CHAPTER THIRTY
Three days later, Richard called Daniel to the mansion.
"Robert has given the investigators a statement," he explained. "He admitted that he altered company records and arranged for Grace to be blamed."
Daniel's expression hardened.
"Why would he admit it now?"
"Because the documents Samuel preserved support the allegations. Peter has also confirmed what happened."
Aisha, who had accompanied Daniel, felt a wave of relief.
"Does this mean my mother will finally be cleared?"
"The investigators are working through the evidence," Richard replied. "But Robert's statement is an important development."
Daniel sat down.
"What else did he say?"
Richard hesitated.
"He admitted that he knew Grace was innocent from the beginning. He spread the accusations because he wanted to weaken my position in the company."
Aisha felt anger rise within her.
"He ruined her reputation just to get what he wanted."
"Yes," Richard said quietly. "And I allowed the damage to continue because I was too ashamed to admit I had been deceived."
Aisha studied him.
"Why did Robert target my mother specifically?"
Richard looked at the photograph on his desk.
"Because she was someone I trusted. He believed that if he could make me doubt her, he could control my decisions. When I refused to give him what he wanted, he made sure the accusations followed her."
"And Samuel?" Daniel asked.
"Samuel discovered inconsistencies in the records. He helped preserve evidence that could expose Robert. That is why Robert feared what your father might have kept."
Aisha looked down at her hands.
Her father had protected the truth even when he could not explain everything to her.
"I wish he were here," she whispered.
Richard nodded.
"So do I."
For a moment, the room was silent.
Then Daniel asked, "What happens now?"
"The investigators will decide what action to take based on the evidence. I have agreed to cooperate fully."
Aisha stood.
"My mother deserves to hear this from you."
Richard nodded. "I'll speak to her."
That evening, Richard visited Grace and apologised again. This time, he told her everything Robert had admitted and promised to provide whatever evidence was needed to clear her name.
Grace listened quietly.
When he finished, she said, "I don't want revenge, Richard. I want the truth acknowledged, and I want my daughter to live without fear."
"That's what I want too."
"Then do your part."
Richard agreed.
Later that night, Aisha sat beside Daniel on her balcony, watching the lights of Lagos shimmer in the distance.
"Do you think this is finally over?" she asked.
"The worst of the secrets may be coming to light," he replied. "But we still have to let the investigation run its course."
She leaned against his shoulder.
"I never imagined that finding you again would lead to all this."
Daniel took her hand.
"Neither did I."
She smiled softly.
"But I'm glad we found each other."
"So am I."
For a few peaceful minutes, they sat together without talking.
Then Daniel's phone rang.
He answered, listened, and slowly sat upright.
Aisha turned towards him.
"What happened?"
Daniel looked at her, his expression troubled.
"The investigators found something else in Robert's records."
"What?"
He hesitated.
"A payment made shortly before your father died. It was connected to someone whose name we haven't heard before."
Aisha's heart began to pound.
"Who?"
Daniel looked down at the message on his phone.
"Samuel's former business associate."
The truth about Robert was finally emerging.
But the past still had one more secret waiting for them.