Chapter 9: New Frontier
The Land Bank building loomed ahead, its glass facade reflecting the afternoon sun. Richard, Anita, Jack, and Dino stepped inside, greeted by the cool blast of air-conditioning. The interior was sleek and professional—rows of tellers, security guards at the entrance, and a waiting area lined with cushioned chairs.
Richard approached the counter, handing over his manager's check and ID. The teller, a woman in a dark green uniform, scrutinized the documents.
"Congratulations, sir," she said with a polite smile. "We'll process this and transfer the amount to your account. It'll take a few minutes."
Jack leaned toward Richard. "Damn, bro. You're officially loaded now."
Richard smirked. "Feels weird."
A few minutes later, the teller returned with a sleek new debit card inside an envelope.
"Your funds are now available. Here's your ATM card. You can activate it at any Land Bank ATM or through our mobile app."
Richard took the card, staring at it for a moment. This was real. His life had changed.
After thanking the staff, they left the bank and hopped back into the VX Land Cruiser, heading toward SM Mall of Asia.
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The Mall of Asia stretched out before them, its massive glass structure reflecting the Manila skyline. One of the largest malls in the world, it was a maze of high-end stores, electronic shops, restaurants, and entertainment complexes. The entrance was a flurry of people—families, couples, and groups of friends moving in and out.