Chapter 17 - THE TRUTH NOBODY COULD BUYSix months after Grace was born, Chief Benedict walked into a lawyer's conference room wearing an expensive charcoal suit.
His face was serious.
For the first time in many years, he wasn't attending a meeting where everyone stood to greet him.
He was attending a formal mediation session in a legal dispute that threatened his reputation and part of his fortune.
Across the table sat Barrister Adebayo.
Beside her were Amanda, Ngozika, and their legal representatives.
Rita sat a few chairs away with Felicia.
Chief Benedict looked directly at his daughter.
"Rita, what are you doing here?"
Rita answered calmly.
"I'm supporting Amanda."
Benedict scoffed.
"Against your own father?"
Rita held his gaze.
"Against what you did, Daddy. There's a difference."
He looked away angrily.
The mediator began by explaining the purpose of the meeting.
The parties would review the evidence, discuss the financial accounting, and determine whether the civil dispute could be resolved without a prolonged trial.
Separate investigations into possible criminal conduct were continuing.
Amanda sat quietly.
She had spent the morning feeding Grace and arranging childcare with Sister Grace.
For once, she wasn't interested in the expensive clothes or impressive titles surrounding her.
She wanted answers.
The first documents concerned Emmanuel Okorie's original investment.
Independent experts had confirmed that the agreement and several supporting records were authentic.
The company's historical accounts showed that Emmanuel had contributed substantial assets when the business began.
The next set of documents concerned the transfer supposedly signed after his death.
A forensic document examiner had found significant irregularities.
The lawyer explained that the transfer's validity was being challenged.
Then came the financial records.
Over many years, money associated with Emmanuel's disputed ownership interest had remained under corporate arrangements controlled by Benedict.
Some distributions had been redirected.
Others had never been properly accounted for.
Benedict's lawyer attempted to explain the transactions as ordinary business restructuring.
Barrister Adebayo challenged that explanation.
"Then why was Mrs. Ngozika never informed?"
Benedict remained silent.
"Why did the company continue using assets contributed by her husband while telling her there was nothing left?"
His lawyer intervened.
"My client disputes the characterization."
Barrister Adebayo nodded.
"Then we will rely on the documentary record."
The meeting continued for hours.
Finally, Amanda spoke.
Everyone turned toward her.
She looked at Chief Benedict.
"Sir, may I ask you something?"
He leaned back.
"What?"
"Did you know my father?"
Benedict hesitated.
"Yes."
"Was he your friend?"
The older man looked uncomfortable.
"We worked together."
"That's not what I asked."
Benedict stared at her.
Amanda repeated the question.
"Was he your friend?"
After a long pause, Benedict answered.
"Yes."
Amanda nodded.
"My mother told me he trusted you."
Benedict remained silent.
"She told me you came to his funeral."
"Yes."
"She told me you gave her some money and said the business had failed."
Benedict looked down.
Amanda's voice began shaking.
"For years, my mother stood beside the road selling food in the heat and rain. Sometimes she couldn't afford my school fees. Sometimes we went to bed hungry."
Ngozika began crying.
Amanda continued.
"Did you know that?"
Benedict said nothing.
"Did you know my mother was struggling?"
He shifted in his chair.
"I wasn't responsible for supporting your family."
Amanda nodded slowly.
"No, sir. You weren't responsible for supporting us out of charity."
Then she leaned forward.
"But you were responsible for honoring the agreement you made with my father."
Silence filled the room.
Rita wiped her eyes.
Amanda continued.
"I am not asking you to give me something because you feel sorry for me. I am asking you to account for what my father earned."
Chief Benedict looked away.
For the first time, he didn't have an easy insult or excuse.
After a break, the lawyers resumed negotiations.
But no agreement was reached that day.
Benedict wanted strict confidentiality and a payment that would end Amanda's claims without full disclosure.
Amanda refused the proposed terms after receiving legal advice.
She wanted a transparent accounting and a fair determination of ownership.
When the session ended, Chief Benedict approached Rita outside the building.
"Are you satisfied now?"
Rita looked at him.
"Daddy, this isn't about satisfaction."
"You've humiliated me."
Rita shook her head.
"No. Your decisions brought you here."
Benedict's expression hardened.
"After everything I gave you, this is how you repay me?"
Rita felt the old fear returning.
For a moment, she was a little girl again, desperate for her father's approval.
Then she remembered Ada.
And Grace.
And Amanda.
And her mother rebuilding her life in a rented apartment.
She stood straighter.
"Daddy, you gave me many things. But I won't repay you by helping you hurt other people."
Benedict stared at her.
"You think you're better than me?"
"No."
Rita's voice softened.
"I think I can choose to do better."
Then she walked away.
That evening, Maryjane received the results of Ada's parentage testing.
She sat in her small rented apartment with trembling hands.
After leaving Benedict's mansion, she had begun working remotely for a bookkeeping firm.
The pay was modest.
Her apartment was tiny.
And she often stayed awake worrying about rent.
But she was no longer afraid of being ordered out of a luxurious home whenever she displeased someone.
She opened the laboratory report.
Then she called Daniel.
He answered immediately.
"Maryjane?"
"The results are here."
There was a pause.
"And?"
She began crying.
"Daniel, Ada is your daughter."
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then his voice broke.
"My daughter."
Maryjane nodded through her tears.
"Yes."
"Is she okay?"
"She's healthy. She's growing so quickly."
Daniel began crying too.
"Can I see her?"
Maryjane took a deep breath.
"We need to discuss how we'll handle everything. I don't want us to repeat the mistakes we made before."
Daniel agreed.
"We'll do it properly."
Over the following months, they began establishing a co-parenting arrangement centered on Ada's needs.
They didn't immediately resume their romantic relationship.
Neither wanted to confuse parenthood with an obligation to marry.
But they agreed that Ada deserved honesty and dependable care.
Meanwhile, Rita received something she had been waiting for.
Her scholarship application had been approved.
She could finish her university program with financial assistance and income from her part-time work.
When she told Felicia, her mother screamed with joy.
They hugged and cried in their little apartment.
That night, Rita looked at the photograph of her parents she had brought from the mansion.
For years, she had believed happiness meant keeping that family together.
Now she understood that sometimes a family had to change before its members could begin healing.
But the greatest surprise came the following morning.
Esther called Barrister Adebayo.
Her voice was tense.
"Barrister, I found something."
"What is it?"
"An old file Lucia asked me to destroy."
The lawyer sat upright.
"Where is it?"
"I kept a copy because I was afraid."
"What does it contain?"
Esther took a deep breath.
"Letters between Chief Benedict and Lucia Andrews. They discuss Amanda's father, the inheritance claim, and the money."
Barrister Adebayo became still.
Esther continued.
"There's also a handwritten note."
"Whose handwriting?"
"Lucia's."
"What does it say?"
May you like
Esther's voice trembled.
"It says, 'As long as Amanda remains in this house, we can make sure she never discovers who she really is.'"
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