Chapter 4 A Ghost from Her Past

The mansion was big and cold.

Tall white pillars. Black gates. Sharp edges.

Everything about it screamed power.

Benita held Kelvin's arm as they stepped out of the car.

Paparazzi were outside. Cameras clicked.

She smiled like she was in love.

But her hands were sweating.

Because that man...

The one by the gate...

She knew him.

And he knew her.

---

Inside the mansion, a maid opened the door.

"Mr. Grey is expecting you," she said.

Kelvin nodded and led Benita through the long hallway.

On the walls were old photos of his family.

Kelvin as a child. A man who looked just like him-that had to be his father.

Benita's chest was tight.

She was walking into a lion's den with a secret in her pocket and a smile on her face.

---

Mr. Grey sat in a dark leather chair by the fireplace.

He didn't get up. He didn't smile.

His voice was deep. "So this is the girl you want to marry?"

Kelvin smiled slightly. "She's more than just a girl. She's the one."

Benita gave a polite smile. "It's an honor to meet you, sir."

Mr. Grey didn't return it. His eyes were sharp, like knives.

"Where are you from?" he asked.

Benita answered softly. "Lagos, sir. I grew up in Ajah."

"And your family?"

Benita froze for half a second. "My father ran a small business. He's... recovering from a hard time."

Kelvin's hand touched hers under the table. A silent warning.

Stay calm. Don't shake. Don't break.

---

The brunch continued. Mr. Grey didn't talk much.

But Benita could feel him watching her.

Studying her.

Judging every word.

When they finally left the house, she let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

"You did well," Kelvin said in the car.

But Benita didn't speak. She couldn't.

Because that man by the gate...

She had seen him again on their way out.

He had whispered just one word as she passed:

"Sule."

Her body turned cold.

That name... no one should know that name.

---

Flashback – 2 Years Ago

Benita stood behind a man as he counted stolen money.

She was only there to clean. But she had seen too much.

She never told anyone what happened.

Not the police. Not her father. Not even Tina.

Because if she did... Sule would find her again.

And now he had.

---

Back to Present

That night, Benita sat by the window of the penthouse.

The lights of the city sparkled outside.

Kelvin came into the room. He handed her a glass of water.

"You were quiet today," he said.

"I was nervous," she lied.

He stared at her. "My father believes in bloodlines. He doesn't like liars."

Benita swallowed. "I didn't lie."

Kelvin stepped closer.

"I don't know who you really are," he said, "but I will find out."

Then he walked away.

Her phone buzzed again.

> "You don't belong in his world. I can bring it all crashing down. Remember Ajah. Remember what you saw."

Benita dropped the phone.

Tears burned behind her eyes.

She thought she had escaped her past.

But now, it was sitting right outside her door.

And if Kelvin found out what she once did to survive...

He'd end the deal. And maybe destroy her.