Billionaire: Money and Power

A City in Shadows

Lagos was shifting. Joshua could feel it. The streets were the same, the skyline unchanged, but something deeper had shifted.

People whispered more. Deals were struck in hushed tones. Some of his informants had gone silent, and others had disappeared completely.

Umaru was no longer the real threat.

Something bigger was watching.

Joshua sat in the back of his car, drumming his fingers on his knee. Tunde sat beside him, scrolling through his phone.

"You sure about this?" Tunde asked without looking up.

Joshua exhaled. "We don't have a choice. If we don't find out who's moving against us, we're already dead."

The car turned onto a quieter street, lined with abandoned buildings. The air smelled of rain, thick and heavy.

Ahead, a lone figure stood under a flickering streetlight.

Joshua stepped out, adjusting his jacket. The man was small, thin, with nervous eyes that darted around like he expected a bullet any second.

"You're late," the man muttered.

Joshua ignored him. "Talk."

The informant swallowed hard. "It's not just Umaru. He was never the real power. There's an organization—something old, something deep. They run everything."

Joshua narrowed his eyes. "Who are they?"

The man hesitated. "They call themselves… the Order."

Tunde scoffed. "That's original."

The informant shook his head. "You don't get it. They don't just control businesses. They control governments. Banks. The media. Even some parts of the military."

Joshua studied him. "And why are you telling me this?"

The man wiped his sweaty forehead. "Because they know about you. You've been making moves, disrupting their balance. They're watching you."

Joshua's stomach tightened. "And Umaru?"

The informant hesitated. "Dead."

Tunde tensed. "What?"

"They killed him this morning. Made it look like an accident. His car went off a bridge."

Joshua clenched his jaw. Umaru had been a problem, but he was still his problem to deal with. If someone else had taken him out, it meant they were cleaning up loose ends.

And now, Joshua was the next one in line.

A Meeting in the Dark

Back at the penthouse, Joshua paced.

Amara sat on the couch, arms crossed. "You believe him?"

Joshua stopped. "Yes."

Tunde exhaled, rubbing his temples. "So what do we do?"

Joshua turned to them. "We find out who they are. Where they are. And we hit first."

Adisa, who had been leaning against the bar, raised an eyebrow. "You want to go after an organization that controls entire nations?"

Joshua smirked. "Why not?"

Amara shook her head. "You're insane."

Joshua sat down, lacing his fingers together. "No. I just don't like being someone's pawn."

Tunde leaned forward. "Alright. Where do we start?"

Joshua's gaze darkened. "Chief Okon."

The Man with Answers

Chief Okon's estate was quiet. Too quiet.

Joshua's team moved in smoothly, weapons ready. No guards. No security. Something was off.

Inside, the air was stale. Lights flickered. Papers were scattered across the floor.

Then they found him.

Chief Okon sat in his study, hands folded. His expression was calm, but his eyes were tired.

"You shouldn't have come," he said softly.

Joshua stepped forward. "We need to talk."

Okon sighed. "I know. But I can't help you."

Tunde scoffed. "That's funny, because last time we checked, you had all the connections."

Okon met Joshua's gaze. "You don't understand. The Order isn't just powerful. They're inevitable. You can't fight them."

Joshua smirked. "Everyone can be fought."

Okon studied him for a long moment. Then, finally, he spoke.

"They're already making their move. You don't even see it."

Joshua's smirk faded. "What do you mean?"

Okon exhaled. "Your accounts. Your assets. Your identity. If they decide to erase you, they will."

Joshua clenched his jaw. "Then I guess I'll have to be faster than them."

Okon sighed, rubbing his temples. "There's only one way you survive this."

Joshua leaned in. "I'm listening."

Okon hesitated. Then, finally, he said it.

"You join them."

Silence.

Tunde stared. "You can't be serious."

Okon nodded. "It's the only way."

Joshua sat back, thinking.

The Order wanted control. They wanted to absorb threats, not just eliminate them.

Maybe there was a way to use that.

Maybe it was time to play their game.

A Dangerous Decision

That night, Joshua sat alone in his office, staring at his reflection in the glass window.

His phone buzzed.

Unknown Number.

He answered.

A smooth, controlled voice spoke.

"We've been expecting you, Joshua."

Joshua exhaled slowly. "Good. Then you know why I'm calling."

A pause. Then—

"You're ready to take the next step."

Joshua smirked. "Let's see if you're worth my time."

The voice chuckled. "Welcome to the real game."

The line went dead.

Joshua set the phone down.

The storm had arrived.

And he was walking straight into it.