Title: Bound by Blood, Broken by Pride
*CHAPTER THREE: A Crack in the Mirror*
The late sun bathed the road in a golden haze. Cars crawled and horns blared as commuters tried to beat the coming rush hour. At the center of the road, a sleek black Mercedes Benz stood still, blocking traffic, hazard lights off.
Inside the car, *Charles* leaned back in the driver's seat, phone to his ear, smiling. "Baby, I told you now… Nigeria is still the same. Heat, madness, and noise. I miss you jare."
Her voice from abroad cooed through the speaker. "You better not be driving while talking to me."
Charles laughed. "I'm parked. Chill."
But he was parked right in the middle of the road.
From behind, a Toyota Corolla began blaring its horn. *Peeeem! Peeeeem! Peeeeeem!*
Still, Charles didn't move. He was laughing into the phone. "Wait, let me finish - "
Suddenly, a car door slammed. High heels clicked rapidly against the tarred road.
*Queen Preshido*, in a red jumpsuit and dark glasses, stormed toward his car. She was striking, commanding, and fuming.
She knocked sharply on his tinted glass. *Tap! Tap! Tap!*
Charles sighed, rolled down the window halfway, and glanced at her lazily. "Yes? Can I help you?"
She flared. "Are you mad?"
Charles blinked.
"Why are you blocking the entire road, you idiot? Shift your stupid car to the side and do your rubbish call!"
People began to slow down. Windows rolled down. A small crowd began forming.
"What did you say?" Charles asked coldly, stepping out.
"You heard me - "
*PAH!*
The slap came fast. So did the second.
*PAAH!*
"Jesus!" someone screamed.
"Ah ah! He's beating her o!"
Charles shoved her. Queen Preshido fought back. She slapped him, he dragged her hair. People rushed in. Phones were out. Cameras flashed. Videos rolled.
"Separate them!"
"Is this not the boy from the Leonard family?"
"What nonsense is this?!"
It took five men to pull Charles away. Queen Preshido's glasses were broken, her lip bruised. She pointed at him, screaming, "You will hear from me! I swear, you will regret this!"
And just like that, it was on social media within minutes.
***
In his spacious office, *Ekene* was seated at his glass desk, reviewing a file one of his staff had just brought in.
"Thanks, Femi. You can drop it here."
The staff placed the file and left with a polite nod.
Ekene glanced at his phone as a notification popped up - *a video from Twitter.*
He tapped on it.
At first, his brows rose slowly… then furrowed in shock. It was *Charles. Beating a woman. In public.*
Ekene stood up abruptly. "What the hell?!"
He dialed his father instantly and forwarded the video.
"Daddy," he said sharply. "Check your phone. Something serious has happened."
***
Back at the mansion, Charles was lounging by the *swimming pool*, wearing shorts and sipping a cold drink. His phone was beside him. Music played low from the speaker beside the table.
*Sir Frederick* stormed out of the house, phone in hand, fury on his face.
"Charles!"
Charles looked up lazily.
Frederick threw the phone on the table. "What is this nonsense?! Beating a woman in broad daylight?! Are you insane?!"
Charles frowned. "She insulted me first, Dad. I wasn't going to let her disgrace me in public. I had to defend myself."
"Defend yourself?" Frederick shouted. "A son of *Sir Frederick Leonard*, beating a woman like a street tout?! You want people to think I raised a monster?!"
"I don't care what they think," Charles muttered.
Frederick pointed at him. "This had better never happen again."
***
At Nancy's house, she sat in her small living room with her two friends, *Mary* and *Martha*. The girls were laughing, sipping soft drinks and sharing gossip.
"So, Nancy," Mary grinned. "Your man is fine o. That Ekene is chocolate with money."
Nancy blushed. "He's a good guy. Not like my ex that used to call me every market day to borrow money."
They all laughed.
"Are you sure you're not dreaming?" Martha teased. "This one that you might marry into wealth…"
Nancy smiled proudly. "My days of suffering are over."
***
Back at the Leonard mansion, *the gate man* approached Charles in the compound.
"Oga Charles, person dey look for you for gate."
Charles sighed. "Who?"
"Two men. Dem talk say na from police."
He raised a brow. "Police?"
Two officers in uniform walked into view.
"Good afternoon," one said. "Are you Mr. Charles Leonard?"
"Yes. Why?"
"You're under arrest for physical assault and public harassment."
"What?!"
As they reached for him, Charles began to struggle. "You can't arrest me! Do you know who I am?!"
"Resist and we'll add obstruction of justice," one said firmly.
*Ma Rita* came rushing out. "What is going on?!"
"Madam, someone powerful ordered his arrest," the officer said.
They handcuffed Charles and led him out as Rita cried, dialing her husband. I was standing nearby, trying to console her.
"Ma… please calm down. He'll be fine."
***
At the *police station*, *Frederick* arrived in fury. He demanded answers. They brought Charles out to the lobby.
"Who did you offend this time?!"
"I don't know!" Charles snapped.
Frederick turned to one of the officers.
"Who ordered this arrest? I demand to know who my son offended!"
The officer replied calmly, "You'll need to speak with the DPO, sir."
They led Frederick into the DPO's office. A nameplate on the table read: *"DPO Wilson Obasi."*
The DPO stood up. "Good day, Sir Frederick."
Frederick didn't waste time. "My son was dragged from his home like a common criminal. Who is behind this?"
The DPO's tone was neutral. "We're acting on a petition from a very influential man. His name is *Chief Ugezu J. Ugezu*. His daughter - *Queen Presido* - was allegedly assaulted by your son in public. The video is already viral."
Frederick's brows furrowed. "Ugezu? You mean *Chief* Ugezu?"
"Yes, sir. The same man. He filed a formal complaint through his lawyers."
Frederick sighed heavily, rubbing his forehead. "I know him. We've done business together…"
After leaving the DPO's office, Frederick returned home, frustrated but calm. That night, he placed a direct call to *Chief Ugezu*.
Chief Ugezu," Frederick said respectfully, "the young man involved in that ugly incident is my son. I know he acted wrongly, and I want to sincerely apologize."
Ugezu was quiet for a moment. Then he spoke: "Frederick, I've known you for years. But your son must learn discipline. You saw the video yourself. He raised his hand on my only daughter."
"I understand. I'm not defending what he did. I'm just begging… for mercy."
Ugezu let out a breath. "For your sake, I'll speak with the DPO and order his release. But let this be the last. I won't be so calm next time."
"Thank you, Chief. God bless you."
That evening, Charles walked back into the house, his shirt slightly rumpled. His mother ran to him.
"My son! Thank God you're safe!"
Frederick stood. "Charles, you've embarrassed this family again. You need to change - "
Even Ekene stood beside them. "This isn't Germany, Charles. This is Nigeria. Your arrogance can destroy you."
Charles said nothing. He let them finish, then sighed.
"All this lecture… I've heard enough. What I need right now is a proper massage. Someone to press my head, my back, my waist…"
Everyone stared at him, speechless.
Then, he called out, "Chioma Annabelle!"
I stepped out nervously. "Yes, young master."
"Bring that balm. The one with mint. I need it."
He turned and climbed the stairs toward his room.
Sir Frederick looked at his wife. "This boy is no longer mine. I don't know who he is anymore."
Ma Rita wiped her eyes. "I'll talk to him. Something is wrong. Something is really wrong."
Let me know when you're ready for Chapter 4.