The tension inside Celestial Towers was thick enough to cut with a knife. Ochieng sat in his penthouse, eyes locked on the data Victoria had sent. Names. Numbers. Percentages. Every major shareholder of Blackhawk Industries was listed, along with recent transactions.
He traced a finger over one name.
Gideon Luxford.
His jaw clenched. Luxford was a billionaire investor with a reputation for hostile takeovers. Ruthless. Calculated. The kind of man who smiled as he stripped his enemies of everything they owned.
Walter whistled as he read the file. "Damn. This guy doesn't just buy companies. He devours them."
Ela smirked. "Sounds like someone I know."
Ochieng ignored her. His mind was already racing. Luxford was moving in the shadows, but why? What did he really want?
Rolex, pacing near the bar, exhaled smoke. "Boss, we got two options. We outbid him, or we take a more... direct approach."
Ochieng's lips curled slightly. "Why not both?"
Before anyone could respond, his phone buzzed. Unknown number.
He answered. "Speak."
A smooth voice drifted through the speaker. "Mr. Ochieng. I believe you have something I want."
Luxford.
Ochieng leaned back in his chair. "Funny. I was just thinking the same thing."
A low chuckle. "Let's cut to the chase. Blackhawk belongs to me. Walk away now, and I'll let you keep your empire intact."
Ochieng's fingers drummed against the desk. "And if I don't?"
Luxford's voice darkened. "Then I'll take everything from you. Starting with the people you love."
Silence.
Walter tensed. Rolex's grip tightened on his cigar. Ela's smirk faded.
Ochieng's expression remained unreadable. Then, he laughed softly.
"You don't know who you're playing with, Luxford," he said. "I don't lose. Ever."
A pause. Then Luxford chuckled. "Then let's make this interesting. A wager."
Ochieng raised an eyebrow. "I'm listening."
Luxford's voice turned sharp. "A poker game. High stakes. Winner takes Blackhawk."
Walter's eyes widened. Rolex cursed under his breath. Ela grinned.
Ochieng exhaled slowly. A dangerous gamble. But one he couldn't resist.
"You're on," he said.
Meanwhile…
At a luxurious mansion across the city, Seline stood by the balcony, gazing at the city lights.
Regret gnawed at her heart.
She had left Ochieng when he had nothing. Mocked him. Betrayed him. Now, he was at the top—a billionaire, feared and respected. And she? She was just a shadow of his past.
A voice interrupted her thoughts.
"You still love him, don't you?"
Seline turned. Shalom. Her best friend.
Seline's throat tightened. "It doesn't matter."
Shalom stepped closer. "Then why do you look like a woman who lost the only thing that ever mattered?"
Seline closed her eyes. "Because I did."