A murmur rippled through the crowd. "I thought someone had died at Eternality Hospital," one person whispered. Another added, "I thought something was wrong with the medicine." A dismissive tsk punctuated the air. "It was all an act," someone declared. "How shameless," another muttered. The disinterested crowd dispersed.

In the hallway of Eternality Hospital, Gladys reprimanded James. "What are you doing? That was the perfect advertising opportunity! Now you've ruined everything. What do you mean, a publicity stunt? Does this look like one to you?"

James sat down and lit a cigarette.

Lex asked, "What's going on, James? Did you really arrange this?"

"Arrange?" James's face darkened. "How would I have the time? With so many things going wrong, does this look like a publicity stunt to you? If we don't explain this, do we admit something was wrong with our medicine? Do you know how much damage that would cause if the media found out?"

Tommy stepped forward. "Are you saying something was wrong with our medicine?"

James nodded. "Most likely."

Tommy said coldly, "Even if something is wrong, whose fault is it? Thea's the chairman; she makes all the decisions. I heard Eternality recently changed medicine suppliers. Is that true?"

James glanced at Thea.

Thea nodded. "Indeed. Our previous supplier was a small company. Following our deepened collaboration with Celestial Group, we terminated the contract and began sourcing from them. Celestial Group is a well-established corporation; their medicine should be fine."

Megan spoke sarcastically, "Only you would know if anything was wrong with the medicine. The profits are great, after all. Who knows if you've been pocketing the earnings and selling fake medicine?"

"That's right," Tommy agreed, turning to Lex. "Grandpa, you need to investigate this. Everything was fine before Thea became chairman. Look what's happened in just a few days! Besides, I heard David bought a two-million-dollar luxury car. It's not even the end of the month, and dividends haven't been issued. How did he afford that?"

Megan nodded. "You must have been lining your pockets. At least a couple of million, considering that new car."

David yelled, "Bullshit! I bought that car a long time ago, and I paid for it myself!" Gladys scolded him, "Watch your language! Thea would never do such a thing."

Lex looked at Thea.

"Thea, this is understandable given your position. However, you should be wholly dedicated to the family business. Using substandard medicine would ruin our reputation and have terrible consequences for our family."

"Grandpa, I'm innocent," Thea said, aggrieved. She had devoted herself to the family business, visiting large corporations like Celestial Group and Longevity Pharmaceuticals. She hadn't taken a cent from the company. "How dare you, James? How dare you, Thea?" Tommy exploded. "I understand now. You embezzled company funds and colluded with outsiders to swindle the family! You probably kept nine million of the ten million you distributed today, didn't you?"

Gladys scoffed, "Bullshit."

David shouted, "Tommy, don't accuse us! What evidence do you have of collusion with outsiders?"

Tommy looked at Lex. "Grandpa, you must investigate. If Thea and her family are behind this, we must reconsider her position as chairman. If this continues, the business will be ruined."

"Grandpa, I didn't do anything! I'm innocent!" Thea's eyes filled with tears. Lex smoked his cigarette. Embezzlement wasn't unusual for a chairman; even Howard had done it. He'd usually turned a blind eye, as long as the family prospered. But Thea had gone too far. He waved dismissively. "We need to investigate this thoroughly. Howard, investigate and report back to me immediately."

"Yes, Father," Howard replied.

Lex looked at Thea. "Thea, I've observed your actions. Reforming the company and collaborating with Celestial Group and Longevity Pharmaceuticals were positive steps. I pray you're not involved in this. If I find out you were behind it… hmph!" He snorted, tapped his dragon cane, and walked away.

(Note: The final promotional sentences were removed as they were irrelevant to the text cleanup.)