Betrayed Spotlight -
Chapter 19: The Power of Money
Chapter 19: The Power of Money
Sarah felt all the tension leave her body when she saw Mason. She stood up straighter and lifted her chin.
Mason walked through the crowd like he owned the entire mall. People stepped aside automatically, recognizing his authority even if a few of them didn’t know who he was. His eyes never left Sarah’s face as he approached.
"Mason," Sarah said calmly, her voice steady now. She couldn’t call him Mr. Liu in front of this people or their arrangement would be ruined.
Mason nodded at her, then turned his cold gaze to the police officers.
"Officers," he said in his crisp business voice, "I believe there’s been a misunderstanding."
The first police officer looked nervous now. "Sir, we received a report about credit card theft."
"Credit card theft?" Mason raised an eyebrow. "From whom?"
Hannah stepped forward, still clinging to Daniel’s arm. Her tears had magically dried up when Mason appeared.
"From you, Mr. Liu," Hannah said sweetly. "This woman has been pretending to be your wife just because you said it at the charity gala. I know it can’t be true. She must be trying to seduce you, right? But you see, she stole your credit card."
Mason looked at Hannah like she was something disgusting he had found on his shoe.
"And you are?" he asked coldly.
"I’m Hannah Chen," Hannah said proudly. "I’m a successful model, and I’m Sarah’s sister. I know she’s been lying about being married to you because you said it."
Mason’s expression didn’t change, but Sarah could see the ice in his eyes.
"I see," Mason said. "And who told you it’s a lie? Do I look like someone who would lie to a nobody? Also, you felt it was your responsibility to have my wife arrested?"
Hannah’s confident smile faltered. "Your... wife?"
"Yes," Mason said firmly. "I’ll say it again, Ms. Chen, She is my wife. Sarah Liu."
He reached into his jacket and pulled out his phone. With a few quick taps, he showed the screen to the police officers.
"Here is our marriage certificate," Mason said. "Filed with the city two weeks ago. Here is the joint bank account we opened together. Here is the credit card authorization I signed, specifically adding Sarah Liu to my account."
The police officers looked at the documents on Mason’s phone. Their expressions changed from suspicion to embarrassment.
"Sir, we’re sorry for the confusion," the first officer said. "We were just responding to a complaint."
"A false complaint," Mason said coldly. "My wife was being harassed and falsely accused of theft."
Hannah’s face went pale. "But... but she doesn’t act like she’s married to you. She doesn’t wear a ring."
Mason turned his freezing stare back to Hannah. "My wife’s personal choices about jewelry and documentation are none of your concern."
"I was just trying to help," Hannah said weakly, her face flushed.
"Help?" Mason’s voice was dangerous now. "You tried to have my wife arrested for using her own credit card. You caused a public scene and humiliated her in front of strangers. You call that helping?"
Daniel finally spoke up, trying to defend Hannah. "Look, Mr. Liu, Hannah was just concerned. She didn’t know—"
"You," Mason said, cutting Daniel off with a look that could freeze fire. "You’re the ex-boyfriend, I assume?"
Daniel’s confident expression crumbled under Mason’s stare. "I... yes, but—"
"But nothing," Mason said. "You chose to publicly insult my wife based on the word of someone you’ve known for what, a few years? You called her heartless and cruel as if you didn’t know her before now."
"She called me a simp," Daniel said defensively.
Mason almost smiled, but it wasn’t a nice smile. "From what I’ve seen in the last five minutes, that seems accurate."
The crowd was completely silent now, watching the drama unfold. Many people had their phones out, recording everything.
Mason pulled out his phone again and made a call.
"I need you to send a team to Westfield Mall immediately. Boutique level, near the center court. Bring paperwork."
He hung up and looked at the store manager, who had been standing there looking increasingly uncomfortable.
"You," Mason said to the manager. "What’s your name?"
"Trevor," the manager stammered. "Trevor Qin."
"Trevor, you allowed my wife to be publicly humiliated in your store based on false accusations. You called the police on a paying customer without doing proper verification. How do you plan to fix this?"
Trevor looked terrified. "Sir, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know—"
"You didn’t know because you didn’t bother to find out," Mason said coldly. "You saw a crying woman and automatically assumed she was telling the truth."
"Please, sir, what can I do to make this right?"
Mason looked around the store, then back at Trevor. "This store is part of a chain, correct?"
"Yes, sir."
"Who owns the chain?"
Trevor looked confused. "Uh, Morrison Holdings, I think?"
Mason nodded. "They owe me a favor. Consider your employment status under review."
Trevor went even paler.
Mason’s phone buzzed. He answered it immediately.
"Yes... Good... Bring them up."
A few minutes later, three men in expensive suits appeared. They were carrying briefcases and looked very serious. The crowd parted for them like they were royalty.
"Mr. Liu," the lead man said. "We have everything ready."
Mason nodded and turned back to Hannah and Daniel.
"Now," Mason said, his voice deadly calm, "let’s talk about consequences."
Hannah tried to look innocent. "Consequences? I didn’t do anything wrong."
"You falsely accused my wife of theft," Mason listed. "You caused her public humiliation. You lied to police officers. You disrupted a business. Should I continue?"
"I was just mistaken," Hannah said quickly.
"Mistaken," Mason repeated. "Interesting choice of words for humiliating your own sister."
One of the men from Mason’s team stepped forward and handed him a tablet.
"Hannah Chen," Mason read from the screen. "Age 21. Works for Elite Modeling Agency. Current contract worth $200,000 per year."
Hannah’s eyes widened. "How did you—"
"Elite Modeling Agency," Mason continued, "which gets 60% of their financing from Liu Industries subsidiaries."
The color drained completely from Hannah’s face.
Mason looked at Daniel. "Daniel. Age 26. Runs your family’s business as. Revenue of $10 million per year."
Mason nodded thoughtfully. "Your company is also funded by companies I own stakes in."
Daniel’s face paled.
"Now," Mason said, "I could make some phone calls. I could mention how one of Elite models publicly harassed my wife. I could also suggest that perhaps my company pulls out from investing in Mr. Daniel’s company."
"Please," Hannah whispered. "Don’t."
"Or," Mason continued, "you could both apologize to my wife. Publicly. Right now. And then disappear from her life forever."
Hannah looked at Daniel, then back at Mason. She realized she had no choice.
"I’m sorry, Sarah," Hannah said, her voice small. "I was wrong. I shouldn’t have accused you of stealing."
"Louder," Mason said coldly. "So everyone can hear you."
"I’M SORRY, SARAH!" Hannah said loudly. "I WAS WRONG! YOU DIDN’T STEAL ANYTHING!"
Mason looked at Daniel. "Your turn."
"I’m sorry, Sarah," Daniel said quickly. "I shouldn’t have called you heartless. I was wrong."
Sarah looked at both of them with calm satisfaction. "Apology accepted," she said simply.
Mason turned to the police officers. "Officers, I believe this matter is resolved. My wife won’t be pressing charges for false accusation."
"Thank you, sir," the first officer said while trembling. "We’re sorry for the confusion."
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