While Dayo was preparing for the Olympic Trials, someone else was having sleepless nights because of him.

Michael.

It had been a long, draining month for him. Every headline, every clip, every trending topic was centered around one name — Dayo. The same Dayo he thought would fade away forever four years ago. Now the boy was everywhere, making a comeback so loud that Michael couldn't escape it even if he tried.

He had been pretending to ignore it, but the moment the news broke that Dayo had qualified for the Olympic Trials, something snapped inside him. And that was when the phone call he feared finally came in.

His phone vibrated.

He looked at the caller ID…

His stomach tightened instantly.

He picked up.

"Michael," the cold, stern female voice said, "what am I seeing online about this Dayo?"

Michael swallowed. "Ma… honestly, I'm as surprised as you. I—"

"You WHAT?" she cut in immediately. "You don't know how to fix this because he's in a different field?"

Her tone froze his spine.

"Michael, did I make a mistake placing you where you are… giving you a second chance after the disaster you caused last time?"

Michael's voice trembled. "No, ma. Not at all, I—"

"Good," she said sharply. "Find a way to drain him. I don't care how. He has stepped into something he shouldn't have. If his comeback succeeds, say goodbye to your position."

The call ended.

Michael didn't even hear a goodbye.

His hand tightened around the phone until—

CRASH!

He smashed it on the ground.

"FUUUUUUCK!!!"

The scream ripped from his chest like fire.

People on the entire floor probably heard it.

Employees froze in confusion. Michael — the calm, polished boss they had known for years — had never yelled like that.

He stood in the middle of his office, breathing so hard his shoulders shook.

His eyes were bloodshot, his dark skin turning red from rage.

Fifteen years in the industry.

Fifteen years building a reputation.

Fifteen years establishing power.

And all of this pressure… all of this fear… all of this anger…

Was because of one person.

Dayo.

"I swear," Michael hissed under his breath, "I could kill you, Dayo."

He tried to calm himself down, but every time he remembered the threat he received — the warning that he could lose everything — the fire returned.

CRASH!

He threw a mug at the wall.

Coffee splattered everywhere.

"CLARA!" he shouted.

He didn't need to call twice.

Clara had already been standing outside, terrified after hearing the outburst.

She stepped in slowly.

Her eyes scanned the broken mug, the shattered phone, the scattered documents — but she said nothing.

"I'm here, sir…" she whispered, bowing slightly.

"What I asked for," Michael said, his voice cold and sharp. "Were you able to find ANY lead?"

Clara trembled a little and unconsciously stepped back.

"Sir… I'm still new to this kind of investigation. I—I tried, but…"

"You would WHAT?" he snapped. "Find a solution?"

Her fingers dug into her palm. She kept her eyes down.

"I'm sorry, sir."

"All I hear from you is excuses," Michael growled. "Hire people. Use contractors. Use investigators. I QUADRUPLED the budget. Go deeper. I don't care how you do it."

"Yes, sir…"

"You're dismissed."

Clara stumbled backward, nearly tripping, before she finally reached the door and left. Sweat covered her forehead as she walked away.

She couldn't understand what Dayo had done to trigger this level of rage.

Whatever it was…

it felt like something big was coming.

---

Inside the office, Michael finally calmed down enough to sit.

He looked at the city through the glass wall.

His jaw tightened.

"Dayo…" he muttered. "You've made things uncomfortable for me. Twice. I almost lost my position because of you. Twice."

His eyes darkened.

"No… not again. This time, I'll ruin you before you can destroy me."

A heavy silence settled in the office after her exit.

Michael finally walked to his desk, breathing slower now.

Then he picked up another phone — his private line — and dialed a number he hadn't used in years.

The person on the other end answered after three rings.

"…I told you I don't like rushed jobs."

"I'll triple your premium price," Michael said immediately.

A long pause followed.

Then a calm male voice replied:

"What's the job?"

Michael exhaled.

"Same as four years ago. But this time… I need evidence for everything Dayo has done, everything he's doing, and every move he might make. Dig into him. Completely. I want everything."

"Hmm. Alright," the voice finally said. "Await my response."

The call ended.

Michael leaned back in his chair, his expression a deep, cold frown.

"You almost cost me my career once…" he whispered.

"And now you're doing it again."

He slammed his fist on the desk.

"Not this time, Dayo. Not this time."

After a while his office was cleaned and his mind finally cool.

He stood up and pressed a button on the desk.

"Call Clara," he said into the office intercom.

A few minutes later, she re-entered the room, still nervous.

"Sir… you asked for me?"

Michael folded his arms.

"Go to PR."

"PR, sir?"

"Yes," he said firmly. "Tell them we're going full force on Dayo."

Clara blinked nervously. "Full… force how?"

"Every angle," Michael said. "Rumors. Stories. Pressure. I want every media outlet questioning him."

Clara's fear grew.

"Sir… what angle are we pushing?"

Michael stepped closer.

"Start with this:

Make the world believe Dayo is using drugs."

Clara's eyes widened. "Sir… that's serious—"

"EXACTLY. Serious is good."

"But sir, without proof—"

"Create some!" Michael snapped.

"Fabricate what you need to fabricate. Fake documents. Fake leaks. Anonymous 'witnesses'. Informants. Screenshots. Whatever."

Clara's heartbeat raced.

"I want the public talking," Michael continued.

"I want the news questioning him.

I want social media fighting.

I want every forum, every rumor page, every sports group DOUBTING him."

Clara swallowed hard.

"Yes, sir… I'll begin immediately."

"Good. Leave."

Clara rushed out, almost tripping over her own feet.

Michael turned back toward the window, looking down at the glowing city.

A slow, cruel smile crept onto his face.

"Let's see how you survive this storm, Dayo…"

His voice dropped to a whisper.

"This time, I'll ruin you before you ruin me."

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.