The Therapist: Chapter 10

Claire Adebayo sat in the dimly lit café tucked away in a quiet corner of Lekki. Her hands cradled a cup of steaming coffee, though she hadn’t taken a sip in minutes. Across from her sat Kunle, an old friend from university who had once been a rising star in the tech world but now operated in the shadows as a highly sought-after hacker.

Kunle leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes scanning the bustling room before settling on Claire. “So, you want me to dig into your husband’s financials?” he asked, his voice low but steady.

Claire nodded, her jaw tight. “I need to know everything. The offshore accounts, the shell companies, any illegal dealings he’s involved in.”

Kunle smirked. “You’re not asking for a small favor. Victor Adebayo isn’t just anyone. He’s powerful—and dangerous.”

“That’s why I came to you,” Claire replied, her voice firm. “I need someone who can get me the information without leaving a trace.”

Kunle sighed, running a hand through his dreadlocks. “I can do it, but it won’t be cheap.”

“Money isn’t an issue,” Claire said quickly. “I’ll pay whatever it takes.”

Kunle studied her for a moment, then leaned forward. “If I do this, you need to be prepared for what you’ll find. Once I uncover his secrets, there’s no turning back.”

Claire’s grip on her coffee tightened. “I’m already past the point of no return.”

Three days later, Kunle handed Claire a flash drive in a small, discreet envelope.

“It’s all there,” he said. “Offshore accounts, money laundering trails, connections to cartels—it’s enough to bury him.”

Claire’s heart raced as she accepted the drive. “Thank you, Kunle. I owe you.”

Kunle shook his head. “Just be careful. People like Victor don’t go down without a fight.”

That night, Claire sat in her bedroom, her laptop glowing in the dark. She clicked through the files on the drive, her stomach churning with every revelation. Victor’s wealth was a house of cards, built on a foundation of crime and deceit.

But instead of feeling triumphant, Claire felt a pang of unease. She was holding a weapon powerful enough to destroy Victor, but wielding it came with its own risks.

Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. It was a text from Baba Jide’s anonymous number, the one she had obtained through a mutual acquaintance.

“Meet me tomorrow at 10 AM. Come alone.”

The meeting took place in an upscale restaurant in Ikoyi, far from Baba Jide’s usual haunts. The contrast was jarring, and Claire felt a wave of anxiety as she walked in.

Baba Jide sat at a table near the back, dressed in a sharply tailored suit that belied his reputation. He smiled as Claire approached, his demeanor calm but his eyes cold.

“Mrs. Adebayo,” he greeted her. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Claire sat down, keeping her composure. “I have information about Victor—evidence that could ruin him. I need your help to use it.”

Baba Jide’s smile widened. “And what kind of help are you looking for?”

“Protection,” Claire said. “And assistance in getting out of this marriage.”

Baba Jide leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. “Interesting. Victor and I have… overlapping interests. But if what you’re offering is valuable enough, I might consider your request.”

Claire placed the flash drive on the table, sliding it toward him. “Everything you need to know is on there. Offshore accounts, illegal transactions, cartel ties—it’s all there.”

Baba Jide picked up the drive, turning it over in his hand. “I’ll have my people look into this. If it’s as useful as you claim, we’ll talk again.”

Claire nodded, her pulse racing. “Thank you.”

As she stood to leave, Baba Jide’s voice stopped her.

“Mrs. Adebayo,” he said, his tone sharper now. “Be careful. Playing games with men like Victor and me rarely ends well.”

Marcus sat in his office the next morning, the usual anxiety gnawing at him as he prepared for the day. His phone buzzed with a message from Baba Jide: “We need to talk. Soon.”

Marcus’s chest tightened. He had no idea what the mob boss wanted, but he knew it couldn’t be good.

What Marcus didn’t know was that Claire’s actions had set off a chain reaction. By involving Baba Jide, she had unwittingly escalated the danger for everyone involved.

Now, Marcus found himself trapped in an even more precarious position, caught between Victor’s growing paranoia and Baba Jide’s deadly influence.

The stakes had never been higher.