The soft hum of overhead fluorescent lights filled the air as Liam stood in front of the sleek, polished counter of the phone store, his eyes scanning the screen of the device he had just picked out. The store was brightly lit, modern, and lined with rows of the latest models of smartphones, tablets, and accessories, all neatly displayed behind the glass cases. The scent of new electronics lingered in the air, mixing with the faint aroma of air fresheners strategically placed around the store to create a welcoming atmosphere.
He had already chosen the phone he wanted—a sleek, high-performance model with a sharp display and lightning-fast processing power. It was exactly what he needed, especially considering the type of business he was about to get into. He had been using a cheap phone for the longest time, but now, things were different.
Sliding his card across the counter, he waited for the transaction to go through.
Then—
A small, soft beep.
"Declined."
