Chapter 3 - Grounded in Florence
When Flight 912 finally touched down at Amerigo Vespucci Airport in Florence, the early morning sun was just cresting over the Tuscan hills.
For the other passengers, it was the start of a European vacation. For Adam, it felt like stepping into an execution chamber.
As the plane deboarded, Adam tried to delay his exit, hoping to catch Dakota alone one last time. But as he stepped out of the jet bridge into the bustling terminal, he saw her standing beside the gate door alongside the flight captain, thanking passengers as they exited.
She didn't glance at him as he passed. She didn't look at Trinity, who was huffing loudly while wheeling two oversized Louis Vuitton suitcases behind her.
"We need to get to the hotel," Trinity demanded, dragging Adam by the elbow toward the airport exit. "You said we were staying at the St. Regis! I need a glass of wine, a hot bath, and an explanation, Adam!"
Adam pulled out his phone as they walked toward the taxi stand. He needed to check his banking apps, to prove to Trinity—and to himself—that Dakota's threats were just dramatic bluffs.
He tapped on his primary banking app.
Access Denied. Account Suspended by Court Order.
Panicking, he opened his secondary investment account app.
Balance: $0.00. Funds frozen pending legal review.
Cold sweat broke out across his forehead. He opened his corporate email account to contact his firm's legal team, only to find a red notification flashing across the screen:
Your corporate credentials have been revoked by the Administrator. Please contact Human Resources immediately.
"Adam! What is wrong with you?" Trinity yelled, grabbing his arm as a taxi pulled up to the curb. "Get the bags! The driver is waiting!"
Adam stumbled toward the taxi, his mind spinning out of control. He reached for his wallet, pulling out his black American Express card, and handed it to the driver once they arrived at the luxurious entrance of the St. Regis Florence overlooking the Arno River.
Inside the opulent lobby, beneath glittering crystal chandeliers, Trinity rushed to the front desk while Adam stood back, his hands shaking violently as he held his phone.
The receptionist, an impeccably dressed Italian man, smiled politely as he slid Adam's credit card through the terminal.
A red light flashed. A sharp, high-pitched beep echoed through the silent lobby.
The receptionist tried again. The same red light flashed.
"I'm very sorry, Mr. Gibson," the receptionist said politely. "The transaction has been declined by your financial institution."
"That's impossible," Adam stammered, rushing to the desk. "Try it again. It's an unlimited corporate black card!"
"I have tried three times, sir," the clerk replied softly. "The system indicates the account has been reported as fraudulent and cancelled."
Trinity turned on Adam, her face contorting in rage. "What do you mean, declined? Adam, pay the man! We've been traveling for twelve hours!"
"I... I can't," Adam whispered, the reality of his situation finally crushing him. "My accounts... everything is frozen."
"What?" Trinity shrieked, drawing the attention of every guest in the lobby. "What about your money? What about the penthouse? What about my jewelry?"
"It was never his money, ma'am," a voice called out from the lobby entrance.
Adam turned around. Standing near the glass doors, holding a sleek leather handbag and dressed in a stylish white linen suit, was Dakota. She had already changed out of her uniform. Standing beside her was a tall, sharp-looking man in a tailored charcoal suit holding a thick leather briefcase.
"Dakota," Adam gasped, taking a step toward her. "What did you do?"
"I didn't do anything, Adam," Dakota said calmly, stepping into the center of the lobby. "I simply presented the forensic audit of your corporate accounts to my father's legal team three days ago. Along with the wire transfer records to your mistress's private account in Newport Beach."
Trinity gasped, backing away from Adam as if he were covered in a contagious disease. "You told me that money was from your investment dividends!"
"It was stolen from my father's company," Dakota clarified, looking at Trinity with pity rather than anger. "And since Adam used corporate funds to purchase your jewelry, your designer bags, and your luxury vehicle, the court has issued a provisional seizure order for all assets acquired through those transfers."
The man in the charcoal suit stepped forward, pulling an official legal document stamped with an international court seal from his briefcase.
"Miss Trinity Vance," the lawyer announced crisply. "I am representing the Gibson Logistics Corporation. You are hereby served with a formal demand for the return of all converted corporate assets. The vehicle in California has already been repossessed. The contents of your luggage will be inventoried by local authorities if you do not comply voluntarily."
Trinity looked at the lawyer, then at Dakota, and finally at Adam, who was standing helpless, penniless, and exposed in the middle of the grand lobby.
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"You useless lying scumbag!" Trinity screamed at Adam, throwing her champagne-colored handbag directly at his chest. "You told me you were a billionaire!"
She turned on her heel and stormed out of the hotel lobby, leaving her heavy suitcases behind.
