Drowning In His Lies

CHAPTER 11: The Offer She Should Refuse

The ballroom of the Eko Atlantic Towers glittered like it was made of diamonds.

Every billionaire in Lagos was there. And in the center of it all stood Mimi.

Not the Mimi that Jaden left to drown in a pool a year ago. Not the girl with mascara running down her face while her private video played on a projector.

This Mimi wore a black dress that cost more than Jaden's car. Her hair was pulled up, her neck bare, except for a single gold necklace that caught the light. She was the CEO of M-TECH, worth 500 million. And tonight, she owned the room.

Until he walked in.

Jaden.

He looked exactly the same. Arrogant. Handsome. Cold. His arm was around Tania — the same woman she had caught him with.

Mimi's champagne glass almost shattered in her hand.

She had planned this for 365 days. The revenge. The power move. But she didn't plan for her heart to still beat this fast when she saw him.

"Mimi?"

A deep voice behind her.

She turned.

Damien. Damien Cole. The other billionaire. The one who saved her from that pool that night. The one who had been funding her company in secret.

"You didn't tell me he was coming," she whispered.

"I didn't know," Damien said, his eyes never leaving Jaden. "But it's perfect. Let him see what he lost."

Across the room, Jaden's eyes finally found hers.

For a second, the whole ballroom went silent. At least for the two of them.

His arm dropped from Tania's waist.

"Mimi?" he mouthed, like he was seeing a ghost.

Tania followed his gaze. When she saw Mimi, her perfect smile cracked.

Mimi didn't smile. She walked straight towards them, her heels clicking on marble, every step a war drum.

"Jaden," she said, her voice sweet enough to kill. "Long time no see. I thought you only liked pools when you could drown people in them."

Tania gasped. "Who do you think you are?"

Mimi looked at her, then back at Jaden. "I'm the woman whose video you posted. Remember? The one you drugged?"

Jaden's face went white. "Mimi, I can explain—"

"Explain what?" Mimi laughed, but her eyes were full of tears she refused to shed. "How you made 10 million naira off my shame? Or how you told everyone I tried to kill myself for attention?"

Damien appeared beside her, placing a possessive hand on her waist. "Is this man bothering you, baby?"

Baby.

Jaden's jaw clenched so hard Mimi thought it would break.

"Who is this?" Jaden asked, his voice low and dangerous.

"My fiancé," Mimi said without blinking. It was a lie. But it was the kind of lie that tasted sweet.

Damien played along instantly, pulling her closer. "And soon to be co-owner of this building you are standing in. So I suggest you apologize to my wife."

Jaden stared at Mimi. All the arrogance was gone. For the first time since she met him, he looked... scared. Scared to lose her.

"Mimi, please. Don't do this. That video—"

"—will cost you everything," Mimi finished for him. She brought her phone out and showed him the screen.

It was a contract. A takeover contract. For his company.

"I bought 51% of Cole Industries this morning, Jaden. Your company. You now work for me."

The color drained from Jaden's face completely.

Tania screamed, "You b***h!"

But Mimi was already walking away, Damien's hand still on her waist, her heart pounding against her ribs.

She had won. She had finally won.

So why did it feel like she was drowning all over again?

Behind her, Jaden whispered one word that stopped her cold.

"I still love you."