Chapter 25: Pretense 3

    Did he really just give her that? they wondered collectively, their thoughts filled with disbelief. That''s his beloved Rolex! The one he always flaunts! What on earth is going on?

    Internally, the queen''s mind was reeling. ''This... this can''t be happening. Why is he suddenly being generous? He hates her, doesn''t he?''

    King Ikechukwu glanced at his son, then at Nnenna. Though his face remained unreadable, the slight furrow of his brow betrayed his curiosity.

    ''What changed?'' he thought. ''Why does it feel like the tide is shifting in her favor?''

    Nnenna looked down at the watch, her fingers curling around it gently. A flicker of determination lit her eyes. ''Whatever you fire at me, I''ll use it to my advantage. Let''s see how long you can all keep up this charade.''

    The silence in the room grew thicker, broken only by the soft ticking of the elegant watch in her hand.

    If Queen Chioma hadn''t been carefully maintaining her fac?ade as a loving mother, she would have outright demanded an explanation from Obinna then and there.

    ''What on earth is wrong with this boy?'' she thought, her forced smile twitching slightly at the corners. Her mind raced with questions she couldn''t ask openly in front of everyone.

    Meanwhile, Nnenna, noticing the tension bubbling beneath the surface, put on her most radiant smile, masking the flicker of disbelief she still felt at Obinna''s sudden generosity.

    "Thank you, Brother," she said sweetly, holding up the watch as though it were the most precious thing she had ever received. "I knew you wouldn''t give me just any random gift. I like this watch very much. Thank you again!"

    Obinna''s grin widened as if her words had completely erased his earlier misstep. "You''re welcome, you''re welcome," he said eagerly, a note of genuine pleasure in his voice.

    Nnenna froze for a moment, her polite mask cracking slightly as her fingers tightened around the watch Obinna had given her. She locked eyes with him, her gaze cool and unwavering, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing her flinch.

    Chidera straightened, his smirk deepening as he continued, "If you knew your place, you wouldn''t be struggling with me for what rightfully belongs to me.

    You can''t really blame me for pushing you down, can you? Besides," he added with a mock shrug, "your life isn''t worth much anyway."

    The room went eerily silent. Even Ebere''s carefully crafted expression faltered for a moment, her lips twitching in amusement. King Ikechukwu''s eyes narrowed slightly, though he said nothing.

    Without waiting for a response, Chidera tossed the small box onto Nnenna''s lap, as though the act of handing it to her was beneath him. "Anyway, here''s your gift. Hope you like it," he said carelessly, his tone making it clear he couldn''t care less if she did.

    Nnenna stared at the thin but slightly long box for a moment, her heart tightening at his words. ''He really thinks I''m worth nothing, doesn''t he?'' she thought bitterly.

    But she forced herself to keep her expression calm and composed. Slowly, she picked up the small box, her movements graceful yet deliberate.

    "Thank you, Brother," she said softly, her tone polite but distant. Her eyes met his again, and this time, there was a flicker of defiance in them. ''I''ll show you just how much I''m worth.''

    Chidera sneered, but before he could say anything else, King Ikechukwu cleared his throat, stepping forward to intervene. "Chidera," he said firmly, his voice carrying an edge of warning.

    Chidera rolled his eyes but stepped back, muttering something under his breath.

    Queen Chioma clapped her hands lightly, trying to diffuse the tension. "Now, now, let''s all get along," she said with a forced laugh, though the tightness in her voice betrayed her discomfort.

    Nnenna glanced at the foot long box and let out a humorless laugh, a mix of bitterness and disbelief swelling within her. ''This is ridiculous, she thought. What exactly do these people take me for?''@@@@