A Desperate Race

Sophia's pulse was still racing from the phone call. Nasir wasn't bluffing. He was powerful, ruthless, and had an entire network at his disposal.

Elliot stood up from his seat, pacing the rooftop lounge. His expression was calm—too calm.

"We have to assume he's already making his move," he said. "You've been useful to him for too long, and now that you're switching sides, he'll want to make an example out of you."

Sophia shivered, rubbing her arms. "So what do we do?"

Elliot stopped pacing and turned to face her. "We hit first."

She blinked. "You're serious?"

He nodded. "I have enough information on Nasir to turn his empire inside out. Money laundering, offshore accounts, government bribes—he's built his power on corruption, and I have the proof."

Sophia's eyes widened. "Then why haven't you used it?"

Elliot smirked. "Because before now, it wasn't personal."

Sophia exhaled. "Okay… so what's the plan?"

Elliot grabbed his phone and started dialing. "First, we need to make sure you're untouchable. Then, we dismantle everything he's built."

Nasir Strikes First

Meanwhile, across the city, Nasir sat in his penthouse, his fingers tapping against the glass of his whiskey tumbler.

His right-hand man, Rafael, stood in front of him, awaiting orders.

"She thinks she can betray me?" Nasir muttered. His eyes were cold, calculating. "After everything I've given her?"

Rafael hesitated. "What do you want us to do?"

Nasir swirled his drink, deep in thought. Then, with a cruel smile, he set the glass down.

"We start by taking away everything she cares about."

He reached for his phone and made a call.

"Find out where her parents are. Make them suffer."

A Warning Too Late

Back at Elliot's penthouse, Sophia's phone buzzed again.

Her heart sank when she saw the caller ID.

Mom.

She answered quickly. "Hello? Mom?"

Her mother's voice came through, shaky and confused. "Sophia? What is going on? There are strange men outside our house—"

The call cut off.

Sophia's breath hitched. "No—no, no, no!"

Elliot grabbed her shoulders. "What happened?"

She stared at him, panic rising in her chest. "Nasir just went after my family."

Elliot's jaw clenched. "We need to move. Now."

Sophia had made her choice.

Now she had to face the consequences.

A Call from Home

Sophia's fingers trembled as she redialed her mother's number. It rang and rang… then went to voicemail.

"No… please pick up."

Elliot, sitting across from her in the penthouse, watched her carefully. "Try your father."

She did.

Same result.

Her chest tightened. She had been avoiding their calls for weeks, ashamed of what she had become. But now, something felt wrong.

Finally, her phone rang back. Mom.

She snatched it up. "Mom?! What's happening?"

Her mother's voice was shaking. "Sophia… some men came to the house today."

Sophia's stomach dropped. "Men? What men?"

Her mother hesitated. "They said they were your friends. They asked a lot of questions. About your school, your life… about your money."

Sophia's blood ran cold.

Nasir.

She shot up from her seat. "Did they hurt you?"

"No, but… Sophia, who are these people? Your father is furious. He's been calling your school, and they said you haven't attended classes in months!"

Sophia's throat tightened. This was it. The lie was collapsing.

Her mother's voice grew stern. "Where are you? Are you still reading your Bible? Have you completely lost yourself?"

Tears pricked at Sophia's eyes. "Mom, I can't explain everything right now, but you have to listen to me—don't let anyone in. If anyone asks about me, don't tell them anything."

A long pause.

Then, her mother whispered, "Sophia… what have you done?"

Before she could answer, the call cut off.

Sophia stared at the phone. Disconnected.

She turned to Elliot, her breath coming in sharp gasps. "Nasir is sending people after my family."

Elliot cursed under his breath. "We have to get them out of Nigeria. Now."

Nasir's Next Move

In a dimly lit hotel room in Lagos, a man in a black suit set down his phone. Mission confirmed.

Nasir's voice echoed in his head. "If she won't return to me, then her family will suffer."

The man checked his watch. It was time.

The Urgency

Sophia paced the penthouse floor, her nerves on edge. Her heart hammered in her chest as she clutched the phone, repeatedly redialing her mother's number. No response.

Elliot was already on his laptop, fingers flying across the keyboard. "I have contacts in Nigeria. I'm sending them to your parents' house now."

Sophia turned to him, panic in her eyes. "What if we're too late?"

Elliot's jaw tightened. "We won't be."

But she wasn't so sure. Nasir was ruthless. If he had sent men after her family, they could already be in danger.

She had to do something.

Meanwhile, in Nigeria…

A sleek, black SUV rolled to a stop outside Sophia's family home. The neighborhood was quiet, with only the occasional passerby throwing curious glances at the unfamiliar car.

Inside the house, Sophia's mother sat in the living room, hands tightly clasped. Her father stood by the window, peeking through the blinds.

"They're still outside," he muttered.

Sophia's mother exhaled shakily. "Who are they? What do they want?"

Her father shook his head. "I don't know, but I don't trust them."

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

Loud. Firm. Demanding.

Sophia's mother gasped, pressing a hand to her chest.

Her father motioned for her to stay quiet. He stepped toward the door, hesitating before calling out, "Who is it?"

A deep voice responded. "Mr. Adegbite, we need to speak with you. It's about your daughter."

Sophia's mother's eyes widened in horror.

Her father clenched his fists. "Who are you?"

Silence.

Then—BANG! The door shook violently.

Sophia's mother screamed as her father grabbed a chair, ready to defend his home.

Another bang. This time, the doorframe splintered.

They were trying to break in.

Back in Dubai…

Sophia felt helpless.

She wasn't there. She couldn't protect them. She had never felt this powerless before.

Elliot suddenly stood. "My contacts just arrived at your house."

Sophia nearly collapsed in relief. "And?"

Elliot's face darkened. "There are men trying to break in."

Sophia felt the world tilt beneath her. "Oh my God."

Elliot grabbed his phone and issued an order. "Stop them."

The Standoff

Just as the intruders were about to break down the door, another car screeched to a halt outside.

Men in tactical gear spilled out, guns drawn.

"Step away from the door!" one of them barked.

The intruders hesitated for a fraction of a second. Then—they ran.

Gunshots rang out as the chase began.

Inside the house, Sophia's parents huddled together, shaken but safe.

One of Elliot's men knocked on the door. "Mr. Adeyemi, it's okay now. We're here to help."

Sophia's father slowly opened the door, still gripping the chair.

"Who are you?"

"Friends of Sophia."

Sophia's Breakdown

When Elliot got the confirmation that her parents were safe, he turned to Sophia. "It's done. They're okay."

Sophia's legs finally gave out. She slumped onto the couch, sobbing in relief.

But as the tears fell, she realized something.

Nasir had crossed a line.

He had attacked her family.

And for that…

He was going to pay.

 Sophia's Realization

Sophia sat on the couch, her hands trembling as she wiped away tears. Her father—Mr. Adeyemi—her mother… they had almost been taken from her.

All because of Nasir.

Elliot sat beside her, his expression unreadable. "They're safe for now, but this won't stop. Nasir won't back down."

Sophia clenched her fists. "Then I won't either."

Elliot raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

She exhaled sharply, her voice cold. "I've spent too long running. Too long hiding. He thinks I'm weak, that I'm still that scared girl he used to control. But he's wrong."

Elliot watched her carefully. "You're talking about fighting back."

She looked up, her eyes burning with determination. "I'm talking about ending this. I won't stop until Nasir is ruined."

Elliot leaned forward. "That's dangerous, Sophia."

"So is doing nothing."

A long silence passed between them. Then, Elliot nodded. "Then let's make a plan."

Meanwhile, in Nigeria…

Mr. Adeyemi paced their small living room, frustration etched across his face. "I need answers."

Sophia's mother sat beside him, clutching her Bible. "We should pray."

He sighed, running a hand over his graying hair. "I've been calling her university all day. They say she hasn't been attending classes."

Sophia's mother swallowed hard. "Then where has she been?"

Before he could answer, his phone rang.

Sophia.

He hesitated—then answered. "Sophia."

Her voice was quiet. "Daddy, I'm sorry."

His grip tightened on the phone. "Where are you?"

She hesitated. "Dubai."

Silence.

Then—"Dubai?"

Sophia's mother gasped. "Dubai? How?"

Mr. Adeyemi's voice was calm but sharp. "You need to come home."

Sophia closed her eyes. "I can't."

Her mother spoke up, her voice thick with emotion. "Sophia, what have you done?"

Tears burned in her eyes. "I'll explain everything soon. But right now, I need you both to trust me and stay safe."

Her father's tone turned cold. "Sophia, listen to me. I don't know what you've gotten yourself into, but this isn't the life we raised you for."

Her mother's voice trembled. "Do you still read your Bible?"

The question hit her like a blow.

She wanted to lie. She wanted to say yes.

But she couldn't.

She couldn't remember the last time she had even touched a Bible.

"Mom… Dad… I have to go."

She hung up before they could say anything else.

And for the first time in a long time…

She felt ashamed.