Fragments of the Past

Sabotage

Chapter 5

The Sabotage

Joseph, not sure of what Ruth might be up to, swung swiftly into action by fulfilling his side of the deal. He was a young billionaire that believed in the power of deals especially in business or relationships. Though his marriage to Ruth started as a cold one and calculated transaction to satisfy his grandfather's wish and to save her ailing father and company.

One morning, Joseph paid Ruth's ailing father a visit at the hospital where he was receiving treatment. He was moved by Ruth's teary face seeing his father's health condition worsening.He saw the weight of her burdens, and though he had never planned on truly caring, he found himself making a silent vow: to fix everything.

The rescue plan began by first arranging for medical personnel from abroad to treat her ailing father. Ruth, unaware of his efforts, was surprised when the doctors appeared the next morning, accompanied by state-of-the-heart medical equipment.

“How… how did you manage this?” Ruth stammered, her voice trembling with gratitude.

“I am only doing my own part of the deal,” Joseph replied with a half-smile, brushing off her thanks.

While Mr. Okoro was undergoing surgery, Joseph turned his attention to his company. He investigated the old financial records of her father's company. He was able to trace some financial misappropriation and embezzlement to the past Directors. With his sharp business acumen, Joseph orchestrated a sting operation, exposing the culprit and retrieving the stolen funds. He also negotiated a lucrative contract for the company with one of his billionaire friends, ensuring its revival.

When Ruth discovered the news, she was incredulous. “Why would you do this? You barely know us,” she asked, her eyes searching for him.

“You’re my wife,” Joseph said simply. But the flicker of something deeper in his eyes told her there was more to his motivation.

Within weeks of swinging into action, her father's health got better and the company also swung into full operation.

Joseph had noticed Ruth as a determined young woman who was poised to make a mark in her career especially during the first time they were hosted in her father's house for the arranged marriage.

Joseph arranged a gala for all artisans specifically for the exhibition of their handiworks. He had known Ruth as a talented woman who could outshine her contemporaries in the world of fashion.

Therefore, the gala was specifically for her work to be seen, projected and promoted by promoters.

Ruth's works of fashion were exemplary. The promoters admired her works and were awarded as the best of all.

Ruth was overwhelmed, seeing her work of art being admired by promoters. She was speechless. She could not express how happy she was.

“You did this?” she whispered, her voice cracking.

“You have talent, Ruth. The world needs to see it,” Joseph replied, his voice gentle.

Little did Ruth realized that her happiness would be cut short when suddenly a rival designer accused her of plagiarism.

The news of the plagiarism was transmitted on air. It was a shocking incident for Ruth.

Joseph, aware of what Ruth was capable of doing sprang into action, hiring the best legal team to clear her name, only to discover that the accusation wasn’t baseless.

Ruth’s most celebrated design bore a striking resemblance to one created by her estranged mother, who had abandoned her family years ago. The truth left Ruth reeling, forcing her to confront a painful chapter of her past.

“I didn’t know… I swear I didn’t know,” Ruth sobbed to Joseph.

Joseph, however, took her hands in his and said, “We’ll face this together. But first, we find your mother and the truth.”

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Ruth, poised to wade into the truth of the matter while in detention, was shocked to realize from the investigations she had carried out through the help of Lizzy and her father that her biological mother was nowhere to be traced; whether alive or dead. Then, it dawned on her that the one she called her mother was just her stepmother.

The investigation showed that her biological mother was a renowned fashion designer who had been celebrated for her creativity.

Janet was married to Mr Okoro who was a powerful and traditional billionaire businessman. Their marriage was arranged by merging the two families together. But along the journey, though characterized by conflicts, they fell for each other in love.

At a gala hosted by Okoro's family, where Janet was opportuned to showcase her collection of handiworks, a rumour spread around, accusing her of plagiarism and corrupt activities. Grace, a rival designer and a well-connected and powerful woman accused her of stealing her work.

Okoro's family being skeptical about Janet’s ambition and modern outlook developed a mistrust towards her. They then demanded that she step down for Grace.

Janet, a woman known for her independence, refused. She was determined to clear herself of the accusation. But hardly she knew that there was an enemy within the inner circle determined to sabotage her career.

Katie, Mr Okoro's sister had colluded with Grace, orchestrating the scandal mainly to pull down Janet.

Privately, Janet confronted Katie only to discover that she did it out of jealousy. She was not happy about the success of Janet.

Thinking of what to do to clear her name, she approached her husband for support but he was hesitant, demanding proof of her innocence.

All family members became distant from her. She felt abandoned and left the house that same night.

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After some days in detention, Ruth was released. The effort put in by Joseph in employing the service of high ranking legal luminaries in ensuring her release was worth mentioning. He had been very supportive.

However, Ruth was shocked when she was told that Joe, Grace's son, also played a key role in her quick release from detention.

One day, Joe invited Ruth for a serious conversation. She was hesitant but later agreed to honour the invitation. She wanted to know his motive for taking such a risky action.

“Why did you really help us? I want to know. You could have stayed out of this issue,” Ruth said.

Joe stammered. “Because I’m tired of being defined by my family’s mistakes. My mother, Grace, never cared about anything but her reputation. Helping you was my way of breaking free from her shadow.”

Ruth’s heart raced but she quickly hid her reaction. “I appreciate what you did, but your connections to that world still make me wary. I need to know where you stand if things get complicated again.”

Joe nodded. “But let me prove myself. I’ll stand by you, Ruth, no matter what.”

After some months, Joe helped Ruth to gain the interest of investors for her fashion to start up again. He introduced her to influential and powerful business tycoons who were fascinated by her commitment and determination.

Ruth's designs, inspired by her own creativity, sprang back to feet, gaining recognition again.

While Joseph was determined to find the whereabouts of Ruth's mother; Ruth received an anonymous message informing her of another sabotage to her career from a close person.

Who is this person? Did Joseph succeed in locating the whereabouts of Ruth's mother?