After my husband threw me out of the house after our divorce, I took the old bank card my father had left behind and used it at a branch in the U.S., sending the whole bank lobby into a stir as the staff hurriedly called the manager over, and the words “Look at the name on this account!” revealed a family secret I had never known.

The invitation arrived. Okafor Legacy Holdings LLC was interested in hearing the proposal from Quacy’s company. The meeting would be held at the CEO’s residence in the Cascade mansion.

“Look, Aniya, they invited me. Surely they’ve heard of my reputation,” he bragged.

That morning, he put on his most expensive suit. He rehearsed his presentation in front of the mirror. He was determined to dazzle this mysterious investor.

He arrived at the mansion. The high wrought-iron gate opened slowly. He walked into a majestic but cool foyer. The walls were marble, the furniture antique and heavy.

An assistant with a formal look received him.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Quacy. Please wait in the meeting room. Our CEO will join you shortly.”

Quacy was led to a grand library transformed into a meeting room. On one side was a very long mahogany table. On the other, tall windows overlooked a manicured garden. At the end of the table sat a man looking at his laptop—Seek.