Femi gave him a tight smile. "I think I've said enough. If you're struggling to understand, refer to the file I've handed over. All the details you need are in there. Once signed, send a copy to my email. My client respects the Khaos family enough to handle this professionally, which is why I'm here in person. We expect your full cooperation." Without waiting for a reply, Femi turned on his heel and walked away, leaving behind a simmering Rhys.
Rhys stood frozen for a moment, his underlings keeping a safe ten feet away. His mood was foul, and no one wanted to be on the receiving end of his wrath. As the door to his office slammed shut, a scream of frustration echoed from within.
Andy, his loyal lieutenant, followed at a cautious distance. He didn't need to see Rhys to know the storm brewing inside the man. The tension thickened as, moments later, the door swung open again—this time to reveal a man in a tailored navy-blue suit flanked by an entourage.
The underlings exchanged uneasy glances, their gazes locking on the white four-leaf clover emblem pinned to the man's lapel. It was unmistakable—a direct emissary of the Donna herself. Her messages rarely came in person. For her to send this many people meant something monumental had happened. And worse—Rhys was in trouble.
Inside the office, Rhys sat behind his desk, his composure slipping for the first time in years. His eyes narrowed as the man in the suit stepped forward with a smug expression.
"Mr. Zirachi," the man began, his tone both mocking and authoritative. "The Donna has sent us. She's received word that you've lost an important player."
Rhys scoffed, his jaw tightening. "It hasn't even been five minutes since Femi left, and you leeches are already here. How did she know about the meeting before it happened?"
The man smirked. "You think you're untouchable, don't you?" His voice oozed mockery.
Rhys leaned back in his chair, his sharp gaze pinning the man down. "And you, Adesola, think you're somebody important now?" The words dripped with disdain, deliberately using the man's childhood name.
The man's smirk faltered for a fraction of a second, replaced by a flicker of anger. "It's Seyi Adesanya," he corrected stiffly. "You will address me properly."
Rhys let out a low chuckle, his voice laced with venom. "Your name, Adesola, is nothing to be ashamed of. It has meaning. But you—you've twisted yourself into a shadow of who you were. Changed your name, your identity, just to fit into this world. Worshipped Eddie like he was your saviour because he paid your way through becoming some fancy pants at the university, forgetting the family that raised you."
Seyi's jaw clenched, his composure slipping further.
"Didn't your sister's three-year-old son just die last night?" Rhys continued coldly. "The same sister who gave up everything so you could go to school? While she hawked goods on the street, you were busy cozying up to Eddie. Your sister called you—over and over—but you didn't even bother to pick up the phone. And now, you walk in here with your entourage, pretending to be somebody."
"How dare you!" Seyi's voice cracked with rage. He hadn't expected Rhys to speak with such effrontery about his past so ruthlessly.
Rhys smirked, leaning forward. "I've known you since high school. You've been following in my shadow for years, trying to outdo me. But no matter how high you aim, you'll always fall short."
Seyi took a deep breath, steadying himself. Then, with a slow smile, he reached into his briefcase and threw a file onto Rhys's desk. "You always were arrogant, Rhys. And today, that arrogance ends."
Rhys raised an eyebrow. "What's this?"
"An official declaration from the Donna herself," Seyi said triumphantly. "Effective immediately, you are no longer the Padrino. Your leadership seal has been revoked, and someone more capable will take your place. In the meantime, you're to write a ten-thousand-word essay explaining why and how you lost an important member of the Khaos family."
Rhys's lips curled into a sneer. "And who gave you the authority to deliver this message?"
"Donna did." Seyi's smile widened. "You're finished, Rhys."
Seyi turned on his heel, addressing the underlings gathered outside the office. "Your Padrino has been stripped of power. Anyone caught associating with him will be considered a traitor. From this moment on, I am the Padrino."
Rhys emerged from the office, his face unreadable. His underlings remained rooted in place, their loyalty clear in their silence. Seyi, however, wasn't done.
"I'm willing to offer one billion naira to anyone who swears allegiance to me," Seyi announced, his voice ringing out. "This is your chance to join a leader who values loyalty and rewards ambition."
The room tensed. Rhys's sharp eyes scanned his men, noting the flicker of temptation in some of their gazes. He smirked, his voice cutting through the silence as he looked at Andy.
"It's a lot of money,"
"But—"
Rhys cut him off, his voice cold and lethal. "If you even think about going to him, I'll kill you myself."
Andy stepped forward, bowing deeply. "I would never betray you, Padrino."
Rhys nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Good."
"If you change your minds, you know where to find me," Seyi declared, his voice oozing arrogance as he stood just outside Rhys's office. "But you only have an hour to make up your minds. After that, the offer is off the table."
With a dramatic turn, he stormed off with his entourage, his footsteps echoing down the hallway. But not before muttering under his breath, "You'll regret this." to Rhys. The underlings exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of Seyi's offer settling heavily in the room.
Back in the office, Rhys poured himself a drink, swirling the liquid thoughtfully. "Donna knows I killed Eddie," he said to Andy, his tone measured. "Aren't you afraid of getting caught in the crossfire?"
Andy shook his head. "Padrino, seven years ago, during the B-city raid, you saved my family. I owe you everything. I'll stand by your side, no matter what."
Rhys raised his glass, a wicked smile spreading across his face. "Then let's get started. We're not done yet."
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The rain outside intensified, hammering against the glass like tiny, determined fists. Rhys's mind was a maelstrom, the storm outside a reflection of the one brewing within. He stared out of the window, clutching his glass of whiskey tightly. Andy sat quietly on the couch across the room, his loyalty as steadfast as the storm's relentless downpour.
"Right," Rhys finally broke the silence, his voice low and resolute. "If Donna wants to play this game, I'll give her a game she'll never forget."
Andy straightened, ready for his Padrino's orders. Despite the chaos outside—both literal and figurative—he trusted Rhys to navigate through it. After all, Rhys Zirachi wasn't a man who stayed down for long.
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Meanwhile, Donna leaned back in her chair, a smug smile playing on her lips. Her study was dimly lit, the rain outside casting eerie patterns on the walls. Tim, her ever-loyal guard, stood at his usual post by the door.
"They'll break," she said, her voice almost a purr. "Rhys thinks his underlings are loyal, but loyalty is a fragile thing. Seyi will plant seeds of doubt, and soon enough, the cracks will show."
Tim didn't respond, but the flicker of unease in his eyes didn't go unnoticed by Donna. She turned her gaze to him, her smile softening slightly.
"Something on your mind, Tim?"
He hesitated, then shook his head. "No, ma'am."
Donna chuckled, a sound both warm and chilling. "Good. Because I need your head in the game. If Rhys retaliates—and he will—I need you sharp."
"Understood, ma'am," Tim replied, his voice steady despite the knot forming in his stomach.
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Back in Rhys's office at his personal estate he had secretly bought, the former Padrino was already plotting his next move. He'd spent years building his empire, brick by brick, betrayal by betrayal. He wasn't about to let Donna tear it down.
"Andy," Rhys began, his tone sharp. "How much do we know about Donna's operation in C-City?"
Andy's eyes narrowed as he processed the question. "She's been expanding aggressively there, focusing on nano-tech and pharmaceuticals. Why?"
"Because if we're going down, we're taking something of hers with us," Rhys said with a smirk. "I want everything—her supply lines, her contacts, her distribution hubs. If we can't cripple her directly, we'll bleed her dry."
Andy nodded, his loyalty unwavering. "I'll get our people on it."
Rhys leaned back in his chair, swirling the whiskey in his glass. "Good. And Andy?"
"Yes, Padrino?"
"Keep an eye on Seyi. He's ambitious, but ambition makes people sloppy."
Andy smirked. "Understood."
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Seyi, meanwhile, was reveling in his newfound power. He sat in Rhys's former chair, savoring the feeling of authority. But beneath the surface, he was nervous. Donna's trust was conditional, and he knew she wouldn't hesitate to discard him if he failed to deliver.
"Everything is falling into place," he muttered to himself, though the tremor in his voice betrayed his unease. He looked around the room, the grandeur of it a stark reminder of the shoes he now had to fill. Shoes that felt far too large.
Just then, one of his new subordinates entered the office. "Mr. Adesanya, we've intercepted some communication from Rhys's camp. It seems he's targeting C-City."
Seyi's heart skipped a beat. He'd underestimated Rhys's resolve. "Double security on all our assets there. And find out how he plans to strike."
The subordinate nodded and left, leaving Seyi alone with his thoughts. He clenched his fists, his confidence wavering. If he failed, Donna wouldn't just strip him of power—she'd destroy him.
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The storm raged on as Donna's study filled with the sound of her phone ringing. She answered it, her expression darkening as the caller spoke.
"C-City?" she repeated, her tone icy. "Rhys is bolder than I thought. Double the guards and increase surveillance. I want to know every move he makes."
As she hung up, Tim's gaze met hers. "Do you think he'll succeed?"
Donna's smile returned, but it didn't reach her eyes. "He'll try. But Rhys is playing checkers on a chessboard. And I've always been two steps ahead."
Tim nodded, though the unease in his stomach remained. Donna's confidence was unwavering, but he couldn't shake the feeling that this game of chess was about to get much more dangerous.
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Rhys, on the other hand, thrived in chaos. He relished the challenge, the thrill of outmaneuvering his enemies. As the rain continued to pour, he finalized his plans, a dark determination settling over him.
"They think they've won," he said to Andy, his voice a low growl. "But this is just the beginning."
Andy's smile mirrored his Padrino's. "Let's give them a game they'll never forget."
"Release the footages, but one after the other," Rhys instructed, his voice calm but filled with deadly intent. "Start with the less impactful ones—the small side deals, double-crosses first."
"Yes, Padrino." Andy nodded, understanding the plan perfectly. He would ensure Rhys reclaimed his throne and that every traitor who dared undermine him would regret their actions.
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Rose was reclining in the plush living room, knitting absentmindedly, when Jasmine walked in, looking visibly drained. The older woman immediately noticed her ex-granddaughter-in-law's weariness.
"My darling, you look tired. Is everything okay?" Rose asked, concern evident in her tone.
Jasmine mustered a faint smile. "Gammy, how are you doing?"
"Don't mind me, I'm doing alright, but you don't look well," Rose replied, her eyes narrowing as she examined Jasmine more closely.
"Oh, it's nothing, Gammy. Just a long day at work, that's all. But did you take your meds?" Jasmine asked, shifting the focus away from herself.
Rose nodded. "Yes, I did. Don't worry about me, but I'm worried about you."
Jasmine exhaled deeply, brushing off the concern. "That's good. I'll make some porridge for you. You can have that with some pain medication and then get some rest."
Rose frowned and shook her head. "No need, my dear. Nancy can do that. You should take it easy."
"Gammy, for an old woman, you're not fragile, but I don't want to see you stressing over me." Jasmine walked over and embraced Rose, trying to soothe her. "You deserve peace and happiness here. It's why Rhys would have wanted you to stay in this house."
Rose leaned back, her expression softening slightly, though irritation still lingered in her eyes. "I've been here for weeks, Jasmine, and I haven't even set eyes on my grandson or that girl he brought home. It feels like they're both avoiding me."
"It's not like that, Gammy," Jasmine assured her. "I'm sure Rhys is just busy with work. He'll come to see you soon."
"And what about that woman?" Rose asked sharply. "What excuse do you have for her? She knows I'm living here, but she's made no effort to reach out or even acknowledge my presence. She's always gone in the morning and doesn't return until late at night when she knows I'll be asleep. It's as if she's purposefully ignoring me."
Jasmine hesitated, acting like she was unsure how to respond. She opted for diplomacy. "She's… probably caught up with her responsibilities. I'm sure she doesn't mean to make you feel ignored."
Rose shook her head, visibly frustrated. "Why does Rhys insist on her staying here, in this family house? He could take care of her elsewhere. Her presence here feels unnecessary, and it makes me uncomfortable. If only I could get through to Rhys—I'd tell him exactly how I feel about this arrangement."
"Gammy, this is his house. He'll come back soon," Jasmine said gently, an act to placate the older woman.
Rose let out a resigned sigh, her gaze softening as she looked at Jasmine. "You've always been so kind, my dear. I just hope Rhys knows what he's doing."
Just then, Nancy entered the room, carrying a tray of freshly prepared porridge. Her timing was impeccable.
"I'll take care of your porridge, Gammy," Nancy said with a warm smile. She set the tray down and began preparing a serving for Rose, who gave her an appreciative nod.
"Thank you, Nancy," Rose said, taking the bowl from her. She then turned to Jasmine. "You should get some rest, my darling. You've done enough for today."
Jasmine smiled faintly and nodded. "Goodnight, Gammy." She kissed Rose on the cheek before retreating to her room, her mind heavy with unspoken thoughts.
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Meanwhile, in a dimly lit room filled with monitors and flickering screens, Andy stood at the control panel, executing Rhys's orders. The first video was ready to be released. It was a recording of a minor betrayal—one of Eddy's small-time capo pocketing extra profits from a side deal in his name. The footage was damning but not earth-shattering, the perfect opening move that showed just how Eddy had been profiting so much and giving others less than they deserved for their hard work."Uploading now," Andy muttered under his breath. His fingers danced over the keyboard, and moments later, the video went live on an encrypted platform accessible only to those in the syndicate. The whispers began almost immediately, the news spreading like wildfire through the underworld.
Rhys watched from the shadows, his expression unreadable. "How long before they realize what's happening?"
"Not long, Padrino," Andy replied confidently. "They'll scramble to contain the fallout, but it's only the beginning."
"Good," Rhys said, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "Let's keep them guessing. Release the next one in an hour."
Andy nodded, his mind already calculating the next step. The game had begun, and the stakes were high. Rhys was determined to reclaim what was his, no matter the cost.