Chapter 6 - The Dubai Lockdown
On the other side of the world, Monique and Chad’s luxurious Dubai getaway had transformed into a gilded cage. Without access to their stolen funds—and with Maya’s automated safety loops continuously blocking every secondary wire attempt they tried to make—their credit cards were systematically declined at every high-end restaurant, luxury boutique, and hotel desk they visited.
According to the local news reports streaming live on my television, the luxury resort management had placed their suite on a strict financial hold pending an official inquiry by the Dubai Financial Services Authority. Chad, realizing that his grand international con had completely imploded, had reportedly packed his bags and tried to check out alone, only to be detained by hotel security until he could settle a massive, mounting unpaid room service and lodging tab.
My phone buzzed again. It wasn't Monique this time. It was an unfamiliar international number.
I answered cautiously. “Hello?”
“Kiki! Oh god, Kiki, please pick up!” It was Monique, sounding utterly desperate, her voice cracking with exhaustion and panic. “You have to help us! They’re threatening to deport Chad and throw me into a local holding facility! The police are literally outside our door right now!”
“Monique, why are you calling me?” I asked evenly, pouring myself a fresh cup of coffee. “International minutes are expensive, remember?”
“I’m sorry! I’m so, so sorry!” she wailed, genuine terror bleeding through her words. “I was stupid! Chad convinced me! He said we’d invest it in real estate and pay you back triple! Please, just make your hacker friend—whoever did this—release the accounts so we can pay the hotel and fly home!”
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“My friend?” I smiled slightly, glancing over at Maya, who looked up from her book and gave me a subtle, knowing wink. “Monique, nobody hacked us. A very smart little girl just decided to balance the scales of justice.”
Before Monique could scream another frantic plea, I ended the call and permanently blocked her number as well. The chapter of my life where I let my family walk all over me and excuse toxic behavior was officially closed.
