Elijah's face went dark. "Are you insane? That's five million dollars!"

I didn't spare him a glance. "Five million it is. It's my money. I'll spend it however I want."

His jaw clenched so hard I could hear his teeth grind. But with reporters hovering nearby for interviews, he couldn't make a scene.

After the cameras left, Elijah offered to carry my bag—and slipped my bank card into his pocket when he thought I wasn't looking.

Moments later, his phone rang. He feigned urgency.

"Cassie, something came up at the office. I need to handle it—can't drive you home..."

I knew exactly where he was going. I played dumb.

"Sure. Be careful."

What Elijah didn't know? I'd already swapped that card with one of his own forgotten ones.

The two cards were nearly identical. Without close inspection, impossible to tell apart.

But his old card had been abandoned years ago. Not a cent left in it.

Let's see him extend his precious Anita's son's life with an empty account.

The moment his car pulled away, I activated the hidden camera I'd planted in his jacket.

He didn't go to the office. He drove straight to Anita's place.

Her son lay in bed, face ashen, breath barely stirring.

Gideon was already there, arranging strange ritual implements.

The instant Elijah walked in, Anita threw herself into his arms, eyes rimmed red.

"Eli, you're finally here!"

"Hayden's gotten worse. The doctors say he might only have days..."

"Don't panic. I brought the money, didn't I?"

Elijah pulled her close and produced the bank card with a flourish.

"This time, I'm buying Hayden fifty more years!"

Gideon took the card, examining it carefully. "You're certain the balance is sufficient? Fifty years requires an enormous price. If the funds fall short... there will be a backlash."

Elijah cut him off. "I'm certain! I watched forty-five million land in that account with my own eyes! Just start already!"

Gideon asked no more questions. He began preparing the ritual.

Seven oil lamps flickered to life around Hayden's bed. Ancient words spilled from Gideon's lips.

On my screen, Elijah watched the boy with desperate intensity.

Anita knelt beside the bed, clutching her son's hand, murmuring prayers under her breath.

As the ritual reached its peak, Gideon bellowed an incantation.

The burning talismans and incense ash suddenly surged toward Elijah.

He flinched but didn't dare move.