Chapter 64 — The Man Behind The Smile
The party grew louder as the night deepened.
Laughter echoed across the luxurious hall while expensive glasses clinked softly beneath the golden lights. Conversations flowed between politicians, businessmen, investors, and old family friends reunited after years apart.
At the center of it all—
Rihannat remained the highlight of the evening.
Everywhere she turned, someone wanted to greet her.
Some praised her beauty.
Others praised her humility.
And many simply stared at her with curiosity.
The lost Collins granddaughter had finally returned.
And the elite circle loved stories like that.
Meanwhile, Rihannat herself was slowly becoming exhausted from smiling politely.
"Your cheeks are vibrating already," Folakemi whispered beside her.
Rihannat nearly laughed.
"I'm serious."
"You have greeted half of Nigeria tonight," Balkis added.
"And three countries," Faridat contributed dramatically.
Rayyan smiled quietly beside them while sipping juice.
"You're handling it well though."
Rihannat exhaled softly.
"I just want to sit down."
"Too late," Folakemi muttered.
Another group was already approaching.
Rihannat almost cried internally.
—
Across the hall, Segun stood alone near one of the massive pillars with a glass of untouched wine in his hand.
Watching.
Always watching.
His calm eyes followed Rihannat carefully through the crowd.
Intrigue and something he couldn't name.
She looked different tonight.
Not because of the gown.
Not because of the luxury surrounding her.
But because she finally looked like someone who belonged somewhere meant for her.
That glow in her face…
That peace.
That quiet happiness.
Segun tilted his head slightly.
He disliked it.
Not because he hated her.
No.
Hatred was too emotional.
Too personal.
What he felt toward Rihannat was closer to fascination.
She intrigued him.
Ever since the first day he noticed her quietly crying behind one of the faculty buildings years ago.
The lonely girl.
The abandoned girl.
The girl constantly struggling yet still soft-hearted.
The hardworking girl full of talent.
The only woman he knows who will burn candles at night than use her beauty as a source of money making machine.
People like that entertained him.
Especially when life kept pushing them between pain and happiness repeatedly.
And now suddenly—
She had wealth.
Family.
Love.
Protection.
A beautiful comeback story.
How amusing.
His lips curved faintly.
But deep down—
Something darker shifted inside him.
Because happiness this perfect never lasted.
And he wanted to see what would happen when her perfect little world started shaking again.
—
Elsewhere in the hall—
Sulaimon Whitney was still observing Balkis from afar.
Calmly.
Patiently.
Balkis however was losing her peace gradually.
"Stop looking there," she muttered to herself.
Unfortunately her eyes betrayed her immediately and shifted back toward him again.
Bad idea.
Because Sulaimon caught her instantly.
And smiled.
Again.
"Oh God," Balkis whispered.
Faridat followed her gaze immediately.
Then gasped loudly.
"My sister…"
"What?"
"That man is fine....wait, handsome is perfect fit."
Balkis nearly pinched her.
"Will you keep quiet?!"
Folakemi turned sharply.
"What man?"
Faridat pointed immediately without shame.
"That one."
The girls turned together.
Even Rayyan blinked slowly.
Ah.
Now they understood.
Sulaimon looked effortlessly elegant standing among older businessmen. His calm composure alone separated him from most men around.
But more dangerous was the way he kept looking at Balkis specifically.
Like he already knew her.
Rihannat narrowed her eyes immediately.
"Wait."
Then realization struck.
"The club incident."
Balkis covered her face instantly.
Folakemi screamed quietly.
"THIS is the man?!"
"Lower your voice!"
"You never told us he looked like this!"
"He was still a stranger!"
"A rich handsome stranger," Faridat corrected.
Balkis wanted the ground to open.
Immediately.
Unfortunately for her—
Sulaimon began walking toward them.
"Oh no."
"Oh yes," Folakemi whispered excitedly.
The man stopped before them politely.
"Good evening."
His deep calm voice immediately silenced the group slightly.
All except Folakemi.
"Good evening sir," she answered quickly like an obedient student.
Balkis wanted to disappear.
Sulaimon's eyes rested briefly on Balkis before returning respectfully to the others.
"It's nice seeing you again."
Balkis forced an awkward smile.
"You too."
Rihannat watched the interaction carefully.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Sulaimon looked composed but his attention kept drifting back to Balkis unconsciously.
Like a man trying not to stare too much.
Unfortunately—
The girls noticed everything.
Faridat especially looked ready to write wedding invitation already.
"I'm glad you're okay," Sulaimon said quietly to Balkis.
Balkis' expression softened.
Because despite the awkwardness…
She never truly thanked him properly for that night.
"You helped me," she admitted softly.
"You were in danger."
"And you didn't take advantage."
His eyes held hers calmly.
"That should be normal."
For some reason—
Now that she's calm....
That simple sentence affected her unexpectedly.
Before the atmosphere could deepen further—
Another voice interrupted.
"Rihannat."
Everyone turned immediately.
Seifullah approached again.
—
His eyes found Rayyan first before anything else.
Again.
The girls nearly lost composure instantly.
Rayyan herself looked painfully aware now.
Seifullah cleared his throat lightly.
"Grandfather wants family pictures."
"Only family?" Folakemi asked hopefully.
Seifullah smiled faintly.
"You girls are included."
Excitement exploded immediately.
Meanwhile across the hall—
Ridwan was still suffering.
Faridat remained glued beside him like a security agent assigned permanently to his existence.
Every attempt to escape failed.
Every single one.
"Why are you scared of me?" she demanded suspiciously.
"I'm not scared."
"You're sweating."
"It's hot."
"We are inside industrial air conditioning."
Ridwan sighed deeply.
Ya Allah.
Basit watched from afar laughing shamelessly.
"You deserve this," he told him.
Ridwan glared murderously.
"This is your family problem."
"No," Basit corrected proudly. "This is now your destiny."
—
Moments later, the Collins family gathered near the massive staircase for photographs.
The atmosphere became lively instantly.
Mr. Collins insisted Rihannat stand beside him while Mrs. Collins refused to let go of her hand.
Their pride was obvious.
Painfully obvious.
Even guests nearby smiled watching them.
Rihannat's foster parents stood close too, still looking overwhelmed by everything happening tonight.
Then the girls joined.
Chaos followed naturally.
Folakemi nearly argued with the photographer about her "best angle."
Faridat kept dragging Ridwan closer despite his silent resistance.
Balkis remained distracted because Sulaimon still watched her occasionally.
And Seifullah—
Poor Seifullah had become completely obvious now.
Every few seconds his eyes drifted toward Rayyan again despite his efforts to remain composed.
Even Mr. Collins noticed eventually.
His brows lifted slowly.
Oh my boy finally...
Interesting.
Rayyan however avoided looking directly at him now.
Not because she disliked him.
But because she understood that look.
And after Bilal…
That kind of attention frightened her more than it excited her.
The camera flashed repeatedly.
Capturing smiles.
Laughter.
Warmth.
A perfect family celebration.
But hidden among the beautiful moments—
Danger quietly existed too.
Because from the upper balcony overlooking the grand hall—
Segun watched the entire scene silently.
His calm expression unreadable.
His eyes dark.
Calculating.
Patient.
Then slowly—
He smiled again.
The smile that felt far more dangerous than hatred itself.
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