All Chapters of Married To The FIrst Zillionaire in Africa: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Ejike drove himself.No Chidi. No driver. Just him behind the wheel of a sleek black car that moved through traffic like it owned the road."Where are we going?" Juliet asked as they left Victoria Island behind."Somewhere real."They drove in silence through Lagos traffic. Away from the gleaming towers and gated estates. Back toward the mainland, where life was louder, messier, more honest.Ejike navigated the chaos with surprising ease, like he knew these streets. Eventually, he pulled up outside a small restaurant Juliet had never noticed before. No fancy sign, just a wooden board that said "Mama Put.""You're joking," Juliet said."Best food in Lagos. Trust me."Inside was simple. Plastic chairs, mismatched tables, the smell of spices and frying plantain. A handful of people sat eating, none of them looking twice at the man in the expensive suit.An older woman appeared from the back, her face breaking into a huge smile when she saw Ejike."Ah ah! Ejike! You finally remember Mama

The journalist was younger than Juliet expected.Her name was Chioma Adeyemi, and she had sharp eyes that saw everything. She set up in the main sitting room with her photographer, a quiet man who moved around them like a ghost, capturing angles."Thank you for agreeing to this," Chioma said, settling into her chair with a recorder. "I know you've been dealing with a lot of media attention.""That's why we're here," Ejike said smoothly. "To set the record straight."He sat beside Juliet on the sofa, close enough that their shoulders almost touched. His hand rested on the cushion behind her, protective but not possessive.They'd practiced this morning. How to sit, what to say, how to appear comfortable and in love without overdoing it."Let's start with the obvious question," Chioma said. "How did you two meet?"Juliet took a breath. "At my workplace. Ejike came in one afternoon, and we just connected.""Love at first sight?""More like recognition," Ejike said. His voice was warm, alm

Two weeks passed in a blur of events and appearances.Juliet learned to smile on command. To make small talk about things she didn't care about. To ignore whispers and sidelong glances. She was becoming Mrs. Olatunji, piece by piece.Tonight was the charity gala Selena had mentioned at the wedding. The biggest social event of the season. Everyone who mattered would be there."Ready?" Ejike asked from her doorway.Juliet turned from the mirror. She wore a deep red gown that Femi had chosen specifically for this event. Bold, elegant, impossible to ignore."As ready as I'll ever be."Ejike's eyes traveled over her slowly. "You look stunning.""You say that every time.""Because it's true every time."Something warm flickered in her chest. She pushed it down.The gala was held at a waterfront venue on Victoria Island. Twinkling lights reflected off the lagoon. Expensive cars lined the entrance. Women in designer gowns and men in tailored suits floated through the crowd like exotic birds.

Three days after the article, Ejike had an emergency board meeting.Juliet knew because she overheard him on the phone at five in the morning, his voice tight with controlled anger."I don't care what they think. Schedule it for this afternoon. Yes, I'll be there."When he came down for breakfast, his expression was granite."What happened?" Juliet asked."Chairman Adewale called an emergency session. They want to discuss whether the negative publicity around our marriage is affecting the company's image." He poured coffee with sharp, precise movements. "It's a power play. They're using this to try and push me out.""Because of me.""Because they're cowards looking for any excuse." He set down the coffee pot harder than necessary. "This has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them wanting control.""What are you going to do?""Fight. What I always do." He looked at her. "But I need to ask you something. Are you prepared for this to get uglier? Because it will. They'll dig

Ejike couldn't sleep.He stood at his bedroom window at two in the morning, watching the security lights sweep across the grounds. Everything was quiet. Protected. Under control.Except nothing was under control anymore.He'd built his entire life on systems. Predictable outcomes. Variables he could manage. The contract with Juliet had been perfect. Clear terms. Defined boundaries. An arrangement that solved his board problem without emotional complications.But somewhere between the wedding and now, the variables had changed.He thought about her walking into that board meeting. The shock on Chairman Adewale's face. The way she'd defended not just herself, but him. Like she actually cared about more than the money.Maybe it's not just business anymore.He'd agreed. Out loud. Which was possibly the stupidest thing he'd done in years.Ejike poured himself whiskey and sat in the dark. He didn't drink often. Control was important. But tonight, he needed something to dull the edge of what