VEIL OF DESTINY :THE HIDDEN HEIR ASSERT

The weight of the voice on the recording pressed against Ochieng's chest like a boulder. He knew that voice. The voice of the man who had once guided him, disciplined him, taught him the art of war, strategy, and survival.

His father.

The room was deathly silent, the air thick with unspoken questions.

Magdalene's breath hitched. "It's him…"

Tielen ran a hand down his face, his usually unreadable expression shaken. "This changes everything."

Ochieng exhaled slowly, pressing a button to replay the recording. The voice played again, each syllable carving itself into his bones.

"Ochieng has outlived his usefulness. It's time to erase him from the board."

His own father wanted him dead.

---

Ochieng stood up, his chair scraping against the floor. His mind was already moving ten steps ahead.

Why now?

His father had always been ruthless, but he had never acted against his own blood before. For him to make this decision, there had to be something bigger at play.

Samantha shifted nervously. "I had to bring this to you. I—"

Ochieng cut her off with a glance. "How did you get this?"

She hesitated. "Does it matter?"

His voice was cold. "Everything matters."

Samantha swallowed hard. "I have… connections. People who are loyal to me. Not everyone in his circle agrees with what he's doing."

Tielen scoffed. "And we're just supposed to believe that you suddenly grew a conscience?"

Samantha flinched but held Ochieng's gaze. "Believe whatever you want. But the fact remains—he's coming for you. And he's not coming alone."

Ochieng turned away, his eyes dark as he looked out the window. He had spent his whole life rising above expectations, proving himself in a world that wanted him to fail.

Now, the very man who had shaped him wanted him erased.

That meant only one thing.

His father saw him as a threat.

And if that was the case… then Ochieng was about to show him just how right he was.

---

The underworld was already in turmoil after Khalid's fall, but now, a different kind of war was brewing.

Ochieng made a call. One ring. Two.

A deep voice answered. "I was wondering when you'd call."

Ochieng's lips curled into a cold smile. "Gather everyone. It's time for a family reunion."

The pieces were moving. And this time, the board belonged to him.