CHAPTER SIX: A Dangerous Warning
The atmosphere in the office had changed.
Everyone could feel it.
The once calm and organized environment now carried an invisible tension—one that followed Chidimma everywhere she went.
And she knew why.
Vanessa.
"Miss Chidimma, Mr. Julian needs you," a staff member said.
She nodded and stood up, smoothing her dress.
But just as she was about to walk away—
"Not so fast."
That voice.
Cold.
Sharp.
Chidimma slowly turned around.
Vanessa.
Standing there with a smile that held no kindness.
"Let's talk," she said.
This time, it wasn't a request.
Minutes later, they were standing alone in a quiet corner of the building.
Chidimma remained calm, even though her heart was beating fast.
"I thought I made myself clear," Vanessa began, her voice low but firm.
"And I thought I made myself clear too," Chidimma replied. "I'm here to work."
Vanessa let out a soft laugh.
"You really think this is just about work?"
Chidimma didn't respond.
Because deep down…
She knew it wasn't.
Vanessa stepped closer.
"You were in his office for a long time," she said. "Care to explain?"
"That's none of your business," Chidimma replied, her tone steady.
Vanessa's eyes darkened.
"It becomes my business when you start getting too close to what belongs to me."
Chidimma frowned.
"I don't belong to anyone," she said firmly. "And neither does he."
For a second, the air went completely still.
Vanessa wasn't smiling anymore.
"Be careful," she said quietly. "You have no idea who you're dealing with."
Chidimma held her gaze.
"Neither do you."
"Chidimma."
She turned.
Julian.
Standing a few steps away, his expression unreadable.
Vanessa's face changed instantly.
Soft.
Sweet.
As if nothing had just happened.
"Julian," she said, walking toward him. "I was just talking to your assistant."
Julian looked between them.
His eyes briefly met Chidimma's.
And in that moment—
He knew.
Something wasn't right.
"Come with me," he said to Chidimma.
Vanessa's smile faded slightly.
"I'm not done talking to her," she said.
Julian's voice turned cold.
"I said, she's coming with me."
The authority in his tone left no room for argument.
Chidimma followed him silently.
But she could feel Vanessa's eyes on her back.
Burning.
As soon as they entered his office, Julian shut the door.
"What did she say to you?" he asked immediately.
Chidimma sighed.
"Why do you keep asking me that?"
"Because I know Vanessa," he replied. "And I don't trust her around you."
That caught her attention.
"You don't trust your own fiancée?" she asked.
Julian didn't answer immediately.
And that silence said everything.
"She warned me," Chidimma said finally.
Julian's expression darkened.
"I knew it."
"It's fine," she added quickly. "I can handle myself."
He stepped closer.
"This isn't something to take lightly," he said. "Vanessa doesn't play fair."
Chidimma crossed her arms.
"Neither do I."
For a brief moment, a small smile appeared on Julian's face.
But it disappeared quickly.
"Just… be careful," he said.
The concern in his voice was real.
And that made things even more complicated.
Before Chidimma could respond, there was a knock on the door.
"Sir, there's someone here to see you," a staff member said from outside.
Julian frowned.
"I didn't schedule any—"
The door opened.
And the moment Chidimma saw the man who walked in…
Her heart dropped.
He was older.
Powerful.
His presence alone filled the room.
His eyes moved slowly…
Until they landed on her.
Cold.
Calculating.
Dangerous.
"Julian," the man said calmly. "We need to talk."
Julian's expression changed instantly.
"Father."
Chidimma froze.
Father?
Her chest tightened.
This was him.
The man who destroyed everything two years ago.
His gaze returned to Chidimma.
"So," he said slowly. "This is the girl."
The room went completely silent.
And in that moment—
Chidimma realized something terrifying.
The past wasn't just coming back.
It had been waiting.
And now—
It was right in front of her.