"Unless she proves incapable of handling this situation, we must trust her."
He flashed a reassuring smile at Olaedo, who gave him a quick, silent nod of gratitude. His support felt like a balm to her frayed nerves.
A low murmur spread through the room, divided between those who supported Olaedo and those who seemed eager to see her fail.
"We need action now, not sentimental speeches," Mr. Ade shot back. "Our investors want immediate assurances. And if you're unable to provide them…" His silence made his intentions clear.
After a brief pause, Olaedo answered, her voice strong. "I'm well aware of what's at stake, Mr. Ade. I'll be exploring every option, including external financing if necessary. Rest assured, I have no intention of letting this company or my leadership fall."
With a final determined look at her opponents, Olaedo dismissed the meeting, leaving no room for further challenges.
Back in her office, Olaedo scrolled through the endless comments under the news headlines. Her heart tightened with each swipe.
'Why am I doing this to myself? she wondered, sighing. But maybe… just maybe, someone's spotted Maduabuchi and slipped a hint into these comments.'
It was desperate, and she knew it, but still she searched the sea of insults and speculation, fingers poised to catch any mention of "Aneke Maduabuchi."
Sweetnothingless: "How can a multi billionaire be this naive? Who raised her?"
Hellohibyebye: "Above, she's one of the youngest billionaires in the world. Emphasis on youngest. No time for common sense or high EQ."
Wakinguptoreality: "I was looking forward to the wedding of the century! Guess we're not getting that fairytale ending now…"
Ranawayfromhomeagain: "She should leave the job for the big boys. The country's currency is in free fall, thanks to her!"
Ilovehorrormovies: "Everyone needs to watch out for this weapon fashioned against our country and the world, called Aneke Maduabuchi. Please report any sighting to 090********. Your country needs you!"
Don'tknowsodon'task: "Can't even go home. The thought of losing my job soon is terrifying."
Olaedo's heart sank as she scrolled through hundreds, maybe thousands of comments.
Every channel was milking the story for all it was worth, and even unknown bloggers were going viral.
Finally, she "liked" Ilovehorrormovies' post to boost it to the top, hoping someone would see it and actually be able to help.
As she kept scrolling, her eye snagged on a new headline.
"BREAKING: CEO Arinze Caught in Bed with Adani Ani During Awards Gala!"
"..."
'Hold on… WHAT?' Olaedo blinked in shock.
This news made her temporarily forget her own problems.
Arinze was her mentor, the one person she looked up to since she was seventeen. He had graduated top of his class, taken over New Age Group at just twenty, and turned it into a trillion local currency powerhouse in five years. In all that time, he had never had a single scandal. Not one!
'No, this has to be fake… Someone's framing him!'
A quick search confirmed the images were spreading across the internet like wildfire, and the photos didn't even look edited.
Government officials were in a frenzy. With her situation already sending shockwaves through the markets, another scandal at this level could topple major industries.
------------------------------------
On the other side of the city, all hell was breaking loose in the Arinze family's mansion, practically a castle.
Mr. Ani, a middle-aged man with a frown deep enough to leave lines for days, was seated on one side of the vast living room. His daughter, Adani, sat beside him, teary-eyed and beautiful, her delicate features framed by cascading dark hair and a proud, hourglass figure that few could ignore. She looked every bit the "perfect heiress," polished, graceful, and a bit too practiced in her soft sobs.
"Old Master Arinze, you owe us an explanation! My daughter's reputation is on the line here!"
Old Master Arinze sat across from him, his expression dark as thunderclouds. His sharp gaze flickered over to his grandson, Chibuzor, with a barely contained frustration. But he held his tongue while outsiders were present.
Accused of having "compromised" Adani at the event, Chibuzor's innocence seemed less likely with every new piece of damning evidence.
"Mr. Ani," he said, his tone sharp but restrained, "I'll give you a full explanation once I speak with my grandson."
Mr. Ani, seizing his chance, pressed on. "Do you think you can brush me off with empty words? My daughter may already be pregnant as we speak." He gestured to Adani, who touched her stomach with a soft, suggestive smile, her tearful eyes turned innocently downward.
"The only way to resolve this is to announce to the world that my daughter and CEO Chibuzor were engaged since birth, and to confirm their wedding date."
"..."
Old Madam Arinze couldn't hold back a small scoff. In all her years, she had never seen someone 'get pregnant' in less than three hours!
"Nonsense!" Old Master Arinze finally burst out, unable to hold back any longer. "Do you think my grandson would marry your daughter because you demand it? I've been more than patient, but don't test me."
At this, Mr. Ani paled slightly, as if suddenly remembering exactly who he was up against: the legendary Old Master Arinze, the man who built New Age Group from scratch and raised his grandson to succeed him after his children had all fallen short.
His previously confident and aggressive stance melted away, replaced by a nervous chuckle that made Adani cringe. "Heh heh, Old Master, didn't you say you wanted to speak with Chibuzor first? Go ahead, go ahead! That's how it should be. We'll come back another day."
He gestured urgently to his unwilling daughter, and they left in a rush.
Once they were out of the living room, Old Master Arinze slammed his hand onto the armrest, furious. "Chibuzor! What exactly happened during that ceremony?!"
On the opposite seat, Chibuzor slowly rose with a slight smile. He poured a cup of water and handed it to him. "Papa Nnukwu, have some water first."
Old Master Arinze snorted but grabbed the cup, downing it in one go. He had been talking with the Ani family for too long, and his throat had grown dry.
He kept his angry expression, maintaining his image, but inwardly, he was pleased. 'I didn't raise him in vain.'
Old Madam Arinze caught his unspoken thoughts. With a quiet thumbs-up, she silently encouraged Chibuzor's tactic.
Chibuzor sat back down, his smile fading. "Grandfather, nothing happened, just a few children playing tricks."
Leaning back, he continued, "They used my assistant to get to me. Drugged my drink with sleeping pills. After that, they must've staged everything, put me in the same bed with Adani and called the media. They drugged Adani too, so I wasn't sure if she was involved."
His lips curled into a mocking grin. "I let it play out to see if she would prove her innocence. Turns out, her acting skills are trash. She didn't even bother to explain that nothing intimate happened. And the Ani family's backers, those amateurs left enough evidence to track them down. They've messed with me long enough, and I'm going to crush them all."
Old Master Arinze nodded, understanding. 'So that's why he did nothing. He was letting them think they won, only to ambush them later. Always swift and organized.'
His angry expression softened, but then tightened again as he remembered something. "If you had found me a granddaughter-in-law, we wouldn't be in this mess. Our enemies are trying to place one of their own as the young mistress of the Arinze family. They wouldn't dare dream of this if you were already married."
Chibuzor's face cringed. Marriage was the last thing on his mind! His plan was to adopt a son and raise him by the time he turned thirty. But his grandfather wouldn't hear of it.
Normally, Old Madam Arinze would've come to his defense, but this time, shockingly, she kept silent, looking away.
I decided to remind her "Grandma? Why.."
"I don't have a single grandson like you!" She fired back at him before he could complete his words.
"..."
'I'm screwed!'
Old Master Arinze, accustomed to his wife's objections, had long given up trying to convince her. But this time, he realized that she was backing him. His confidence surged.
He straightened and spoke firmly, "We've already selected five excellent candidates. I'll have the housekeeper bring them to you. You must choose one in a week and spend some time with her before marriage. I don't want you marrying a stranger."
Chibuzor's heart sank. 'Stranger or not, it won't stop us from divorcing in the future. Marriage and love are a scam, and now I have to pick a wife in seven days?!'
Knowing his grandfather, he was certain that once he picked a girl, marriage would be arranged the next week. Spend time together before marriage? A joke!
"Grandfather, it's impossible to choose a wife in seven days, or marry someone I haven't known for years. I don't want to end up like Mom and Dad."
His words opened a jar of family history that none of them wanted to revisit.
To Old Master Arinze, the second generation had been a disgrace. His first son, Chibuzor's father, was the worst. His actions had harmed the family both externally and internally.
He would never forget what his good for nothing son did that year....
-----------------------------------
Hii Guys, it's me, your wonderful author
Papa Nnukwu means Grandfather