It began with a single message.
Zaria drafted it herself—deliberate, powerful, and clear. No drama. No theatrics. Just truth.
She sent it to the top investigative journalist at The Continental Post, a woman named Adaeze Emeh, whose reputation for uncovering corruption had made her both feared and respected.
Within twenty-four hours, it hit the news cycle like a match dropped in dry grass.
"EXCLUSIVE: SECRET RECORDINGS AND STOLEN FUNDS—OKONKWO EMPIRE UNDER FIRE!"
"DAUGHTER OF NIGERIAN INDUSTRIALIST SPEAKS OUT—FULL TRANSCRIPTS AND FINANCIAL TRAILS REVEALED."
Zaria's face was on every screen.
Not the glamour photos from gossip blogs, but a single image of her walking out of the Okonkwo boardroom—pregnant, powerful, and composed.
Social media erupted.
Half of Nigeria hailed her a hero. A woman brave enough to take on a billion-naira dynasty while carrying new life in her womb.
The other half? Outraged. Denying the claims. Blaming her for tearing down a "respectable" family.
In the chaos, Ayo remained silent.
Until he didn't.
Two days after the news broke, Ayo held a press conference.
Dressed in all black, he stood before a cluster of cameras, flanked by crooked-faced lawyers and PR handlers.
He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"These are false allegations from a bitter outsider with no real understanding of business," he began smoothly. "This young woman is attempting to stain my family's name for personal gain—using lies fed to her by disloyal former staff."
Zaria watched from the penthouse, her expression unreadable.
Darius sat beside her, hand resting on hers.
The TV continued.
"I will not be intimidated," Ayo said. "And I am prepared to take legal action against anyone who spreads these defamatory claims."
The screen cut to a news anchor summarising the "ongoing investigation."
Zaria turned the television off.
"Let him talk," she said. "We have the files, the audio, the bank logs, the diary. His threats are made of smoke."
But Darius frowned. "Zaria, he may not win in court. But Ayo is dangerous when cornered. He won't fight clean."
"I wasn't expecting him to," she replied. "That's why I've taken one more step."
Darius raised an eyebrow. "What step?"
Zaria opened her laptop and showed him the email draft.
She was sending it to the Nigerian Corporate Crime Commission.
With the subject line:
"URGENT: Formal Request for Federal Investigation into Okonkwo Industries."
Darius exhaled slowly. "You just started a war."
Zaria's reply was quiet—but unshakable.
"No. I'm ending one."
Later that evening, as the city's lights blinked outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, Zaria stood alone in the nursery—still under construction, but warm and calm.
She placed a hand on her belly.
"Your grandfather tried to silence your grandmother. Your uncle tried to bury our name. But you, my child… you'll come into a world where your mother stood firm."
She blinked back tears.
"I promise you this. By the time you arrive, the lies will be gone. And the truth will have your name on it."