Chapter 15 Captured

"My Lord, should we take action now?" "Wait until the auction starts." "Understood." Xaiden and Sean stood in the shadows, waiting for the right moment. Wealthy attendees who arrived for the auction at the Presidential Hotel were startled by the sight of Southvale soldiers at the entrance. They knew it meant that Orson had returned. With Harrison and Burle dead, and the Watson Family bankrupt, Orson was back for revenge. "Dad, Mom, wait here for Grandpa and the others. I need to use the restroom," Melody said. The Torris Family of three arrived at the Presidential Hotel entrance. Renee nodded, and Melody walked into the hotel. As she reached the lobby and exited the restroom, a waiter in a black uniform, carrying an exquisitely framed painting, bumped into her. Crash! A resounding crash echoed as Melody tumbled to the ground, the painting splitting in two. "Who do you think you are, damaging the Watson Family's property!" the waiter shouted at Melody before she could stand. "Me?" "Sorry, but you bumped into me." Melody apologized and then explained. "Me? You liar! I was walking just fine, and you deliberately crashed into me, tearing my painting!" "Do you know this painting is the Watson Family heirloom, "Empyrean Rain in the Solitary Mountains"? It's priceless and was the highlight of today's auction. Now it's ruined, and you must pay for it!" The waiter wouldn't let it go, accusing Melody. "Yes, I saw it! You did it!" another waiter chimed in, yelling at Melody. "It wasn't me! He bumped into me..." Melody explained helplessly, tears welling up. "What's going on here?" A loud voice rang out as a man in a military uniform, followed by several wealthy individuals, approached. "General Watson, I was moving "Empyrean Rain in the Solitary Mountains" to the auction when she suddenly crashed into me and tore the painting, refusing to admit it!" the waiter pointed at Melody. "It wasn't me! He bumped into me!" Melody quickly explained to Orson. "What? "Empyrean Rain in the Solitary Mountains" is our Watson Family heirloom, worth five billion." Orson's face darkened upon hearing this. "Guards, get the surveillance footage. I want to see who damaged our family heirloom." "Yes, sir!" The guards immediately retrieved the footage. A few minutes later, the surveillance video played before Orson. In the footage, Melody turned a corner and bumped into the waiter, causing "Empyrean Rain in the Solitary Mountains" to fall. "The footage is clear. You damaged our family heirloom. What do you have to say?" "Pay five billion now, or your family will pay with their lives!" Orson shouted at Melody. "Five billion?" Melody was dizzy with shock. The family's assets barely reached ten billion, mostly in non-liquid forms. They couldn't gather five billion. The surrounding wealthy individuals watched, feeling pity for the beautiful Melody, known as Josenz's most beautiful woman after her recovery. "What a pity. The Torris Family just started and now faces a five billion compensation!" "This girl was careless, damaging something worth five billion. Even selling the Torris Family's assets might not cover it!" "The Torris Family is doomed!" The onlookers' chatter added to Melody's fear. More soldiers arrived, and Melody started crying, insisting, "It wasn't me!" "The evidence is clear. You can't deny it!" "Take her away. When the family arrives, I want answers!" Arlo ordered, and two soldiers dragged Melody away, with the wealthy attendees showing no sympathy. Old Mrs. Torris arrived with the rest of the Torris Family outside the Presidential Hotel. She had dyed her hair black and looked more spirited for the auction. "Garrick, Renee, you arrived early. Where's Melody?" Old Mrs. Torris asked, smirking. "Mom, Melody went inside first. Let's go in too." "Yes, let's show the elites of Josenz that our Torris Family has risen. We'll attend every major event from now on." Old Mrs. Torris, flanked by Kai and Alston, entered the hotel with pride. However, before they reached the auction hall, Southvale soldiers surrounded them. "Don't move! Hands up!" Old Mrs. Torris, never having seen such a scene, was terrified. "Officer, we are the family here for the auction. What are you doing?" "We're here for the Torris Family!" "Melody damaged our General's heirloom painting "Empyrean Rain in the Solitary Mountains," worth five billion. Pay up, or no one leaves!" A soldier pointed his rifle at Old Mrs. Torris, yelling. "Five billion?" "Officer, there must be a mistake!" Renee turned pale and protested. "Mistake? You know what your family did!" "Take them all away and await the General's decision!" With that order, all family members were dragged into a small room in the hotel's basement. Melody was tied to the wall, and the rest of the family was brought in.