Billionaire: Money and Power

Penthouse – The Morning After

The sun crept over the city, its golden light stretching across the streets of Lagos. The penthouse, once a symbol of power and wealth, now looked like a battlefield. Bullet holes lined the walls, shattered glass covered the floor, and the scent of gunpowder still lingered in the air.

Joshua sat on the edge of the couch, his hands clasped together. His white shirt was torn, stained with dirt and blood. His knuckles were bruised from the fight. The silence in the room was deafening.

Tunde was pacing near the window, his phone pressed to his ear. Adisa leaned against the kitchen counter, arms crossed, his face unreadable. Amara sat quietly in a chair, her fingers trembling as she held a glass of water.

"Yeah… we handled it," Tunde muttered into the phone. His voice was low. Tired. "No, we don't need the cops. Just clean-up. Discreet."

Joshua exhaled, running a hand through his short, messy hair. They had survived, but it wasn't over. Umaru would retaliate. That much was certain.

His thoughts were interrupted by Amara's soft voice.

"You almost died last night."

Joshua looked up. Her eyes held a mix of anger and fear.

She stood up, placing the glass down with a soft clink. "This… this isn't normal, Joshua." She gestured around the destroyed room. "You can't just fight like this every time someone comes after you!"

Joshua met her gaze, his expression calm. "If I don't, they'll kill me."

Amara's lips pressed into a thin line. "Then let's leave. Go somewhere safe."

He shook his head. "It's not that simple. If I run, they win. And if they win, we lose everything."

Tunde sighed, finally putting his phone away. "Joshua's right. Umaru isn't backing down. If anything, this was just a warning."

Adisa's deep voice cut through the tension. "We need to strike first."

Joshua nodded slowly. "We will. But not yet."

Umaru's Hideout – Somewhere in Lagos

Umaru stood by the window, staring at the city below. His jaw clenched, his mind boiling with anger.

Sani stood behind him, hands in his pockets. "They fought back harder than we expected."

Umaru exhaled through his nose, his eyes narrowing. "Joshua isn't some ordinary businessman. He's dangerous."

Sani tilted his head. "So, what's the next move?"

Umaru turned to face him, his expression cold. "We bleed him. We cut off his connections, his money, his allies. No more head-on attacks. We strangle him until he has nothing left."

Sani smirked. "Smart. If we can't kill him with bullets, we kill him with pressure."

Umaru picked up his phone, dialing a number. "Start with his businesses. Hit them where it hurts."

Joshua's Office – Downtown Lagos

By noon, Joshua was sitting in his office, the scent of coffee filling the air. He was exhausted, but there was no time to rest.

His assistant, Femi, walked in with urgency. "Boss, we have a problem."

Joshua leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping the desk. "What now?"

Femi hesitated before placing a stack of documents in front of him. "Our shipments are being blocked. Some permits are being revoked. And… two of our clients just pulled out of their contracts."

Joshua's jaw tightened. Umaru was already making his move.

Tunde and Adisa walked in right after, their expressions tense.

"Boss, Umaru's men are putting pressure on our suppliers," Tunde said.

Adisa crossed his arms. "He's playing smart. He wants to starve us out."

Joshua exhaled sharply, picking up his phone. If Umaru wanted a business war, then that's exactly what he would get.

A Different Kind of War

For the next few hours, Joshua and his team worked relentlessly. Calls were made. Deals were secured. Contacts were threatened, bribed, convinced.

Amara watched from the side, worry clear on her face. Joshua wasn't just fighting with guns anymore. This was a war of influence.

By evening, the tension in the office was thick. A battle of phone calls, negotiations, and counter-moves was unfolding in real-time.

Femi returned, his face grim. "Boss, Umaru just bribed one of the port officials. Our next shipment is on hold."

Joshua clenched his jaw. "Then we bribe higher."

Tunde chuckled, shaking his head. "This is getting ridiculous."

Joshua smirked slightly. "Welcome to business in Nigeria."

Adisa leaned against the desk. "This isn't sustainable. We need a real plan."

Joshua nodded. "I know. And I have one."

A Meeting with Power

Later that night, Joshua sat across from Chief Okon, a powerful political figure with deep ties in the government. They were in a private lounge, away from prying eyes.

Chief Okon took a slow sip of his drink, studying Joshua. "You've made quite the name for yourself, young man."

Joshua leaned forward. "I need your help."

The Chief smirked. "Of course you do. But help isn't free."

Joshua placed a small black briefcase on the table and slid it forward. Inside was an offer too tempting to refuse.

Okon opened it, his eyes gleaming. "Now you're speaking my language."

Joshua's voice was steady. "Umaru is trying to cut off my resources. I need certain… advantages."

The Chief chuckled, closing the case. "Consider it done. But this means you owe me."

Joshua nodded. "I always pay my debts."

The Shift in Power

The next morning, things changed.

Umaru's men suddenly found their own shipments blocked. His permits were revoked. Government forces started raiding his operations.

The balance had shifted.

Joshua sat in his office, watching the reports come in. A small victory, but the war was far from over.

Amara sat across from him, her expression softer now. "You're really playing this game at the highest level, huh?"

Joshua smirked, reaching for his coffee. "I don't play games. I win them."

She rolled her eyes but smiled. "Cocky."

Joshua chuckled. "Confident."

She leaned forward, placing her hand over his. "Just… don't lose yourself in all of this."

For a moment, the tension faded. It was just the two of them.

But the war outside still raged on.