Chapter 4 Hidden Moves And Silent Wars

Ben leaned back in his leather chair, eyes fixed on the ceiling. The air in his office felt thick, suffocating. His mind was a battlefield, and Jane had just planted a landmine at the center. The image replayed in his head-grainy, humiliating, undeniable. She had it on video. A moment of weakness, late one night in his office. He'd thought he was alone. He wasn't.

She had something on him. Something explosive. And she wasn't bluffing.

He had to be careful. Very careful.

A sharp knock at the door pulled him from his spiral.

Tomiwa stepped in, suit crisp, expression sharper. "You called?"

Ben nodded and motioned toward the seat across from him. "Close the door."

As Tomiwa obeyed, Ben rubbed his face and muttered, "Jane's trying to play me."

Tomiwa arched an eyebrow. "Blackmail?"

Ben hesitated, then gave a slow, reluctant nod. "She recorded something. A video. In my office. I didn't know the cameras were running... She must've hacked into the system or planted something."

Tomiwa leaned forward. "What's on the video?"

Ben exhaled sharply, gripping the edge of his desk. "Me. Alone. Masturbating."

Tomiwa didn't flinch. "Shit."

"Yeah. And she knows exactly how to use it. She hinted at going public if I don't do what she wants."

"Which is?"

Ben's eyes narrowed. "Full access to internal operations. Business decisions. Travel schedules. Like she wants to be my shadow-and my handler."

Tomiwa sat back slowly. "That's more than just blackmail, Ben. That's a power grab."

"I know."

"You want her gone?"

Ben shook his head. "Can't. Our families go back decades. My father trusted hers before he died. If I make a move too soon, she'll burn me alive."

Tomiwa's expression darkened. "And we don't even know who she's working with. She's not doing this alone."

Ben nodded grimly. "I need you to find out who's backing her. Track her calls. Follow her movements. She's hiding something bigger."

Tomiwa stood. "Consider it done."

As Tomiwa left, Ben turned to the dark window, watching the reflection of a man slowly losing control. What he didn't know-what Jane made sure he didn't know-was that Alex was already three steps ahead.

---

Frank's Shadowy Allegiance

In the quiet hum of a parked car, Frank tapped the side of his steering wheel rhythmically. The glow of his dashboard clock read 10:47 p.m. Streetlights cast shadows across his tired face.

He checked his phone. No new messages from Shadrach tonight. But that didn't mean the game had slowed.

His fingers moved across the screen.

FRANK: Chief Laz is probing Dubai. Digging deep. Watching trades and tech.

Seconds passed. Then the phone buzzed.

UNKNOWN: Keep feeding us. Your life depends on it.

Frank clenched his jaw. The messages were never signed. No names. Just threats wrapped in politeness.

He wasn't just feeding Mr. Shadrach. He was playing a dangerous balancing act-one that involved an even more mysterious client. One he'd never seen. One whose voice was filtered through voice changers during phone calls.

Frank knew one thing for sure: this wasn't just about corporate espionage anymore. Someone wanted Chief Laz to fall. Not just lose face-but disappear.

He dialed a number, hands trembling.

A voice picked up. "Report."

"He's scheduled a private meeting with a banker in Dubai next week. He's moving money. Carefully. Silently."

"Good. You'll intercept the details."

Frank swallowed. "And if he suspects me?"

A pause. Then, coldly: "He won't live long enough to."

The line went dead.

Frank tossed the phone onto the passenger seat and rested his head against the wheel. He was in deep. And there was no way out now.

---

Collins' Reckless Game

The nightclub in Lekki pulsed with bass, neon lights flickering like warning signs.

Collins was draped across his VIP booth, whiskey in hand, lips curled into a grin that didn't reach his eyes. A woman danced on the table, but his attention was locked on the man sitting across from him-Hande. Calm. Silent. Dangerous.

"You still owe me," Hande said, his voice a low growl over the music.

Collins shrugged lazily. "I've got it under control."

Hande leaned forward. "You said that last week. And the week before."

"Relax. My family just closed a new deal in Gambia. Money's moving. It'll flow your way soon."

Hande smiled, but it was all teeth. "You think your last name is bulletproof?"

Collins laughed, trying to brush off the tension. "The Lazaro name still means something, doesn't it?"

Hande's smile faded. "It does. Until the body it belongs to is dumped in the lagoon."

Collins froze. The grin faded.

Hande stood. "You have seventy-two hours. After that, I start collecting-one way or another."

As Hande walked away, Collins slumped back into his seat, pulse racing. He hadn't told Ben about the money he took. He hadn't told anyone.

And now, he was trapped in a debt he couldn't buy his way out of.

His phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number.

UNKNOWN: Your brother's secrets might save your life-or ruin it. Meet me. Midnight. Marina Bridge.

Collins stared at the screen, a chill crawling up his spine. Someone was watching. Someone knew too much.

---

Shadows Collide

Meanwhile, in a high-rise apartment overlooking the city, Jane adjusted her silk robe and sipped a glass of wine. The TV played on mute. Her phone rang once. Twice.

She picked it up.

"Did he take the bait?" Alex asked.

Jane smiled. "Hook, line, and shame."

"And Tomiwa?"

"He's sniffing around. Let him. It'll distract them long enough."

"Good. Phase two begins soon."

Jane hesitated. "And Ben?"

Alex's voice turned colder. "He ruined my life. Took everything I had. Now, I'll take everything he hides."

Jane hung up and walked to the balcony, the wind brushing her cheek.

She didn't care about love or loyalty. She cared about power-and Ben had too much of it.

But what none of them knew was that across the street, a third party was watching them all.

Through the lens of a high-powered camera, an unseen figure whispered into a recorder:

"Jane. Alex. Frank. Collins. All in play. Initiating Phase Zero."

The war had begun. And none of them were ready for the enemy lurking in the shadows.