LUSTING TO HAVE HER WAY

THE ULTIMATUM

CHAPTER 11

James had arrived.

Angela was nowhere near the airport to receive him.

She had spent the entire day trying to finalise her plans to silence Bismarck before James returned.

Now it was too late.

James, Donald, and Bismarck were already seated in the sitting room when Angela drove into the compound.

KK hurriedly closed the gate behind her.

The moment she stepped out of the car, she spotted Donald coming out of the house. Whether by coincidence or because he had seen her drive in, she could not tell.

She beckoned to him, and he walked over.

"Has he arrived?" she asked quietly.

Donald nodded.

"Yes. Weren't you supposed to pick him up from the airport?"

"I had to see my lawyer."

She glanced nervously toward the house.

"Where is he?"

"In the sitting room."

Her next question came immediately.

"And Bismarck?"

"He's with him."

Angela's face tightened instantly.

"Why would you leave Bismarck alone with James?"

She lowered her voice.

"What if he tells James everything before you get back?"

Donald went back to the sitting room.

Angela moved closer to the sitting-room window, straining to hear what was being discussed inside.

Then James' voice drifted through the slightly opened window.

"...It's alright. I'll make sure she pays for this."

He sounded furious.

"I'm done with her."

Angela froze.

The colour drained from her face.

"He's found out."

Tears welled in her eyes.

"My marriage..."

she whispered,

"...is over."

Her legs weakened beneath her.

She leaned against the wall for support before slowly moving away from the window.

For a few seconds, Angela could barely breathe.

She had spent the day trying to protect her future, yet the one man whose trust mattered most was now inside the house, speaking as though he had already discovered everything.

Her mind raced.

Had Bismarck told him?

Had someone else exposed her?

Or had James discovered the truth on his own?

She wiped the tears from her face and forced herself to stand upright.

Whatever had happened, she could not walk into that room looking defeated.

Not yet.

Inside the sitting room, James ended the phone call.

"I'll make sure she pays every last kobo for the damage she caused."

He sighed heavily.

"My schedule is too tight right now. My wedding is on October 21."

He slipped the phone into his pocket.

Turning to Donald, he asked,

"Where's Angela? I missed her."

Donald smiled.

"She just drove in."

James smiled broadly before looking at Bismarck.

"Bismarck, I hope Angela took good care of you while I was away."

He chuckled softly.

"I know she did. She's a wonderful woman."

Bismarck said nothing.

James noticed immediately.

"You're quiet."

Bismarck looked at him.

"Sir... may I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Did you carry out a proper background check on Angela before deciding to marry her?"

James looked surprised, though not offended.

"Why do you ask?"

Bismarck chose his words carefully.

"No particular reason."

He paused briefly.

"I just believe a man like you deserves a good wife."

James smiled.

"I already have one."

He quoted softly,

"'He who finds a wife finds a good thing.'"

He nodded toward Donald.

"My brother recommended her."

Bismarck glanced at Donald.

"So he knows her well?"

"Very well," James replied.

Bismarck nodded slowly.

"I see."

James changed the subject.

"How have you been settling in?"

"I'm doing well, sir."

Bismarck smiled.

"And I'm glad you're back."

James returned the smile.

"I'm glad you're here too."

"Thank you, sir."

The words warmed Bismarck more than James realised.

Bismarck lowered his eyes for a moment.

James had no idea how much those simple words of trust meant to him.

He had entered the household as a new employee, yet James already treated him with a confidence that Bismarck did not take lightly.

That made the secrets surrounding the house even more difficult to ignore.

If James truly trusted him, Bismarck knew he could not remain silent forever.

James suddenly turned.

"Ikwerre, where's Angela?"

Donald stared at him.

"Ikwerre?"

James blinked, almost surprised at himself, then smiled faintly.

"Sorry... old habit. Dad used to call you that whenever you got on his nerves."

Donald shook his head.

"I've asked him several times what it means."

James shrugged.

"His answer was always the same—someone from Port Harcourt."

His expression hardened again.

"But forget that for now. Where's Angela?"

Donald lowered his phone.

"I'm calling her, but she's not answering."

James frowned.

"You just said she came back."

"I saw her drive into the compound."

Donald spread out his hands.

"I've been here with you ever since."

James dialled Angela's number several times before calling the gateman.

A few moments later, KK entered.

"KK, where's Angela?"

KK scratched his head.

"I no know, oga."

"As I open gate for am, I go back to wetin I dey do."

"What were you doing?"

"I dey trim flowers."

James stared at him.

"You were trimming flowers?"

"Did I employ you as a gardener?"

KK shifted awkwardly.

"I just dey learn am small-small, oga."

He shrugged.

"As Nigeria dey now, person suppose learn different-different work. Nobody know tomorrow."

Then he added,

"But if na madam you dey find... ask Oga Donald."

Donald frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"I say make e ask you because na two of una dey outside dey talk when madam return."

Donald shook his head.

"That's not true."

"I only told her my brother had arrived before I came inside."

KK protested.

James raised a hand.

"Enough."

Silence fell over the room.

James walked out of the sitting room, dialing Angela's number.

Unavailable.

His expression hardened.

Slowly, he turned toward Donald and KK.

"If Angela is not standing before me within the next ten minutes..."

His voice became dangerously quiet.

"...both of you will answer to me."