The morning sun glinted through the tinted windows of Adesins Corporation, casting a golden sheen on the polished conference table where Jalen sat across from an elegantly dressed older man. Mr. Frederick Douglas was no small fish in the business world. The man owned an international chain of energy companies, and his presence at Adesins meant one thing—something big was on the horizon.It had taken Jalen months of consistent back and forth, several presentations, and a round of strategic proposals to get Frederick to consider signing a partnership deal with the Adesins Corporation. And now, seated before him, pen in hand, Frederick adjusted his glasses as he looked through the final draft of the contract.Jalen sat still, poised, his sharp eyes fixed on the man. “If you have any concern, Mr. Douglas, this is the time to raise it. I want our relationship to be smooth—clear and direct.”Frederick looked up and nodded. “No, Mr. Adesina. I must say, I’m impressed. Your company has fac

The air was still crisp when Jalen stepped out of his mansion, dressed in a clean-cut navy-blue suit, briefcase in hand, ready to begin what he assumed would be a productive day. His eyes were on his wristwatch—8:03am. He had a boardroom presentation at ten and needed to get to the office early to prepare. But as soon as he approached his car parked at the entrance, the unexpected happened.“Tiana?”Jalen froze mid-step, his brows creasing as he saw her walk angrily through the gate, eyes wild, lips tight. She wore a black jean and a simple blouse, her hair tied back in a rough ponytail like she hadn't slept well.Before he could ask what was going on, she was already yelling.“How could you, Jalen? How could you stoop so low to order my brother's arrest?!” Her voice pierced the early morning air.Jalen’s driver who had been about to open the back door for him quietly stepped back, pretending not to notice the growing tension. Jalen sighed, adjusting the strap of his wristwatch, tr

Immediately they entered Jalen's apartment, Aisha caught sight of something that left her curious - the picture frame, hung beside the television. It was the picture of Jalen and Sonia on their last date two days before her demise. "That's Sonia," Jalen said, as if he knew what she was going to ask. "She died in a car accident two months ago."He partially lied. He was trying to avoid too much questions that could awaken old wounds. "Oh, my goodness!" Aisha gasped. "I'm so sorry." Jalen simply nodded. "Thank you."Something about this lady seemed to wash him off his feet, yet there was another thing about her he couldn't lay hold on, exactly - something awful about her.The more he thought about it, the more he tried to brush it off, believing God had given him a second chance to love again."Cup of coffee or something strong for dinner?" Jalen asked, changing the topic and gesturing at the couch for her to seat."Coffee will do, thank you." She responded with her charming smiles

Jalen was about closing for the day. The clock on his desk blinked past 6:45pm, the lights in the hallway outside were beginning to dim, and Fiona had already packed up for the day. A quiet calm was beginning to settle over the building. His fingers rested on the edge of the desk, his tablet screen dark, untouched for minutes. His thoughts had been far from numbers or contracts. Since morning, his mind had only circled the same question over and over — who murdered those men? And why?He was reaching for his briefcase when the door creaked open. The moment his eyes met the figure that stepped in, the calm shattered.Inspector Dennis.Of all people, this was the last face Jalen wanted to see right now.The look on Dennis’s face was unreadable — a mix of fatigue, irritation, and perhaps a tinge of frustration. He stepped in, closing the door behind him, ignoring Jalen’s sharp gaze.Jalen rose slowly, the veins on his neck firming. “You have to be kidding me.”“I don’t have time for g

Andrew’s voice was sharp over the phone, filled with rage that could shatter glass. “That bastard thinks he has won? No. I will drag him down with my bare hands if I have to. The next time I strike, it will be loud. It will be brutal.”He paced the tiled floor of the living room, his face hardened, veins throbbing on his temple. “I don’t care what it takes. Jalen must feel the weight of what he did. He made me rot in jail for years. He killed the one man that fought for me to the end when others gave up on me. He disgraced our family name. I won’t forgive him for that.”Tiana was descending the staircase, a file in her hand, when she heard her brother’s raised voice. She froze halfway, eyes narrowing as she listened more closely.“Andrew!” she called sternly the moment she stepped into view.He turned sharply, caught off guard. “How long have you been standing there?” he asked, his tone defensive.“Long enough to hear your nonsense,” Tiana replied, stepping into the living room fully.