Chapter 13 - THE MAN WHO BUILT HIS FORTUNE ON A LIERita read Emmanuel's letter aloud while Ngozika sat beside her.
The old paper trembled in her hands.
My dearest Ngozika,
I hope you never need to read this letter.
Benedict and I started the business as friends. I trusted him because I believed we wanted the same future for our families.
But lately, I've discovered transactions I cannot explain.
Some property records have been changed. Certain payments appear to have been redirected. Whenever I ask questions, Benedict tells me not to worry.
I have copies of the original agreements.
If anything happens to me, protect Amanda's inheritance. It is not only money. It represents years of work, sacrifice, and the dream that our daughter will never suffer as we did.
Do not allow fear to silence you.
Your husband, Emmanuel.
By the time Rita finished reading, Ngozika was crying.
For years, she had believed her husband's business failed before he died.
Chief Benedict had attended Emmanuel's funeral.
He had handed Ngozika an envelope of money and told her the company was struggling.
She remembered thanking him.
She had even prayed for his success.
Now she understood that the man she considered a benefactor might have been hiding money and records that belonged to her family.
Ngozika covered her face.
"My husband knew."
Rita gently touched her shoulder.
"Mama Amanda, we need to give these documents to the lawyer."
Ngozika nodded.
But then she looked frightened.
"Chief Benedict is a powerful man."
"I know."
"He has money. He knows important people."
Rita took her hand.
"Then we will do everything properly. We won't face him alone."
Ngozika studied the young woman.
"Aren't you his daughter?"
Rita looked down.
"Yes."
"Then why are you helping us?"
Rita considered the question.
For years, she had believed loyalty meant defending family members, even when they were wrong.
Now she understood something different.
Being someone's daughter didn't require supporting injustice.
She raised her head.
"Because my father doesn't have the right to steal someone's future."
Ngozika began crying again.
This time, Rita held her.
That evening, the documents reached Barrister Adebayo.
The lawyer immediately requested independent authentication and began preparing a civil claim seeking an accounting of Emmanuel's interest.
She also advised Amanda to preserve every communication involving Benedict, Lucia, and the missing funds.
Amanda listened to the news over a secure video call.
For a long time, she couldn't speak.
"My father owned part of Chief Benedict's company?"
"According to the original agreements, yes," the lawyer explained. "We still need to establish precisely what happened to his interest and what you are legally entitled to today."
Amanda shook her head.
"But Mama and I have suffered for years."
Barrister Adebayo nodded.
"I know."
Amanda pressed a hand against her stomach.
She thought about the nights Ngozika skipped meals so she could buy schoolbooks.
She thought about standing outside classrooms because tuition payments were overdue.
She thought about the shame of borrowing money for medical appointments.
And all that time, the wealth her father had helped create was growing somewhere else.
"Does Chief Benedict know?"
"We believe so."
Amanda's eyes filled with tears.
"Then why did he let us suffer?"
The lawyer couldn't answer.
There was no explanation that could make such conduct acceptable.
Meanwhile, Chief Benedict sat in his office reviewing old company records.
He had stopped sleeping properly.
His lawyers were asking questions he didn't want to answer.
His daughter had left him.
His first wife was building a new life without him.
Maryjane had given birth to a girl.
And now a forgotten business arrangement threatened the empire he had spent decades protecting.
A knock sounded.
"Come in."
Mr. Andrews entered.
Benedict looked surprised.
"Andrews? What brings you here?"
Mr. Andrews didn't sit.
"We need to talk about Amanda."
Benedict forced a smile.
"That girl again?"
Mr. Andrews placed a folder on the table.
"My accountants uncovered transfers involving your company and money meant for Amanda."
Benedict's smile disappeared.
"Explain."
"Lucia authorized several transfers into an account associated with one of your subsidiaries. I want to know why."
Benedict leaned back.
"Perhaps your wife invested money."
"Not her money."
Benedict folded his arms.
"Andrews, be careful what you're implying."
Mr. Andrews looked directly at him.
"I'm asking you a question."
Benedict stood.
"Are you accusing me of wrongdoing?"
"I'm asking whether you helped my wife conceal money intended for a vulnerable young woman."
Benedict laughed bitterly.
"You wealthy men become very sentimental when your children fall in love with poor girls."
Mr. Andrews's expression hardened.
"This isn't about class."
"Of course it is. That girl had no business getting involved with your son."
Mr. Andrews stepped closer.
"She had every right to be treated with dignity."
Benedict scoffed.
"Don't lecture me."
"I've already failed Amanda by not protecting her sooner. I'm not going to fail her again."
For a moment, the two men stared at each other.
Then Mr. Andrews spoke quietly.
"I've also seen the historical ownership records."
Benedict's face changed.
"Those records are disputed."
"Then let an independent review establish the truth."
Benedict walked toward his desk.
"Get out."
Mr. Andrews didn't move.
"Did you know Emmanuel Okorie?"
Benedict froze.
Mr. Andrews continued.
"Did you know Amanda was his daughter?"
"Get out of my office!"
Mr. Andrews looked at him with disgust.
"I used to respect you."
Benedict pointed toward the door.
"I said leave!"
Mr. Andrews picked up his folder.
Before leaving, he turned back.
"If you owe that family something, Benedict, no amount of influence will make it right to keep denying them."
The door closed.
Benedict sank into his chair.
For the first time in years, he felt genuinely afraid.
Then his secretary called.
"Sir, someone is here to see you."
"Who?"
"A gentleman named Collins."
Benedict closed his eyes.
"Send him in."
A few minutes later, Collins entered.
He looked nervous.
"Chief, we have a serious problem."
Benedict glared at him.
"What now?"
"Esther has given a statement. The girl has a lawyer. And someone has found Emmanuel's original papers."
Benedict struck the desk.
"I paid you to keep an eye on the situation!"
Collins lowered his voice.
"That's not why I came."
Benedict stared.
Collins took a small recorder from his pocket.
"I kept copies of our conversations."
Benedict went pale.
"What?"
May you like
Collins looked directly at him.
"And if you don't help me, Chief, I'm giving everything to the investigators."
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