LYONIC

That night, Sommy Lanka did not sleep a wink.

Sinking against the cold wall of her bedroom, staring into darkness, she tried to beat back the thoughts that swirled in her mind. So much was at stake, yet everything seemed to lie beyond her control. She did so much work, trying to build up something big—only to have it all torn from her grasp in a split second.

Levi Obi sat by the window and watched her struggle. His voice was calm, soothing. "Don't dwell on it, Sommy. Sleep. You'll see, Lyon will come to you himself and ask for your help in restoring the business. He won't leave you out of this."

Sommy gave him a sharp glance, her lips tightening. "You think Lyon would come himself? Please, I would thank the heavens if I could get my position back with the company." Her words sounded like a mixture of bitterness and disbelief.

Levi exhaled deeply and turned his gaze toward the Lagos skyline. "Don't lose hope. I mean what I said. Lyon will come for your proposal.

Levi then stepped out onto the balcony, his phone already in hand. "Hello, Azure Dragon, connect me with Nielsen, please."

The next morning, the phone rang through the quiet house as Lyon Obi's voice filled the air. "Sommy, you won't believe this. The Ministry of Construction just called. They've invited us to bid for the ecological park development project.

Sommy's heart was racing. A twist of fate. Yet, her doubts still lingered.

Lyon's voice was thick with excitement. "We didn't think we would make the cut, but this is a huge opportunity. Round up everybody. We need to talk strategy."

Sommy sat in the living room with her parents, Peter, Ruth, Mark, and Frank were her siblings, waiting for Lyon. They must be ready.

Lyon," Sommy said in a hushed tone, "what have we got ourselves into?"

Lyon was silent for a moment, running a hand through his hair as he leaned against the doorframe. "Slim chances, I know, but we are in this now. Now, what I need to know is who else is involved. Do we know who else is bidding for the park?

Frank's eyebrows furrowed. "Wait, I thought we were out of the running after everything that's happened. How is this possible?"

"Don't worry," Lyon said reassuringly. "This opportunity isn't about money; it's about leverage."

The doorbell rang just then. It was Shaun, Lyon's cousin, standing in the doorway with his usual smugness.

Sommy bristled, watching him scan the house. "What are you doing here?" she asked, exasperation oozing from her voice.

"I'm here to collect the proposal for the park," replied Shaun, regarding her with a cautious eye. "I have been instructed to take it to the Ministry. They have already confirmed our invitation to bid.

Sommy scowled. "You really think I'd hand over something so important to you? This project was my idea. And last time I checked, I was fired. So good luck if you think I'm helping you."

Shaun's expression darkened. "You think you're in control here? Fine. Let's see how long that stance lasts." He pulled out his phone, waving it in front of Sommy. "Lyon wants to speak to you.

A chill ran down her spine as she hesitated, then picked up the phone. Lyon's voice at the other end was firm but calm.

"What's going on, Sommy? I need the proposal. Hand it over. This project is very important."

Her heart twisted inside. "You fired me, Lyon. Why should I help you? You wanted me gone and now you want me back?"

A sigh from Lyon sounded in her ear. "Sommy, I know I messed up. But for now, we need you. We need that proposal. I just can't let this slip away."

Sommy blinked back tears. She was in a dilemma. The betrayal cut deep, but the stakes were higher than her pride.

Before she could say her piece, Levi entered the room, holding the proposal in his hands, which he placed in Shaun's outstretched arms.

Levi shot Sommy a reassuring look. "Harry will come for you. We're doing the right thing."

Sommy could barely look at him. It felt like a betrayal to herself. But then, she thought about everything that was at stake. Her hands shook as she finally spoke. "You think giving him the proposal will change anything?"

Levi looked at her, unwavering. "We're not giving up. Not yet."

Shaun snatched the papers from Levi with a sneer. "Cowards," he muttered under his breath, but before anyone could respond, he was out the door.

Sommy stood frozen for a moment, the weight of the situation pressing on her chest. "Levi… How could you?"

Levi met her gaze with sincerity. "Trust me, Sommy. Lyon will come for you. Just wait. It's not over.

She wanted to believe him, really she did. But it had all come apart so fast. She just couldn't shake that feeling, the one that told her she was losing herself to some twirled game of family politics and corporate war.

Wrapped by a mind full of uncertainties, she sat until Peter's voice pierced through: "What now, Sommy? Do we wait for Lyon?

She nodded, but within her, the doubt gnawed. "We wait. And prepare for what comes next."

Across town, Lyon was with his team, putting together what they needed for the proposal. He couldn't afford to fail after all that happened. It wasn't just about winning a bid; it was about family honor-and Sommy's place within it.

Meanwhile, Samuel and Melanie—Lyon's business partners—had taken charge of the next steps. They were supposed to see that the Lopez Group retained control of the bid. Smooth, though, it wasn't.

The tension hung in the air as they waited inside the office building where the processing of the bid was underway. As they made their way to the front desk, the receptionist barely looked up. "The Lopez family?" she asked without inflection.

Samuel nodded. "Yes, we are here to submit our proposal."

The receptionist raised an eyebrow but said nothing. The next thing they knew, they were being led into the office of Orlando Jennings: a man with no time for nonsense.

Orlando went straight to the chase. "Why is Zoey not here to pitch this proposal?"

Melanie stared, confused. "I don't understand. Zoey is not here? We come in her place."

Orlando's eyes hardened. "This project is assigned to Zoey. No one else from the Lopez family can take her place. If Zoey's not here in person, the bid is off."

Samuel's face turned red with frustration. "But we're in charge of the company now. Zoey's been fired. You can't do this.

Orlando got to his feet and slammed the proposal onto the desk. "Get out. I won't consider anything from you unless Zoey herself walks in here and presents it tomorrow."

The room was thick with tension as Melanie and Samuel were escorted out, their faces aflame with humiliation. Well, it was now crystal clear: the whole project had been set up for Zoey, and if she didn't turn up, the Lopez family didn't stand a chance.

Back at the house, Harry anxiously awaited news. "What did they say?" he growled gruffly as Samuel and Melanie trooped in, their faces a dead giveaway.

Samuel's voice was tight with anger. "It's Zoey. The project is hers. No one else can touch it. If she doesn't show up tomorrow, it's over for us."

Harry's face contorted in anger. "Then find Zoey. We need her back. And we need that project.