ECHOES OF DECEPTION

ng, a dazzling affair that attracted the elite of Lagos society. The grand hall was transformed into a sea

he guests danced and laughed, their movements fluid and graceful. But beneath the glamour and elegance,

ng the intensity in his eyes. "Enjoying th

a smile. "It's

pted, his gaze

room. "I can't shake this feeling

ious, his jaw tightening.

faltered, and all eyes turned toward the grand staircase at the far end of the hall. A figur

s Bev

ome, not after everything that had happened. But there she was, glidi

canning the crowd. When they landed on Francesca, a

oss the room. "Thank you for joining us tonight. But before we con

run down her spine. Wha

I have here a letter-an interesting piece of corresponden

What was in that envelope? W

ow growl in her ear. "Stay calm

, without a doubt, that whatever Beverly w

heet of paper. "This, my dear guests, is a letter from none other t

als the true reason behind his su

hest. What was she talking about?

lice. "My Dearest Ugo, by the time you get this,

ading wasn't just any letter. It was the last letter Ike's late wife

ading it now? What did

ove, of sacrifice, and of a secret that Ike had kept buried deep within him. A sec

t I always loved you, even now. Yours, Ugo." Beverly

The truth was out, and with it, the fragile p

ward, his face a mask of controlled fury. "

lculating. "Oh, I don't think so, Ike. You s

ng it up for all to see. "I have here a video-a video

aught in her throat.

silent as the footage unfolded-grainy, shaky images of a young woman

. She recognized the woman

heir laughter filling the air as they recorded the horrific act. T

guests, is the truth that Alexander Cole has been hiding from you. The truth about t

couldn't think. The room spun around her, the faces of

cked on Beverly. "You've had your

ecause of it. But what Beverly hasn't told you is that I have been working tirelessly to bring those men to j

is filled with pain, with mistakes, but I have always done everything in my power to make

o understanding. Francesca felt a surge of admiration for Ike, his st

ed slipping through her fingers. "You think you c

ople think. I care about justice, about doing what's righ

r. Francesca's heart pounded in her chest, her e

one thing for certain: she wasn't alone in this fight. And wi

arsh, unvarnished truth. And now, as the night stretched on,