Ochieng didn't move, didn't blink. His eyes locked onto Derick, searching for any trace of the man he once trusted. But all he found was a smirk—a dangerous, mocking smirk.
"You've grown soft, Ochieng," Derick said, stepping forward. "You should've seen this coming."
Jeff clenched his fists. "Traitor."
Derick let out a chuckle, unfazed. "Traitor? No, Jeff. I simply chose the winning side."
Ochieng's gaze flickered to Victoria, then back to Derick. "You really think you're standing on solid ground?"
Victoria leaned against the table, crossing her arms. "Derick is just the beginning. You don't realize how many of your so-called allies are already mine."
Ochieng's stomach twisted, but his face remained unreadable. "Names."
Victoria smirked. "Now, why would I ruin the surprise?"
Brian, still rubbing his sore throat from Jeff's earlier grip, sneered. "Face it, Ochieng. The empire you built is crumbling. Piece by piece."
Jeff shot Brian a murderous glare, but Ochieng raised a hand, stopping him.
"No," Ochieng said, his voice calm. "My empire isn't crumbling. It's just waking up."
Silence.
Then, a slow clap.
Tilda stepped forward, her eyes gleaming. "Interesting. You still believe you can win this?"
Ochieng tilted his head slightly. "Belief? No, Tilda. I don't believe I'll win. I know I will."
Suddenly, the room's heavy doors swung open again. This time, it was Eugene. One of the few men Ochieng still fully trusted.
Eugene's expression was unreadable, but his next words sent chills through the room.
"Boss… we have a problem."
Ochieng finally turned away from Victoria and Derick. "Speak."
Eugene took a breath. "It's Rolex. He's missing. And there's a message left behind."
Ochieng's eyes darkened. "What message?"
Eugene stepped forward and placed a single black envelope on the table.
Ochieng opened it.
Inside, a simple note.
"Your past is coming for you. And this time, you won't survive it."
The war had officially begun.