A part of her wanted to tell him immediately, “Maybe he will care.
Maybe he will do the right thing.
But another part of her screamed, “What if he thinks you planned it? What if he thinks you’re trying to trap him?” She didn’t know.
She didn’t know.
And while Daisy was still battling her own thoughts, Anita was planning.
Anita had been waiting for the perfect moment.
Now Daisy was weak.
Now Ethan was visiting often.
Now the store was full of gossip.
So, Anita did what jealous people did best.
She created proof.
Fake chats, screenshots, messages that looked real, messages that said things like 100,000 for a full night.
Come to the hotel.
My wife can’t satisfy me like you can.
Anita spread it quietly first, then loudly.
She sent it to staff group chats.
She sent it to people outside.
She even let it accidentally reach the wrong eyes.
And soon Ethan’s internal investigation team heard the rumor.
They believed it.
Because rumors fit the stereotype people already wanted to believe.
And once people decide who you are, they don’t need evidence.
They only need confirmation.
Ethan’s team began preparing a confrontation.
That same morning, Mr.s.
Clara Admy heard the rumor, too, and it made her angry.
Not just because it involved Daisy, because it was too familiar, the way society punished women quickly and forgave men easily.
Mr.s.
Clara called Ethan immediately.
My son, she said sharply.
I’m hearing nonsense.
Ethan’s voice came calm.
What nonsense, Mom.
They’re saying the girl is a gold digger, Mr.s.
Clara said.
That she sleeps around.
Ethan didn’t answer immediately.
Mr.s.
Clara’s voice rose.
That is not the girl your father and I met,” she said firmly.
“Do you hear me? That is not her.
” Ethan’s silence on the line was heavy.
Mr.s.
Clara softened slightly.
“Ethan,” she said, “don’t let people’s jealousy lead you.
” That afternoon, everything exploded.
The boutique doors burst open and a woman stormed in like fire.
Her hair was perfect, her clothes were expensive, her face was twisted with rage.
This was Gloria O’iki.
And right behind her was a man who looked nervous, sweating, and embarrassed.
James Oiki, her husband.
Gloria didn’t come quietly.
She came to destroy.
Where is she? Gloria shouted.
Where is Daisy Okafor? Heads turned.
Phones started coming out.
Customers froze midstep.
Even staff members who had been gossiping quietly now looked excited.
Drama had arrived.
Daisy looked up from the counter, confused.
Then Gloria spotted her and marched forward up like a hunter.
“So, it’s you.
” Gloria hissed.
Daisy’s brows pulled together.
“Madam, I don’t know you.
” Gloria laughed coldly.
“Oh, you don’t know me.
” She turned sharply and grabbed James by the arm.
“Tell her.
Tell her who I am.
” James avoided Daisy’s eyes.
His voice came low.
“She’s my wife.
” Gloria shoved her phone toward Daisy’s face.
“You seduced my husband,” she shouted.
“You shameless thing.
You are sleeping with married men to sell your rubbish products.
” People gasped.
Some staff members murmured like they were watching a movie.
Anita stepped forward dramatically, pretending shock.
“What, Daisy?” Gloria tapped her phone wildly.
“And don’t pretend,” Gloria yelled.
“I have proof.
” She held the phone up so others could see.
Fake chat messages.
Messages from Daisy.
The crowd drew closer.
Annie Ume covered her mouth theatrically.
A customer shook her head and muttered, “I always knew these luxury girls.
” Daisy’s chest tightened.
Her hands began to tremble.
“This This is not me,” Daisy said quickly.
“I didn’t send that.
” Gloria laughed louder.
“You didn’t?” Gloria snapped.
So, who did ghost? Daisy forced herself to breathe.
Madam, she said, voice shaking but trying to be logical.
Check the time on that message.
It says it was sent at 2 pm the day before yesterday.
Gloria paused slightly, still angry.
Izzy continued fast because she could feel the crowd turning against her.
At 2 pm that day, I was closing a deal.
I was in the store.
I was working.
I didn’t have time to message anybody like that.
The crowd murmured.
Daisy swallowed.
“Someone must have used my phone,” she said.
“That’s the only explanation.
” Gloria scoffed.
“Lies,” she turned to the crowd.
“Look at her acting innocent.
” More voices joined.
“Disgusting, shameless girl.
She’s one of those.
” Then, like life was determined to crush Daisy completely, her home life entered the boutique.
The doors opened again, and two women stormed in.
One older, hard-faced, loud, angry.
One younger, sharp tonged, jealous, dramatic.
Daisy’s heart dropped to her stomach because she knew that face.
Her mother and her sister.
They lived in the same house.
They had noticed things.
Daisy vomiting, Daisy pale, Daisy skipping meals, Daisy waking up at night to breathe through fear.
They had pressed her.
They had watched.
And when Daisy tried to hide, they searched through her things.
They found the test strip.
That was how they knew.
Daisy’s mother pointed at her like she wanted to tear her apart.
Everybody look at her.
Her mother screamed, “A man got her pregnant, and we must collect money today.
” Daisy’s mouth fell open.
“Mama, please.
” But her sister jumped in quickly.
“If we don’t get money today,” her sister shouted.
“We will abort it.
Do you hear? We will abort it.
The boutique erupted.
Gloria’s eyes widened like she had found a new weapon.
You see, Gloria screamed.
So, you are pregnant and you still want to deny? She grabbed Daisy’s arm.
Cheap girl.
Gloria spat.
You seduced my husband and now you’re pregnant.
Daisy tried to pull back, but hands began to touch her.
Too many hands.
Too many voices.
Anita shouted, “Hold her.
