CAPPEL headquarters,
Victoria Island, Lagos.
Five years ago.

Lucas walked into the tenth floor of the CAPPEL building looking tired and haggard. It has been exactly one month since the scandal and he hadn't had the time of day in between. Things were going so wrong so fast. And last night, he had been faced with the harshest reality of it all. Even thinking about it right now brought tears to his eyes. He couldn't believe it, didn't want to accept it, and that was why he had welcomed this distraction this morning. If he buried himself in work, he could forget, forget that his life was crumbling down before his very eyes, he could even forget he was losing his family, the woman he loved and their one month old son.

His secretary was given strict instructions to not disturb him. Then later, was told to bring him all the back log of their ethylene processing products and its production. They didn't have much investors in that byproduct but he had been putting off improving its quality to attract construction companies to invest in it. CAPPEL would welcome the big break.

He didn't know how long he was at it, but suddenly Martin strode in looking pissed.

"Finally, you decided to show your face you bastard!" He grated out, holding a file in his hand.

Lucas barely spared him a glance. "Good morning to you too, Martin."

The other man scoffed in disbelief. "I'm not here for your cheeky remarks, alright. Things have happened. Bad things."

"Yes, you're right. Bad things have happened, so this is not the best time for company bid takeovers," he finished solemnly, shifting his attention back to the logs in front of him.

"Damn it! You're stubborn. Don't be a sissy and give up so easily. Be a man and take charge."

That tone struck a nerve deep within him, as he stood up instantly from his swivel chair, almost knocking it down.

"Take charge?" He gritted out between clenched teeth. "How else am I supposed to take charge if everything is going all to hell around me?"

"What do you mean everything is going to hell?"

"My wife is leaving me!"

Martin was stunned. "What?"

Lucas rolled his fists along the table, sending the logs flying off his desk. Enraged, he balled his fists and stuck them to his mouth to prevent it clattering from so much rage.

"Sara asked for a divorce last night. I went to see her at her mother's house because I thought I could work things out but she didn't want to. She said she couldn't and handed me the papers. And when I brought up our son, she said she wanted jointed custody. Because he reminded her of me and my betrayal, she didn't want me anymore and she didn't want to try to stay because of our son," he explained, watching Martin's brows lift at the shocking news.

It really was all going to hell around him, Martin thought looking at his best friend and cousin. They had known each other all their lives, had been there through everything, the money, the girls, hell they even roughly both slept with the same girls. But they had also met the love of their lives at roughly the same time. And while he had gone away to further his studies, Lucas had gotten married. Now as he was finally working out things between his girl Judy and her family, Lucas was ending things with Sara. But if Lucas didn't like the news about the divorce, which was kind of always there considering the scandal, then he sure as hell wasn't going to be thrilled with this news either.

"Lucas?" He called tentatively.

Lucas flipped. "Do you not get it, Martin? My wife is leaving me. The woman I love is leaving me!" He bellowed.

"The woman you love is stealing from you!" Martin shouted back, a little louder perhaps for it stilled him in his boots.

"What?" He whispered, looking at Martin in disbelief.

Martin nodded his head, before dropping the file he held in the empty space on his desk, the logs completely forgotten now.

Lucas eyed the file in disgust. Somehow, he knew whatever was in there would not favor him or his marriage. If Martin's claims were true, it was probably his fault they occurred. He had been so busy with the new branch in Enugu, he had completely lost his focus on protecting his funds better.

"What is in there?"

"Open it." Was the command.

It was very clear Martin wouldn't divulge anything, so he sat back down and did as he was bid. After a few minutes of perusing through, which was done twice in rapid successions, he looked up to the grim look on Martin's face.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"The account department sent a memo last week and I had to look into it. Apparently, your wife had been signing off on some contracts without your approval. Contracts worth millions of naira. Her solicitor was Rocky Apia."

Rocky Apia was his wife's best friend from childhood. Those two had been really close and recently Rocky started dating Sara's older sister, Evelyn. Lucas knew he helped the Amadi's manage their funds but that he went as far as this was surprising, and not in a good way.

"What are all this investments? Blue roses cultivation in Lakeview hotels, Sugarcane factory merger with Vanasiks, Wallington textile design coalition? Did we ever meet with these companies? They sound odd." He asked, frowning at how much money was practically missing.

Martin was quick to squash his confusion. "They are all white elephant projects. I called Vanasiks and the Lakeview hotels. They both denied agreeing to any projects with CAPPEL. Somehow, I think Rocky knew Sara had some shares in this company and they were both using it to swindle money from you, from the company."

Lucas was dubious. "How is that even possible? Yes Rocky is her lawyer for obvious reasons but she doesn't know about the shares. I haven't mentioned it to her hearing."

"Rocky is her lawyer, and the issue concerning her shares is not exactly a secret. Otherwise, how else could he have convinced her to sign off on these projects?" Martin asked determinedly.

"Just admit that almost half a billion naira is missing, probably in that guys account and your wife helped him to do it, Lucas." Martin reiterated.

+++++++++++++++++

We demand for complete custody of Lucas Junior.

Sara couldn't believe it. How could they do this? He's also her son. She went through surgery to have him. How could they just suddenly make up that clause out of the blues? She tore her gaze from the paper to look at Rocky, dressed in his high cut Armani suit. She idled with the thought that he dressed above his monthly paychecks but had to snap her attention back to the issue at hand.

"They can't do this!" She cried out at the injustice. "Just because they are rich doesn't mean they can force me to sign away my son. I'm his mother, I gave birth to him. Yes, I hate Lucas and I'm divorcing him but it doesn't mean I'm giving up on my son too."

Rocky stared at her and frowned. "Sara, you need to be reasonable here. Your rights as his mother will be pretty nonexistent once the divorce is final. Did you honestly think they would let you leave with him, their only grandson because you are his mother? You of all people should know how ruthless the rich can be."

She glared daggers at him. He was right, but she wouldn't admit it. The Caspian-Asiegbus would not let her take her son with her once the divorce is over. His mother had shown up here two days ago demanding to see her grandson. She had tried to hold her ground but the woman had been pretty insistent, saying that the slums was nowhere for a premature baby to survive. She had even threatened to hurt her if the boy got sick from staying here. Thinking she was saving her son's life, she had let them take him away, only for those people to send Rocky here this morning with this clause.

"I won't do it. I won't let them take him away just because they are rich. I'm his mother and he has to be with me. Why did I let that woman intimidate me into letting her take him when she came here?" She fumed, looking around the room.

Her family had moved into this house, a bungalow in the suburbs of Surulere after she married Lucas, but still, this house did not compare to the mansion the Caspian-Asiegbus lived in. No wonder that woman had said she lived in the slums.

Annoyed, she picked up her purse she had thrown to the sofa when she returned from the mall. Her mother and her two sisters were at a wedding reception and she was still mourning over her broken marriage to attempt going to a wedding.

"Let's go, Rocky. I need to tell those snobs that they can't take my son from me. I won't sign him away just because they want me to."

Soon, she and Rocky were in her car driving towards Ikeja, towards the Caspian-Asiegbu family home. The Gateman allowed them to drive in and they parked the car in front of the long pathway leading up to the house. Gingerly, she and Rocky made their way into the house. The doorman ushered them into the living area and told them to wait there. Madam, as he called her would soon be downstairs.

Mrs. Caspian-Asiegbu walked into the living room, looking very beautiful and delicate. Sara had always admired her beauty, and her smile. She had the most beautiful smile ever and was greatly loved by her family. Sara had even come to love her too but she tried not to dwell on that feeling. She was here to take her son back and that was that.

"Hello Sara. You're here already. You're just in time."

Sara eyed her tone warily. Something was not right. "In time for what? Where is my son?"

The older woman smiled sadly. "Oh, he's fine. Don't worry. He's napping after eating hungrily. I made sure of that. As I was saying, you're just in time to say your goodbyes since this is the last time you'll be seeing him."

That had Sara's nerves on edge. Something was going on here. She glanced at Rocky, who looked more confused than she did. She directed her gaze back at the woman.

"What are you saying? What do you mean by that? Where is my son?" She was damn near hysterics and she didn't know why.

The woman was unrelenting. "It would do you good to shut your mouth right now. You're in no position to make demands after what you did."

Sara flinched at her words. She didn't do anything. It was her son who cheated on her and broke her trust. "What are you talking about?"

"Should I say you stole from me or is it embezzling of funds, considering the fact that you signed away lots of money using my authority or the fact that I trusted you enough to let it happen? You know what I'm talking about, don't you, Rocky?" Lucas asked quietly, strolling into the room to come stand beside his mother. He was scowling.

Sara's gaze found Rocky's which were now as round as saucers. Did he commit a financial crime?

"Give me a very good reason as to why I should not send your ass off to jail right now!" Lucas bellowed, spitting fire.

"Her signatures are on all the documents!" Rocky cried, startling her.

What signatures? What documents? Her mind was whirling in deep thoughts.

Then she remembered. "You said those documents were for my benefit. They were to protect my interest!"

He had shown up at the house with some documents these past few months when Lucas was still in Enugu, saying that as the wife of a billionaire, she had to ensure her interests in his wealth was protected in the case she was suddenly widowed. She hadn't been interested but Rocky had managed to convince her to sign those documents.

"What interest? You're a liar. You are in cahoots with this thief!" yelled his mother angrily.

"I am not in cahoots with anybody! You are just saying this to get me to give up on my son. I am innocent!"

"She asked for my help and I agreed!" Rocky yelled, trying to drown her words.

Lucas walked to come stand in front of her, his expression stoic. "How could you betray me like this? I gave you everything you've ever asked me for. I let you spend my money as you please and this is the thanks I get?"

He couldn't possibly be insinuating... "You have to believe me. I didn't steal from you. He lied to me, he didn't tell me what those documents really were."

"How could you sign documents you know absolutely nothing about? Those documents were forged, an avenue to embezzle funds from me. And your signatures are on all of it!" He raked a hand through his face and stepped back.

Sara's gaze went round the room. Suddenly a few policemen rounded the room, obviously here to whisk them away for financial crimes. She glanced at Rocky who was alarmed and trembling as he couldn't seem to hold her gaze. He was a traitor and a coward, and that had Sara wondering why she had hired him to represent her. Mrs. Caspian-Asiegbu was glaring at the two of them, obviously disgusted judging by the looks on her features. Sara realized she was disgusted with herself for being a fool and trusting easily. When her gaze met her husbands', she was shocked to see the disappointment in them. Suddenly, it was as though she had committed the greatest crime ever, his cheating scandal completely forgotten. Also forgotten was the reason why she was here in the first place.

"I've told you I'm innocent. I don't know how to prove it to you, but this is pointless. I'm here to see my son, not talk about fake documents."

That statement had the two people standing opposite her flipping their lid.

"What insolence?!" cried the woman in aghast. "My son could go bankrupt due to your ignorance."

Sara's eyes flew to Lucas face, stunned. The amount embezzled must be a lot if he was in danger of bankruptcy.

He was unfazed. "I want those money back or it's your ass off to jail, Rocky."

Rocky was unyielding. "I don't have those money anymore. I've spent them!"

"Bullcrap! Ten years in jail awaits you if I don't get my money back. You can have your sentence reduced if your partner is caught," Lucas clarified.

"She's my only partner!" Rocky's gaze flew to her and Sara felt like she was rapidly going down with a sinking ship. How is this happening right now?

"I want to see my son!" She cried out, because frankly that was the only thing keeping her sane about this matter.

The older woman looked ready to boil over. "If you so much as mention your son again, I'll have your hind tossed off to jail with your friend here. Be grateful I'm keeping you and your sister this crook is dating out of this issue, otherwise you won't like where this will end. Trust me, you don't want to make me angry."

She was already fuming, Sara reflected and cast a glance at her husband, tears freely falling now.

"You can't do this, please Lucas! Don't take him away. I won't ask anything from you. Just let me leave with my son and you won't see me again. I beg of you!" She sobbed, sinking to the floor.

He squared down to her height and said. "I also don't want to see you again so I have signed the divorce papers. In likewise manner, I don't want my son to see you again. I'll have my lawyer send you the custody papers later. You will sign it, or you will go to jail with Rocky here."

"No! No, you can't do this!" She cried, reaching to grab his shirt.

He slipped from her grip and stood up.

"Gentlemen, please take them away. There's nothing more to say here."

Sara could see from her peripheral vision Rocky trying to fight his way off the police men that held him. They dragged off a screaming Rocky out of the house. A policeman came to help her stand. Then something snapped within her. She remembered screaming loud and shouting profanities at those people. It seems it was her 'thing' now, considering she had gone ballistic on Lucas barely a month ago for the cheating scandal. She had struggled, dragging her feet refusing to leave. Somehow, she had been overpowered and put in her car, with a policeman driving. She remembered her sisters guiding her into the house, trying to console her. She couldn't bring herself to tell them her naivety, her trust, had cost her a son, so she kept quiet.

The next day, his lawyer had shown up with the divorce papers, and she had been surprised he had left her their house, the three cars they owned, and the money she had been entitled to as his wife in her alimony. When she demanded to see him, she was told regrettably that he had left for Abuja that morning and Sara knew all hope was gone. He was probably going to stay with his grandfather, Papa Fred as those two were like peas in a pod. He had also taken her son with him.

It was perhaps later when her family had sold their bungalow to move into the huge house in Lakeview estate did Sara realize that contrary to his words, he had inadvertently left out the custody papers when the lawyer brought papers to her. It meant she still had rights to her son and that thought alone gave her hope.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I said it, too much drama and I couldn't resist. Now you know why they have such a bitter history. There's also the cheating scandal to review. We'll still get there (winks)

++++++++++
(Conversation to clear this confusion about the embezzlement.)

Lucas: If you did it, say you did it. If you didn't did it, say you didn't did it.

Sara: I didn't did it.

(Cues hilarious laughter 😂😂).
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