Branded a Thief

Monday morning, 10:30 a.m.

The atmosphere inside CrestPoint Holdings had completely changed.

Employees who normally greeted Idris with cheerful smiles now whispered among themselves as he walked past.

Some avoided eye contact.

Others simply stared.

The news had spread across the entire building.

Billions of naira had disappeared.

And according to the company's financial system...

Idris Afolayan had authorized every transaction.

He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"There must be a mistake," Idris said firmly.

"There has to be."

The Head of Internal Audit looked at him with disappointment.

"The records don't lie, Mr. Afolayan."

"They do when someone manipulates them."

The room fell silent.

"Are you saying our system was hacked?" another director asked.

"I'm saying I never approved those transfers."

"Then explain why your password, your digital signature, and your authorization code were used."

Idris froze.

That was impossible.

Only he knew those details.

Or so he thought.

•••

Within an hour, an emergency board meeting was called.

Every director was present.

The Chairman sat quietly at the head of the table.

His expression was unreadable.

Idris stood in the center of the room, surrounded by the very people who had praised him just days earlier.

The Chairman finally spoke.

"Mr. Afolayan..."

"Yes, sir."

"You've served this company faithfully for eight years."

"I have."

"And until today, no one has ever questioned your integrity."

"Because I've never betrayed this company."

One of the directors slammed a file on the table.

"Then explain this!"

The file contained printed bank statements.

Authorization logs.

Security reports.

Digital approvals.

Every single document pointed at Idris.

It looked perfect.

Too perfect.

Idris flipped through the pages in disbelief.

"This isn't true."

"It is the evidence before us."

"I've been framed."

"Do you have proof?"

Silence.

He had none.

Not yet.

•••

Outside the boardroom, employees waited anxiously.

Rumors spread like wildfire.

"I heard he stole the money."

"They trusted him too much."

"So even honest people can change."

"I never expected this from Mr. Idris."

Only a few refused to believe it.

One elderly cleaner shook his head.

"No."

"That man greets me every morning."

"He even paid my hospital bills last year."

"He cannot do this."

But his voice was drowned out by louder opinions.

Sometimes...

People believe accusations faster than truth.

•••

Inside the boardroom, the Chairman closed the investigation file.

"This board has reached a decision."

Idris looked around desperately.

"Sir..."

"We have no choice."

"Please... give me time."

"We already have."

"I'll prove my innocence."

"Until then..."

The Chairman paused.

"...you are hereby dismissed from CrestPoint Holdings with immediate effect."

The words echoed through the room like thunder.

Idris's heartbeat slowed.

Eight years.

Gone.

Just like that.

"You will surrender every company property before leaving this building."

Another director added,

"Your name will also be submitted to the National Financial Ethics Council."

Idris's eyes widened.

"What?"

"You will be blacklisted pending further investigation."

His world stopped.

Blacklisted.

No reputable company would employ him again.

Not until his name was cleared.

•••

As Idris packed his belongings into a small cardboard box, many employees watched from a distance.

No one approached him.

No one defended him.

No one said goodbye.

Except one person.

The elderly cleaner.

He walked over quietly.

"I'm sorry, sir."

Idris managed a weak smile.

"Thank you."

"I don't believe what they're saying."

For the first time that day...

Idris felt tears gathering in his eyes.

"Thank you."

The old man shook his hand.

"Allah knows the truth."

Idris nodded silently.

"I pray the truth finds its way."

•••

Outside the company gate, reporters had already gathered.

Cameras flashed repeatedly.

"Mr. Afolayan!"

"Did you steal the company's money?"

"How much was taken?"

"Do you have anything to say?"

Security officers escorted him past the crowd.

His head remained lowered.

Not because he was guilty...

But because nobody would believe otherwise.

Across the road, inside a black SUV, Tunde watched everything unfold.

He smiled.

"So this is what defeat looks like."

He picked up his phone and dialed a number.

"It's done."

A soft female voice answered.

"Is he gone?"

"Completely."

There was a brief silence.

Then the woman spoke again.

"Good."

Tunde ended the call.

A satisfied grin spread across his face.

The first part of his plan had succeeded.

Now...

He only needed to take the one thing Idris still had left.

His wife.