the face in the background
788 Words
CHAPTER TEN
The Face in the Background
Silence swallowed the ballroom.
The final photograph remained frozen on the giant screen.
At first, no one noticed.
They were too focused on Jeffrey and Beatrice.
Then someone in the audience spoke.
"Wait... who's that man behind them?"
More heads turned toward the screen.
The image was enlarged.
Standing a few feet behind Jeffrey and Beatrice was a man in a black suit, partially hidden by a pillar.
Although the photograph was slightly blurred, there was no mistaking him.
Chief Clement Eze.
His confident smile vanished.
For the first time that night, panic flickered across his face.
"Turn it off!" he barked.
Immediately, the projector went dark.
The ballroom lights returned.
Guests looked at one another in confusion.
"What was that about?"
"Why was Chief Clement in those pictures?"
"Wasn't he supposed to be overseas three years ago?"
The whispers spread like wildfire.
Chief Clement forced a smile.
"It seems there has been a technical error."
He climbed onto the stage and took the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I sincerely apologize for the interruption. Someone appears to have tampered with tonight's presentation."
His voice remained calm.
His eyes, however, searched the room.
Someone had changed his plan.
Someone knew more than they should.
...
Agatha stood motionless.
Her heart raced as the final photograph replayed in her mind.
She had been so focused on Jeffrey and Beatrice that she had never paid attention to the background.
Now everything felt different.
If Chief Clement had been there that day...
Why had no one mentioned him?
She slowly turned toward Jeffrey.
He was already looking at her.
For the first time since returning to Nigeria...
She saw something she hadn't expected.
Not guilt.
Fear.
Fear that the truth was beginning to surface.
...
Tony quietly walked over to Jeffrey.
"Did you see it?"
Jeffrey nodded.
"I did."
Tony lowered his voice.
"He made a mistake."
Jeffrey frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"Whoever prepared those photographs never expected that last image to be shown."
Jeffrey looked toward Chief Clement.
"Someone is helping us."
"But who?"
Neither of them had an answer.
...
Meanwhile, Beatrice stood frozen near the control room entrance.
Her breathing became uneven.
She had personally reviewed every image before the presentation.
That final photograph wasn't supposed to be there.
Someone had replaced the last slide.
She quickly reached for her phone.
Before she could make the call, a quiet voice stopped her.
"Looking for this?"
She turned sharply.
Standing behind her was Daniela.
Holding Beatrice's phone.
Beatrice's eyes widened.
"When did you—"
"You dropped it."
Daniela smiled politely.
"But I couldn't help noticing a message that appeared on the screen."
Beatrice reached for the phone.
Daniela didn't move.
The unread message remained visible.
Chief Clement: "After tonight, Agatha must never trust Jeffrey again."
Daniela felt her heart sink.
She slowly lifted her eyes.
"So..."
Her voice trembled.
"You've been working with him all along."
Beatrice's expression hardened.
"You don't know what you're talking about."
Daniela stepped closer.
"Then explain the message."
For the first time, Beatrice had no answer.
...
Across the ballroom, Unduka watched Agatha in silence.
He could tell she was overwhelmed.
Without saying a word, he walked over and offered her a glass of water.
"Here."
She accepted it gratefully.
"Thank you."
"You don't have to stay."
"I know."
"But if I leave now..."
She looked around the room.
"...I'll spend the whole night wondering."
Unduka nodded.
"Then stay."
"And find the answers you came home for."
Agatha smiled faintly.
She appreciated his kindness.
Unlike everyone else, Unduka never pushed her.
He simply stood beside her when she needed someone.
From across the room, Jeffrey watched them.
Instead of jealousy...
He felt gratitude.
Unduka wasn't taking advantage of Agatha's pain.
He was protecting her.
And that made Jeffrey respect him even more.
...
Chief Clement excused himself from the gala and walked quickly toward the underground parking garage.
His assistant hurried after him.
"Sir!"
Chief Clement unlocked his car with shaking hands.
"Find out who changed those slides."
"We're already investigating."
His jaw tightened.
"I've spent three years making sure the truth stayed buried."
He slammed the car door.
"I won't let one mistake ruin everything."
As his vehicle sped out of the parking lot, neither man noticed a motorcycle following at a safe distance.
The rider wore a black helmet.
Hidden inside his jacket was a small camera.
He had recorded everything.
And by sunrise...
Someone would receive evidence that could change Jeffrey and Agatha's lives forever.
Far above the city, thunder rolled across the night sky.
The storm had finally arrived.
But this time...
It wasn't the weather Jeffrey feared.
It was the truth.
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