The silence that followed the video was deafening. On the large screen, the truth looped: Seren lunging for Amara's phone, missing, and deliberately throwing herself against the edge of the table to create a scene.
Her scream of "No! Don't call him! Ouch!" echoed through the lobby speakers, sounding more like a rehearsal than a cry for help.
The reporters lowered their cameras, the frantic clicking replaced by judgmental murmurs.
Amara stepped forward, her heels clicking on the marble like a death knell. "Seb, I've long cut ties with you," she said, her voice echoing. "Your daughter came to my home demanding tuition money. When I refused to be your personal bank, she threw a fit. Do you think that's okay?"
Seb's face turned a sickly shade of grey. He turned slowly toward Elara, who was suddenly very busy trying to avoid everyone's gaze. "What? You actually had Seren ask her for money?"
