Chapter 2 A Dangerous Game

Ben's grip on the edge of his desk tightened as Jane's smirk deepened. The silence between them stretched, thick with unspoken power.

"You're quiet," tilting her head. "That's not like you, Ben." Jane purred.

Her voice was silk laced with poison. The kind that paralyzed, sinking into the mind before its victim even realized the trap had closed.

Ben swallowed, keeping his face blank. He had built his reputation on control, never showing weakness. But now, this woman standing before him held a secret that could destroy him.

"You don't have to say anything," she continued, running a finger along the smooth surface of his desk. "I already know what you're thinking."

His stomach twisted. No, she didn't.

Because what he was thinking-what he was planning-would take her completely by surprise.

The Weight of a Secret

The office felt smaller. The walls seemed to close in, the dim light casting elongated shadows that flickered against the floor-to-ceiling windows. The city outside continued as if his world hadn't just tilted.

"You're making this more difficult than it needs to be," Jane said, sighing. "We can both get something out of this."

Ben's jaw clenched. There was no 'we.'

Every second he stayed silent, she gained more ground. Every hesitation, every flicker of doubt, gave her more control.

"Let's be clear about one thing," he said finally, his voice measured. "This... situation gives you leverage today. But leverage can shift."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, the first crack in her confident façade. Good.

"Are you threatening me?" she asked, amusement dancing in her tone.

Ben leaned forward, resting his arms on the desk. "I'm reminding you that I don't lose."

A slow, wicked smile curved her lips. "Oh, Ben. This isn't about winning or losing. This is about... surrender."

His fingers curled into his palm. She was enjoying this too much.

She thought she had him.

But she had underestimated him.

A Call in the Darkness

That night, the glow of the city lights barely reached the inside of Ben's study. He sat in his leather chair, staring at his untouched glass of scotch.

His mind spun. Jane was dangerous, but she wasn't invincible.

He needed a counterattack. Something that would force her to back down.

His phone buzzed, a text lighting up the screen.

Tomiwa: Got something on Jane's ex. Call me.

Ben exhaled slowly. He picked up the phone and dialed.

Tomiwa answered immediately. "You're going to like this."

"Talk."

"Her ex-boyfriend, Alex," Tomiwa said, his voice low. "Not just an ex-con. He's worse than I thought. Fraud, scams, extortion. The guy is a walking time bomb."

Ben drummed his fingers against the desk. "And Jane?"

"She was obsessed with him," Tomiwa continued. "Did everything he asked. Even when he scammed her. She kept going back."

Ben let out a slow breath. That was it.

That was her weakness.

"I want you to find Alex," Ben said. "And bring him to me."

A pause. Then-

"That's a dangerous game, Ben."

Ben's lips curled into a cold smile. "So is blackmail."

Collins' Reckless Gamble

Meanwhile, across town, in the hazy depths of an underground club, Collins Laz leaned back in his chair, grinning lazily. A thick cloud of smoke curled around the poker table.

The air buzzed with murmured bets, clinking glasses, and the sharp flick of playing cards.

Collins' tie hung loosely around his neck, his shirt half-unbuttoned. He was riding high on confidence.

"Another round," he drawled, tossing his last stack of chips onto the table.

The dealer hesitated. "Are you sure, Mr. Laz?"

Collins let out a slow chuckle. "Are you worried about me, or worried I might clean you out?"

A ripple of amusement spread through the table. But not everyone was smiling.

Across from him, Hande-the feared drug lord and king of the underground gambling world-watched in silence. His expression was unreadable.

"Five million," Collins announced, pushing the last of his fortune into the bet.

The room went still.

Hande tilted his head. "Brave."

Collins smirked. "Lucky."

The dealer revealed the cards.

Collins' smirk vanished.

Hande's slow smile sent ice through his veins. He had lost.

The weight of his mistake hit him all at once.

"You'll pay by the end of the week," Hande said simply. His tone was calm, but there was no mistaking the threat.

Collins forced a grin, though his hands had gone cold. "Of course."

But deep inside?

He had no way to pay.

And Hande never let a debt go unpaid.

Betrayal in the Shadows

Elsewhere, in a high-rise office, Frank swirled his whiskey glass, his gaze fixed on Mr. Shadrach.

"You're making progress?" Shadrach asked, voice laced with amusement.

Frank smirked. "Chief Laz still trusts me. He has no idea I'm feeding you information."

Shadrach leaned back, satisfied. "Then keep going. His downfall is just beginning."

Frank nodded, but something in the back of his mind nagged at him. If Chief Laz ever found out...

He pushed the thought away.

Loyalty was just a word. And right now?

Betrayal paid better.

Mrs. Laz's Worry

At the Laz family estate, the dining table was silent except for the soft clinking of silverware.

Mrs. Laz shifted slightly in her chair, her arthritis making movement stiff. She studied her son, Ben, who was lost in thought.

"Ben," she said gently.

He glanced up. "Yes, Mama?"

"You're troubled," she said simply. "This family's legacy was built by your father with everything he had. Don't let it slip away."

Ben nodded. But deep inside?

He knew time was running out.

Because if he didn't act fast

Everything would fall apart.