Hours slipped by, and soon daylight spilled over the city rooftops.
LadyBell and Betty had arrived at the hospital earlier, giving Daniel a chance to return home and freshen up. Now, he was on his way back when his phone rang.
It was the inspector.
"The culprit's been caught."
Daniel's heart tightened. He gave his driver a sharp instruction to take the next turn, heading straight for the station.
They arrived within minutes.
"Mr. Lewis, thank you for coming," the inspector greeted as Daniel stepped out of the car.
"Where's the person?" he asked, his voice low, eyes sharp. He hadn't received many details, he didn't need them. All he wanted was to lay his hands on whoever had hurt Esther.
"He's being interrogated as we speak," the inspector replied. "But here's what we know, he's a fifty-year-old man. A driver for the Jalloh family."
Daniel's fists clenched.
The Jallohs. Again.
"He confessed to everything," the inspector added.
But Daniel wasn't convinced.
"And how are you sure he was the one behind the wheel?"
His instincts were screaming. Something didn't sit right with him. Betty had told him they had crossed paths with Jariatu that same day, just moments before the hit-and-run. It was too convenient.
"I understand your doubts," the inspector said, calm but firm. "But we've done a thorough job. Surveillance footage from the area supports his confession. The vehicle that struck Esther was found parked at his residence. He'd taken it from the Jallohs for maintenance, claimed it was an accident."
Daniel's jaw tightened. The explanation sounded rehearsed. Clean. Too clean.
"I want to see him," he said coldly.
"I want to ask him myself."
With an agreed nod, the inspector led Danie to the interrogation room. Inside the man sat at the center, wrists cuffed to the table. His face was weathered, lines etched deep with age and perhaps guilt, or something else.
Daniel stepped in, the door closing firmly behind him.
He didn't sit.
"What's your name?" he asked, voice cold and measured.
"Musa… Musa Bangura," the man replied, avoiding Daniel's eyes.
Daniel's gaze didn't waver.
"Why did you hit her?"
Musa shifted in his seat. "It was an accident. I didn't see her coming. The brakes… they didn't respond in time. I panicked and drove off."
"You're a trained driver," Daniel cut in. "You don't just 'panic.' Not when you're behind the wheel of a multimillion-leone SUV. Try again."
Musa hesitated. His fingers twitched against the cuffs. He dared not speak, nor let a single word slip.
He had been called over by his boss around eleven the previous night. One moment he was pacing the front compound, the next, he was summoned into Mr. Jalloh's private study. There had been no preamble, just cold, calculated instructions:
"You're going to confess to a crime you didn't commit."
At first, Musa refused and stood to leave. But then the offer came. A life-changing sum of money, and a promise to cover his children's university education. The deal was clear: plead guilty, serve a short sentence, three years at most, and walk away richer than he could ever imagine.
And so, here he was.
"I… I didn't mean to hurt anyone," Musa said shakily. "I was just test-driving the car. It was due for service."
Daniel's eyes narrowed. "Who sent you?"
Silence.
He stepped closer, his tone sharper. "What did they offer you?"
Musa's head jerked up, alarm flashing in his eyes.
Daniel saw it immediately.
"You know you didn't drive that car yesterday," he said quietly. "And you definitely didn't hit Esther."
Musa opened his mouth, then closed it. Sweat trickled down his temple.
"My question is, who did?" Daniel pressed. "Was it your boss?"
"No," Musa whispered, voice trembling. "I already confessed, didn't I? I said it was me."
"That's not an answer," Daniel snapped.
He turned to the one-way mirror, knowing the inspector was behind it, watching. "You want justice? Let's not play games."
Facing Musa again, Daniel's voice was ice. "They're using you. If you take the fall, the real culprit walks free. And when they do, they'll forget your name."
A heavy silence followed. Then, slowly, Musa lifted his eyes. They were glassy, defeated.
"It wasn't meant to happen that way," he whispered. "I was only supposed to drive her there and back… but then the car went out of control."
Daniel clenched his jaw, rage simmering beneath his calm exterior. His fist slammed the table, making Musa flinch.
"I'll find the truth," Daniel growled. "And when I do, you'll wish you'd never taken their money."
He turned and stormed out of the room.
The moment he stepped into the corridor, his mind was racing. This wasn't over. The Jallohs thought they'd buried the truth behind hush money and a fall guy.
But Daniel Lewis wasn't backing down.
He was going to dig deep, and this time, Jariatu would face consequences.
Somewhere in the sleek corridors of LewisTech, Dija was doing her usual flirtatious dance with Thomas, flashing a charming smile and trying to inch her way into his heart. But before she could make real progress, Sarah walked in, heels clicking, confidence sharp as ever.
"Thomas, has Mr. Lewis come in yet?" Sarah asked, effortlessly cutting through Dija's playful plea for a coffee date, for the third time this week.
Dija sighed and stepped back, watching closely as Thomas's gaze shifted from her to Sarah with a little too much admiration.
"He hasn't," Thomas replied, his voice tight. Whether it was guilt over lunch dates he had turned down from Dija, or irritation at Sarah's constant pursuit of their boss, it was unclear.
"That's odd," Sarah said, her brow creasing. "He always comes in at eight, and it's almost nine. Is he alright?"
"He's just… a bit occupied," Thomas replied vaguely. He didn't want to delve into Daniel's personal matters.
"Occupied? He walked out of our lunch yesterday like his feet were on fire," Sarah pressed, lowering her voice. "Are you sure nothing's going on?"
Thomas paused, then gave in.
"His daughter was in an accident," he said quietly.
Sarah blinked. "What? Is Mr. Lewis okay?"
That's when Dija, who had remained silent until now, narrowed her eyes and stepped forward.
"Hold on," she said, her tone sharp. "He said his daughter was in an accident, not him. Why are you asking if he's okay and not the girl?"
Sarah stiffened. "I'm just being concerned."
"Well, it's concern aimed at the wrong person," Dija snapped. "And FYI, Uncle Daniel doesn't need your pity. He needs employees who do their jobs and stay out of his personal life."
Sarah's nostrils flared as she stepped closer.
"Listen, girl, you don't want to make an enemy of me. Whatever is going on between Mr. Lewis and me is not your business."
Dija didn't flinch. She held Sarah's gaze with a quiet intensity.
"There's nothing going on between you two except an employment contract," Dija said coolly. "No matter how hard you try, you're never going to be what you think you are to him. A chicken can't become a phoenix."
Her words landed hard, clear, cold, and devastating.
In just a few days of her internship, Dija had seen enough to recognize Sarah's manipulative games and her unsettling fixation on Daniel Lewis. She wasn't about to sit back and let Sarah roam unchecked.
"Thomas, let's have that coffee you're always asking for at lunch," Sarah said with a smirk, her eyes gleaming as they flicked to Dija's clenched fist at her side. She knew her little jab had landed, and hard. What better revenge than to dangle the man Dija clearly admired like a prize under her command?
"You…" Dija started, but Sarah was already walking away, hips swaying, heels echoing her exit like a drumbeat of mockery.
Left behind, Dija stood fuming. Thomas gave her a nervous smile, unsure of what to say.
"I can't believe her," Dija muttered. "You're not really going on that coffee date, are you?"
Thomas hesitated. "But…"
"But what?" she shot back. "You know she only asked to get under my skin. You saw it."
Thomas pressed his lips into a line. It was harsh, but true. He knew it. He just didn't want to admit it out loud.
"I should get back to work," he said.
But Dija stepped in again, her tone now shifting, serious and laced with concern.
"Wait. Can you tell me what happened to Betty?"
Thomas sighed, the weight settling back on his shoulders.
"She's fine. Esther saved her… but she got hit."
He didn't even realize he had broken his own rule about protecting Mr. Lewis's privacy.
Dija's expression changed instantly.
"What? Is Esther okay? What hospital?" She was already pulling out her phone. "I'm calling Aunt Bell, now."
And just like that, she rushed out the door, heels clicking with purpose this time.
Meanwhile at the hospital, the room was calm, the early morning sun casting gentle rays through the blinds. Lady Bell sat by the hospital bed, her hand resting on Esther's. Betty stood nearby, quiet but alert, her wide eyes watching the still form on the bed. Machines beeped softly in the background.
Then, Esther stirred.
Her fingers twitched first. A slow blink. Her lips parted as she tried to speak, then gave up. But her eyes, once they opened, moved around in confusion.
"Where… where am I?" she murmured, voice hoarse and barely audible.
Lady Bell leaned forward, eyes glistening. "Esther, sweetheart, you're awake."
Esther frowned, blinking rapidly. "Am I… dead? Is this heaven?"
A soft giggle broke through the room.
"No, silly," Betty said with a bright smile. "You're still on earth."
Esther's head slowly turned to her. Her eyes widened in disbelief. "You… spoke?" she whispered.
Betty gave a small, proud nod.
Esther's lips trembled, a weak smile forming. "Wow sunflower your voice… it's beautiful."
Lady Bell beamed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "All thanks to you, Esther. You helped her more than any of us ever could."
Emotion swelled in Esther's chest, but before she could speak again, Lady Bell rose from her chair. "I'm going to get the doctors. They'll want to see you're awake."
She stepped out quickly, leaving Esther and Betty alone in the quiet room. Betty reached out and gently took Esther's hand, holding it with surprising steadiness.
Moments later, Lady Bell returned, this time with the head surgeon, a calm, professional man in a white coat who walked in with a reassuring smile.
"Well, well," he said as he approached the bed. "Our miracle girl is awake."
He took out a small penlight and gently shined it into her eyes. "Esther, can you tell me your name?"
"Esther Cole," she responded slowly.
"Good. Do you know where you are?"
She looked around before answering. "A hospital?"
"Excellent. Do you remember what happened?"
Esther hesitated, brows furrowing. "Bits and pieces… there was a car, I think."
The surgeon nodded. "That's alright. You've been through a lot. What matters is you're here, and healing."
Lady Bell squeezed her shoulder gently, and Betty never let go of her hand.
Esther, still dazed, gave a soft laugh. "I guess I'm not ready for heaven just yet."
Everyone smiled. The room felt brighter now.
Minutes passed after the doctor left, the atmosphere in the room growing lighter. Esther, now propped up with pillows, shared a quiet laugh with Betty and Lady Bell. Betty had just finished recounting how Lady Bell nearly cried when she first spoke, and Esther was still marveling at the sound of the little girl's voice.
Then the door opened.
Daniel stepped in, his expression softening the moment he saw her awake. He paused at the doorway, almost as if he was afraid to break the fragile peace in the room.
"Daniel," Lady Bell greeted, stepping aside to give him space.
Esther's eyes lit up. "Mr Lewis, you're here," she said, raising her hand weakly in a small wave.
He crossed the room quickly and took her hand, his grip firm but gentle. "Of course I am," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "How could I not?"
She tilted her head slightly. "Aren't you supposed to be at work?"
His lips twitched into a smile. "You're more important than work."
That earned him a blush from Esther, who looked down, unable to hide the warmth blooming in her cheeks. Lady Bell chuckled softly at the exchange.
Then Betty chimed in, looking from Esther to her father. "He stayed all night," she announced proudly. "Didn't leave your side once."
Esther turned to him again, surprised. "You… did?"
Daniel gave a quiet nod. "I couldn't go home knowing you were here. You scared us, Miss Cole ."
Her heart fluttered. She didn't know what to say, only that her chest felt warm with something deeper than gratitude.
He cleared his throat, his expression shifting slightly, more serious now. "The person responsible has been caught," he said. "…He's in custody and will face the consequences," Daniel said, though the weight in his eyes lingered. Deep down, his suspicion remained firm, he didn't believe the man in custody was the real culprit. No, something didn't sit right. It felt too neat, too convenient. More likely, the Jallohs had bought themselves a scapegoat. But that was his burden to carry, for now. And no matter what it took, he was going to uncover the truth.
Esther's brow creased faintly, her gaze searching his face.
"But don't worry about that," he added quickly. "You just focus on healing."
She nodded slowly, sensing there was more beneath his words, something unresolved. But she didn't press. Not now.
Daniel smiled again, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. "It's good to have you back, Miss Cole ."
And for the first time since the accident, she felt truly safe.
Just then, the door burst open.
"Esther!" Dija's voice rang out as she stormed in, rushing straight to the bed and practically throwing herself at her friend in a hug. A second later, she blinked and took notice of the others in the room, Lady Bell, Betty, and Daniel.
She straightened awkwardly, brushing her braids behind her ear and offering a sheepish smile. "Uncle Daniel… Aunt Bell… Betty." She nodded at each of them.
Daniel gave a small nod in return, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. "I'll give you girls a moment." He glanced at Esther one last time before quietly stepping out.
Dija waited until the door clicked shut before hugging Esther again, tighter this time.
"You scared me half to death, you idiot," she muttered, holding back tears.
"Take it easy, Dija," Lady Bell said gently. "She only just woke up."
"I'm fine," Esther whispered, though her voice still carried a rasp.
"Girl, you gave me a fright," Dija said, eyes scanning Esther's face as if to reassure herself again that she was truly okay. "I just hope whoever did this has been caught."
She paused dramatically, arms crossing as she huffed. "And when I meet that monster, I'm giving them a piece of my mind."
Esther chuckled softly. "You're being dramatic."
"Let me be dramatic. It's my right as your better half," Dija shot back, wiping an invisible tear from her eye. Then she brightened. "Speaking of better halves, Bakarr says to tell you 'get well soon.'"
Esther's brow lifted. "Wait… how? Did you tell him?"
"Sorry," Dija said with a sheepish grin. "He called asking about you and I kinda… blurted it out. In my defense, he sounded really concerned. He even wanted to come along, but I told him no. This was a family-only mission."
Esther gave her a side-eye, but couldn't hide the slight flush creeping onto her cheeks.
Lady Bell, watching the exchange with growing curiosity, leaned in just a little. "Who's Bakarr? A boyfriend of yours?"
Esther's response was swift. "No." The way she said it sounded almost like a defense mechanism, as if trying to guard something unsaid.
"Not yet," Dija added with a cheeky grin. "But there's definitely potential."
Esther groaned. "Dija…"
Before she could say more, Dija's phone buzzed sharply. She pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and groaned again, louder this time.
"Oh, for heaven's sake."
"What now?" Esther asked, her voice still light but tinged with curiosity.
Dija scowled. "Thomas. With Sarah. Again. At that same coffee shop."
Her fingers flew across her screen as if her phone were the enemy. Esther and Lady Bell exchanged amused glances, already bracing themselves for another round of Dija's signature commentary.
"What is it?" Esther asked, immediately picking up on her friend's scowl.
"Thomas is being an idiot again," Dija muttered, her thumb flying across the screen. "He's out having coffee with her."
"Her?" Esther blinked. "Who's her?"
"That temptress, Sarah Williams," Dija said with dramatic flair, rolling her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn't fall out. "She's a colleague. A manipulative social climber who flirts her way into promotions and pretends she's Daniel Lewis's second shadow."
Lady Bell raised an eyebrow but stayed silent, clearly familiar with Dija's theatrical tendencies.
Esther bit back a laugh. "Are you saying that because she's well-liked or because she's liked by someone you like?"
Dija gasped, hand flying to her chest. "Excuse me? What is that supposed to mean?"
Esther arched a brow, the ghost of a smile on her lips.
"I, absolutely not!" Dija stammered. "Me? Like Thomas? That awkward dork who always spills his coffee?. Well I do, but he's dumb "
"Who you always find time to have lunch with?" Lady Bell added lightly.
"Okay, wow. Betrayed by my own aunt." Dija pointed accusingly at them both before crossing her arms. "Let's get one thing straight. Just because I don't want Sarah the Snake to sink her claws into him doesn't mean , that's why I don't like her or suspicious of her."
Betty giggled softly.
Esther gave Dija a look. "Sure."
Dija groaned again, flopping onto the empty chair beside the bed. "This room is full of traitors."
Esther laughed, the sound a little weaker than usual, but real. "And yet, you wouldn't want to be anywhere else."
Dija smiled back, brushing Esther's hand gently. "Not in a million years."
Lady Bell leaned in again, her curiosity far from satisfied. "So… is this Sarah some kind of beauty queen then? The way she's gotten under your skin…"
Dija scoffed, folding her arms. "First of all, Aunt Bell, no. And second, she's no better than Cinderella's stepsister. The jealous one with the big feet."
Esther stifled a laugh while Lady Bell arched a brow. "So how does someone like that become a temptress, stealing your man with mediocre looks?"
"Because the men in that company are blind and stupid," Dija fired back. "They don't know how to value treasure, they chase trash."
Esther chuckled, already familiar with her friend's theatrics. "By 'men,' you mean Thomas?"
"I'm being serious," Dija said, pulling out her phone. "Here, let me show you a picture of her."
She tapped her screen rapidly, lips pursed with barely restrained annoyance. As the screen lit up and loaded the gallery, she turned the phone toward Esther and Lady Bell, her finger hovering just above the image.