Murmurs swept through the crowd, but no one dared to voice their questions aloud as they watched the tense atmosphere unfold.
Despite the paramedics' insistence that she be taken to the hospital immediately, Nnenna shook her head weakly. Her resolve was unyielding, her voice hoarse but firm. "Not yet… not until I reveal the truth."
Her determination silenced even the most skeptical onlookers. With Olaedo and Adanna supporting her trembling frame on either side, she struggled to stand upright. Each breath seemed like a battle, but her eyes burned with unwavering defiance.
Her voice, though faint, rang out with chilling clarity. "Two hours ago... I got lost on my way to the washroom. I... I entered another building without realizing it and overheard a conversation…"
---
Flashback
Nnenna's elegant gown swayed gently as she wandered through the vast estate, her heels clicking softly against the tiled floors. She glanced around, frustration flickering across her face. "I'm lost again," she muttered under her breath. "Adanna's shown me this mansion countless times, and I still can't remember it! Did Olaedo struggle this much her first time here?"
Her aimless steps brought her to a small, intricately designed gate. As she approached, faint voices drifted through the air, their casual tones betraying no concern about being overheard.
Curiosity piqued, she paused, intending to ask for directions. But as she got closer, her instincts screamed for her to stop. The words she caught made her heart pound in alarm.
"Madam is going to deal with that woman tonight," one of the voices said gruffly.
Nnenna froze, her breath hitching. 'That woman… that's Olaedo!'
She quickly reached for her phone, her fingers trembling as she fumbled to turn on the voice recorder. Steadying herself against the wall, she leaned closer to catch the rest of their conversation.
The two men stood casually by the pillars, their postures relaxed as they smoked. They clearly didn't expect anyone to be nearby.
"Are you sure about this plan? What if someone finds out?" the second man asked hesitantly, exhaling a puff of smoke.
The first man let out a short, mirthless laugh. "Find out? Who's going to suspect Madam? She's covered all her tracks. By the time anyone realizes what's happened, it'll be too late."
Nnenna's blood ran cold. 'Madam… This can only mean Ndidi!'
Her grip on her phone tightened as the recording continued. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Tonight was supposed to be about celebrating Olaedo, yet someone had plotted something sinister behind the scenes.
The second man still sounded nervous. "But what about the young master? He'll be furious if anything goes wrong."
"Relax," the first man scoffed. "We're just following orders. Besides, it's not like we're doing anything directly. Madam has her ways."
"Heh, did you see how she looked tonight? Top notch woman, indeed," one of the men said, dragging a long puff from his cigarette before letting it out in a slow stream. "Too bad she got on Madam Ndidi's bad side."
The other man chuckled darkly nodding. "Seriously. That Adamu guy is all set, right? And the tech guy, he's handled the screen?"
"Yeah," the first man confirmed with a smirk. "Everything's in place. By the time we're done, she'll be the disgrace of the Arinze family. And you know how Young Master is, he won't hesitate to divorce her once he sees it. That so called Young Madam won't know what hit her!"
Nnenna's heart sank. The words were like daggers, each revelation more horrifying than the last. Her fingers trembled, but she held her phone steady, ensuring every word was recorded.
But the weight of their cruelty overwhelmed her. Without thinking, she gasped loudly, a sound she immediately regretted
"Who's there?!" one of the men barked sharply, tossing his cigarette aside. Both of them straightened, their gazes scanning the shadows.
Panic surged through Nnenna. She shrank back into the darkness, her pulse hammering in her ears as they approached, their footsteps echoing ominously
"I heard something over there!"
Unable to remain still any longer Nnenna made a split second decision. Kicking off her heels, she bolted in the direction she had come from, her bare feet slapping against the cold ground
The sudden sound gave her away
"There! After her!"
The men pursued her without hesitation, their heavy footsteps growing louder as they gained on her. Nnenna ran with everything she had, her breath ragged and chest burning, but she wasn't an athlete her strength failed her all too quickly.
Within moments, they were upon her.
"No!" she screamed, thrashing as they grabbed her. But her cries were futile. They pinned her down, dragging her back toward the building she had just escaped.
"Help!" she yelled desperately, hoping someone anyone would come to her aid. But as she was hauled past several other men stationed nearby, her hope crumbled. They didn't even glance her way, their indifference chilling,
It became painfully clear, they were all in on it.
Her captors didn't bother with subtlety They shoved her to the ground, and before she could rise, one of them lashed out, striking her hard.
"Stay still!"
What followed was a brutal assault The men didn't just beat her they pulled out a pocketknife, slicing shallow but agonizing wounds across her arms and legs. Nnenna cried out her voice breaking as pain consumed her.
By the time they finished, she was a bloody mess, barely clinging to consciousness.
"She's done for," one of the men muttered, wiping the blade clean on his sleeve.
"Yeah, let's go. We've got work to do," the other replied. But before they left, they snatched her phone, and tapped somethings with a cruel grin.
As they disappeared into the night Nnenna lay motionless, blood pooling beneath her. Every part of her screamed in agony, but her mind refused to give up.
Olaedo.. They're going to ruin her..
Summoning what little strength remained, she began to crawl. Her arms and legs felt like lead, but she forced them to move. One agonizing inch at a time, she dragged herself back toward the ball hall.