Chapter 4

[Transaction Declined]

For one second, Colin only stared at the screen.

Then the terminal gave a sharp, piercing beep.

The air in the showroom froze.

The salesperson's smile stiffened. Talia's friends began whispering.

Colin pulled out another card, sweat already gathering at his temple.

[Transaction Declined]

"Try this one," he said, too quickly.

The third card came back declined too--either over the limit or frozen.

Talia's face collapsed. In front of the salesperson and her friends, she snapped, "Colin, what is going on? You said we were taking the car home today. Everyone is watching!"

Colin grabbed his phone and…