The hotel curtains barely muffled the morning sun. Mandume groaned, shielding his eyes as a dull ache rang through his skull.
"Ugh… my head…"
"Welcome back to the land of the living," Olivia said smoothly.
She stood by the window, wrapped in nothing but a hotel towel, sipping wine far too early for decency. Her voice was sugar-coated, her eyes calculating.
Mandume sat up, squinting.
"What... what time is it?"
"Almost noon." She walked over, offering him coffee in a sleek white cup. "Here, drink. You'll feel better."
He took it warily, his brain still foggy.
"Where… where are we?" he asked.
"You don't remember?" Olivia asked, feigning innocence. "You were drunk. So drunk I had to practically carry you in."
Mandume rubbed his temple. "What about Star? Did I… call her?"
Olivia leaned in, brushing nonexistent lint off his shirt. "Don't worry about Star… she's fine. Are you fine?"
Mandume stared at her. "Did I do something?"
"No." Olivia smiled, a little too quickly. "You just passed out. Nothing happened, I swear."
Mandume nodded slowly. Something didn't sit right, but he let it go—for now.
Outside Bonita's university gates, Star stood in silence, watching students flood through in early-morning hustle. Her arms were folded, her face determined.
She saw Bonita step out of a cab. Their eyes met.
Bonita rolled her eyes dramatically. "Oh. You."
"Bonita, can we talk?" Star asked, trying to keep her voice calm.
Bonita didn't answer. She walked past her. Star followed.
After a few paces, Bonita turned sharply and faced her. "So, what now?"
Star blinked. "What do you mean?"
Bonita's lips curled with sarcasm. "Well, you didn't manage to destroy my family over the weekend, so… what's next? Planning to poison us slowly?"
Star's mouth dropped open. "What? Bonita, what are you talking about?"
Bonita stepped closer, her voice venomous. "Let me make this clear: I see you anywhere near my brother, near my mother, near my house... We're both doing time. Understand?"
Star froze, stunned.
Bonita turned and left before Star could speak. The sting of her words lingered like acid on Star's skin.
Back at the hotel, Mandume stood outside the car, shielding his eyes from the afternoon glare. Olivia came out behind him, looking annoyed as she repeatedly tried calling someone.
"Damn it. No one's picking up," she hissed.
Mandume picks the lock. "Well, that was one hell of a hangover…"
"You look like hell," Olivia commented.
"Thanks." He exhaled. "Star must be losing her mind right now."
"She trusts you… doesn't she?" Olivia said, watching him.
"Yeah. And I need to make sure that doesn't change. Let's get you home."
He climbed into the driver's seat. Olivia's jaw tightened, her phone still glued to her hand.
At an office downtown, Maria was finishing up a presentation when she returned to find Christine seated in her leather chair like she owned it.
"Mom?" Maria's voice jumped. "You're here early."
Christine gave her a polite nod. "Mandume's back. Time to deal with the ones having Davids."
Maria froze. "What?"
Christine raised an eyebrow. "You heard me. It's time."
Maria closed the door quickly, her hands slightly shaking. "Mom, I really think we need to be cautious. Especially with Star in the picture."
Christine stood, walking toward the window.
"Tell me something, Maria. What do you think of me?"
"What kind of question is that?" Maria asked, managing a nervous laugh. "You're my mother. I admire you. Everything I am—"
"Cut the performance," Christine interrupted coldly. "Do you think I'm stupid?"
Maria's smile faltered. "Of course not."
Christine turned, holding up a tablet. "This video you tried to show me… the one of Star? The voice, the footage? I don't believe it. It's too perfect. Looks like Kefas' old AI work."
Maria's face drained of color. "K-Kefas? He's dead to us, Mom."
Christine's eyes narrowed. "You think that matters? You still have access to his software."
Maria stepped forward, forcing confidence. "I didn't use Kefas' programs. This is real footage."
Christine smirked. "Then you won't mind if I send it to my own analysts."
Maria swallowed. "There's no need—"
"Oh, but there is." Christine walked closer. "You see, I don't trust you, Maria. You've always had this… itch. The need to prove you're the smartest in the room. And now I wonder—are you working against Davids?"
Maria gasped. "Mom! How could you—!"
"Because if I were you, and I'd made the mistakes you've made… I'd cover my tracks just like this."
Maria's lips trembled, then steadied. "You're wrong. I'm loyal to this family. Everything I've done, it was to protect us. To protect Mandume from people like Star."
Christine tilted her head. "Then prove it. Get me Davids. Get me my son. Tonight."
Maria nodded slowly, but her mind was racing. She knows.