Chapter 2
The black sleek car screeched to a stop in front of St. Luke’s Private Hospital.
Before the driver could even pull the handbrake, Nena Asika was already out, her heels clicking sharply against the pavement as she stormed toward the entrance.
Her heartbeat hammered in her chest.
The call had been brief, but the message was clear:
Her brother was in the ER. Badly beaten.
She shoved open the glass doors, her sharp gaze sweeping the reception.
The night nurse, already recognizing her, rose from her seat. “Miss Okafor —”
“Where is he?” Nena’s voice was clipped, urgent.
“Room 307. But the doctor—”
She was already gone.
The moment Nena stepped inside, her breath caught.
Jerry lay on the bed, barely recognizable.
His right eye was swollen shut, his lips split, bandages wrapped around his ribs and forehead. His left arm was in a cast, and his skin was marred with deep bruises.
A doctor, dressed in scrubs, turned from the monitors as she entered. His expression was grim.
“Nena,” he greeted, his voice low. “He’s lucky to be alive.”
Her throat tightened.
“What exactly are we looking at?” she asked, keeping her voice steady.
The doctor exhaled. “Multiple bruises, a fractured rib, and a dislocated shoulder. We’re keeping an eye on his internal bleeding, but for now, he’s stable.” He glanced back at Jerry. “He was in a lot of pain when he arrived.”
Nena swallowed hard, her fists clenching. Someone had done this to him on purpose. Someone had wanted him dead.
“Will he recover?” she asked.
“With time. But he needs rest. No stress, no—”
Jerry’s weak chuckle interrupted.
“Come on, Doc. I’m fine,” he rasped, his voice hoarse.
Nena turned fully to him, stepping closer. “You don’t look fine,” she said sharply.
Jerry attempted a smirk, but it ended in a wince. “You should see the other guys.”
She didn’t laugh.
Instead, she perched on the edge of the bed and reached for his hand.
“Tell me everything.”
Jerry sighed, shifting slightly. “I didn’t recognize them. They jumped on me outside my apartment. Four guys. They didn’t even take my wallet.”
Nena’s stomach twisted. This wasn’t a robbery.
“They had a message,” Jerry continued, his face darkening. “Tell your sister to back off the case. Or else…”
The room went silent.
Nena’s blood ran cold.
Her worst suspicion was confirmed.
She let out a slow breath and squeezed Jerry’s hand. “I’m going to handle this.”
His one good eye met hers. “Nena…”
“I mean it.” She pulled back, standing tall. “You rest. I’ll make the bastards regret this.”
Then, without another word, she turned on her heels, pulled out her phone, and walked out.
Outside, she stopped by her car, leaned against the door, and dialed.
One ring. Two rings.
The line connected.
“Nena? It’s late.”
Her grip on the phone tightened.
“Who the hell are you up against, Chief Emma?”
A long pause.
Then, a heavy sigh. “I was hoping you wouldn’t ask.”
Her jaw tensed.
“Start talking.”
Nena sat across from Chief Emma, her expression sharp, her patience thin. She wasn’t here for theatrics—she wanted facts.
Chief Emma didn’t waste time. “Obinna Ike is a criminal in a tailored suit,” he said, his voice edged with anger. “For years, he’s been rigging real estate deals, bribing officials, and shutting down competitors—illegally. This time, he crossed the line.”
Nena folded her arms. “How?”
“I had a prime waterfront deal in motion,” Chief Emma said. “Completely legal, all paperwork in place. Next thing I know, Obinna swoops in, manipulates the system, and takes the property right from under me. He forged documents, paid off the right people, and when I refused to back down—” He paused, his eyes darkening. “Your brother was attacked.”
Nena’s breath hitched. “You’re saying Obinna is behind Jerry’s assault?”
“Who else?” Chief Emma spread his hands. “This is how he operates—intimidation, force. He wanted to send a message.”
Nena’s jaw tightened. She had handled tough cases before, but this was personal.
“Whatever game he’s playing, I’ll put an end to it,”
Chief Emma nodded approvingly. “That’s why I hired you. Make sure he pays.”
Nena leaned forward, locking eyes with Chief Emma. “I don’t build cases on speculation, Chief. I need solid evidence—documents, contracts, financial records, anything that proves Obinna Ike rigged that deal.”
Chief Emma smirked, tapping his fingers on the polished mahogany desk. “You’re sharp, I like that. But trust me, Obinna isn’t the type to leave a paper trail.”
“I don’t trust anyone,” Nena shot back. “Which is why I need facts, not stories. If I’m going after a man of his caliber, I need irrefutable proof.”
Chief Emma nodded slowly. “Fair enough. I have files—emails, bank transactions, even statements from a few officials who were strong-armed into silence.”
“I want everything,” Nena said, standing. “Send them to my office before the day ends.”
Chief Emma chuckled. “You don’t waste time, do you?”
“I don’t have time to waste.” She turned to leave but paused at the door. “And one more thing—who else was involved?”
Chief Emma’s smile didn’t falter. “As far as I’m concerned, Obinna Ike is your man.”
Nena held his gaze for a moment, then walked out. Her instincts told her there was more to this than he was letting on. And she was going to find out.
But just as she stepped into the hallway, Chief Emma’s secretary picked up the phone.
“She took the bait,” the woman murmured. “Everything is going as planned.”
