My Friendly Enemy Chp XX

Chapter Twenty: The Truth That Refused to Stay Buried Two months after my funeral, life seemed to have settled into a painful routine.The nation had accepted that Olaoshebikan Clement Enitan was gone.Business magazines had begun referring to me in the past tense.My companies continued to operate under the board of directors, while Andrew, as Executive Managing Partner, became the public face of our joint investment company.At first, he carried himself with humility.He attended interviews, speaking emotionally about the loss of "his brother.""I only want to preserve Clement's legacy," he would tell reporters.People admired him even more.They praised his loyalty.They applauded his dedication.No one knew what truly lay beneath the mask. One Monday morning, an emergency board meeting was convened at the company's headquarters in Abuja.The directors, shareholders, legal advisers, and senior executives gathered around the polished conference table.Andrew rose confidently. His voice was calm and authoritative."Ladies and gentlemen, as we all know, Clement owned seventy percent of this company."Everyone nodded."His passing has created a leadership vacuum."He paused before continuing."To ensure stability, I believe all operational control should now rest in my hands until the legal process regarding his estate is concluded."Some directors exchanged uncertain glances.One elderly board member adjusted his glasses."Barrister Andrew, Mr. Clement's shares form part of his estate. They cannot simply become yours."Andrew smiled politely."I understand.""My concern is simply the continuity of the business."Although no formal decision was reached that day, it became obvious that Andrew intended to position himself as the undisputed leader of the company.Word of the meeting reached me through trusted channels.Hidden away in my safe house, I remained silent.I knew impatience often exposed what caution concealed. A few weeks later, Abuja hosted the National Investment and Infrastructure Conference.Business leaders, government officials, investors, and journalists from across the country attended.Andrew was invited to deliver the keynote address on sustainable property investment.His secretary, Adaeze, accompanied him to help manage his presentation.As Andrew prepared backstage, he handed her a flash drive."The presentation is on this."She nodded."I'll load it onto the conference computer."Neither of them noticed that another flash drive, almost identical in appearance, had also been placed inside the same folder.In the rush of preparations, Adaeze picked up the wrong one.Minutes later, Andrew walked onto the stage to loud applause.He smiled confidently."Distinguished ladies and gentlemen..."Before he could continue, the projector behind him came to life.Instead of displaying charts and architectural designs...A video began to play.At first, everyone assumed it was part of the presentation.Then the faces appeared.Andrew,Chinelo and a man seated opposite them inside a parked vehicle.Andrew's smile vanished.His eyes widened in horror."No..."His voice barely escaped his lips.The audience watched in stunned silence.The recording continued.Andrew's voice echoed throughout the conference hall."We don't want unnecessary attention."Then Chinelo's voice followed."We'll transfer the agreed payment once we receive confirmation that it's done,and make sure he's dead before you leave."Gasps filled the auditorium.Journalists immediately raised their cameras.Government officials looked at one another in disbelief.The hall, moments earlier filled with applause, descended into chaos."Stop it!" Andrew shouted."Turn it off!"But it was too late.The entire recording had already been seen by hundreds of people.Within minutes, security officers entered the hall.Andrew tried to leave the stage.He was stopped before he reached the exit."Barrister Andrew Ikebukwu," one of the officers said firmly, "you are under arrest on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder and related offences. You have the right to remain silent."The cameras continued flashing.Live television stations captured every moment.Across Nigeria, viewers watched in shock. The investigation moved swiftly.Faced with the recording, witness statements, and mounting evidence, Andrew initially denied every allegation.But as investigators confronted him with more details, the weight of the evidence became impossible to escape.After hours of questioning, he lowered his head.Tears rolled down his face.In a broken voice, he whispered,"I never imagined it would come to this."The room fell silent."I was jealous."He closed his eyes."I allowed greed to blind me, I betrayed the only person who ever treated me like a brother."His confession was recorded.The headlines the following morning shook the nation."Prominent Lawyer Confesses to Plot Against Childhood Friend."Far away, in the quiet of my safe house, I watched the news in silence.Justice had begun to move.But my story...Was far from over.The world still believed I was dead.And before I returned...There was one final lesson that betrayal needed to learn.

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