A sharp click of the front door, then hurried footsteps, and they were gone.
"Heh heh, Old Master, didn't you say you wanted to speak with Chibuzor first? Go ahead, go ahead! That's how it should be. We'll come back another day."
Mr. Ani shoved his daughter forward and hustled them out, leaving the room buzzing with the echoes of his bluster.
The door shut. Old Master Arinze's hand came down hard on the armrest, the sound like a gavel. "Chibuzor! What exactly happened during that ceremony?!" he barked.
Across from him, Chibuzor rose with an unnerving, slow smile that did not reach his eyes. He poured water into a glass and handed it over. "Grandpa, drink first," he said, calm as if nothing at all had happened.
Old Master Arinze snorted but took the cup, swallowing it in one long pull. His throat had gone dry from talking; the water steadied him. Outwardly he stayed furious. Inwardly he allowed a small, cold pride to surface. I didn't raise him in vain.
Old Madam Arinze noticed the flicker and offered a silent thumbs up across the room, approval for the boy's restraint.
Chibuzor sat, the smile slipping back into something sharper. "Nothing happened," he said lightly. "Just a few children playing tricks."
He leaned forward, voice low and clipped. "They used my assistant to get close. Drugged my drink with sleeping pills. After that, they staged everything, placed me with Adani, called the press. They drugged her too, so I wasn't sure whether she was part of it."
A mocking curl touched his lips. "I let it play out to see how she'd handle it. Turns out, her acting's terrible. She didn't explain, didn't protest. The Ani family's backers were even more amateurish; they left tracks. They've been poking at me for too long. I'll crush them all."
Old Master Arinze watched him, eyes narrowing into slim slits of approval. So that's why he said nothing, the thought ran through him. Let them think they've won, then strike. Efficient. Patient. Dangerous.
He relaxed for the first time since the accusations began, then the line in his jaw tightened again as some memory pinged at the edge of his thoughts.
"If you had found me a granddaughter in law, we wouldn't be in this mess. Our enemies are trying to plant one of their own as the young mistress of the Arinze family. They would never dare if you were already married."
Chibuzor's face tightened. Marriage was the last thing on his mind! His plan had always been to adopt a son and raise him before turning forty. But his grandfather wouldn't hear of it.
Normally, Old Madam Arinze would have come to his defense. But this time, shockingly, she kept silent, looking away.
He frowned and turned toward her. "Grandma? Why—"
"I don't have a single grandson like you!" she snapped, cutting him off.
Chibuzor: "…"
I'm screwed.
Old Master Arinze, long used to his wife's objections, usually ignored her. But this time, her unexpected silence gave him courage. His confidence surged.
Straightening his posture, he declared, "We've already selected five excellent candidates. I'll have the housekeeper bring them to you. You'll choose one within a week and spend some time with her before marriage. I don't want you marrying a stranger."
Chibuzor's heart sank. Stranger or not, we'll still divorce eventually. Marriage and love are scams, and now I have to pick a wife in seven days?
Knowing his grandfather, he was certain that once he picked a girl, the wedding would be arranged the very next week. Spend time together before marriage? What a joke.
"Grandfather, it's impossible to choose a wife in seven days, or marry someone I haven't known for years. I don't want to end up like Mom and Dad."
His words cracked the fragile peace in the room, reopening a chapter none of them wished to revisit.
To Old Master Arinze, the second generation had been a disgrace. His first son, Chibuzor's father, was the worst of all. His recklessness had nearly destroyed the family from within and without.
He would never forget what that good for nothing son did that year…
"I understand, Chibuzor. But this scandal is the straw that broke the camel's back," Old Master Arinze said, his tone firm yet weary. "You must marry quickly. The position of young mistress must be filled, and we need heirs."
Seeing his grandson's frustration, he sighed and softened his voice. "Alright, I'll give you seven days to choose and three months to bring her over. But if you continue with this apathy toward love and marriage, you'll regret it later."
Chibuzor knew there was no winning against his grandfather's resolve. So, he decided to play his last card.
He looked away for a moment, feigning hesitation before facing them again with a carefully crafted "in love" expression. "Grandpa, Grandma... there's something you should know."
Both elders turned to him expectantly.
"I already have a girl I want to marry," he said, his tone bright and full of conviction. "I'm sure you'll love her."
Old Madam Arinze's eyes lit up. "Truly?"
"Truly," he lied with a perfect smile.
As Chibuzor left the Arinze mansion, that same smile turned into a smirk. I knew it would work. Now I just need to stall for as long as possible. A few months of peace, and I won't have to hear the "get married" speech again.
He was still basking in victory when—
"Young Master! Young Master!"
Housekeeper Bolaji's urgent voice cut through his thoughts.
Chibuzor turned, frowning. "Is something the matter, Housekeeper Bolaji?"
The elderly man approached with visible nerves, taking a deep breath before forcing a shaky smile. "Well… your grandparents trust your judgment, so they've decided you should go ahead and get your marriage certificate with the girl you love, in seven days. Then, bring her to the family ball in three months to introduce her to everyone."
Chibuzor froze.
WHAT?!
The words struck like lightning. His mind blanked. Does this mean… I actually have to find a woman to marry?!
He blinked, ready to confirm if he'd heard correctly—
But when he turned back, Housekeeper Bolaji was gone.
Chibuzor: "…"
Somewhere behind a marble pillar, Bolaji exhaled in relief. Phew… I'm safe.