Chapter 356 Funds Transfer
While Scarlett and Jack were struggling through their hardships, Phoenix had just landed overseas, ready to revel in her spoils of victory. She strolled into her swanky hotel suite, dropped her bags, and eagerly opened her laptop to check her account balance.
But when she logged in, she froze—her account balance was zero.
"What the hell?" Phoenix's eyes widened, her fingers shaking as she refreshed the page. The result was the same. Her account was empty; all the money was gone.
She immediately called the bank's customer service, her voice edged with panic, "What's going on with my account? Why is all my money gone? There must be some mistake!"
The calm voice on the other end replied, "Ms. Lewis, your account has been frozen, and all funds have been legally transferred. We can't disclose further details; we suggest you contact the relevant authorities."
"Frozen? Transferred? On what grounds?" Phoenix's voice rose sharply, almost to a scream, "That's my money! You have no right to transfer my money!"
The customer service representative remained calm, "I'm sorry, Ms. Lewis, this is a legal procedure. If you have any questions, please contact our legal department."
Phoenix abruptly hung up the phone, her hands shaking as she gripped her cell.
She couldn't understand how her meticulously planned scam had been countered.
"No, it's impossible," she muttered to herself, her face pale . She tried to calm down and quickly dialed Scarlett's number to explain everything, but was met with a cold automated message. "The number you have dialed is currently unavailable."
"Damn it!" Phoenix hurled her phone to the ground in frustration.
She had completely lost Scarlett's trust and her only ally.
She collapsed onto the hotel room carpet, clutching her head, her mind in turmoil. She had not only lost her money but also all her escape routes. She was now utterly destitute.
"How did this happen? Who's behind all this?" Phoenix growled through gritted teeth.
She suddenly stood up and rushed to her laptop, frantically searching for her bank card information.
Meanwhile, Emma sat in her home at Lakeside Haven, gently tapping on her keyboard, watching the transfer records on the screen with a faint smile. Her plan had gone off without a hitch; the mutual betrayal between Phoenix and Scarlett was exactly what she had hoped for.
"Phoenix, did you really think you could escape my control?" Emma murmured to herself, a cold glint in her eyes.
She had long sensed Phoenix's greed, so she had carefully orchestrated the conversation at the café, leading Phoenix to scam Scarlett out of her money. After Phoenix succeeded, Emma had arranged for her people at the bank to set up a new account for Phoenix, but it was under Emma's identity, not Phoenix's.
In other words, the bank card Phoenix received was actually Emma's, and she had willingly deposited Scarlett's money into Emma's account.
As soon as Phoenix left the country, Emma used her identity information to get a replacement card and transferred all the money out.
Emma closed her laptop and walked to the window, looking out over the bustling nightscape of Lakeside Haven, feeling a deep sense of calm.
Phoenix and Scarlett were merely pawns on her chessboard.
Meanwhile, in her hotel room abroad, Phoenix finally discovered the secret of the account. She realized she had fallen completely into Emma's trap.
"Emma, it's you again!" Phoenix growled through clenched teeth, her voice filled with hatred.
"Do you think you can win? Do you think you can control everything? I won't let you get away with this, never!"
She stood up abruptly and dialed a number, "It's me, Phoenix. I need you to do something for me, no matter the cost. I want Emma to pay!"
A deep voice on the other end replied, "Understood. But this time, the price won't be cheap."
"Money is not an issue. As long as you help me get revenge on Emma, I'll pay whatever it takes!" Phoenix replied.
Outside the store at 1 Crystal Street
George held Lucas's small hand, his gaze complicated as he watched Emma busy inside the store. Lucas looked up at George, his young voice filled with hope, "Daddy, will Mommy take me to the amusement park?"
George crouched down, gently ruffling Lucas's hair, and said softly, "She will, Lucas. If you miss Mommy, she'll definitely agree."
Just then, Emma walked out of the store. She saw George and Lucas, a flicker of surprise in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.
"Lucas, what are you doing here?" Emma asked softly.
Lucas didn't speak, but George, with a hint of pleading in his voice, said, "Lucas misses you. He wants to go to the amusement park. I know that our relationship cannot be mended, but I don't want Lucas to miss out on spending time with his mom because of us."
Emma looked down at Lucas, who was gazing up at her with clear, expectant eyes. Her heart softened, and she crouched down to hug him gently, "Do you want to go to the amusement park, Lucas?"
Lucas, a bit shy, explained, "Other kids go with their mom and dad. I want to go too."
Emma smiled, gently pinching Lucas's cheek, "Alright, I'll take you."
At that moment, Michael's car pulled up in front of the store.
He got out, seeing Emma and George together, his brow furrowing slightly before he quickly composed himself. He walked over to Emma and asked softly, "Emma, off work early today. What do you want for dinner?"
Emma looked at Michael with a hint of guilt, then whispered, "Michael, Lucas wants to go to the amusement park. I promised to take him. You go ahead; I'll contact you later."
Michael's eyes flashed with displeasure, but he quickly suppressed it, nodding, "Alright, I respect your decision."
He then leaned in and gently kissed Emma's forehead, a tender and natural gesture, as if claiming her as his own. Straightening up, he glanced at George with a hint of challenge in his eyes, "Emma, have fun. Remember to come home early."
George's face darkened instantly, but with Lucas present, he said nothing, just glaring coldly at Michael.
Emma, feeling awkward, lowered her head and said softly, "Michael, you should go."
Michael nodded, turned, and left, but not before casting a warning glance at George.
Once Michael's car disappeared around the corner, Emma let out a sigh of relief. She looked down at Lucas, "Let's go, Lucas. I'll take you to the amusement park."
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