Tension crackled in the air at the MarAdam firm as Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Tamaklo faced off, each man at the end of his emotional rope.

"How could you do this to me?" Mr. Hamilton's voice trembled with fury. "I thought we were friends! I came to you in confidence about my business struggles, and you agreed to a merger that would have helped us both. But then I learn from my lawyers that you don't want a merger at all; you want to acquire my company instead! How could you betray me like this?"

He slammed his fist on the polished conference table, the sound reverberating like a gunshot. "How could you?"

Mr. Tamaklo leaned forward, his brow furrowed and his voice steady. "Let's not pretend here, Hamilton. You can't blame me for your lack of transparency. When you approached me about your troubles, you didn't disclose the full extent of your company's dire situation. The financial records you showed me? They weren't the truth. You knew we'd inherit a mountain of debt, yet you chose to hide it from me."

"Yes, those records were doctored," Mr. Hamilton spat back. "We knew that! However, you could have stepped back and given me the chance to fix things, but instead, you want to acquire my company, leaving me with virtually nothing! Do you really think I wouldn't see through your schemes?"

Mr. Tamaklo scoffed, arms crossed defensively. "There are no schemes at play here. You speak of Friendship? Really? A true friend wouldn't keep vital information hidden. I'm not trying to hurt you; it's just business. Even if we go through with the acquisition, we won't erase your company's name. We'll give it a facelift-a makeover that we can't afford to do if we merge."

Mr. Hamilton shot him a glare. "Don't insult my intelligence, Tamaklo. If you acquire my company, I will lose all control. How does that help me?"

A smirk crept onto Mr. Tamaklo's face. "Honestly? At this point, you're barely holding the reins. Take the offer or lose everything."

"Fuck you," Mr. Hamilton retorted, bitterly.

"Enough!" Sylvia interjected, her voice cutting through the animosity.

"We didn't call you in here to exchange insults, Mr Hamilton," she stated firmly. "We called to inform you of our findings and our intentions. Fabricating financial records isn't just dishonest; it's a crime. If this goes to court, you will lose your company regardless. The acquisition we're proposing is the only means of salvaging what's left. Choose wisely, Mr. Hamilton-your future hangs in the balance."

Mr. Hamilton locked eyes with Sylvia, weighing his options as if they were heavy stones.

Sylvia leaned toward Mr. Tamaklo and whispered something that made him nod appreciatively. Returning her gaze to Hamilton, she continued, "My client and I have decided to give you a month to consider our proposal." She slides a file towards him. "In that file is the amount we are offering for your company. Take your time and go through it with your legal team. If you wish to decline the acquisition we are offering, then I'm afraid you'll have to take your business elsewhere." She rose, signalling the end of the discussion with a crisp finality. "We hope to hear from you soon."

As Mr. Hamilton stood and straightened his suit, he hesitated at the door. "Tell me, how on earth did you uncover those financial records? We buried them deep within countless files."

Sylvia flashed him a knowing smile. "Let's just say our persistence paid off, Mr. Hamilton."

He exhaled slowly. "And how did you notice the discrepancies?"

"Ah," she replied, her tone playful, "let's just say we have an exceptional accountant who is a wizard with numbers."

Scott, a quiet observer, couldn't help but flush at Sylvia's commendation.

Once Mr. Hamilton and his team left, Mr. Tamaklo turned to Sylvia and Scott, a grin breaking across his face. "Well, that went better than I imagined! I owe you both a huge thank you. Without your insights, I'm pretty sure I'd be looking for a new job after a merger like that. My boss wouldn't have been pleased." He shook Sylvia's hand firmly. "You really have a knack for this. If your sister were here, she'd be proud."

Sylvia smiled back, her heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you, Mr. Tamaklo. Your words mean a lot."

***

Back at Sylvia's desk, she released a deep, weary sigh, the weight of the day settling heavily on her shoulders. Scott raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk creeping onto his face.

"See? I told you that you could handle it. You were fantastic! And here you were, questioning yourself. With this hurdle cleared, I can guarantee my brother will start sending your way cases that actually match your interests. Just be patient with him."

Sylvia shot him a sceptical glance. "I don't know, Scott. They didn't exactly leap at the offer right off the bat."

He flashed a knowing half-smile. "You never know how these things play out. Stay positive! Regardless of whether they accept or decline, it's still a win for us." He cast a quick look around, ensuring their conversation remained private, then leaned in close to whisper conspiratorially. "Trust me, my brother can be a challenge to work with at times, which means you'll need a good dose of patience to navigate his world."

Just as he was about to turn away, he hesitated and pivoted back. "Oh, and one last thing!" His grin widened. "You do think I'm quite the exceptional accountant, aye?" He winked, a playful glint in his eye.

Sylvia couldn't help but laugh as he spun on his heel, striding confidently back to his office, leaving her with a lingering smile.

In Ben's office, he was hunched over his laptop, fingers flying across the keyboard, when the shrill ring of his office phone broke his concentration. He reached for the receiver, a bit puzzled. "Hello?" he greeted, curiosity sparking.

A cheerful voice danced through the line, instantly warm and familiar. "Hey, sweetheart! It's your mom. How are you doing?"

Ben couldn't help but smile. "I'm good, Mom! How about you?"

"I'm fabulous, thanks! But listen, the real reason I called is to let you know that we're coming to Ghana this week!"

"Wait, what? What's the occasion?" he asked, surprised.

"What do you mean, what's the occasion?" His mom's tone was light, yet firm. "I miss you and my daughter-in-law, that's the only occasion that matters! Now stop with the silly questions and just be happy I'm coming!"

"Of course, I'm thrilled, Mom!" He stood up, moving toward the grand glass windows that offered a breathtaking view of the bustling city below. "But does Mr. MarQueen know about your visit?"

A sigh floated through the phone, heavy with resolve. "Yes, he knows. And honestly, it doesn't change a thing. I'm a grown woman capable of making my own decisions, and if I want to see my son, I will! Don't even think about trying to convince him otherwise. We're coming, and that's final."

Ben pinched the bridge of his nose, a gesture of both resignation and understanding. He knew all too well that once his mom set her mind to something, there was no changing it. But there was also a silver lining to her visit; their home had ample space, and maybe, just maybe, having her around would help ease the tension his wife had been feeling lately. After all, a little family time could work wonders.