Woke up his wife

Chapter Five-

Enter Rita Wright

The emerald green gown Claudia sent hugged her body like it had been designed on her skin. Still, no amount of silk and highlighter could armor her against what awaited at the Adebayo family gala.

Tammy stood in front of the full-length mirror, face set. The transformation was external. Internally, she was still bracing. The high society crowd had sliced her with polite cruelty last time. Tonight, she needed backup.

Her phone buzzed.

Anjii: "Tell Claudia to chill. That dress is illegal. You look dangerous."

Rita: "I'll be there in 15. I got you, babe. Let them try anything."

Tammy smiled for the first time all day.

Rita had just returned from New York—a top-tier interior designer, fashion consultant, and card-carrying member of the elite Lagos set. She was rich, razor-tongued, and loyal to her two best friends: Anjii and Tammy.

The three of them had grown up inseparable despite wildly different worlds. Now, Tammy was the one tossed into the lion's den.

---

The Adebayo estate glittered under golden lights. Jeremy's hand rested on the small of Tammy's back, guiding her forward as if choreographed.

"Ready?" he asked.

She didn't answer.

Inside, everything gleamed. Crystal chandeliers, champagne towers, orchestras, diamonds, tailored tuxes. She took one step inside and already felt the shift in temperature—the subtle chill of disapproval.

Then came the whispers.

"She's still around?"

"I thought it was a PR stunt."

"Jeremy's always been... impulsive."

This time, she didn't walk alone.

Rita emerged from a circle of glossy socialites, strutting in a backless silver number, hair up, heels clicking like judgment.

"There you are, Mrs. CEO," she said with a wide grin, kissing Tammy on both cheeks. "You're late. You missed the appetizer round of gossip."

"Did I?"

"They were dragging you."

Tammy raised a brow. "Let them. I'm not here to snack with hyenas."

"That's my girl," Rita purred. "Let them choke on your glow."

Jeremy's brows lifted slightly, amused.

"And who is this charming defender?" he asked.

"Rita Wright," she said, holding out her hand, perfectly manicured. "Tammy's ride-or-die. Don't worry, I won't flirt with you… yet."

Jeremy blinked.

Tammy smirked. "She's always like this."

"I like her," Jeremy muttered.

---

Halfway through the evening, the first snide comment landed like a fly in soup.

"She's wearing last season's Jimmy Choos," one woman whispered behind her.

Tammy turned. "Would've gone barefoot if I knew I'd be walking through trash."

Rita burst into laughter. "You heard her, darling. Now run along before you get stepped on."

The woman flushed red and turned away.

Jeremy looked at Tammy with new eyes.

She didn't need rescuing.

She needed space to swing.

---

Jeremy's mother made her entrance with two senators, a bishop, and the governor's wife.

She found Tammy within five minutes.

"Mrs. Adebayo," she said coolly.

Tammy curtsied slightly. "Good evening, ma."

"You've adjusted to this life surprisingly well."

"I learn fast."

"Let's see if you remember your lessons when you're not wearing silk and heels."

Before Tammy could respond, Rita stepped in.

"Mummy Adebayo," she said with a sweet voice that didn't match her steel gaze, "what a blessing to see you. Tammy looks radiant tonight, doesn't she? You raised a son with wonderful taste."

The older woman's mouth twitched.

"You are?"

"Rita Wright. Family friend. Practically a daughter to the governor's wife."

Jeremy's mother nodded faintly and walked off.

Tammy's heart was racing.

Rita leaned in. "I got your back, babe. Always."

---

Hours later, the gala crowd had shifted to the terrace. Jazz music played. Photographers snapped discreetly.

Tammy stood beside Jeremy as he spoke with a few board members, including Mrs. Olabisi, the most influential woman in the entire network.

"So," Olabisi asked, turning to Tammy, "how are you adjusting, dear?"

"Still learning names and power structures," Tammy said politely.

"And the expectations?"

"They're clear."

"And what do you offer in return?"

The question wasn't even veiled.

Tammy met her gaze. "Brilliance. Loyalty. And a mind that doesn't wait for permission."

Olabisi arched a brow. "Ambitious."

Jeremy spoke then. "Tammy isn't ornamental. She's foundational."

Tammy looked at him, startled.

It was the first time he had defended her in public.

Olabisi nodded. "We'll see."

---

Back home, Tammy sat in the guest room with her laptop open and code blinking across her screen. Anjii was on video chat.

"Server update's done," Anjii said. "Beta version is stable. We got two new brands interested in trialing the API."

Tammy typed fast. "We'll need Rita's help with branding before we go public."

"I still can't believe you're doing this from your fake husband's penthouse."

"He's not fake. The marriage is."

"But your brain? Very real," Anjii grinned.

Tammy sat back, satisfied. Their startup—a backend security and data-sorting tool for luxury brands—was sleek, discreet, and functional.

Nobody suspected Tammy, the scandalous "CEO wife," was also the brain behind CyraCode, the silent storm rising under Lagos' tech scene.

"Once we land three more clients," Tammy said, "I'll let the world know who's boss."

Anjii laughed. "Then what?"

"Then," Tammy said, eyes darkening, "I won't be the woman who married a billionaire. I'll be the one they regret underestimating."

---

Meanwhile, Jeremy was on a call with Zion.

"We've narrowed it down. Tony's assistant had three suspicious meetings before that night."

"Did Kunle show up?"

"Yes. Once. Hotel parking lot. No CCTV, but we caught him on entry logs."

Jeremy clenched his jaw. "He's trying to cover his tracks."

"And what about your bride?" Zion asked.

Jeremy paused. "She's…surprising."

"Meaning?"

"She's smarter than I thought. Sharp. Strategic. Not interested in my money."

Zion chuckled. "So… you like her?"

Jeremy didn't answer.

Instead, he stared out the window.

Tammy was in his house, in his life, in his headlines.

But she wasn't his.

Not yet.

---

The next morning, Jeremy's mother called for a private brunch.

Tammy wore something simple—white blouse, black slacks, minimal makeup. She wasn't here to impress.

The chef served fruit, eggs, and soft moans of judgment.

"I see you survived the gala," his mother said.

"I did."

"You were tolerable."

"Thank you?"

Jeremy's mother set her fork down. "You're not what I expected. You're not from money, not from any notable family. You have no pedigree. And yet... you're still here."

Tammy said nothing.

"You've embarrassed this family enough. But if you intend to stay, I suggest you learn fast."

Tammy's eyes stayed steady. "I'm not here to impress you."

The woman blinked.

"I'm here to build a life. Whether you approve or not."

Jeremy's mother leaned back.

"I underestimated you."

Tammy stood. "A lot of people have."

---

Later that day, Tammy met Rita and Anjii at a quiet café in Ikoyi.

They were finally together—Rita glowing, Anjii loud as ever, and Tammy trying not to cry.

"You were amazing last night," Rita said, pouring prosecco.

"You stood like a queen," Anjii added. "And clapped back like a Lagos auntie."

"Let them watch," Rita said. "Because when CyraCode drops, they'll beg to understand you."

Tammy smiled for real.

"Let's give them a real show."

They raised their glasses.

To power.

To friendship.

To secrets.

To the war they were about to win.