Escapades of Pascal

, creating a stifling atmosphere in the kitchen. The soft hum of the refrigerator was the only noise that dared inte

, his gaze fixed on the receipts spread across the kitchen table like a crime scene. The list was damning-car modifications, lavish

but laced with ice as he pointed to the receipts. "You'v

anding on the floor instead. "I don't see what the

axed out a credit card I gave you for emergencies. Chrome rims, flashy h

working hard, Dad. I wanted to tre

"Pascal, this isn't treating yourself. This is reckless spending, and

ossed his arms tighter. "I'll pay

ey had this conversation, but it felt like the final straw. Mendes had always

nce? You've been reckless, Pascal, and it's

want me to live the life you think I should. I'm not like you, Dad! I don't want a boring life

"Pascal, you think you know everything, but there's so much you

er to reveal something he had kept buried. "The money is

rowed. "What are

to keep this family afloat. It's not just about how much money is in the bank. There are people-dangerous peo

o you mean, 'dangerous people'?

is about making your own choices, but every choice has a cost. I've kept you protected from this, but you're thr

just about financial responsibility-they were about survival. The truth hit him hard. The privileges Pascal had taken

danger?" Pascal's voice was

al. If you keep burning through money, you'll expose us. They'

blood ran cold. Mendes turned toward the door, his expression har

about? The knock came again, louder this time. Mendes opened the door to

d, his voice smooth but firm

his chest. He moved to the window, peeking through the curtains to watch the exchange. Outside, Mendes and the

lanced at it, then crumpled it in his fist. When Mendes returned, hi

tening it out to reveal

Pascal asked,

mix of fear and exhaustion. "That's what we o

pent his life thinking that money wasn't an issue, that the world would bend t

going to do?" Pasc

I do know is that we can't keep living like this. You need to step up, P

n. The weight of the situation pressed down on him, heavier than anything he had ever

there was no escape. $500,000,000 wasn't