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“Tabitha.” The assistant following behind Marc spoke up.
“She’s in the mediation room. Just go through this door and turn right.”
Marc strode through the door into the mediation room and saw his daughter sitting in a chair, her face pale. Tabitha cried out in a voice full of grievance, “Dad…”
“What’s going on here! It’s such a minor issue and you bring it to the police station. Don’t you know my daughter is a celebrity?” He glared angrily at the police officer.
“Mr. Marc, your daughter was the first to strike,” the officer said flatly.
“So what! She was hit too.”
Camila looked on coldly, finding the situation almost amusing.
Smack-
A crisp sound.
Marc’s slap landed harshly on Camila’s face, instantly reddening her cheek.
The slap caught her off guard. Camila fought back tears, glaring furiously at him.
“What are you doing! This is a police station!” The officer immediately intervened.
Janet and Erica rushed over to check on Camila, with Janet clenching her fists in sympathy. “Mr. Marc, what the hell are you doing!”
Erica exclaimed angrily, “Damn! She’s swelling up.”
“What do you think a police station is for, that you can strike someone here!” the officer said sternly.
“I’m disciplining my own daughter. How is that striking someone!” Marc stood with his arms akimbo.
“Your daughter?” The officer asked, puzzled, then turned to look at Camila.
Camila touched her face, unable to understand why she would have such a father, and why he treated her so differently. “I don’t know him,” she said through clenched teeth.
“You say that again!” Marc warned her.
“Can I charge him with assault?” Camila turned to the police officer. © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
The officer nodded.
“Go get a medical exam. Even minor injuries could mean a few days‘ detention.”
“What medical exam? It’s just a domestic issue, no need to waste police resources.” The deputy chief, standing at the door, spoke up.
He had received a call from Marc five minutes earlier. Marc owned a supermarket in this jurisdiction and had provided him with many favors. Coincidentally, he was on duty today and arrived just in time to witness the scene.
“He struck her. Shouldn’t she be examined? So many eyes saw it. They’ve had no familial relationship for a long time.” Janet glared at the deputy chief.
The deputy chief glanced at Camila’s swollen face, then said, “It’s just a bit red. He just needs to pay some medical bills.”
Camila stared in disbelief, unable to believe such words came from a public servant. “I insist on a medical examination.”
“Her family hasn’t arrived, right? She can’t leave. Keep her here overnight,” the deputy chief told the officers.
The swelling would diminish overnight, so even if she insisted on a medical examination later, it would be inconsequential.
“Deputy chief, her supervisor from the company will come to vouch for her,” one police officer said, trying to control his anger.
The deputy chief glared at him. “No, the rule is a family member must vouch.”
Camila looked coldly at the chief and scoffed, “How much did Marc give you?”
Smack-
“Watch your mouth!” The deputy chief’s eyes sharpened as he slammed the desk.
“Camila, I advise you to be smart. You can’t fight us, Tabitha was aware of her father’s deep connections with the deputy chief, and grew
bold.
Just then, a police officer knocked on the door. “They are here to pick up Camila.”
“I said only a family member can vouch.” the deputy chief impatiently looked toward the door, then suddenly startled and quickly smiled, ‘Sir, what brings you here?”