Chapter 12

As the atmosphere thickened with tension, Melinda silently handed her phone to Ethan. Ethan took the phone, his eyes scanning the screen. At first, he was calm, then within seconds, his mouth opened in disbelief, his expression shifting from shock to disbelief. 

"What in the world is this?!" he shouted, his tone sharp and filled with rage. "Is this…my bank?!" he continued as his grip on the phone tightened.

"Let me see that," Lila snapped, as she took the phone from Ethan's hands. Robert and Amelia hurried over, crowding around her to see what had triggered such a reaction.

The video started to play, Lila increasing the volume as the sound of a man's voice dripping in disgust was narrating the unfolding scene.

"Oh my gosh! Why would she do that?! Guys, this woman just pooped in a black bag, right in front of Blackwood.Co bank! And now she's cleaning up after herself." 

The camera shifted to show a lady squatting on the pavement. A small crowd had gathered, recording the horror, some faces twisted in disgust, and others laughed as they videoed her.

Suddenly, the woman stood up, holding the bag, and with a defiant stare, she flung its contents at the bank's walls. 

The man recording gasped, "Oh no she didn't! What the hell is wrong with this woman?! Guys, did you see that?!" The camera jolted as he stepped back, capturing the horrific scene.

The woman then walked towards the man recording, her eyes blazing with fury as her hands pointed to the bank.

"Blackwood.Co! The shit I just threw on your walls? That's what you are! Filth! And until you tell the authorities the truth about that money, I won't stop!" 

"Wicked lots! Making me pay for what I know nothing about! Tell them I'm not a criminal! Tell them!" she continued, her declarations lingering in the air as the crowd murmured in curiosity.

As she was about to continue, two security men rushed her, seizing her hands simultaneously as policemen surrounded her, one handcuffing her.

Lila paused the video, the air felt frozen. Everyone's faces carried the same expression of shock as silence enveloped the place. Ethan sat like a statue, his jaws clenched so tightly as his face burned with rage.

Melinda broke the tension. "Ma'am, please, my phone. Let me call the media department." Lila handed over the phone, and Melinda walked away. Everyone was still too shocked to speak so they just stared at Ethan.

RINGG!! Ethan's phone shattered the silence. "Hello," Ethan growled as he answered the call. Lila whispered, "Put it on loudspeaker."

Robert quietly walked out, his phone already in hand, his face grim as he began dialing.

"Sir," the voice on the other end stammered. "I know you've already seen the video. I'm so sorry about this, she's been arrested. According to the security team, she came out of nowhere and acted quickly so they couldn't stop her in time." The words tumbled from the man, his tone a mix of fear and desperate reassurance.

"Is the video already out there?" Ethan roared silently, his tone cold as he stared ahead.

"Y-yes Sir, it's all over social media. I'm so sorry Sir, I promise you, we will fix this. Don't bother coming back, we will sort it out" The man pleaded.

Ethan said nothing, and then after a few seconds, he disconnected the call. His demeanor remained calm, anger boiling just beneath the surface. Melinda and Robert walked back together. 

"I drafted a public statement and sent it to my assistant. It's already on our page" Melinda declared, her voice steady and serious.

"Should I take care of this?" Robert chipped in, his tone firm as his gaze fixed on Ethan.

"It's already all over the internet," Lila blurted out as she browsed her phone, irritation written all over her.

"To be honest, there's nothing more we can do. It is what it is. The woman has been arrested and the situation is beyond our control. Our parents will be here soon and by 9pm, we will be having a dinner party to celebrate our father. Let's focus on that." Robert uttered, as his tone lightened to soften the mood.

"I didn't know that woman was that mentally insane. Tarnishing our image online isn't enough for her, she had to do this?!" Lila whispered in a subtle rage.

Amelia, seemingly unfazed by what was going on, suddenly sprang up from her chair. Letting out a dramatic sigh, she blurted out, "I'm going for a swim! I haven't taken any pictures for Instagram yet! Melinda, come take photos of me!"

Her voice was bright and cheerful as she jogged playfully toward the ocean, totally oblivious to the annoyed glances the others shot her way.

"I need a drink" Lila declared abruptly, standing up and brushing the sand off her legs as she headed for the bar.

"Melinda, come on!" Amelia called out, waving her hands dramatically. Melinda paused for a moment, sighed, and then removed her kimono, revealing the red bikini beneath. She jogged towards Amelia, her butt jiggling as they swayed.

Ethan's gaze followed her, his initial anger momentarily forgotten as his eyes drank in her every move.

"Do you love your family?" Ryan muttered, his tone cold and rigid as he gave Ethan a daring look.