Chapter 18

Adanna knelt in front of her son, taking his small hands in hers. "I don't know, Emeka. But what I do know is that no matter what happens today, you proved something no one can take away from you: that you are brilliant, brave, and worthy of respect. And if he doesn't keep his promise, then we move on. Mr. Adebayo already got those scholarships. Your future doesn't depend on that man; it depends on you."Emeka nodded, but Adanna could see in his eyes that a part of him still hoped Chief Okoro would do the right thing. That childish hope—that belief that adults eventually keep their word—broke Adanna's heart, because she knew the world didn't always work that way.Chief Okoro arrived at the notary's office thirty minutes early, accompanied only by Malam Abubakar. He had rejected the suggestion of bringing lawyers, public relations specialists, or any other member of his team; this had to be personal.Barrister Okafor received them in his traditional office, with walls lined with legal books and a mahogany desk that had belonged to his grandfather. The scent of old paper and ink filled the space, mingling with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee that Okafor always kept prepared."Chief Okoro," the barrister greeted him with professional courtesy, but no warmth. "I hope this meeting will be productive.""That is my wish as well," Chief Okoro responded, his voice sounding humbler than Malam Abubakar had ever heard him.Chief Okoro looked different: he had slept barely three hours in two days, and it showed—deep dark circles under his eyes, an unshaven beard, a wrinkled suit. He wasn't the image of the immaculate businessman he always projected; he was simply an exhausted and defeated man."I have prepared a document," Okafor said, showing several papers, "so that if you reach an agreement, everything is formally registered. This way, we avoid future misunderstandings."Chief Okoro nodded, though every word from the barrister reminded him of the magnitude of what he had done: a formal agreement with an eleven-year-old boy because he had been so arrogant that legal protection was needed against him.The sound of the main door startled him. It was 5:00: Adanna, Chike, and Emeka had arrived.When the two families met in the notary's conference room, the tension was so thick it could almost be touched. Emeka stayed slightly behind his mother, his dark eyes observing Chief Okoro with a mixture of curiosity and caution. Chike leaned on his stick, his jaw tight. He wanted to hate the man who had humiliated his son, but the expression on Chief Okoro's face confused him: he didn't see arrogance now; he saw something resembling shame."Thank you for coming," Chief Okoro said, his voice hoarse. "I know you have no reason to trust me.""No, we don't," Chike responded directly. "You humiliated my son in front of dozens of people. You made a cruel bet thinking you would never lose, and when you lost, you tried to back out."Chief Okoro lowered his gaze, unable to meet Chike's eyes. "You are absolutely right.""Then why are we here?" Adanna asked, her voice firm despite the nervousness she felt.

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