THE UPSTANDING DAVID MALCOLM

Chapter 10

Alexander screamed until his voice cracked. He slammed the car door so hard the sound shook the narrow street, then sweat ran down his face. His hands trembled like a man with fever.

He had parked a few blocks from his family house, but the distance felt like miles. He could not go home not today. He was supposed to fly for a big business deal, but how could he leave now? Two men had humiliated him in public. Two men one old and weak, one had taken everything from him: pride, face, and control.

His chest burned with shame. His heart raced fast, wild like a hunted animal. He wanted to grab David, press his hand hard against David’s throat, and squeeze until he begged. He wanted to force the old man to spit out the names of who helped him. How could he let that old man walk away with two million dollars? Never.

Alexander’s jaw worked. He stared at the street. His mind replayed the slap, the fall, the way everyone had watched him fail. If he did not get revenge, respect would slip away from him. Maybe not from his father no, his father was too mighty but from the city. From the people who bowed and watched. Pride had a price, and he would pay it in blood if he had to.

Without wasting anymore time he turned to the leader of his bodyguard team. His voice was low and hard.

“Go gather the men, I need you to do something important for me”

The leader nodded once and moved. He left with three men, taking the street into the crowd like hunters.

Alexander waited, breathing in and out, trying to cool the fire in his chest.

Not long after three black SUVs rolled into the narrow way, their engines quiet but fierce. Five men stepped out of each car. Their faces were flat, their eyes empty of mercy. Twenty more men joined the first four.

Alexander stood very still as they bowed ninety degrees to him. He felt small and huge at once small because he had fallen, huge because now he had more hands to pull him up.

“Find that bastard that dare touched me, and go to any hospital you can think of and bring that smelling old to me. Bring my money with him also.” he said, his voice cold as iron. “ If possible Bring him to me halfway dead.”

They left like ghosts melting into the city, each footfall eating the distance. Alexander clenched his fists so hard his nails bit into his palms. He held the anger like a sword that would cut them all if he let it loose.

He told himself it was impossible for twenty-six men not to win. There was no way twenty six men wouldn't be able to kill one man.

***

Inside the chairman’s office at Hills National Bank, the lights dimmed softly against the polished wood panels. Elizabeth leaned into Benjamin, her arms wound around his neck, lips pressed passionately to his. The kiss was deep, heated, and carried the fire of her new plans.

Then three sharp knocks, Immediately Both froze. Then Elizabeth pulled back quickly, her lipstick slightly smeared. She straightened her blouse, fixing her hair with trembling hands. Her voice came sharp and impatient. “Come in!”

The door swung open. A young woman rushed in, her face pale, her breath ragged. Panic was written all over her. She clutched a tablet to her chest like it was a lifeline.

“It’s an emergency!” she cried, stepping forward and thrusting the screen out.

Elizabeth’s brows furrowed. She snatched the tablet and her heart sank as her eyes scanned the numbers flashing across it.

“All four elite families who bank with us,” the girl stammered, her voice cracking, “they’ve transferred their funds to another bank. And now… now they’re demanding we release their fixed deposits immediately. They plan to move everything.”

The words hit Elizabeth like a hammer. She froze, her hand trembling as she gripped the tablet tighter. All four? At the same time?

Her lips parted, but no words came at first. She felt her chest tighten. When she finally spoke, her voice was loud and sharp, cutting through the office. “What?!” She slammed the tablet on the desk. “What did we do to them? Tell me! What happened in this company that I don’t know about?!”

Immediately the girl flinched, her eyes dropping to the floor. She opened her mouth but nothing came. Fear locked her words.

Elizabeth’s eyes burned with rage. Her teeth clenched as she hissed, “Answer me!”

But it wasn’t the girl who spoke next—it was Benjamin.

He tried to sound calm in the situation, but even his voice shook. “That… that doesn’t make sense. Those families aren’t even allies. They’ve never once moved together.” He shook his head, disbelief written on his face. “There’s no way they could all make the same decision at the same time—unless…”

He paused, his throat tight. His eyes darted to Elizabeth, searching for an explanation. “Unless there’s some bad news spreading about Hills National Bank. Some story… some rumor. Has anything been said out there?”

The lady shook her head quickly. “No, ma’am. No rumors, no news.”

Elizabeth pressed her palm against her chest. Her breaths came shallow. Her mind raced in circles numbers, losses, prestige, everything at once.

‘This can’t be happening. Not to me. Not now.’

Then her phone rang, the sound loud and sharp in the tense silence. She snatched it up, her hands shaking.

“Hello?”

The voice on the other end was cold, impatient. One of the elders from the four elite families. “Release my funds immediately. I don’t care if I lose interest or take a cut. I want every cent out of Hills National Bank.”

Immediately Elizabeth’s jaw tightened. She tried to keep her voice calm. “Sir, please listen to me. If you pull out now, you’ll lose not only your interest but part of your capital as well. This decision will cost you.”

“I don’t care!” the elder barked. “Not one coin stays in your bank. Release it!”

Immediately the line went dead.

Elizabeth’s heart pounded louder. Her phone rang again. Another elder. Same demand. Then another. And another. Within minutes, all four had called, their voices filled with finality, their decisions immovable.

Her hand trembled as she set the phone down. Her knees felt weak. The walls seemed to close in. That was when she remembered David’s words—‘The moment I walk out of this building, your company will crumble.’

Immediately she turned to Benjamin, her lips pale. “Could this… could this be David’s doing?”

Immediately Benjamin scoffed, waving his hand as if brushing off a fly. His voice rose, harsh and mocking. “Impossible. Don’t speak nonsense. How could a pauper like David be behind this? He can’t even get close to the four elite families, let alone persuade them to pull out.”

However Elizabeth bit her lip. Her chest twisted. Still, the words clung to her like a shadow.

At that moment, her secretary finally found her voice. She hesitated, but then spoke in a small, careful tone. “Ma’am… there is something. David fought with Alexander George today. Right here. In the bank premises. Could that… could that be the reason all this is happening?”