Andrea’s call went into voicemail again. Her father wasn't picking up. She stared at the screen, her heart pounding in her chest.
The more she tried to reach him, the more unreachable he became. It was as if he was actively avoiding her, and she could feel the walls closing in.
“Damn it,” she muttered under her breath, slamming her phone on the desk. Her fingers tapped the surface, anxious energy radiating from her every movement.
The threat hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. Her father had given her an ultimatum.
A choice: Marry Sebastian, or lose everything. She didn’t care what he thought, though. She was Andrea Steele. She was used to controlling her life, not being told how to live it. And now he didn’t just force her to marry a jer, he’s replacing her in the company too!
She stood up, pacing. "I won't let him get away with this. He can’t control me forever.”
An idea popped into her head. A last-minute solution, maybe not perfect, but it would give her the chance to break free from her father’s grip. If she could get her money, she could start fresh.
Without thinking twice, Andrea grabbed her keys and stormed out of the office.
She needed to move fast before her father blocked her account. The bank was just around the corner, and she had no time to waste.
*****
The doors to the bank swung open, and Andrea marched in with purpose.
Her heels clicked sharply on the marble floor as she surveyed the crowded space. The line stretched out the door, but she didn’t have the luxury to wait.
She made a beeline for the front counter, only to be stopped by an attendant.
"Excuse me, miss, you'll need to join the queue," the young woman said politely but firmly.
Andrea narrowed her eyes. She was used to being treated like royalty, never having to wait for anything.
But she could hardly argue with the bank's policy. "Do you know who I am?" she asked, her voice dripping with arrogance.
The attendant looked up from her screen and smiled faintly. "Yes, but there are other customers, ma'am. Please join the line."
Andrea’s jaw clenched, but she didn’t argue. She rolled her eyes and moved to the back of the queue, her patience wearing thin.
She tapped her fingers against the counter, glancing around at the other people in line who gave her curious glances.
This wasn’t her life. She’d never had to wait like this. Hell, she’d only ever come to the bank once before, and that time, she and her father had gone straight to a private office.
She gritted her teeth. I’m Andrea Steele. I shouldn’t have to deal with this.
Her mind raced, spiraling with thoughts of her father’s betrayal. The thought of marrying Sebastian, of giving up her autonomy for the sake of her father’s business, made her stomach turn.
But if she could get her hands on her own money, she could live without him. No more being his puppet.
Stubbornly, she reminded herself she could survive on her own. She had to.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, it was her turn. She walked up to the counter, forced a smile, and handed over the cheque for her withdrawal. The bank attendant took it and studied it briefly, her expression unreadable.
"Everything looks fine," the attendant said, but then she paused, her brow furrowing slightly. "May I ask, are you the actual owner of this account?"
Andrea’s blood ran cold. “Of course I am. My father opened it for me. It’s my account,” she said, her voice tight.
The attendant hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. “I’m afraid I can’t process this withdrawal, ma’am.”
Andrea blinked, her mouth going dry. “What? What do you mean?”
“I’m sorry, but your father is listed as the owner of this account,” the attendant explained.
“Only his signature is required for a withdrawal, not yours.”
Andrea’s world tilted. She felt the ground beneath her feet shake. Her mind couldn’t process it. “No. That can’t be right. It’s my money.”
The attendant looked apologetic but firm. “I’m afraid it’s the policy. Only your father can authorize the withdrawal.”
Andrea stood frozen, her thoughts spinning. How could this be happening?
Her father had always made sure she had everything. Money, power, influence—all of it had been at her fingertips. But now, in one simple sentence, it was all slipping through her fingers.
She opened her mouth to argue, but a sudden noise from the TV across the room caught her attention. A newscaster’s voice blared through the bank, breaking the tense silence.
"Breaking news: Billionaire heir, Sebastian Gonzalez, has been found dead in the early hours of this morning. His ex-fiancée, Andrea Steele, is now a prime suspect after a heated argument between the two last night."
Andrea’s heart stopped in her chest. She felt the color drain from her face. Her breath hitched, and she took a step back, her knees almost giving way beneath her.
The words on the screen blurred before her eyes. She couldn’t believe it. No. No, this can’t be happening.
Her name. Her face. On the television. They were talking about her. The entire world was watching.
She shook her head, trying to gather herself. It’s a mistake. But the murmurs of the people around her were enough to confirm that they knew exactly who she was.
The whispers, the stares. It felt like the walls were closing in on her.
Her pulse raced as panic surged through her body. She couldn’t stay here. She couldn’t let them connect her to Sebastian’s death.
"Ma’am?" the attendant’s voice snapped her back to reality. "Are you alright?"
Andrea didn’t answer. Without another word, she turned on her heel and rushed out of the bank, her heart hammering in her chest.