Ben sat with a calm demeanour at his desk, sifting through a mountain of files that demanded his attention. Just that morning, as he arrived at the office, he was swarmed by a barrage of reporters clamouring for a statement about the threats looming over him. They were relentless, but he had no time to feed their curiosity; his priority lay in the cases piled high on his desk.

With a sigh, he set his pen down and allowed himself to chuckle at the memory of his earlier encounter with Scott. The audacity! Scott had attempted to bully him once again, but how foolish did he think he was to fall for that? Ben couldn't help but laugh at the thought of how he had countered Scott's threats with a warning of his own: if he dared to mention his return to work to Shelley, he would ensure that Scott would be left scrambling for a new position—one far removed from the cushy assistant role he currently occupied.

Ultimately, though, they struck a deal. Ben promised to lighten his workload and avoid burning the midnight oil, knowing well that Scott was the one managing his schedule and determining how many cases he could handle each day. In this flicker of authority, Ben felt a sense of control return, even amidst the chaos.

As Ben immersed himself in his work, the rising clamour from the corridor snagged his attention. It sounded like Scott was in the thick of a heated argument, but Ben couldn't quite make out who was standing in the line of fire with him. The tension escalated as Scott's voice grew louder, insisting that his boss was currently preoccupied and wouldn’t be taking any visitors.

Irritated by the noise that threatened to derail his focus, Ben reached for the phone on his desk and dialled Scott’s extension. "What’s all this ruckus about?" he inquired, trying to decipher the chaos from the other end.

Scott relayed the situation: a determined woman loomed at his desk, demanding to see him. When Scott simply said no, she fired back with a warning, stating he had no clue who he was dealing with. Intrigued, Ben pressed for the woman’s name, and a flicker of recognition shot through him when Scott replied, "Mrs. Yeboah."

Understanding the significance of her visit, Ben quickly directed Scott to let her in, revealing, "She’s family." With a mix of relief and apprehension, Scott wrapped up the call and relayed the message to Mrs. Yeboah. The moment she heard Ben’s name, a defiant scoff escaped her lips, but she proceeded towards his office, ready to confront whatever awaited her inside.

As Mrs Yeboah stepped through the door, Ben eagerly rushed to greet her, a grin plastered across his face. “Miriam, what a surprise! To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?” Before he could finish, she swung her bag at him with unexpected force hitting him on the shoulder.

“You!” she exclaimed, her tone both furious and playful. He let out a dramatic yelp, clutching his arm. “What in the world was that for?”

“Are you out of your mind, driving home at that hour?” she shot back, her eyes blazing. “Do you want us all to die out of worry? And what’s this I hear about someone trying to kill you? I saw it on the news, and Matthew confirmed it!”

Ben attempted to soothe her as he guided her toward the couch. “Let’s sit down and breathe, alright? I’m here, I’m alive—that’s what matters. You know my job is risky. Not everyone is happy when a company acquires another. As a lawyer, I make a few enemies along the way.”

“Just be careful, okay?” Miriam sighed, the tension easing slightly as she sank back into the couch. “You really matter to me, and I can’t bear the thought of losing you.”

“I promise, you won’t lose me,” Ben assured her, trying to convey his sincerity.

She rolled her eyes playfully. “Speaking of losing—you should’ve seen Scott and that ridiculous bodyguard routine he pulled. Does he not know I’m your favourite sibling? I shouldn’t need an appointment to see you! He better watch himself or I’ll put him in his place. I’m not related to you by blood, but I’m practically family.”

Ben couldn’t help but chuckle, fully aware that Miriam’s antics must have provoked Scott. “Alright, I’ll set him straight,” he said, moving to the phone. After a quick dial, Ben summoned Scott into his office. As the door swung open, Scott stepped inside, curious about the meeting. Ben wasted no time in introducing Miriam, his tone tinged with enthusiasm. He elaborated on their connection, emphasizing that Miriam was not only a colleague or family but also the wife of his best friend, Matthew.

Scott's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, you're Matthew's wife? If I had known, I would have cleared the way for you to Ben's office in a heartbeat!"

Miriam smirked playfully, her eyebrows raised. "Which part of ‘Mrs. Yeboah’ did you not catch? It’s not exactly a secret that Matthew is my husband!"

At this, Ben erupted into laughter, thoroughly enjoying the look of shock on Scott's face. The moment was priceless, and the lighthearted banter turned the office atmosphere into one filled with camaraderie and warmth.

***

After Miriam's visit, Ben wasted no time and plunged into work, determination fueling his every move. Suddenly, his cell phone buzzed to life, cutting through the silence with an incoming call from an unknown number. A knot of apprehension tightened in his stomach as he answered, "Hello, who is this?"

"Good afternoon, Mr. Adam. This is the security guy from Miss Sarah Agyapong's Boutique launch. You might remember me—I approached you about a job offer at the event and you gave me your card," the voice on the line explained.

Ben's memory clicked into place. "Oh yes, I remember you. How’s it going?"

"I'm doing well, sir," the man replied, his tone professional yet slightly anxious.

Ben leaned in, sensing the weight of the conversation. "I take it you're calling about the job offer?"

"Actually, no, sir," the man said, hesitating for a moment. "I’m calling because the other night at the event, I spotted someone lurking in the shadows near a car—a white car, to be exact. It had the same license plate as the vehicle that ran you off the road. It was parked right across from the boutique that night. I could swear the figure was a man, and he seemed to be keeping an eye on things. When I tried to approach him, he got into the car and sped off."

Ben’s heart raced as he processed the information. "Have you reported this to anyone?"

"No, sir. I thought it was important you knew before I sent the surveillance tape to the police."

Ben’s mind raced; he needed to take control of this situation. "Don’t send it to them yet. Bring the tape directly to my firm—I need to know who I'm up against before I involve the police."

"Understood, sir. I’m on my way right now," the man replied crisply before hanging up.

Ben dropped his phone onto the desk, his mind buzzing with possibilities. He turned to the window, the city sprawling out before him. "Finally, a lead—a chance to uncover who this shadowy figure really is," he murmured to himself, ready to delve deeper into the mystery that had suddenly cornered him.

Stepping back from the window, he took a deep breath and reached for the phone. Dialing the number, he waited as the line connected. “Hello,” a voice rang out, clear and steady.

“Good afternoon, Detective Bruce. I trust you’re doing well,” Ben said, a hint of urgency in his tone. “I need you to come over to my place tonight. There’s something important we need to talk about.”