On the other hand, Michael, seething with anger at the online onslaught against Chioma, was already on the phone with major news sources, exerting his influence. 'If the fake news about Chioma doesn't disappear from the search rankings right now, be prepared to face dire consequences,' he warned with a steely resolve.
The media couldn't afford to offend Michael, even though they believed he should address the situation publicly or go with the flow. However, they understood that even with immense power, controlling scattered netizens was nearly impossible.
Robert interjected, glancing at Michael who sat beside him, 'Before you take down the news, shouldn't you first seek the truth?'
Michael, his brow furrowed, retorted, 'But you said you trust Chioma.'
'I do trust her... What about Sir Felix? What are your intentions concerning him? Will your love story now transform into a contest of who takes the queen?' Robert questioned.
'We're still on the way. Once we arrive at the office, Felix will have to answer his own questions,' Michael replied, feeling torn for the first time about how to handle the situation with Felix and Chioma. He didn't want this love triangle to strain his relationship with his cousin and his girlfriend.
As they reached Moon Corporation, Michael remained silent. Upon their arrival at the office entrance, he headed straight for the elevator, with Robert following closely behind. After stepping out of the elevator, they entered Michael's lavish office. Robert promptly prepared a cup of coffee for Michael, who sank into his plush chair, deep in thought.
'Sir Michael, have some coffee,' Robert offered, placing the steaming cup of coffee on the desk before him.
Just as Michael contemplated how to broach the subject of his relationship with Chioma, Felix, accompanied by his assistant Peter, entered the office. Felix, clad in an expensive blue coat and a cream scarf, exuded grace and elegance. Peter handed Robert some documents for Michael to sign and exited the room.
Michael signalled for Robert to leave, ensuring privacy between the two brothers. Approaching Felix, who was not just his cousin but also his best friend, Michael placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. 'Felix, I need you to explain everything to me.'
'You and I both know that we've unknowingly fallen in love with the same woman... If you had shown me your woman when I asked, if you had introduced me to her while we went for a drink, I would have known her... It wouldn't have come to this,' Felix expressed, a tinge of blame in his voice.
'Do you blame me now? I was waiting for the right time to introduce her to you, but we've both been caught up in our busy lives. I didn't want to casually present my woman to you; I wanted to celebrate her introduction with you,' Michael replied, averting his gaze. 'I had planned to bring her home after this trip, only to be met with this unfortunate news. I'm just as confused as you are. Can you fathom how much it pains me that we're both in love with the same woman? And she had a problem that I wasn't even aware of until today.' He said, his voice dropping to a whisper. 'I even doubted whether Jessica would stoop so low as to hire mobsters to harm your woman since you have no issue with her. This whole thing...' He gestured vaguely between them, the air thick with unspoken emotions. 'But I was foolish and careless because the person who was attacked was my woman, and I love her dearly.'
Felix's face remained an unreadable mask. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and even. 'I love her too... I don't think I'm ready or willing to give her up,' Felix confessed, echoing Michael's sentiments.
Michael held back tears, feeling the weight of his emotions. This vulnerability was unfamiliar territory for him. He couldn't blame Felix for any of this. It wasn't his cousin's fault. Whose fault was it, then? Giving up on Chioma was inconceivable. It wasn't a decision he could easily announce to the world. Chioma had become an integral part of his life. He couldn't imagine living without her.
'If this is just a misunderstanding, we can issue a statement to clarify it. We don't have to make a spectacle of it,' Michael suggested, trying to find a way to handle the situation.
'Michael, matters of the heart aren't always that simple,' Felix replied, glancing at his cousin. 'You had a hidden relationship with her, and it's now exposed even before it was officially announced... We'll discuss this further later. Right now, I'm not in the mood for it.'
'I could give up anything, but not Chioma,' Michael asserted.
As Felix turned to leave the office, he halted and looked back at Michael. 'Let's leave it up to destiny to decide,' he said before turning around and exiting the office.
Michael glanced at the untouched coffee, lacking the appetite to drink it. His mind was consumed with thoughts of Chioma and the turmoil surrounding their relationship.