Chapter 5 - The Card Ending in 4821
Eric’s face changed the moment Claire announced that she had removed her card from the family account.
He checked his banking application repeatedly.
“This must be a mistake.”
“No mistake,” Claire said.
Linda leaned toward her.
“You cannot abandon us without warning.”
“I’ve been warning you for years.”
Arthur stared at the table.
“How much is the dinner?”
The waiter hesitated.
“With the private room, service charge, wine package, floral arrangements, and additional orders, the total is fourteen thousand eight hundred and sixty dollars.”
Arthur’s face lost its color.
“You spent nearly fifteen thousand dollars on dinner?”
Eric pointed at Claire.
“She agreed to pay.”
“I did not.”
“Your card was on the account.”
“That is not permission.”
Melissa crossed her arms.
“You can afford it.”
Claire looked at her.
“That does not mean you are entitled to it.”
Linda lowered her voice.
“People are watching.”
“Good,” Claire answered. “Maybe witnesses will help everyone remember what happened.”
The restaurant manager entered after the waiter quietly explained the situation.
He confirmed that the reservation had been made by Eric, while the deposit had been paid using the family account.
Claire showed identification proving she was the cardholder.
“I did not authorize this purchase,” she said. “Reverse the charge.”
The manager nodded.
“We will need another card before the party leaves.”
Everyone turned toward Eric.
He laughed nervously.
“My business card has a temporary limit.”
Melissa looked at Linda.
“Use yours.”
Linda shook her head.
“Our card is connected to the family account.”
Arthur slowly reached into his jacket and removed his personal credit card.
Claire stopped him.
“Dad, before you pay, ask Eric what else he charged.”
Eric’s expression hardened.
“This is unnecessary.”
Claire opened a folder from her handbag.
“I printed the last six months of statements.”
She placed them on the table.
Luxury hotel stays. Electronics. Designer clothing. Golf memberships. Restaurant bills. A deposit for a new vehicle.
All paid from the account Claire had created for her parents.
The total was eighty-seven thousand dollars.
Arthur looked at his son.
May you like
“You told me your business was improving.”
Eric said nothing.
