LUSTING TO HAVE HER WAY

COUNTER BLACKMAIL

CHAPTER 4

Angela studied him for a moment, apparently surprised by how quickly he had rejected a one million Naira offer.

Before she could respond, the door opened.

Donald stepped into the room, his eyes narrowing as he looked from one of them to the other.

"Someone needs to explain this one million naira... and the secret you're so desperate to keep."

Unbeknownst to Angela and Bismarck, Donald had returned and, while standing quietly at the doorway, had overheard the last part of their conversation.

For a few seconds, nobody spoke.

Bismarck looked towards Donald, then back at Angela.

The atmosphere had changed completely.

What had been a private negotiation between Angela and Bismarck had suddenly acquired an unexpected witness.

Angela's expression hardened.

"Donald, you just left. Why are you back?"

He shrugged.

"That's not important. What's important is why you're offering my brother's new employee one million naira."

"I see what you're doing," Angela replied coldly.

"You deliberately eavesdropped on my conversation, and now you're trying to embarrass me in my fiancé's house."

Donald raised an eyebrow.

"That sounds like an accusation."

"It is."

Her voice hardened.

"And I promise you, you won't like my reaction if you ever try such nonsense again."

She turned and walked into the bedroom.

Donald stood for sometime, then followed her.

As Angela pulled the silk robe off to change, she heard a voice behind her in the room.

“Angela!”

She looked up.

It was Donald, staring at her.

“Donald!”

She put her silk robe back on, indifferent to what Donald had already seen.

"You frightened me."

She placed a hand on her chest.

"For a moment, I thought it was my father calling."

Donald ignored the remark.

"Please answer my question."

"Donald, please, can I have my peace in this house?"

"If you don't explain why you wanted to pay Bismarck one million naira to leave this house, your peace will remain elusive."

Angela folded her arms.

"Sometimes you behave exactly like my father."

"How?"

"You always want to know everything. You're too authoritative."

She paused.

"Let me remind you of something—I'm not answerable to you. You're only my future brother-in-law. Know your boundaries."

Donald remained unmoved.

"I'm not interested in how your father behaves or in the boundaries you've invented."

His voice became firmer.

"I want to know why you offered the new employee one million naira."

Angela remained silent.

For the first time, her confidence seemed to waver.

She knew she needed to choose her next words carefully.

Donald was persistent, and unlike Bismarck, he was already connected to the family.

If he discovered the truth and told James, the consequences could be devastating.

Angela lowered her eyes for a moment before looking up again.

Donald stepped closer.

"This is now a security matter. I heard you say you would transfer one million naira into Bismarck's account to keep him quiet."

He paused briefly.

"About what?"

Angela looked him straight in the eye.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I never said anything like that."

Donald smiled.

"Really? You're denying something you said less than five minutes ago?"

"If that's the word you want, then yes—I'm denying it."

Her tone hardened.

"I won't let you destroy my marriage."

Donald's smile widened.

"Good. Keep denying it."

He reached into his pocket and brought out his phone.

"Even when James plays the recording back to you, keep denying it's your voice."

Angela froze.

The colour seemed to drain from her face.

For a moment, she simply stared at the phone in Donald's hand.

"You recorded me?"

Her voice sharpened.

"Is this blackmail?"

Slowly, she turned away and faced the wall.

For several seconds, she said nothing.

Then she spoke.

"Brother Donald."

The word "brother" dripped with sarcasm.

"You told James I was your church member. When he asked whether you knew me well enough to recommend me, you said yes."

She turned and faced him.

"But before introducing me to your billionaire brother, you invited me to a hotel in Festac."

Her eyes bored into his.

"You slept with me before telling James all those wonderful things about me."

Donald felt the blood drain from his face.

"Why are you bringing that up now?"

"Because Bismarck was there."

Donald blinked.

"He was the room steward on duty that night."

A faint smile appeared on Angela's lips.

"He saw everything."

She paused.

"We never even ordered room service because you were too busy with me."

She folded her arms.

"Now imagine how loyal Bismarck will appear if he tells James that the woman you're recommending for marriage is the same woman you slept with."

Donald looked away.

For the first time, he had no immediate response.

The room fell silent.

The accusation had struck a nerve.

Donald had walked into the bedroom believing he had the upper hand. Now, the balance had shifted.

Angela watched him carefully.

She could see the uncertainty in his expression.

She knew she had found something he desperately wanted to keep buried.

Angela took a step closer.

"Tell me, Donald... how could you sleep with me on the very day you recommended me to your own brother?"

"That was in the past."

"No."

She shook her head.

"It's happening all over again."

She lifted her phone slightly.

"Because this conversation is being recorded."

Donald looked sharply at the phone.

"So, you're recording me."

"I am."

"What makes you think you'll leave this room with that recording?"

Angela didn't flinch.

"Try it."

Her voice remained calm.

"The moment you touch me, I'll scream."

She held his gaze.

"I'll tell everyone you tried to r**e me in your brother's bedroom."

Donald's jaw tightened.

"You wouldn't dare."

Angela smiled.

"Don't tempt me."

Neither of them spoke.

The silence between them was no longer uncomfortable.

It was dangerous.

Donald stared at Angela, trying to determine whether she was bluffing.

Angela simply held his gaze.

Neither was willing to back down.

The conversation had begun with a question about one million naira.

It had now exposed a secret that could threaten Angela's wedding and Donald's relationship with his brother.

Neither of them knew what the other would do next.