The seconds after the video went live felt like an eternity. Agnes could hear the pounding of her heart in her ears as the world began to change around her. She had already seen the flood of headlines and the onslaught of messages, but it hadn't fully sunk in yet. She couldn't believe what they had just done—the truth was out there now, raw and undeniable.
But with it came something she wasn't prepared for: the noise.
Her phone buzzed relentlessly. Calls, messages, alerts—everything piling on top of each other. She glanced at Majek, who stood by the window, his eyes fixed on the screen as if waiting for the other shoe to drop.
And it did.
"Breaking News: Agnes Lewis' Family Business Exposed in Largest Corporate Scandal of the Decade"
"Father of Agnes Lewis Denies Allegations: 'My Daughter is a Traitor'"
The floodgates had been opened. Her father's empire was crumbling, and with it, the protective barrier around her, the very life she had known, was beginning to shatter.
She picked up her phone, but before she could make sense of it, Tolu's frantic voice came through the line.
"Agnes, listen carefully. Your father is mobilizing his people. He's already had his lawyers and PR teams working around the clock. The backlash is going to be massive. There are already rumors about people trying to sabotage the release of this information. It's only a matter of time before he comes after you."
Agnes's breath hitched. "What do you mean? What can he do?"
"He's threatening to go public with a counter-narrative. He's trying to paint you as unstable. A daughter scorned who's trying to ruin the legacy of her father. His lawyers have already reached out to some of the people you trust. It's going to get worse."
Majek, overhearing the conversation, walked over to her, his brow furrowed with concern. "What's happening?"
Tolu's voice was firm. "Your father's going for the jugular, Agnes. You need to stay ahead of this. No more hesitation. This isn't just about SMG anymore; this is about your life—your freedom."
She closed her eyes, the weight of his words pressing down on her chest. Her father was not going to let this slide.
The Battle Lines Are Drawn
As the hours ticked by, the world around them became more chaotic. The media was relentless, digging deeper into her family's past, looking for anything they could use to further discredit her. But her father's reaction wasn't limited to just the press.
He had begun to isolate her from her allies—pushing back on anyone who might dare support her. Business associates who had once been loyal were now avoiding her, afraid of being swept up in the storm. Even some of her closest friends were starting to back away, unsure of where to stand in the face of such a scandal.
Majek noticed it too. Their phones were constantly buzzing with messages from people they once trusted, now questioning their choices, their loyalties.
It was more than just a battle for the company now. It was a battle for her very identity, her reputation, and the future she had dreamed of.
Her father was waging war on her, but it wasn't just the public he was after. He was after her soul.
A Moment of Doubt
Late that night, Agnes sat alone in the living room, the weight of the world on her shoulders. She could hear the sound of the city below, the faint hum of traffic, the distant voices of the world continuing on as though nothing had changed. But everything had changed.
She ran a hand through her hair, staring at the image of her father on the screen. His eyes were cold, calculating as always, but now there was something darker there—something more dangerous.
The thought of everything he had done, everything he had hidden, made her sick. And yet, there was still a part of her—the part that had been raised to please him, to be his heir, to live in the shadow of his legacy—that couldn't shake the feeling of guilt. What had she done?
The phone buzzed again. Tolu.
She answered quickly, her voice shaky. "Tolu, I don't know if I can keep doing this. It feels like everything is slipping away. People are turning against me, Majek is at risk—everything is falling apart."
Tolu's voice was sharp but understanding. "Agnes, what's happening right now is hard, but it's also the beginning of something new. You're fighting for something real—something you've never had before. Your father won't stop. He'll try to break you. He'll use whatever he has left to destroy you. But don't let him. Don't let him make you question what you've done. What you're doing is right."
"But what if it's too much?" Agnes whispered, her voice cracking. "What if it's not worth it?"
Tolu's response was quiet, but firm. "What's worth more, Agnes? Your freedom or your father's empire? You can't have both. And you can't let him win."
The words settled in her chest, but the fear didn't fade. If anything, it grew.
Majek's Resolve
Meanwhile, Majek was fighting his own battle, one that didn't show up in the headlines or on the front page of the news. As he paced through their apartment, his mind was consumed by the same questions that plagued Agnes. Was it worth it? Would the aftermath leave them both broken, or could they find a way to rebuild?
He thought back to the early days when he had first met Agnes, when the world had felt so different. He had been a fresh-faced idealist, driven by ambition. And now?
Now, all he had was her.
But that was enough.
His phone rang, breaking him from his thoughts. He checked the caller ID: it was Lami.
Against his better judgment, he answered.
"What do you want, Lami?"
Lami's voice was smooth, almost sickeningly polite. "Majek, my old friend. I thought you'd be interested to know that the old man is mobilizing. He's not just going to sit back and let this pass. You're both in for a real fight. I'm just trying to give you a heads up. Consider it… a favor."
Majek's fists clenched. "You're threatening us now, Lami? You've done enough."
Lami's laughter came through the phone, dark and amused. "I'm not threatening you. I'm offering you a way out. You're a smart guy, Majek. You've always been. You can keep playing the loyal dog to Agnes, but we both know what's at stake. You can keep fighting her father and lose everything, or you can join forces with me. It's not too late to take control. Think about it."
Majek's jaw tightened. "You're a coward, Lami. And you're right about one thing—there's a lot at stake. But the difference between you and me is that I won't betray Agnes, no matter what. So take your offer and shove it."
Lami's voice grew colder. "You'll regret this. Both of you will. But don't say I didn't warn you."
The call ended abruptly.
Majek stood still for a moment, staring at the phone in his hand, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. Lami's offer wasn't just a threat—it was a test. And it was one that Majek had already made his choice on.
The Enemy Within
As the days passed, Agnes felt the weight of the world closing in. She and Majek had fought for freedom, but now they were facing the full force of everything her father could throw at them. The media storm was just the beginning. His lawyers were relentless, his allies were closing in from every direction.
And then, something unexpected happened.
Her father's influence began to show up in the most personal of ways. People from her past—family friends, old colleagues, even distant relatives—began distancing themselves from her. The walls were closing in, and Agnes realized that she wasn't just fighting for her freedom; she was fighting to keep herself from being swallowed whole.
But there was one thing she knew for sure now. She had already made her choice. And with Majek by her side, she wasn't going to back down.