Title: Bound by Blood, Broken by Pride
*Chapter 24: The Breaking Point*
The quiet hum of the air conditioner filled the living room as Sir Frederick sat on the edge of the couch, elbows resting on his knees, deep in thought. Across from him, Lady Marita paced restlessly, her silk robe swishing with every turn.
"I still can't believe she left like that," Marita said, stopping to glance at her husband. "Choma should have waited for us to return. It's not right. We took her in like a daughter."
Sir Frederick exhaled slowly. "She said we shouldn't look for her. That must mean she's okay wherever she is." He shook his head. "But I agree… she should have stayed, even if just to speak with us."
Marita sat down beside him. "She left like someone who wasn't cared for. Like we didn't matter."
"It's Charles," Sir Frederick muttered. "Only Charles knows what he did. Whatever drove her away, it's on his head."
Meanwhile, Queen Preshido zipped up her final luggage as Michael emerged from the hallway with two suitcases. The front compound was bustling with activity - the driver loading their things into the SUV, her father standing quietly in one corner, watching them with sad eyes.
Preshido hugged him tightly. "Daddy, I'm going to miss you."
He smiled, though his eyes glistened. "I'll miss you more, my Queen. I just hope your going abroad doesn't cause wahala."
They both laughed.
Michael stepped forward, shaking her father's hand with respect. "I'll take good care of her, sir."
"I know you will, son."
The car engine started. After a few more goodbyes, they entered the vehicle and pulled out of the compound, bound for the airport - and a new life.
At the office, Charles sat behind his desk, weary-eyed. His phone buzzed.
"Hello? Yes… release Richard. It was a misunderstanding."
Just then, his office door slammed open. A tall young woman - chisom loreta - stormed in.
"Release him now!" she shouted. "This matter won't end well if you don't. You know you're wrong!"
Charles stood slowly. "Calm down, listen - "
She backed away. "Don't touch me!" she snapped. "You have no right. And stop saying you love me. I'm not yours!"
"I love you," Charles said softly, trying to reach her with his voice. "Richard can't give you what I can. I can take care of you."
She stared at him with disgust. "Release him."
Then she walked out.
Charles stood frozen, eyes on the door. "She's so beautiful," he murmured to himself. "She's the one. She's my kind of woman…"
He was still lost in thought when the door opened again - this time his father entered, flanked by two suited men. One of them was the accountant who had signed off the ₦200 million transfer to Princess Soma.
"Where is the money, Charles?" Sir Frederick's voice was cold, sharp.
Charles turned pale. "Dad, I… I can explain…"
"Where is the ₦200 million?" his father barked again.
Charles stammered, unable to form a sentence. The two men moved closer.
"Take him," Sir Frederick ordered.
"No, please - Dad!" Charles begged. "Don't do this."
They brought him home in a black SUV. Sir Frederick stood in the compound, his arms folded as the guards forced Charles through the gate.
"You are no longer my son," he declared. "Leave this house. Leave my company. I don't want to see you again."
"Please, Dad… I didn't mean - "
"Go away!" Sir Frederick roared.
Marita ran out, pleading. "Please, Frederick… he's still our son."
"He stopped being our son the day he stole from me," he said. "Two hundred million gone. Chioma missing under his watch. I made him what he is, and this is how he repays me."
Charles tried to go upstairs.
"Don't you dare," his father snapped. "Everything you own came from me. Clothes, shoes, lifestyle - take nothing."
"I just want to get my things…"
"You're done. Security, throw him out."
Two guards grabbed Charles, ignoring his screams. They dragged him to the gate, shoved him outside, and locked it behind him.
He was on the street now - disgraced, disowned, and alone.
ready for chapter 25