Ochieng sat in the dimly lit lounge of one of his private hotels, the rhythmic clinking of glasses and hushed conversations forming the background noise. He swirled the whiskey in his tumbler, his mind working through the events of the past few days.
Caroline's secret was just the tip of the iceberg. There was something bigger at play—something that went beyond student-teacher affairs and clandestine meetings.
A figure slid into the seat across from him, the scent of expensive perfume following her presence. Matilda.
"You look troubled," she observed, crossing her legs. Her red silk dress clung to her figure, a deliberate distraction. But Ochieng wasn't the type to be swayed by beauty alone.
"Trouble is just another part of business," he said coolly.
Matilda smirked, signaling the waiter for a glass of wine. "You always did like playing with fire."
Ochieng leaned forward, his eyes locking onto hers. "Speaking of fire, I hear you've been having secret meetings with Jeff and Linet. Should I be concerned?"
Matilda's smirk didn't falter. Instead, she raised an eyebrow. "Should you?"
Ochieng chuckled, but there was no humor in it. "You know what happens to traitors, Matilda."
She took a slow sip of her wine, unbothered by the threat. "And you know that in this game, everyone has a price."
Ochieng's jaw tightened. He had built his empire on loyalty and control, but cracks were beginning to show. The power struggle between his closest allies was escalating, and he needed to act before it spiraled beyond his reach.
A soft chime from his phone broke the tension. A single message flashed on the screen:
"Meet me at the old warehouse. Midnight. No bodyguards. We need to talk."
There was no name, but Ochieng recognized the number.
Wendy.
Matilda followed his gaze to the phone and chuckled. "Seems like your night just got more interesting."
Ochieng didn't respond. He simply finished his drink, stood up, and adjusted his cufflinks.
If Wendy was reaching out, it meant the game was changing.
And he intended to make sure he was the one pulling the strings.