Chapter 168: Lucas’s dilemma

He ended the call without another word.

Sliding his phone back into his pocket, he walked out.

The restroom door swung open

And Lucas bumped straight into Zenith.

“Whoa,” Zenith caught him by the shoulders to steady him. “Luc, are you okay?”

Lucas didn’t answer. For a split second, his face crumpled, like something inside him was about to break. But just as quickly, he pulled himself together, shrugging Zenith’s hands off.

“I’m fine,” he muttered but he wasn’t. He brushed past Zenith and went straight to the sink. He gripped the edge tightly as he stared at his reflection. His chest rose and fell unevenly. His eyes burned, but he blinked fast, forcing the tears back.

Then turn on the tap. Water rushed out and that was a good distraction.

Zenith watched him for a moment, then slowly walked closer, leaning against the wall beside him.

“Oh, Luc…” he said softly, almost sympathetic. “Why is Alex frustrating your life like this?”

Lucas clenched his jaw, splashing water onto his face.

“Why not just forget about him?” Zenith continued, voice smooth, and persuasive. “Move on with your life.”

Lucas let out a shaky breath, shaking his head. “I don’t get him,” he said, his voice tight with frustration. “What does he gain from making me miserable?”

He turned slightly, anger flashing through his eyes. “I told him I’m not taking that position. I refused. And now he’s threatening me with his lawyer.” He scoffed bitterly. “I never applied for a secretary job, so what does a lawyer have to do with it?”

Zenith stilled. “Did you say, a lawyer?”

Lucas frowned slightly, confused by the shift in Zenith’s tone. “Yeah. Why?”

Zenith straightened, his expression sharpening. “Lucas, did you sign a contract before you resumed work here?”

Lucas hesitated. “Yes, but…”

“Did you read it?” Zenith cut in quickly.

Lucas looked away. “No. I thought it was just normal job procedure.”

For a second, Zenith said nothing. Then, “Damn it, Luc,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair as if frustrated for him.

Lucas’s brows furrowed. “What?”

Zenith turned to face him fully now, his voice dropping. “That’s it,” he said. “That’s the trap.”

Lucas blinked. “What are you talking about?”

“That contract,” Zenith continued, his tone serious, deliberate. “You think it was just a standard employment form? No. That’s exactly what he wants you to believe.”

Lucas’s grip on the sink tightened slightly.

“He’s going to use it against you,” Zenith went on. “To keep you here. To keep you around him.”

Lucas’s eyes widened, disbelief creeping in. “No… Alex wouldn’t…”

“Wouldn’t?” Zenith cut in sharply. “He just changed your position without your consent and threatened you with a lawyer, Lucas. What does that tell you?”

A heavy, unsettling silence stretched between them.

Zenith leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. “There’s no easy way out of this,” he said. “Not until he gets exactly what he wants.”

Lucas stared at him, the anger in his chest slowly mixing with something colder…Fear.

“You’re saying I’m stuck here?” he asked quietly.

Zenith held his gaze.

“I’m saying,” he replied, “you walked into something much bigger than you realized.”

The words sank in deeper, and for the first time since he stormed out of Alex’s office, Lucas didn’t look angry. He looked shaken.

Lucas’s hands tightened into fists at his sides, his chest rising sharply as something inside him finally snapped.

“What the heck does he even want from me?!” he burst out, his voice echoing slightly against the tiled walls.

Zenith didn’t hesitate to use the opportunity and add more fuel to the fire.

“What else Luc, he wants you under his control.”

The words landed hard and Lucas let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “I hate being controlled. I’m not some puppet, and I will never be.”

Zenith’s lips curved faintly, almost approving. “That’s the spirit, Luc.”

He stepped closer, lowering his voice like he was letting him in on something dangerous.

“It won’t be easy to break free from him,” he continued. “But you can start by frustrating him.”

Lucas frowned but was still tense. “What do you mean?”

Zenith shrugged lightly. “Simple. Stop playing by his rules.”

Lucas’s brows knitted together in interest.

“If he says stand up, you sit,” Zenith said, counting it off casually.    “If he asks for apple juice, you bring orange juice.”

Despite everything, Lucas blinked.

“Drive him crazy,” Zenith added, his tone almost amused now. “Push him until he gets tired of you. If you become too much of a problem…” he smirked slightly, “he might cancel the contract himself.”

Lucas stared at him, considering it. “And if it backfires?” he asked quietly.

Zenith’s smile didn’t fade, but his eyes sharpened. “Then you deal with the consequences.”

That didn’t sound reassuring.

Lucas exhaled slowly, running a hand through his damp hair. “This is insane.”

Before Zenith could respond,

Lucas’s phone rang. Both of them glanced at it.

Unknown number.

Lucas hesitated, but then answered. “Hello?”

The voice on the other end was calm and professional.

“Good afternoon. Am I speaking with Mr. Lucas?”

“Yes… who is this?”

“I’m calling on behalf of Mr. Alex Benson's legal team.”

Lucas stiffened instantly.

Zenith’s eyes flickered with interest.

“You are currently in breach of the employment contract you signed,” the voice continued smoothly. “Failure to resume your assigned position activates Clause 7B.”

Lucas’s grip on the phone tightened. “What clause?”

“A penalty clause,” the lawyer replied. “You are required to pay five million naira weekly for non-compliance until you resume your duties as assigned.”

A heavy, crushing silence fell between them before Lucas found his voice.

“What?” Lucas breathed.

“I trust the terms were clearly stated in the contract you signed,” the lawyer continued. “We advise you to comply promptly to avoid further legal escalation.”

The call ended.

Lucas slowly lowered the phone, his face pale, his mind struggling to catch up.

“Five… million?” he whispered.

Zenith watched him closely witnessing the shock and the fear.

Exactly what he expected.

Lucas let out a hollow laugh, shaking his head in disbelief. “He planned this, all along?”

His voice cracked slightly. “He actually planned this.”

Zenith leaned in slightly, his tone softer now, but no less calculated.

“I told you,” he said quietly. “You walked into his trap.”

Lucas looked up, anger and panic clashing in his eyes. For the first time since he stepped foot into Benson’s, he started to doubt if Alex was pretending all the while with him.

This wasn’t just about pride anymore. It wasn't about his anger concerning last night's saga. It was something deeper that he couldn't understand yet. I felt like a battle he needed to win.

Lucas chuckled bitterly. “Alex, I guess, I have no choice.”

Zenith nodded, “Yes, just be strong until you defeat him.”

“Yeah, let's see where this will lead us, Alex.” He muttered, staring hard into space.

Then headed out of the restroom, his heart thudding loudly as he headed back to Alex's office.

Without knocking he pushed the door open and stepped in.

“What stupid game are you playing with me, Alex?”