Chapter 5

Williams drove through the partially paved road leading to Dover Estate, his grip firm on the steering wheel as the construction site came into view.

The land stretched wide, a vision of wealth in progress. Rows of uncompleted duplexes, some already painted in sleek ivory, others still skeletal with exposed brick and scaffolding. The estate would be another Adejare masterpiece, a playground for the rich.

Stepping out of the car, he adjusted his cufflinks, surveying the work being done. Workers in safety vests moved about, some stacking cement blocks, others balancing on scaffolding. The contractor, a middle-aged man in brown chinos and a checkered shirt, rushed toward him.

"Ah, Mr. Williams! Welcome, sir!"

Williams barely spared him a glance. "What's the progress?" His deep voice carried weight,smooth, British-tinged but laced with that distinct Yoruba authority that demanded attention.

"Yes, sir! We are uh almost done with the first phase. Just some minor delays"

Williams raised a brow. "Minor delays?" His voice sharpened, smooth but firm. "That's not what the reports say. Two weeks behind schedule is hardly minor."

The contractor swallowed, rubbing his sweaty palms together.

Williams sighed, turning back to the land, his mind slipping into the past.

Williams Adejare was born into power.

His father, Chief Ayotunde Adejare, was a real estate mogul who built an empire before Williams was even born. His mother, a former diplomat, ensured he and his siblings had the best education.

Growing up, luxury was his normal. Summer holidays in the Hamptons. Private tutors. Chauffeurs. The kind of wealth that didn't just open doors but built them.

But money didn't soften his father. No. The man had drilled into his head from childhood "You have to be twice as ruthless to keep what we've built."

Williams never wanted to be ruthless. But he knew how to be.

His phone vibrated in his pocket, dragging him back to the present. He pulled it out and checked the screen.

"Reni" he muttered.

He exhaled before answering. "Talk to me."

"Wow, such love. I'm fine, thank you for asking," his sister teased.

Williams smirked. "I already know you're fine. You only call when you're bored."

"Correct. And I want to travel. So, please, big bro, can I use the jet?"

Williams scoffed. "Ask Dad."

"He'll say no."

"Then that's your answer, Reni."

She gasped. "You've changed!"

"Bye, Reni." He hung up, shaking his head. Typical lastborn behavior.

His phone buzzed again. This time, his father.

Williams let out a slow breath before answering. "I'm here."

"Are you doing the inspection properly?"

Williams' jaw tightened. "Yes, sir. I'll send a report."

"No, come for debriefing"

The line went dead. No goodbye. No 'well done.'

Just business. Always business.

Williams turned back to the contractor, adjusting his sleeve. "Now, tell me why you're really behind schedule before I—"

He stopped. Something shifted, that eerie sensation of being watched crawled over his skin. Slowly, he did a scan of his surroundings.

Then, he saw her, the woman standing by the broken-down Camry. She was dressed in something simple but flattering, a fitted midi dress, hugging curves in all the right places. Deep green, the kind of color that made rich brown skin glow.

His gaze trailed lower, hips, thighs, long legs tucked into strappy heels that looked too expensive for an Uber ride.

His type, body-wise. Then, something else caught his eye, a flicker of light.

Her earrings, the stone embedded in them caught the sunlight just right, sending a quick shimmer his way. He wasn't sure why he even noticed. Maybe because it was an expensive kind of shine, not the cheap market type.

For a moment, he was intrigued. Then, his gaze trailed back to the Uber, and just like that, his interest faded. He had seen women like her before they were always trouble.