CHAPTER TEN: The Price of Defiance
The next morning felt different.
Heavy.
Like something bad was about to happen.
Chidimma noticed it the moment she stepped into the office.
People were whispering.
Looking at her.
Then quickly looking away.
Her chest tightened.
"What's going on?" she muttered.
"Miss Chidimma…"
She turned.
It was one of the staff members, looking uneasy.
"Mr. Julian wants to see you," he said.
She nodded slowly.
But as she walked toward Julian's office, the strange feeling only grew stronger.
Something wasn't right.
She knocked.
"Come in."
Chidimma stepped inside—
And immediately felt the tension.
Julian wasn't alone.
His father was there.
Seated calmly, like he owned everything.
Which he did.
"Sit," his father said.
Not asked.
Commanded.
Chidimma remained standing.
"I'm fine like this," she replied.
Julian glanced at her, a silent warning in his eyes.
But she ignored it.
His father smiled slightly.
"Still stubborn," he said. "I see nothing has changed."
Chidimma said nothing.
"I'll get straight to the point," he continued. "You will resign from this company."
Silence.
Julian's head snapped toward him.
"What?" he said.
"You heard me," his father replied calmly. "She leaves. Today."
Chidimma's heart pounded.
But she refused to show fear.
"And if I don't?" she asked.
The room went cold.
His father leaned forward slightly.
"Then I make sure your life becomes very… difficult," he said.
Julian stood up immediately.
"That's enough," he said sharply. "You can't keep doing this."
His father's gaze shifted to him.
"I warned you," he said. "But you didn't listen."
"This has nothing to do with her," Julian argued.
"It has everything to do with her," his father replied. "She is your weakness."
Chidimma felt those words hit deep.
Weakness.
Is that what she was?
"I'm not leaving," she said suddenly.
Both men looked at her.
Her hands were slightly shaking.
But her voice was firm.
"I'm not quitting my job because you told me to," she continued. "You already took enough from me."
Julian's father studied her carefully.
Then slowly—
He smiled.
But this time…
It wasn't calm.
It was dangerous.
"Very well," he said. "You've made your choice."
A chill ran down Chidimma's spine.
Because something in his tone told her—
This wasn't over.
Not even close.
Julian stepped closer to her.
"You should go," he said quietly.
She looked at him.
For a moment, she wanted to argue.
But something told her—
This was bigger than both of them.
Without another word, she turned and walked out.
The moment she left—
Julian faced his father.
"If anything happens to her—"
"It will," his father interrupted calmly.
Julian froze.
"And it will be your fault," he added.
Outside, Chidimma's heart was racing.
But she kept walking.
Kept moving.
Trying to stay strong.
But then—
Her phone rang.
Unknown number.
She hesitated.
Then answered.
"Hello?"
Silence.
Then—
A voice.
Cold.
Unfamiliar.
"You should have listened."
Her heart dropped.
"Who is this?" she asked.
The line went dead.
Chidimma slowly lowered the phone.
Her hands trembling.
Her breathing uneven.
This wasn't just a warning anymore.
It was a threat.
And deep down—
She knew something terrifying.
She had just crossed a line…
That could change everything.