The Champions League Final was the kind of game that froze the world for ninety minutes. Chinedu watched it not as a fan, but as an investor. His earlier sports predictions had been precise, but this was his most calculated risk yet. The odds favored the giants, but subtle indicators — a key defender's suspension, an overconfident press statement from the favorite's manager, and even a quiet tip from the Governor's assistant — told him the underdog had a fighting chance.
He placed his bet. Not reckless, but big enough to shift his fortunes if it landed.
When the final whistle blew and the upset was complete, the payout was staggering. Overnight, his capital reserves were large enough to turn plans into realities.
The first priority was the East. Imperial Farms was no longer just a vegetable operation — it would now branch into orchards and animal husbandry. Orchards promised a steady supply of fruits for both local markets and wholesale buyers. Livestock would make Imperial Farms a supplier of meat, eggs, and dairy, cementing its role in the region's food chain. Ireti was already drafting plans for integrating the new divisions without disrupting existing operations.
Next came retail. Chinedu wasn't content with small roadside stalls anymore. The profits from the match allowed him to move fast — acquiring land in strategic towns to build Imperial Shopping Outlets. These would sell farm produce alongside other goods, turning Imperial Farms into a household name beyond agriculture.
His transportation fleet, now reinforced with more buses, connected farms, outlets, and markets across the East. The logistical efficiency was unmatched, and it didn't go unnoticed. Competitors began to pay attention.
Amid these moves, Chinedu made two personal gestures. His mother received a plot of land to build her own home, with a restaurant frontage to keep her busy and independent. Temilade, his younger sister, was set to leave for the University of Lagos to study Law — and, unofficially, to be his eyes and ears in Nigeria's largest city.
Weeks later, the Governor's office called. Not a public meeting — a discreet invitation. Chinedu arrived at the Governor's residence in a simple suit, escorted past security with a nod from the assistant he had been quietly compensating with food and small payments.
The Governor greeted him warmly, but there was calculation in his eyes.
"I've been hearing about Imperial Farms," he said, settling into a leather chair. "And about the shopping outlets. You're making bold moves, Chinedu. Very bold."
Chinedu smiled politely, careful to neither confirm nor boast. "We're just trying to feed the people and create jobs, sir."
The Governor leaned forward. "Feeding people is noble. But it also puts you in a position of influence. Influence that could be… mutually beneficial."
The conversation that followed would shape the next phase of Chinedu's empire — and it was clear the Governor saw him not just as a businessman, but as a rising power.