Chapter 321: The Unseen Hand

The gala continued, music and laughter filling the grand hall of Black Orchid Hotel. But Ochieng was no longer listening. His mind was racing.

"It wasn't the government. It was the people who really own this city."

Richard's words echoed in his head.

Who were they? Who had the power to shake even Richard Ochieng, the man who had once ruled Emerald Heights?

Linet's hand touched his arm, snapping him back to reality. Her crimson gown shimmered under the chandelier light.

"Ochieng," she whispered, "what do we do?"

Ochieng didn't answer. He simply stood and walked out of the hall.

As he stepped onto the balcony overlooking the city, he pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and took a slow drag.

Then—

A voice behind him. Smooth. Cold. Unfamiliar.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

Ochieng turned sharply.

A man in a navy-blue suit stood in the shadows, hands in his pockets, exuding a presence that made even the strongest men uneasy. His slicked-back hair and emotionless black eyes screamed danger.

"Who the hell are you?" Ochieng demanded.

The man smiled. "Your new business partner."

Ochieng narrowed his eyes. "I don't do business with ghosts."

The man stepped into the light, revealing a scar running down his jaw.

"Call me Kaito," he said. "And whether you like it or not, you're already part of the game."

Inside, Linet watched from the window, her nails digging into her palm. She didn't trust this Kaito.

She turned to Jeff, who was seated nearby, swirling his whiskey.

"Jeff," she whispered. "Who is that man?"

Jeff exhaled, his jaw tightening. "Kaito... he's the right hand of The Unseen Hand."

Linet's breath caught.

The Unseen Hand. The secret organization that controlled not just Emerald Heights, but eight major provinces. A shadow empire that even governments feared.

If they were interested in Ochieng...

Linet clenched her fists. This wasn't good.

Back on the balcony, Kaito took a slow step forward.

"You killed Richard's assassins," Kaito said. "Impressive."

Ochieng scoffed. "If you came here to admire my skills, you can leave now."

Kaito chuckled. "Straight to business. I like that." He pulled a gold-plated envelope from his coat and placed it on the balcony railing.

"A gift," he said.

Ochieng didn't take it. "What's in it?"

Kaito smiled. "Your parents' real killers."

Silence.

Ochieng's breath stilled. His fingers twitched.

"You're lying," he said, voice dangerously low.

Kaito shrugged. "Open it and see."

Ochieng hesitated. Then, slowly, he picked up the envelope and slid out a photograph.

A black-and-white image of a man standing over two lifeless bodies. His parents.

Ochieng's veins turned ice cold.

The man in the photo?

Richard Ochieng.

A storm raged inside Ochieng. His uncle. The man who raised him. The man he trusted.

He clenched the photo so tightly it crumpled.

"Why are you giving me this?" he growled.

Kaito smirked. "Because Richard is a problem for both of us."

Ochieng turned to him, his mind racing. "What do you want?"

Kaito's smile never wavered. "War."

A sharp breeze cut through the air, but Ochieng barely felt it.

Kaito stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"Join us, Ochieng. Help us take down Richard. And in return?"

He placed a silver key on the railing.

"You become the leader of the eight major provinces."

Ochieng stared at the key, his mind torn between vengeance and power.

Then he smirked.

"You just made the biggest mistake of your life, Kaito," he said, picking up the key.

Kaito chuckled. "No, Ochieng. I just made you a king."

Ochieng twirled the silver key between his fingers, feeling the weight of the moment. The leader of the eight major provinces? That was no small title. It was a position that came with power, danger, and endless enemies.

Linet, still watching from inside the hotel, felt her stomach churn. She didn't like this.

Jeff downed the last of his whiskey and sighed. "If Ochieng takes that key, there's no turning back," he murmured.

Linet clenched her fists. He's already in too deep.

Kaito watched Ochieng with sharp eyes. "So, what will it be?"

Ochieng chuckled, slipping the key into his pocket. "Richard took everything from me. It's time I return the favor."

Kaito's smirk widened. "Excellent." He extended his hand.

Ochieng hesitated for only a moment before clasping it.

At that moment, the deal was sealed.

And war was officially declared.

The next morning, Ochieng walked through the halls of Emerald Heights University. He wore a simple black hoodie, jeans, and sneakers—nothing to indicate that he had just made a deal with the devil.

Students whispered as he passed.

"Isn't that the guy who humiliated the business faculty's top student?"

"Yeah, I heard he's rich but pretends to be poor."

"He drives a Rolls-Royce but lives in the dorms. What's his deal?"

Ochieng ignored them. He had bigger things to worry about.

As he turned a corner, a familiar voice stopped him.

"Mr. Ochieng, skipping my class again?"

His body tensed.

Professor Eunice K., the one teacher who actually challenged him. She stood there, arms crossed, dressed in a sleek pencil skirt and white blouse. Her sharp eyes locked onto his.

Ochieng smirked. "I wouldn't call it skipping, professor. Just… selective attendance."

Eunice rolled her eyes. "My office. Now."

The students gasped.

Ochieng shrugged and followed her, already anticipating the lecture.

Inside her office, Eunice shut the door and leaned against her desk. "You're smart, Ochieng. Smarter than most of the idiots in my class. But you're wasting your potential."

Ochieng sat on the chair, stretching lazily. "Who says I want to use it?"

Eunice sighed, rubbing her temples. "You know, there are students who would kill for a fraction of your talent."

Ochieng leaned forward. "And there are people out there who would kill for a fraction of my secrets."

Eunice's expression faltered. "Secrets?"

For a moment, Ochieng considered telling her. About Richard. About Kaito. About the blood-soaked war that was coming.

But instead, he just smirked. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

Eunice narrowed her eyes, studying him. Then, unexpectedly, she smiled.

"Try me."

Ochieng blinked. Did she just flirt with me?

Before he could respond, Eunice stood and opened the door.

"Get to class, Mr. Ochieng."

He chuckled and stood. "Yes, ma'am."

But as he left, he couldn't shake the feeling that Eunice K. was more than just a teacher.

And that she, too, had secrets.