The night was thick with tension, the air holding its breath, as if waiting for the inevitable storm. Maria sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers pressed to her temples. She had been awake for hours, combing through the messages on her phone, piecing together fragments of Chuka's past. The more she uncovered, the more dangerous the situation became.
---
The next morning…
The sun barely touched the horizon as Maria met with the investigator again. She couldn't wait any longer.
"Did you find her?" she asked, her voice clipped with urgency.
The investigator nodded and handed her a folder. "Nia Mbeki. She's not just a bystander in this. She's tied to Chuka's operations in ways we didn't anticipate. She's the daughter of a powerful criminal syndicate leader in West Africa."
Maria's pulse quickened as she flipped through the pages.
"Her family controls ports, shipments, and has been laundering money through various legitimate channels," he continued. "She's been involved in arms dealing, smuggling, and other illicit activities. But there's more. Nia and Chuka? They were in a secretive relationship. And it's clear she holds sway over him—more than anyone else."
Maria's hands trembled. "And you didn't think to tell me this sooner?"
"I didn't know until now, Maria," the investigator said, his tone apologetic. "I couldn't access this information without risking alerting her."
Maria closed her eyes, frustration clawing at her chest. The enemy she thought was just one man was tied to something far larger—far more dangerous than she ever imagined.
---
Later that day…
Maria and Alexander sat together at the penthouse, Junior asleep in his room, the calm before the storm that was coming.
"So, Nia Mbeki," Alexander said, his voice low, his brow furrowed. "Chuka's weakness?"
Maria nodded. "She's not just a woman from his past. She could be the key to ending this."
Alexander turned to face her, his eyes searching hers. "And you plan to use her?"
"I don't see any other choice," Maria replied, her voice steady but resolute. "If we're going to trap Chuka, we need to understand what holds him together—and what will break him."
"Be careful," Alexander warned. "This is a dangerous game, Maria."
Maria met his gaze. "I know what's at stake. But I'll do whatever it takes to protect our family."
---
That night…
Maria stared at the screen of her laptop, her eyes burning with the hours of research she'd poured into uncovering Nia Mbeki's secrets. She had sent out a message to a trusted contact, someone who could get her closer to Nia, someone who could help her track the woman down.
The response was quick, curt:
"Meet at the docks, midnight. Nia will be there. Come alone."
Maria felt the weight of the decision. She had to do this. She had to face the woman who held Chuka's leash, the one who could end everything.
As the clock ticked closer to midnight, Maria made her way to the docks, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and anticipation.
---
Midnight…
The docks were deserted, cloaked in shadows, the sound of the waves crashing against the pier the only thing breaking the silence. Maria stepped cautiously, her breath misting in the cold night air.
Then she saw her.
Nia Mbeki stood under a flickering streetlamp, her back straight, her expression unreadable. She wore a black leather jacket, the silver zipper glinting in the dim light.
Maria took a step forward, her eyes locked onto Nia's.
"You're Chuka's woman," Maria said, her voice unwavering.
Nia smiled coldly. "I wouldn't call it that. But yes, I've had my share of Chuka's attention."
Maria clenched her fists. "I'm not here to talk about him. I'm here because of the damage he's caused. To me, to my son, to us."
Nia's eyes narrowed, her lips curling into a smirk. "You think you can stop him? Chuka isn't the real threat here. I am."
Maria stepped closer, her voice low but firm. "Then let's end this, Nia. Together."
Nia laughed, a cruel, bitter sound that echoed in the night. "You have no idea who you're dealing with. Chuka was never the leader. It's always been me. I'm the one who runs this game."
The words hit Maria like a punch to the gut. She hadn't just been dealing with a man who wanted her—she had been up against a woman who wanted everything.
And now, Maria had to face her.