Mr. Okeke turned to the others, his tone shifting to a more serious note. "Let's not forget who is sitting in that chair. Olaedo built this company from the ground up from the age of 18 till now. She is one of the youngest multi billionaires in the world for crying out loud. She's earned her place as CEO, and she's the one who can get us out of this mess. We need to rally behind her now, not tear her down.
He paused before continuing with a sly tone "Unless..."
"Unless she proves incapable of handling this situation, we must trust her."
He flashed a reassuring smile at Olaedo, who gave him a quick, silent nod of gratitude. His support felt like a balm to her frayed nerves.
A low murmur spread through the room, divided between those who supported Olaedo and those who seemed eager to see her fail.
"We need action now, not sentimental speeches," Mr. Ade shot back. "Our investors want immediate assurances. And if you're unable to provide them…" His silence made his intentions clear.
After a brief pause, Olaedo answered, her voice strong. "I'm well aware of what's at stake, Mr. Ade. I'll be exploring every option, including external financing if necessary. Rest assured, I have no intention of letting this company or my leadership fall."
With a final determined look at her opponents, Olaedo dismissed the meeting, leaving no room for further challenges.
Back in her office, Olaedo scrolled through the endless comments under the news headlines. Her heart tightened with each swipe.
'Why am I doing this to myself? she wondered, sighing. But maybe… just maybe, someone's spotted Maduabuchi and slipped a hint into these comments.'
It was desperate, and she knew it, but still she searched the sea of insults and speculation, fingers poised to catch any mention of "Aneke Maduabuchi."
Sweetnothingless: "How can a multi billionaire be this naive? Who raised her?"
Hellohibyebye: "Above, she's one of the youngest billionaires in the world. Emphasis on youngest. No time for common sense or high EQ."
Wakinguptoreality: "I was looking forward to the wedding of the century! Guess we're not getting that fairytale ending now…"
Ranawayfromhomeagain: "She should leave the job for the big boys. The country's currency is in free fall, thanks to her!"
Ilovehorrormovies: "Everyone needs to watch out for this weapon fashioned against our country and the world, called Aneke Maduabuchi. Please report any sighting to 090********. Your country needs you!"
Don'tknowsodon'task: "Can't even go home. The thought of losing my job soon is terrifying."
Olaedo's heart sank as she scrolled through hundreds, maybe thousands of comments.
Every channel was milking the story for all it was worth, and even unknown bloggers were going viral.
Finally, she "liked" Ilovehorrormovies' post to boost it to the top, hoping someone would see it and actually be able to help.
As she kept scrolling, her eye snagged on a new headline.
"BREAKING: CEO Arinze Caught in Bed with Adani Ani During Awards Gala!"
"..."
'Hold on… WHAT?' Olaedo blinked in shock.
This news made her temporarily forget her own problems.
Arinze was her mentor, the one person she looked up to since she was seventeen. He had graduated top of his class, taken over New Age Group at just twenty, and turned it into a trillion local currency powerhouse in five years. In all that time, he had never had a single scandal. Not one!
'No, this has to be fake… Someone's framing him!'
A quick search confirmed the images were spreading across the internet like wildfire, and the photos didn't even look edited.
Government officials were in a frenzy. With her situation already sending shockwaves through the markets, another scandal at this level could topple major industries.
------------------------------------
On the other side of the city, all hell was breaking loose in the Arinze family's mansion, practically a castle.
Mr. Ani, a middle-aged man with a frown deep enough to leave lines for days, was seated on one side of the vast living room. His daughter, Adani, sat beside him, teary-eyed and beautiful, her delicate features framed by cascading dark hair and a proud, hourglass figure that few could ignore. She looked every bit the "perfect heiress," polished, graceful, and a bit too practiced in her soft sobs.
"Old Master Arinze, you owe us an explanation! My daughter's reputation is on the line here!"
Old Master Arinze sat across from him, his expression dark as thunderclouds. His sharp gaze flickered over to his grandson, Chibuzor, with a barely contained frustration. But he held his tongue while outsiders were present.
Accused of having "compromised" Adani at the event, Chibuzor's innocence seemed less likely with every new piece of damning evidence.
"Mr. Ani," he said, his tone sharp but restrained, "I'll give you a full explanation once I speak with my grandson."
Mr. Ani, seizing his chance, pressed on. "Do you think you can brush me off with empty words? My daughter may already be pregnant as we speak." He gestured to Adani, who touched her stomach with a soft, suggestive smile, her tearful eyes turned innocently downward.
"The only way to resolve this is to announce to the world that my daughter and CEO Chibuzor were engaged since birth, and to confirm their wedding date."
"..."
Old Madam Arinze couldn't hold back a small scoff. In all her years, she had never seen someone 'get pregnant' in less than three hours!
"Nonsense!" Old Master Arinze finally burst out, unable to hold back any longer. "Do you think my grandson would marry your daughter because you demand it? I've been more than patient, but don't test me."
At this, Mr. Ani paled slightly, as if suddenly remembering exactly who he was up against: the legendary Old Master Arinze, the man who built New Age Group from scratch and raised his grandson to succeed him after his children had all fallen short.
His previously confident and aggressive stance melted away, replaced by a nervous chuckle that made Adani cringe. "Heh heh, Old Master, didn't you say you wanted to speak with Chibuzor first? Go ahead, go ahead! That's how it should be. We'll come back another day."