“That‘s a bare-faced lie!” Gladys jumped up and stood shaking.
“Get used to it, because that‘s the story Edward will tell the next woman.” Mrs. Okrika stood up and shook out her dress. “What were you saying about your love now, eh?”
“You set me up.” This realization echoed in Gladys‘s whisper as she walked forward.
Mrs. Okrika laughed and swerved away from her on her way out of the room. “That is another case that will be thrown out for lack of evidence. Edward will go down, and if what keeps you here is the foolish notion that he loves you, save yourself the heartbreak and get out now. He cannot love anyone, and he certainly doesn‘t love you.”
She went out and closed the door softly. Gladys remained rooted to the spot.
**********
Gladys returned to her aunt‘s house after Mrs. Okrika left. Edward did not reply any of the messages she sent to tell him of the woman‘s visit and refused to pick any call. Now she sat in her bedroom, fingers tapping out a nervous rhythm. She wished she could talk to someone. She‘d called her mother but her brothers had informed her that Mama traveled to the village and there was no network there. It was a bad time to call Aunt Isioma who could be asleep; she might have to open up to Ola after all.
It was obvious that Chief and Mrs. Okrika were not to be trusted. She had a good suspicion they might be the people behind the takeover bid. It had only started after the former foster parents came into the picture. They didn‘t want Edward to be happy and they were fighting on two fronts; his home and his business. What was clear from Mrs. Okrika‘s earlier visit was that they wished to poison her mind against Edward. Those stories were concocted to spoil their relationship and prevent them from working together. She made up her mind not to believe their words; one could only imagine what they had to gain by his misery and downfall.
She put her head in her hands in despair but then stood up in anger. She couldn‘t give up and allow them to defeat Edward. Edward had to get his company back. Edward might not like it, and her further association with them could alienate him even further but she had to do this.
Her phone rang inside her purse and she almost jumped out of her skin. She rushed to get it out and her fingers were still shaking when she picked the call. “Hello, Edward is that...”