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@ ODILI ONUOHA
2025-04-15 14:39:15CHAPTER SIX
The wedding was in full swing. The grand ballroom was adorned with elegant chandeliers, shimmering tablecloths, and floral arrangements that spoke of wealth and class. Laughter and conversation filled the room as guests in their finest attire sipped on champagne and enjoyed the evening’s festivities.
James, sitting at a table near the back, scanned the crowd. He had always disliked such extravagant gatherings, but for Rita’s sake, he was willing to endure it. She had gone to greet some relatives, leaving him momentarily alone.
As he idly sipped from his glass, his eyes landed on two familiar faces across the room Edward and Jaff.
His heart lifted slightly.
It had been years since he last saw them. Before the scandal, before the disgrace, before his life took the painful turn that led him into the Ray family. Back then, Edward and Jaff had been colleagues, even friends, men he had once trusted and shared ambitions with.
James hesitated for a moment, but then, deciding to take a chance, he rose from his seat and approached them.
Edward and Jaff were deep in conversation when James arrived at their table. Their expensive suits, fine watches, and confident postures spoke of continued success.
“Edward. Jaff,” James greeted with a small smile. “It’s been a long time.”
At first, neither man reacted. Edward’s gaze flickered to James, and his face immediately twisted into something unreadable. Jaff, however, stiffened, his grip tightening around his glass.
“James?” Edward said, his voice dripping with disbelief. “Is that really you?”
James nodded. “It’s good to see you both.”
Before he could finish, Jaff leaned back in his chair, looking him up and down with an expression of disgust.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Jaff spat. “Do you really think you belong in a place like this?”
James blinked, taken aback by the hostility. “I was invited. My wife”
Edward scoffed. “Oh, right. The Ray family took you in, didn’t they?” His voice was laced with mockery. “I heard about that. What a joke.”
James clenched his jaw. “I don’t see how that concerns either of you.”
Jaff leaned forward, his tone sharp. “You’ve got some nerve showing your face here, James. After everything you did?”
James frowned. “What exactly do you think I did?”
Edward let out a humorless laugh. “Don’t play innocent. You think people forgot about the scandal? The money that disappeared from the company? You got kicked out for a reason, James. And now, what? You’re mooching off the Ray family like a leech?”
James had been falsely accused of embezzlement, but few had ever cared to hear his side of the story. Now, standing before these men who had once called him a friend, he realized they had never believed in him.
He exhaled slowly, willing himself to stay calm. “I didn’t steal anything. You both know that.”
Jaff sneered. “What we know is that you’re nothing but a disgrace. A man who got lucky when an old fool took pity on him.”
Edward nodded, looking around as if searching for someone. Then, suddenly, he snapped his fingers.
Within moments, a security officer appeared at their table.
Edward gestured toward James. “Get this trash out of my sight.”
The moment the words left Edward’s mouth, several heads turned toward their table. The guests nearby paused their conversations, curiosity and amusement flickering across their faces.
The security officer hesitated. “Sir, is he causing trouble?”
Jaff smirked. “He is trouble.”
Edward pointed toward the exit. “Escort him out.” James’ blood ran cold. The humiliation settled over him like a heavy cloak as whispers spread through the room. He could feel the weight of a hundred judging eyes on him.
For a moment, he considered defending himself. He could have shouted, demanded an explanation, and refused to leave.
But deep down, he knew that nothing he said would matter.
These people had already decided his worth.
Before the security officer could act, a sharp voice cut through the tension.
“Step away from my husband.”
The room fell silent. Rita stood a few feet away, her expression thunderous. Her hands clenched into fists, her posture rigid with fury.
Edward turned to her, his smirk returning. “Ah, Rita. Just in time to see us get rid of some unwanted company.”
Rita’s eyes darkened. “If anyone should leave, it’s you two.”
Edward’s smirk faltered. “Excuse me?”
Rita stepped forward, standing beside James and taking his hand. “James is my husband. He belongs here. If anyone dares to humiliate him again, they’ll answer me.”
The room buzzed with hushed murmurs.
Edward and Jaff exchanged glances, clearly taken aback.
Jaff scoffed, shaking his head. “Rita, don’t make a scene over this nobody.”
Rita’s grip on James tightened. “He’s not a nobody. But you?” She tilted her head, giving them a look of pure disdain. “You’re both cowards. You turned your backs on someone who once trusted you. That’s pathetic.”
Edward bristled. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Rita smiled coldly. “Oh, I do. And you know what else? My grandfather always said that real success isn’t measured by money or power, but by loyalty and character.” She paused. “And from what I see, you two have neither.”
The silence that followed was deafening. Edward’s face burned red with anger, but he said nothing. Jaff’s jaw clenched, his eyes darting around the room, clearly aware that their humiliation had now been turned against them.
Rita turned to the security officer. “Thank you, but my husband won’t be going anywhere.”
The officer nodded quickly and backed away.
Without another word, Rita pulled James away from the table, walking with her head held high.