Aunt Isioma met him at the door. “Congratulations Edward. That was a great meeting.”
Edward prostrated on the floor and stayed down; he was beyond only vocal thanks.
“Edward, what is the meaning of this? Please stand up. I have accepted your greeting.”
He stood up but remained bowed. “Thank you so much Aunt Isioma, I couldn‘t have done it without you. Your shares and vote tipped the balance. I‘m very grateful.”
“You‘re welcome, but there‘s something else.”
Edward looked deeper into the room to see Chief Okrika seated quietly at the sole table with a twisted expression on his face. He did not or could not meet Edward‘s gaze. Edward followed Aunt Isioma inside and sat opposite his archenemy. She sat next to him and placed a music player in front of her on the table. He glanced at her in question until it began to play.
Chief Okrika‘s voice piped out from the tiny speakers. “My dear girl, I can help you out if you want. Did I not put over fifty million naira in your account?”
Edward found it hard to believe what he was hearing but Gladys small voice underscored the words. “You mean you schemed for me to lose my shares?” The two men locked gazes as Aunt Isioma stopped the player after the response where Chief Okrika gloated, “That is correct.”
Aunt Isioma spoke. “Gladys recorded this conversation in a meeting she had with Chief Okrika two weeks ago.”
“You conniving thief! What did you think you would achieve? Take my company away from me?”
“Chief Okrika twisted his lips, “It seemed worth it at the time. You stole from me Edward. You took my money, business files and secrets when you left the house…”
“I stole nothing. Your wife framed me. If any of your money or business documents were stolen, she took them, not me.” Edward was panting. Deep emotions bubbled up and tried to suffocate him. How he loathed that woman.
The other man laughed in derision. “You must be joking.”
“Chief I‘m serious. After spending a month in the police cell, don‘t you think I would have confessed and returned whatever I took? I‘m innocent, but your wife is not…”
Chief Okrika slapped his hand on the table and barked. “She couldn‘t have. We‘ve been married for so long.” He removed his cap and rubbed at his sweaty head and face with a white handkerchief from the pocket of his agbada. “We even worked together!”