Ruth:From Farm To Queen

Chapter 10: The plan Against Ruth

The black Prado entered Benin as the sun slowly disappeared behind the buildings.

Ruth sat quietly beside David, thinking about the outreach in Ugonoba. She could still remember the little girl who had hugged her leg and said she wanted to become like her.

For the first time, Ruth felt that her life could mean something beyond suffering.

But she was also worried.

Vanessa had not stopped fighting her, even though Ruth had done nothing to take David away from her. Ruth wanted to concentrate on her work and education, not become part of a fight between a wealthy man and his girlfriend.

"Boss," she said softly.

David glanced at her. "What's wrong, Ruth?"

"Nothing, sir. I was just thinking about the girls in my village. I hope they will really get the scholarships."

"They will. My team will review their applications, and the qualified candidates will be contacted."

Ruth smiled. "Thank you, sir. Those girls deserve a chance."

David noticed how her face brightened whenever she spoke about helping others.

"You know something, Ruth? You have changed a lot since you came to my house."

Ruth looked at him in surprise.

"Me, sir?"

"Yes. You still have a lot to learn, but you are becoming more confident. Don't allow anybody to make you feel that you are less important because you came from a village."

Ruth lowered her eyes shyly. "I will try, sir."

When they arrived at the mansion, David asked her to get some rest. He still had work to do, so Ruth went upstairs to her room.

She opened her notebook and wrote down the things she had learnt during the outreach. She wanted to remember every detail because she hoped to help the girls in Ugonoba one day.

She did not know that, at that same moment, two people were discussing how to destroy the peace she had finally begun to enjoy.

---

In Upper Sakponba, Vanessa threw her handbag onto the sofa.

"I cannot believe David defended that girl in front of everybody!" she exclaimed.

Mama Nosa, who was sitting nearby, looked up.

"Which girl?"

"Who else? Ruth!"

Vanessa began pacing around the sitting room.

"First, David gives her a job. Then he takes her to her village and allows her to stand in front of everybody as if she is somebody important. Now he is treating her like she can do no wrong!"

Mama Nosa's expression hardened.

"That girl has always known how to make people pity her. When she was living with me, she was always pretending to be innocent."

Vanessa stopped walking.

"Mama, something must be done before she becomes too important to David. I don't want that girl taking what belongs to me."

Mama Nosa leaned forward.

"Then we must remind Ruth where she came from."

Vanessa looked at her mother. "What do you mean?"

"She may be living in a big mansion now, but she has not forgotten Ugonoba. She still cares about the people there. If we give her a reason to worry about the village, she will want to return."

Vanessa slowly began to understand.

"But how will that help us?"

Mama Nosa smiled coldly.

"We will go to Ugonoba tonight. There is an older man who has money and has been looking for a young wife. If we can convince the right people to support the arrangement, we may be able to pressure Ruth into accepting him."

Vanessa stared at her.

"You want Ruth to marry an old man?"

"I want her away from David," Mama Nosa replied. "If she is married and taken back to the village, she will no longer be staying in his mansion and following him everywhere."

Vanessa considered the idea.

It was cruel, but she was so jealous of Ruth that she barely cared what happened to the girl.

"What if she refuses?"

Mama Nosa's eyes narrowed.

"Then we will have to find another way to put pressure on her. But first, we must make the journey and speak to the people who can help us."

Vanessa picked up her phone.

"Let me change my clothes. We cannot go there looking like we are going to a party."

"Good," Mama Nosa said. "And remember, don't tell anybody what we are planning until we get there."

Within an hour, the two women were preparing to leave for Ugonoba.

---

Back at the mansion, Ruth finished writing in her notebook and went downstairs to get water.

David was in the sitting room, reading through some documents.

"Ruth," he called.

She stopped. "Yes, sir?"

"Come here for a moment."

Ruth walked over and stood beside the table.

"I want you to start preparing for your classes. My assistant will arrange the details, including your timetable. You will need to manage your time between work and studying."

Ruth's eyes widened.

"Sir, you really want me to go to school?"

"Of course. We have already discussed it."

Tears gathered in her eyes.

"Thank you, sir. Since my father and mother died, I never thought I would have another opportunity like this."

David's expression softened.

"You have been through a lot, Ruth. But your past does not have to decide your future."

Ruth quickly wiped her eyes.

"I will not disappoint you, sir."

"I hope you won't. Now go and get some rest."

She thanked him and went upstairs.

David returned to his documents, unaware that Mama Nosa was already travelling towards Ugonoba with Vanessa.

---

The road to Ugonoba was dark by the time Vanessa and Mama Nosa left the main highway.

Vanessa looked outside the window. She had never liked the village, but tonight she was willing to go there if it meant getting Ruth out of David's life.

"Mama, do you really think this plan will work?" she asked.

"It will work if we are careful," Mama Nosa answered. "Ruth may think she has escaped me, but she has not escaped her past."

Vanessa smiled faintly.

"By tomorrow, everything may be different."

The car continued along the quiet road towards the village.

Neither woman knew exactly how Ruth would react when she discovered their plan. But they were determined to try.

At the mansion, Ruth lay in bed, thinking about her future and the scholarship girls she hoped to help.

She believed that, after the successful outreach, she could finally have a peaceful life.

She had no idea that Vanessa and Mama Nosa were already on their way to Ugonoba.

And before the next day ended, Ruth's new life would face its first serious thop