HE WAS IN NEW YORK ON A BUSINESS TRIP BUT MY BROTHER CAUGHT HIM IN HAWAII WITH HIS ASSISTANT — AND TO MAKE IT WORSE, HE USED MY ATM AT MY BROTHER’S HOTEL!
Clarissa is a successful Architect. Smart, hardworking, and loving. Her husband Gary is the complete opposite. Gary is always “between jobs” or has no permanent job. He relies solely on Clarissa for support.

Even so, Clarissa loves Gary dearly. She has given him everything—a new car, an expensive watch, and even a Supplementary Platinum Credit Card and access to her ATM “in case of emergency.”

A week ago, Gary said goodbye.

“Honey,” Gary said as he packed his Rimowa luggage (a gift from Clarissa). “I have to go to New York. There’s a business conference there. This is my chance to find investors for my business idea. I might be there for a week.”

“Really, Love? Good luck!” Clarissa said supportively. “Don’t cut yourself short, okay? Use my card for the hotel and food. I want you to be comfortable.”

“Thank you, Honey! You’re the best!” Gary kissed her and left.

Clarissa was happy for her husband. She thought he was trying hard.

Three days passed.

Clarissa was in the office when her cellphone rang. The caller was her older brother, Kuya Paolo.

Kuya Paolo is a billionaire who owns The Royal Palms, a famous chain of luxury hotels around the world. Paolo is strict and has never voted for Gary.

“Hello, Kuya?” Clarissa replied.

“Clarissa,” Paolo’s voice was serious. “Where is your wife?”

“Gary? He’s in New York, Kuya. He’s on a business trip. Why?”

The other line was silent for a few seconds.

“New York?” Paolo asked again, his voice filled with anger. “Clarissa, are you sure?”

“Yes, Kuya. I was chatting with him earlier. He said it was cold in Times Square. Why?”

Paolo sighed.

“Clarissa, listen carefully. I’m in Hawaii right now. Here at our branch in Honolulu. I just finished walking around the lobby.”

“And do you know who I saw at the Front Desk?”

Clarissa was nervous. “W-Who?”

“Your husband. Gary.”

“Huh? Impossible! Maybe they just look alike!”

“Clarissa, I know the look of that man. And not only that… He was with a woman. Young, sexy, I think she’s a model. They were holding hands while checking in.”

It was as if Clarissa had been pelted with ice.

“And here’s what’s worse,” Paolo added. “I was monitoring the system. What she used to pay for the Presidential Suite? The Credit Card in your name. And she withdrew from the ATM in the lobby using your card to buy that woman a bikini.”

Clarissa’s world collapsed.

The husband she loved and supported… was cheating on her with her own money! In Hawaii, enjoying himself with another woman, while she was working hard in Manila.

“Brother…” Clarissa said tearfully. “What should I do? Go to her! Beat her up!”

“Don’t,” Paolo interrupted. “That’s too easy. Do you want real revenge?”

“What do you mean?”

“She’s in my territory, Clarissa,” Paolo’s voice turned dark. “He entered the lion’s den. Let me take care of it. I’ll help you give him a vacation he’ll never forget.”

Paolo told the plan. Despite the tears, Clarissa smiled.

“Okay, brother. Do it.”

Paolo started the plan.

He ordered the Hotel Manager to give Gary and his girlfriend Trixie the “Ultra VIP Treatment.”

When Gary arrived at the room, there was free champagne worth $1,000.

“Compliments of the hotel, Sir,” said the waiter.

Gary was overjoyed. “Wow! Babe, look! I’m really strong!” he boasted to Trixie.

Within 24 hours, Gary had become luxurious.

They ordered Wagyu Steak and Lobster for dinner.

They scheduled a Private Helicopter Tour.

They had a spa treatment with a Gold Mask.

Gary bought expensive jewelry at the hotel boutique for Trixie.

All of this, “Charge to Room” or using Clarissa’s card.

What Gary doesn’t know is that every signature he makes, every swipe he makes… is approved by Clarissa’s Kuya Paolo before being processed. They let the bill grow. They inflate it even more.

Their bill reached $25,000 (over 1.4 Million Pesos) in just one day and night.

The next day, it was time for the Grand Finale.

While Gary and Trixie were having breakfast at a seaside restaurant, Paolo called Clarissa.

“Clarissa, now. Block everything.”

Clarissa immediately called the bank. “Report Lost Card. Please block all my accounts linked to Gary. NOW.”

“Done, Ma’am,” the bank replied.

In Hawaii.

Gary had finished eating. He called the waiter.

“Bill please!” Gary said proudly.

The waiter handed over the bill.

“Sir, here is your total bill for the room, the jewelry, the tours, and the food. Total is $25,400.”

“Chicken feed,” Gary laughed. He handed over Clarissa’s Platinum Card.

The waiter inserted the card into the terminal.

Processing…

Processing…

DECLINED.

The waiter frowned. “Sir, declined.”

“What declined? Impossible! That’s Platinum! Try again!”

He tried again.

DECLINED – CALL BANK.

Gary tried his ATM card to withdraw cash.

TRANSACTION REJECTED. ACCOUNT FROZEN.

Gary started sweating profusely.

“Babe, what’s going on?” Trixie asked, getting irritated. “People are already looking.”

“Nothing! Maybe the banking system in the Philippines is down!” Gary made an excuse.

The Hotel Manager (who was Paolo’s employee) approached with two large Security Guards.

“Sir, is there a problem with the payment?” the Manager asked seriously.

“Ah, eh… Boss, the card doesn’t work. Can I call my wife first? Maybe she forgot to pay the bill,” Gary said tremblingly.

Gary took out his cellphone. He called Clarissa. It was on loudspeaker because his hands were shaking.

Ring… Ring…

Clarissa answered.

“Hello, Gary? How’s New York?” Clarissa greeted happily.

“H-Honey!” Gary shouted, panic mode. “There’s an emergency! Your card doesn’t work! I’m at… I’m at a restaurant! I have a client I treated, it’s embarrassing, the card doesn’t work!”

“Really?” Clarissa replied calmly. “Why doesn’t it work?”

“I don’t know! Honey, call the bank! Unblock it! I need money right now! I’m going to die of embarrassment here!”

Clarissa laughed. A laugh that made Gary’s hair stand on end.

“Gary,” Clarissa said. “Why would I unblock the card… it’s in N