The room was still, the weight of his words hanging in the air like an oppressive storm cloud. Chibuzor's father leaned forward, his eyes locked onto Chetachukwu's, as if daring him to speak further.
"Let no one say that I am a man who breaks his word," he continued, his voice low, filled with authority. "If Chibuzor fails this family, then you will have your turn. But until that day comes, sit down and hold your peace."
The room fell into stunned silence, every guest marveling at Old Master's unyielding resolve.
Whispers of respect rippled through the crowd, but the second generation children sat in embarrassment, their pride shattered under the weight of their father's words.
Chetachukwu, although humbled, managed to regain some of his composure. Still, the sting of his public dressing down lingered. His shoulders slumped as he returned to his seat, the weight of defeat heavy on him.
The second generation heirs of the Arinze family, their pride and arrogance shattered by Old Master's brutal words, slowly withdrew into the shadowed corners of the grand ballroom.
Among them, Chetachukwu, the second son, stood frozen, the bitter realization of his mistake settling over him like a heavy cloak. He had gone too far, and now the consequences were painfully clear.
Old Master, however, was not a man to be swayed by fragile egos or family squabbles. His steely eyes now turned toward Olaedo, his voice cutting through the tense air. "Olaedo… what that man said, is it true?"
The words hung in the air like a damning accusation, and every pair of eyes in the room turned to her, including Chibuzor's cold, unreadable gaze.
Olaedo's heart thudded painfully in her chest. She knew this was her moment, Old Master had given her a chance, a fleeting opening to explain herself, to hold onto her place in the family. But how could she? The proof was gone, wiped clean in a moment of regret. All she had now were her words, and she prayed they would be enough.
She stood tall, her posture unwavering, though her heart raced. "Yes, those messages…" Her voice rang out clear and steady, despite the weight pressing on her. "They were sent by me...to Maduabuchi."
The room exploded in gasps, the sound echoing through the ballroom like a thunderclap. But there was more to the story, and everyone knew it.
She paused, gathering her thoughts. "It happened six months ago, when Maduabuchi and I were still engaged. We had a disagreement while planning our wedding, and in a moment of anger, I cancelled the engagement but then sent those messages later on, and I sent them to the man on that stage because I could not reach my ex-fiancé directly."
Olaedo stressed the word ex, letting it hang in the air with deliberate emphasis, a clear break from the past she had left behind. Her eyes flicked briefly to Chibuzor before returning to the sea of onlookers. "At the time, there was no connection between Chibuzor and me. I cut all ties with my past before I accepted his proposal. The man on that stage was brought here with only one purpose, to cause trouble."
Her voice wavered just slightly, but she regained her composure. "And Adamu… I never thought you would betray me like this. After everything I've done for you, how could you?"
The crowd stirred, the shift in their perception palpable. While some still clung to their biases and doubts, others, those who could see past the scandal, began to nod in agreement.
Even some family members seemed to waver, though not all. Ifeoma, Ndidi remained unmoved, while Chukwudubem looked down, his expression unreadable as ever.
Adamu, the man at the center of the storm, began to sweat. The room, once filled with outrage, was now filled with suspicion, and the eyes of the guests turned to him like a predator closing in on its prey. He shot a quick glance at Ndidi, who subtly urged him to stand his ground.
He sneered, drawing strength from her silent support. "Cut off from your past? Hah! You really are as bad as Maduabuchi said. CEO Chibuzor, you would better get rid of this woman before she betrays you again."
His words barely left his mouth when Chibuzor's icy gaze fixed on him. The cold, commanding presence of the young CEO froze him in place. Adamu trembled, his knees nearly buckling under the weight of that gaze.
"Don't speak unless spoken to," Chibuzor's voice was cold, as though each word was a shard of ice. "If I wanted your opinion, I would have asked for it."
Despite the doubts swirling in his mind, Chibuzor's priority was clear. Someone was attempting to disgrace his wife, and by extension, his family. For now, she was innocent until proven guilty.
As her husband, it was his duty to protect her, from outsiders, from family, and even from himself. If the accusations proved true, there would be consequences. But until then, no one would harm her.
Still, the situation was unsettling. How had Adamu managed to gain entry to this exclusive family event? The security was tight, and yet he stood there, uninvited. Someone from within the family had to be behind this, a bold player who thought they could get away with it.
Chibuzor's gaze never left Adamu. "You've got some nerve, showing up here," he muttered, his tone chilling. And with that, Adamu crumbled. Under the intensity of Chibuzor's icy glare, he collapsed onto the stage floor, his composure shattered.
Desperation flashed across Adamu's face as his eyes darted across the room, seeking any shred of support. His gaze settled on Ndidi, her subtle nod betraying her role as the mastermind behind this plot.
But Chibuzor caught the exchange, and his lips curved into a smile. Sharp, cold, and void of amusement. A smile that sent a chill through the air, a reminder that he was always one step ahead.
Chibuzor knew he was piecing the puzzle together, but without concrete evidence, his hands were tied.