can barely afford bus fare."

"I'm standing right here," Jake said.

"Yes, and you should leave." Mrs. Torres waved her hand like she was shooing away a fly. "Before you embarrass yourself further. That crystal costs three million dollars. You don't have that kind of money."

Chloe snickered. "He probably came in here to look at stuff he can't afford. So sad."

The clerk was watching now. Eyes bouncing between Jake and Mrs. Torres. Calculating who had more power. More money. More importance.

Jake could see it happening. See the clerk's expression shift. The decision being made.

"Sir," the clerk said, his tone changing. Getting colder. "Perhaps you should step aside. Mrs. Torres is a valued customer and—"

"I was here first." Jake didn't move. "The crystal is mine."

"Show me your money then." Mrs. Torres crossed her arms. "Prove you can actually pay for it."

Jake pulled out the black card. Set it on the counter.

The reaction was instant.

Chloe burst out laughing. Loud. Obnoxious. "Oh my God. Is that supposed to be real?"

"That's obviously fake," Mrs. Torres said. She leaned closer, squinting at the card like it was a bad forgery. "Look at it. No name. No bank logo. Just black. You probably bought that at a costume shop."

"It's real," Jake said.

"Sure it is." Chloe pulled out her phone. Started recording. "This is too good. Maya's ex-boyfriend trying to buy expensive jewelry with a fake credit card. She's gonna die when she sees this."

The clerk picked up the card. Examined it. His expression was skeptical. Dismissive.

"Sir, this doesn't look legitimate. Black cards are extremely rare and they all have—"

"Run it," Jake said. "Just run the damn card."

"I'm not wasting my time on a fake." The clerk handed it back. "I think you should leave before we call security."

The manager nodded. "I have to agree. Mrs. Torres is right. This seems suspicious."

Jake's hands curled into fists. The energy in his body was building again. Getting harder to control. The crystal was right there. So close. He could feel it calling to the ring.

"You're really doing this?" he asked. His voice came out too quiet. Too controlled. "You're choosing them over a paying customer?"

"We're choosing reality over fantasy," the manager said. She reached for the crystal's box. Started closing it. "Now please leave or—"

"Call Sora Chen," Jake said.

The words came out sharp. Commanding. The tone made the manager pause.

"What?"

"Sora Chen. General Manager of Titan Enterprises. She's waiting outside. She can verify the card is real."

The manager's eyebrows went up. "Sora Chen? The Sora Chen?"

"That's the one."

Mrs. Torres scoffed. "Oh please. Now you're name-dropping? Sora Chen wouldn't waste her time with someone like you. Everyone knows she only deals with top executives and—"

"She's outside," Jake repeated. He pulled out his phone. "I can call her right now."

Chloe was still recording. "This is gold. He's really committing to the bit."

"Fine." The manager's expression was patronizing. "Call her. I'd love to see this."

Jake hit Sora's contact. She answered on the first ring.

"Young master?"

"Can you come inside?" he asked. "There's a situation."

"Of course. I'll be right there."

He hung up.

The store went quiet. The manager and clerk exchanged looks. Mrs. Torres checked her watch. Bored.

"This is ridiculous," she muttered. "We don't have time for—"

The door chimed.

Sora walked in.

She moved with purpose. Heels clicking on the polished floor. Her suit was perfect. Hair still in that tight bun. Everything about her screamed professional. Important. Powerful.

The manager's face went white.

Like, actually white. All the blood just drained right out.

"Ms. Chen," she stammered. "I... we didn't expect... what are you doing here?"

Sora ignored her. Walked straight to Jake. "Is everything alright?"

"They won't accept my card," Jake said. "They think it's fake."

Sora's expression didn't change but something in her eyes went cold. Dangerous. She turned to the manager.