Chapter 75 — The Only Fool Brave Enough
Far away in the southern part of the city, hidden behind layers of security and secrecy, a luxurious penthouse stood atop a silent high-rise.
Inside, the atmosphere was calm.
Too calm.
The city lights glittered beyond the glass walls while a thin cloud of cigarette smoke drifted through the dimly lit room.
Segun sat comfortably on a leather chair, one leg crossed over the other.
The lower half of his face was hidden beneath a dark mask. He used the mask whenever he has a conference meeting or outing that involves the shady deals. He never attend board meetings but his presence is needed in the underground. Where their secret agents are being trained. His father's legacy. None can identify him, no one has ever seen his face. Only his personal body guards who are loyal to me does.
He just came back from the base with bayo. Which is why he still had the mask on.
His expression remained unreadable as he slowly exhaled smoke into the air.
Across from him sat Bayo.
Unfortunately for Segun's peace of mind, Bayo had never learned the meaning of silence.
"You are becoming incredibly boring."
Segun ignored him.
Bayo continued.
"Honestly, sitting here every day without ladies, music, parties, or even a little enjoyment is killing me."
No response.
"Can't we go out? Just once?"
Nothing.
"The usual place."
Still nothing.
Bayo groaned dramatically.
"No one will recognize you. Wear your mask. Cover your face. Do whatever mysterious billionaire-villain thing you always do."
Segun's eyes slowly shifted toward him.
The warning was obvious.
Bayo remained unfazed.
He was perhaps the only human being on earth capable of receiving such a look and continuing to talk.
"In fact," he said, leaning forward, "it's been months now. You've been avoiding parties, avoiding women, avoiding fun. At this point I'm beginning to suspect something is wrong with you."
Segun narrowed his eyes.
Bayo shrugged.
"What? Someone has to ask."
Their friendship had survived things that would have destroyed most bonds.
Both men lived in dangerous shadows.
Both carried secrets.
Both had blood on their hands.
Yet somehow, despite all that, they cared for each other like brothers.
Which was exactly why Bayo could speak to Segun in ways that would have earned anyone else a broken jaw—or a grave.
Finally, Segun spoke.
"Any progress on the Kolawoles?"
The sudden change of topic immediately killed Bayo's theatrics.
His expression became serious.
He leaned back.
"The son is tougher than I expected."
Segun remained silent.
"But not tougher than me." He boasted.
That earned him a glare.
Bayo cleared his throat.
"Anyway, you need to keep watching your father."
The room grew colder.
"The old man is observing your every move."
Segun's eyes hardened.
"He pretends not to care."
Bayo folded his arms.
"But behind the scenes, he's measuring every step you take."
The playful atmosphere vanished completely.
"He fears something."
"What?" Segun asked.
"That his dragon may someday stop being tamed."
Silence.
Bayo continued carefully.
"And if that happens, which will definitely be, he's already preparing his counterattack."
The cigarette between Segun's fingers slowly burned.
"What did the boy say?"
The question came out sharp.
Dangerously sharp.
Bayo sighed.
"We confiscated the boy's devices."
"Laptops."
"Phones."
"Everything."
Segun's jaw tightened.
"And?"
"Lots of information were discovered."
"Your father wanted to accelerate the operation."
The room fell silent.
"He manipulated the boy."
A dangerous glint appeared in Segun's eyes.
Bayo nodded.
"He used his ambitions against him."
"Promised him contracts worth billions."
"Promised influence."
"Promised that his family company would rise."
"Promised that the board would eventually hand him leadership."
Segun remained still.
"The target was Rihannat."
The air suddenly felt heavier.
Bayo noticed the subtle change immediately.
The way Segun's fingers tightened.
The way his shoulders stiffened.
The way his eyes darkened.
"He wanted the boy to get close to her."
"Date her."
"Gain her trust."
"Then eventually abduct her."
A dangerous silence followed.
Bayo shook his head.
"The idiot actually considered it."
"Then tried backing out after Rihannat rejected him. Seriously. I wonder if that girl is the mother of jesus. She even rejected us." If she can reject us, who can she not reject?!
"But greed won him over."
Segun's expression became colder.
"If not for us monitoring him..."
Bayo trailed off.
Then he smirked.
"If not for you stalking the poor girl like a possessive wolf guarding its territory, she would've been in serious trouble. And you are worst, more dangerous than a wolf."
Segun slowly turned his head.
The glare he gave him could have frozen lava.
Bayo grinned.
"Luckily and unluckily for her, you're basically a knight in shining armor."
"Continue talking nonsense."
Segun's voice was calm.
Dangerously calm.
"If you don't want your tongue anymore."
Bayo raised both hands.
"See? This is what I mean."
Then, with the confidence of a man who clearly valued entertainment over survival, he added:
"You know, Ridwan—"
"Don't."
The warning came instantly.
Bayo ignored it.
"Ridwanullah—"
Segun stood up.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
The grin on Bayo's face disappeared.
"Oh."
He immediately jumped to his feet.
"This again."
"I told you countless times."
Segun cracked his knuckles.
His voice was low.
"I am Oluwasegun."
Bayo pointed dramatically.
"And your father named you Ridwanullah."
The room exploded.
Bayo bolted.
"YOU FOOL!"
Segun lunged after him.
Bayo sprinted across the penthouse like a man escaping death itself.
"Old Mr. Grumpy!"
"Come back here!"
"Old Mr. Ridwan!"
"I'll kill you!"
"Smile for once!"
Bayo laughed as he ran.
"Are your facial muscles permanently stiff?"
The chase continued through the enormous penthouse.
Furniture became obstacles.
Tables became shields.
Luxury decorations became casualties.
For the next hour, the entire upper floor echoed with cries of despair.
"AHHH!"
"Sorry!"
"Sorry!"
"Please!"
"Mercy!"
"My lord!"
"My king!"
"My handsome brother!"
"Ouch!"
Segun dragged him back.
"Not enough."
"Please!"
"Not enough."
"I surrender!"
"You said that last week."
"That was a different surrender!"
Another smack.
Bayo howled.
"Ahhh!"
"My ancestors can feel that one!"
Segun remained merciless.
"You need a proper beating."
"So the stupidity can leave your body."
"It has lived there for too long."
"I agree!"
Bayo cried dramatically.
"I am foolish!"
"Extremely foolish!"
"A certified idiot!"
Another smack.
"AHHH!"
"See? Violence never solves anything!"
"It solves this."
"Clearly not!"
Eventually...
The beating ended.
Bayo lay sprawled on the floor.
Bruised.
Defeated.
Questioning every life decision that had brought him here.
Segun adjusted his sleeves calmly.
Not a strand of hair out of place.
Bayo pointed weakly at him.
"This isn't my fault."
No response.
"It's because you're stronger."
Still no response.
"One day..."
Bayo groaned dramatically.
"One day I'll beat you."
Segun stopped walking.
Bayo immediately regretted speaking.
"I'll remember every grievance."
The masked man slowly turned.
Bayo swallowed.
"Do you need another round?"
The question nearly stopped his heart.
"No!"
Bayo rolled away instantly.
Scrambling behind a nearby couch.
"Stay back!"
"I have rights!"
"You lost them years ago."
Bayo pointed accusingly.
"I'll tell godmother."
Segun froze.
"I'll tell Auntie."
The threat was devastatingly effective.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Because both men knew exactly what would happen if his mother heard about this.
Segun would never hear the end of it.
Bayo smiled triumphantly.
Victory at last.
Segun stared at him.
Then shook his head.
Hopeless.
Completely hopeless.
Without another word, he turned and headed toward the bathroom.
Just before entering, he stopped.
"If she asks about your face..."
Bayo immediately straightened.
"Tell her it happened during a mission."
"Of course."
"And if you tell her the truth..."
Bayo's smile vanished.
Segun glanced over his shoulder.
His eyes held zero humor.
"I'll personally arrange two additional years of underground training."
A horrified silence followed.
Then—
"Mission."
Bayo nodded vigorously.
"Definitely mission."
"Very dangerous mission."
"Extremely dangerous."
Segun disappeared into the bathroom.
The door shut.
Bayo waited several seconds.
Then sighed deeply and collapsed back onto the floor.
"My friendship is shortening my lifespan."
From behind the closed door came Segun's cold voice.
"I heard that."
Bayo immediately sat upright.
"No you didn't."
The silence that followed told him otherwise.
And for the first time in years, that evening...
The usually lifeless penthouse felt almost like a home.
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