Nigeria, Abuja
Zaydan Holding
(Omotosho stands beside his office table, trying hard to regulate his breathing after the earlier chaos. His shirt is slightly rough, his tie loosened, and traces of anger still linger across his face.)
(He quickly adjusts himself before the office door opens.)
Mr. John: (walking in with a smile) Hello, friend…
Omotosho: (immediately changes expression and smiles) Hey… my guy. (walks forward for a handshake) So good to see you again.
Mr. John: Same here. (takes a seat) How’s the family? And work?
Omotosho: (smirks bitterly) Family? Naaa… someone like us can never have a family. You know why?
(Mr. John’s smile slowly disappears.)
Mr. John: Uhmmm… I actually came with bad news.
Omotosho: (already predicting it) Okay?
Mr. John: Do you have a hand in Richard’s death?
(A brief silence fills the office.)
(Omotosho sighs heavily and slowly sits down.)
Omotosho: Well… uhmm… I didn’t mean for it to happen, but he left me no choice. (whispers)
Mr. John: (leans closer, whispering back urgently) But we had a deal to stop all these killings! It’s becoming too much, Omotosho. I can’t keep covering for you forever.
Omotosho: That’s why you always get compensated for your job. In fact— (picks up his phone)
Mr. John: No… no, don’t send any money.
(Omotosho pauses.)
Mr. John: I’m not here for that. I’m here to speak to you honestly, like a real friend. Yes, I know this is business… but there is a limit to every crime.
(His tone becomes firmer.)
Mr. John: And I’m sorry… if another murder happens after this one, I won’t be able to protect you anymore. This has to stop.
(Omotosho stares at him quietly, carefully digesting every word.)
(The room becomes uncomfortably silent.)
Omotosho: Okay then… (drops the phone slowly) Thank you for your cooperation. It’s nice working with you. (stretches out his hand) Come on.
(Mr. John looks down at the handshake but does not take it.)
Mr. John: I am serious, Omotosho. If you get caught, there is absolutely nothing I can do to save you.
(Suddenly, Omotosho bursts into laughter.)
(Mr. John watches him strangely, confused by the reaction.)
Mr. John: Well… I guess it’s time for me to leave. Do have a good day.
(He stands and walks out of the office.)
(The moment the door closes, Omotosho’s expression changes completely.)
(The smile disappears instantly.)
(His eyes darken dangerously.)
Omotosho: (low voice) He thought he was protecting me?
(He bursts into laughter again, this time darker and colder than before.)
United States
Luxora Mansion
(The massive mansion is quiet and beautifully lit from outside, but the atmosphere inside feels tense.)
(The front doors burst open aggressively.)
(Sofiyah storms inside, fuming with rage.)
(The maids and servants quickly rush to greet her.)
Maids: Welcome home, ma’am—
Sofiyah: MOVE!
(She pushes past some of them violently and heads straight upstairs.)
(Her heels strike the marble floor aggressively as anger burns all over her face.)
(She reaches Hannah’s room and violently pushes the door open.)
(The room is silent like a graveyard.)
(Sofiyah stands there breathing heavily.)
(Her eyes suddenly land on Hannah’s expensive cosmetic collection.)
Sofiyah: Oh, Hannah… I hate you so much! AHHHHHHH!
(She grabs the cosmetics and throws them violently across the room.)
(Glass shatters everywhere.)
(She begins scattering everything in sight while panting heavily.)
Sofiyah: I will make you pay for this! I will make you pay for taking what rightfully belongs to me!
(Mrs. Chalse hurriedly rushes into the room.)
Mrs. Chalse: Honey, what’s going on?
(She quickly scans the destroyed room.)
Mrs. Chalse: Baby… (softens immediately and embraces her) Awwwn, come here…
(Sofiyah immediately breaks down in tears.)
Sofiyah: Mum… how could Hannah do this to me? After everything we’ve done for her… how could she take my only chance of prospering? I hate her so much right now. I want to get rid of her badly.
Mrs. Chalse: I understand, honey. Our feelings are mutual.
(Her eyes darken slightly.)
Mrs. Chalse: I’m already working on something important that will ruin everything she’s planning. Trust me.
Sofiyah: Aww mum… I never want to see her again. You know… I wasn’t even interested in the marriage proposal at first because they are Nigerians… but now? I want it badly, just to get back at her.
(She grips her mother tightly.)
Sofiyah: Mum, do something. This marriage must not happen! If it happens, I will die! I’m your biological daughter. Why can’t it just be me? Why did you raise such a witch?! WHY?!
(She breaks down again.)
Mrs. Chalse: Awwwn, my baby… don’t cry. I already told you. I’m going to get rid of her soon. I promise.
Hannah: (standing quietly at the doorway) Wow… that was really touching.
(The two women instantly separate in shock.)
(Sofiyah’s face twists with rage.)
(She storms toward Hannah and slaps her hard across the face.)
Sofiyah: YOU WITCH!
(She grabs Hannah’s hair aggressively.)
(Hannah immediately fights back, dragging Sofiyah’s hair as well.)
(The room instantly turns chaotic.)
(Mrs. Chalse joins in, trying to overpower Hannah.)
(The women struggle violently, pulling hair, shouting, and scattering everything around the room.)
(Even the maids are unable to stop them.)
(Suddenly, a loud masculine voice shakes the room.)
Mr. Chalse: THAT’S ENOUGH! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!
(Everyone freezes.)
(Sofiyah finally lets go, breathing heavily.)
(Her hair is completely rough and scattered.)
Sofiyah: Dad… she started it!
Mrs. Chalse: (rushes to him) Honey, are you just going to stand there and watch her marry into the Zaydan family? This was our plan! You must stop her!
Mr. Chalse: Why would I do that?
(Everyone goes silent in shock except Hannah.)
(Hannah quietly ignores them and begins picking up her scattered belongings despite her bruised face and rough hair.)
Mr. Chalse: Hey! I’m talking!
Hannah: So what?
(She slowly stands and faces them.)
Hannah: It’s not like any of you care about me anyway. All my life, you treated me like a piece of trash.
(Her voice trembles slightly with pain.)
Hannah: But let me make one thing clear today… if marrying this man is the only way I can finally win against the three of you, then I’ll do everything possible to make it happen and finally leave your miserable lives.
Mrs. Chalse: If you marry that man, be ready to lose your position in Luxora.
(Hannah suddenly smirks.)
Hannah: Never happening.
(She slowly steps closer.)
Hannah: All my life, I watched her take everything that belonged to me… and I stayed quiet. But now? You people have crossed the line.
(Her eyes harden.)
Hannah: Anybody that dares stand in my way concerning this marriage should prepare for whatever comes next.
(Sofiyah and Mrs. Chalse gasp in disbelief.)
Mrs. Chalse: HOW DARE YOU?!
(She raises her hand to slap Hannah again.)
Mr. Chalse: THAT’S ENOUGH!
(He points toward Sofiyah.)
Mr. Chalse: You! Go to your room.
Sofiyah: WHAT?! Dad, this is all you have to say? I’m your biological daughter, not her! So now you’re siding with her?!
Mr. Chalse: I said go to your room!
Sofiyah: What am I? Five years old?
Mr. Chalse: Don’t make me order the guards to drag you out by force.
(Sofiyah’s lips tremble with anger.)
Sofiyah: I HATE YOU!
(She storms out.)
Mrs. Chalse: Honey, how could you do this to your own daughter over this bitch?!
Mr. Chalse: Watch your tongue.
Mrs. Chalse: Oh, shut up! You piss me off!
(She storms out angrily.)
(Hannah quietly resumes picking up her belongings.)
(Mr. Chalse watches her silently for a while.)
Mr. Chalse: Why are you doing this, Hannah?
(Hannah slowly turns around with a bitter smile.)
Hannah: I’m not your daughter. You made that clear from the very beginning.
(She wipes her tears quickly.)
Hannah: And now… I’m finally about to make your dream come true. I’ll finally be out of your lives. You should be happy.
(Her tone hardens.)
Hannah: But as for Luxora? It’s mine.
(Mr. Chalse sighs deeply.)
Mr. Chalse: Goodnight, dear.
(He turns and leaves.)
(Hannah walks toward the door angrily, about to slam it shut when two maids enter carefully.)
Maid 1: We want to help you clean the room, ma’am.
Maid 2: Can we?
(Hannah suddenly breaks down emotionally.)
(She falls to her knees crying.)
(The maids quickly rush to comfort her.)
Nigeria
Ridwan’s Mansion
That Same Night
(Ridwan sits inside his mini office, surrounded by files and digital screens.)
(He wears comfortable nightwear with blue light glasses resting on his face.)
(His eyes look tired as he continues scrolling through documents on his tablet.)
(A soft knock interrupts him.)
Ridwan: Yes… come in. (still focused)
(The chief maid enters slowly.)
Chief Maid: Good evening, sir. How was your day?
(Ridwan immediately stands respectfully.)
Ridwan: Good evening, Mama. I’m so sorry… I’ve been quite busy lately.
(He walks toward her warmly.)
Ridwan: Please come in. How do you feel now? I hope you’re better.
Chief Maid: Alhamdulillah, sir. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me and my children. May Allah continue blessing you, uplifting you, and blessing you with a beautiful family soon.
Ridwan: All thanks belong to Allah.
Chief Maid: I just came to appreciate you and let you know I’ve fully resumed work.
Ridwan: Uhmm… that reminds me. I actually want you to retire.
Chief Maid: Retire?
Ridwan: You’ve served this family for more than thirty years. It’s time for you to rest. I’ll continue sending monthly support. You practically raised me… now it’s my turn to return the favor.
(The chief maid smiles emotionally.)
Chief Maid: I don’t think you understand why I love this job. I barely do anything. The maids are the real workers. I only want to keep taking care of you until you finally marry a good woman.
Ridwan: Please don’t start.
Chief Maid: Akanbi… you need to settle down and build a family. Only then can I retire peacefully.
Ridwan: Mama… it’s hard finding righteous women these days. You know the kind of woman I want.
(He sighs tiredly.)
Ridwan: And now I’m stuck with my worst nightmare. I honestly don’t think marriage is for me. And if I ever marry, it’ll strictly be for business.
Chief Maid: At least stop living alone.
Ridwan: I have you people.
Chief Maid: We are only workers.
Ridwan: No. You are family.
(The chief maid smiles warmly.)
Chief Maid: Anyways, if you won’t listen to me, then I’ve heard you. But please, go and rest. Continue tomorrow.
Ridwan: You think so?
Chief Maid: Yes. Come on.
(Ridwan finally smiles softly.)
Ridwan: You know I’m no longer that little boy anymore.
Chief Maid: (touches his cheek affectionately) You’ll always remain my little prince charming.
The Next Morning
A Local Town in Lagos State
(The early morning sun shines over a quiet farmland.)
(A local farmer arrives with his harvesting tools resting on his shoulder.)
(He hums softly while walking through the field.)
(Suddenly, something hidden inside the bush catches his attention.)
(The farmer slowly moves closer.)
(Then he freezes.)
(His eyes widen in horror.)
(A lifeless body lies hidden among the grasses.)
(The farmer screams loudly and falls backward in fear.)
Farmer: HELP!!! SOMEBODY HELP!!!
Breaking News
News Reporter: The body of police officer Mr. John was discovered this morning in a remote area of Lagos State. Authorities suspect foul play as investigations continue…
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