It was a live business interview. The headline at the bottom of the screen read:
"MUFASS'AA GEOUP ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH OOMAN NETWORK ICT."
Jade blinked.
"What?"
Ella sat poised and elegant, dressed in a sharp ivory blazer, confidence radiating from her posture.
The journalist leaned forward.
"Miss Mufassa, is it true that your company has decided to partner with Ooman Network ICT?"
Ella nodded calmly.
"Yes. After careful evaluation, we concluded that Ooman Network ICT remains one of the most innovative and secure tech infrastructures in the region."
The journalist adjusted his notes and continued.
"But Mufass'aa Company is mostly engaged in construction and infrastructure. Networking technology isn't exactly your primary field. Why this sudden move into ICT?"
Ella didn't hesitate.
"We've identified long-term growth potential in technology," she replied calmly. "Expansion is part of evolution."
She crossed her legs elegantly.
"And if we're entering the tech sector, we choose the best."
The journalist leaned forward slightly.
"So Daniel Ooman is the best choice?"
Ella nodded without blinking.
"Yes. Ooman Network ICT has the strongest cybersecurity framework and digital architecture in the region."
She paused briefly, then added smoothly:
The journalist tilted his head slightly.
"But weren't they recently involved in a major issue with Helix Corporation? There were rumors that Daniel Ooman's leadership has weakened. Some investors are concerned he's no longer the best choice."
Jade's jaw tightened.
She watched Ella carefully.
Ella didn't flinch.
Instead, she smiled.
"A rumor remains a rumor until proven," she replied smoothly.
The journalist pressed further.
"So you're saying the sabotage accusations were false?"
"I'm saying," Ella corrected gently, "that Daniel Ooman personally presented documented proof that the incident was an external sabotage attempt."
She crossed her legs calmly.
"And more importantly, he resolved it within days."
The journalist raised an eyebrow.
"Still, some say this situation damaged Ooman ICT's credibility."
Ella's expression sharpened — not defensive, but firm.
"On the contrary. It demonstrated resilience."
She leaned slightly forward.
"Companies aren't measured by whether they encounter problems. They're measured by how they handle them."
The room went quiet for a brief second.
Ella continued:
"Daniel Ooman didn't hide. He didn't deflect blame. He investigated, exposed the breach, and reinforced his systems."
She paused deliberately.
"That's leadership."
The journalist tried again.
"So you're confident in this partnership?"
Ella smiled again — but this time, there was something almost personal in it.
"Very."
She added, calmly but clearly:
"Underestimating Daniel Ooman is a mistake many competitors have made. It rarely ends well for them."
Jade's lips parted slightly.
The journalist laughed lightly.
"You sound very certain."
Ella held his gaze.
"I don't invest blindly."
She paused briefly, then added smoothly:
"As we previously chose Ooman Bâtiment, under the leadership of Riguel Ooman."
The journalist raised an eyebrow.
"So your trust extends to the entire Ooman family?"
Ella allowed herself a small smile.
"One thing is true," she said clearly. "The Ooman family is exceptionally competent in their respective fields."
The room went quiet for a second.
The interview shifted to another topic.
Jade slowly lowered the remote.
She defended him…"
Not vaguely.
But confidently.
Her mind started racing.
Why would Ella defend him that strongly?
Professional respect?
Strategic alliance?
Or something else?
Jade crossed her arms, staring at the blank TV screen.
"Interesting…"
She didn't like the feeling that settled in her chest.
It wasn't anger.
It wasn't even fear.
It was… strange.
Too confident.
Too certain.
Why did it feel like this partnership wasn't just business?
Jade leaned back against the couch.
"Am I exaggerating?" she murmured.
She knew herself.
She was the jealous type.
She overanalyzed tones.
Looks.
Energy.
She grabbed her phone and searched the interview clip.
The date appeared.
Two days ago.
Her heart skipped slightly.
"Two days ago".
Before last night.
Before breakfast.
Before everything.
Her thoughts started racing.
"I'm sure she's with Daniel right now," she whispered.
"My intuition tells me."
She stood up abruptly.
"Should I go there?"
She started pacing.
"No. That's crazy."
But what if—
"No. I can't just show up at his office like some insecure girlfriend."
She stopped in front of the mirror.
Or maybe I should.
Her jaw tightened slightly.
"This is ridiculous."
She crossed her arms.
"If it's just business, then it's just business."
But that small voice inside her wouldn't shut up.
You know when something feels off.
She grabbed her bag.
Then paused.
Then dropped it back on the couch.
"Calm down, Jade."
She inhaled deeply.
"Trust him."
But trust didn't silence curiosity.
And curiosity was dangerous.
Jade didn't think anymore.
She moved.
Twenty minutes later, she was walking straight into Ooman Network ICT headquarters.
Focused, composed and Dangerously calm.
She reached the reception desk.
"I'm here to see Daniel."
The secretary offered a polite smile. "Mr. Ooman is currently in a meeting with Mufass'aa Company."
Jade's jaw tightened slightly.
"With Mufass'aa."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Which room?"
The secretary hesitated.
"Conference room B, but—"
Jade was already walking.
"Ma'am, please—" the secretary rushed after her. "You can't just—"
Too late.
Jade pushed the conference room door open.
The room fell silent instantly.
Long table.
Executives seated.
Documents spread.
Ella at the opposite side.
Daniel at the head.
The secretary appeared behind her, slightly out of breath.
"I'm sorry, sir. I tried to stop her but—"
Daniel looked up calmly.
He didn't look surprised.
He simply nodded.
"It's fine."
Jade stepped forward slowly.
Elegant.
"I want to talk to my husband."
Silence.
Pure shock around the table.
A few executives exchanged glances.
Ella leaned back slightly in her chair, studying Jade with unreadable eyes.
"Jade," Ella said smoothly, "you could have waited for him at home. What's the emergency?"
Jade didn't even look at her at first.
"The emergency," she replied calmly, "is that I want to talk to him."
Then her eyes shifted to Ella.
Sharp.
"And since you're not married, you probably wouldn't understand."
The air changed.
Subtle.
But sharp.
Ella's lips curved faintly.
"You're just his fiancée," she replied evenly. "You're not married yet. Things like this can still… end."
That did it.
A visible shift in Jade's posture.
Not explosive as usual but Controlled and dangerous.
Tension thickened in the room.
Jade turned slowly toward the table.
"Get out."
The executives blinked.
"I mean all of you. Get out."
No one moved.
They all looked at Daniel.
Ella didn't move either.
She kept her eyes on Jade, then slowly turned her head toward Daniel.
As if waiting.
As if he held the final authority.
He did.
Daniel's expression remained unreadable.
Then—
He nodded once.
"You can leave."
Chairs shifted.
Papers gathered.
The room emptied quickly.
The secretary closed the door quietly behind the last executive.
Ella stood up last.
She held Jade's gaze for a second longer than necessary.
Then she walked out without another word.
The door closed.
Silence.
Jade exhaled sharply, finally letting the irritation show.
"She really irritated me," she said, turning to Daniel. "Did you hear the way she spoke to me?"
Her composure cracked just slightly.
"You saw that, right?"
Daniel remained seated for a second, watching her carefully.
Calm and Measured.