The Untainted
Chapter 92 – The Weight of Reputation
Seifullah waited patiently as Mr. and Mrs. Adewale exchanged a silent glance.
Finally, Mrs. Adewale spoke.
"Young man, we can see your sincerity. Although we do not know you personally, there is something different about you."
She paused before continuing, her voice carrying both warmth and caution.
"But after everything our daughter has been through... it is difficult for us to trust so easily anymore."
She lowered her eyes briefly.
"You must have seen the news. We don't even know if Rayyan is ready for another marriage. Perhaps... she simply needs time."
Seifullah nodded respectfully.
"I understand, Ma."
Mr. Adewale leaned forward.
"Seifullah."
"Yes, sir."
"It takes courage to come into this house after what that boy did to our daughter's name."
His expression became solemn.
"It won't be easy to wash her reputation clean overnight. There will still be people who gossip. Some will continue believing the lies despite the truth being revealed."
He looked directly into Seifullah's eyes.
"Are you prepared for that?"
A gentle smile spread across Seifullah's face.
"I fell in love with Rayyan long before her name was cleared."
His answer came without the slightest hesitation.
"I don't fear people's gossip when Allah has already fought and won the battle for her."
The couple fell silent.
His words carried conviction rather than emotion.
"I know Rayyan is stronger than most people give her credit for," he continued. "But I don't want to take chances."
His faint smile spread further.
"What if someone else wins her heart before I gather enough courage to tell her mine?"
The atmosphere lightened for a brief moment.
"But more importantly..."
"I want her to know she is still worthy."
"Worthy of respect."
"Worthy of love."
"Worthy of happiness."
"And to me..."
"There is no woman better suited to become my wife and the mother of my future children."
His sincerity, admiration and love for her was clear.
"Please, sir... Ma..."
"I am not asking you to persuade her."
"Don't pressure her."
"Don't even mention this conversation if you believe the time isn't right."
"I only came because I wanted you to know my intentions are honourable."
He smiled gently at the two.
"Whether she accepts me or not..."
"That decision belongs entirely to her."
"I will simply do my best to let her see my heart while patiently waiting for hers to decide."
Silence settled once again.
Mrs. Adewale quietly placed her phone face down on the table.
Unknown to both men, she had recorded almost the entire conversation.
Not because she doubted Seifullah...
But because she had learned a painful lesson.
Never again would she judge a man solely by appearances.
Never again would she choose a husband for her daughter.
This time...
Rayyan would choose for herself.
Mr. Adewale who remained completely unaware that his wife had recorded everything exchanged another glance with his wife.
They were pleased with Seifullah.
His humility.
His composure.
His sincerity.
Yet experience had taught them that gentle words alone were never enough.
Bilal had once spoken just as beautifully.
Before taking another step, they would quietly investigate Seifullah's background.
If he truly was the man he appeared to be...
Then perhaps Allah had finally sent someone worthy of their daughter.
Back on campus...
The university had become unusually lively.
Students gathered in corridors, cafeterias, lecture halls and hostels, discussing only one topic.
"The Dark Angels."
"They've finally been arrested."
Names were mentioned.
The ladies who were sent away by the school
Bola. Tolani. Rolake. Becky. Shalewa and two others.
"I heard everything they've done over the years was exposed."
"I can't believe people like that existed right under our noses."
"They were sent away from school but still they didn't change, what a shame."
Rumours spread faster than facts.
Each person added something new.
Some exaggerated.
Some fabricated stories.
Others claimed to know what had truly happened.
But one question remained unanswered.
"Who exactly did they offend?"
That particular detail remained tightly guarded.
Only a handful of people—those closest to Rihannat—knew the full truth.
However, influential families were not easily kept in the dark.
With enough connections and resources, pieces of the puzzle slowly came together.
The information spread quietly among the elite.
"The adopted daughter of the Mustopha family..."
"...is actually the biological daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Collins."
"The little girl who disappeared years ago..."
"...has finally been found."
Shock rippled through high society.
"What?"
"You're joking!"
"That quiet girl?"
"I knew there was something different about her."
"The way she carries herself..."
"So graceful."
"So intelligent."
"So disciplined."
"She never relied on beauty."
"She relied on her brains."
"And look at how well her adoptive family raised her."
"No wonder everyone likes her."
"I heard the Collins family has enormous influence both in Nigeria and overseas."
"They're old money."
"They have military, political and business connections."
"Some even say they have royal blood from Europe."
Whether every rumour was true or not hardly mattered anymore.
One thing was certain.
Rihannat had become the most talked-about young woman in the country.
Soon, conversations began inside wealthy households.
"My children must become friends with her."
"And I don't mean fake friendships."
"I want genuine connections."
"People like that don't come around often."
"They're in the same university already."
"Good."
"Tell them to get close to her."
Elsewhere...
A businessman folded the newspaper and looked at his wife.
"Our son should marry that girl."
"She's beautiful."
"Intelligent."
"Well-mannered."
"She's not a liability."
"She's an asset."
Calls were made.
Instructions were given.
Parents advised their children.
Some even considered transferring their sons and daughters to Rihannat's university—or at least one nearby—in hopes of creating an opportunity.
It was exactly what Rihannat had feared.
People suddenly wanted her attention.
Her friendship.
Her favour.
But she remained unchanged.
She neither encouraged nor rejected anyone.
She treated everyone with the same calm courtesy she always had.
No special treatment.
No unnecessary closeness.
No arrogance.
No false smiles.
She simply remained... Rihannat.
The only difference was the growing number of suitors.
That alone was enough to give her a headache.
Basit wasn't faring any better.
Although he trusted Rihannat completely and knew she wasn't someone who could be swayed by wealth or sweet words...
He still couldn't help feeling possessive.
After all...
Who would comfortably watch countless men pursuing the woman they loved?
Especially now that Rihannat had finally begun opening her heart to him after clearing up their recent misunderstandings.
Even her friends weren't spared.
Rayyan.
Balkis.
Faridat.
Students suddenly wanted to befriend them, hoping they could gain access to Rihannat.
The girls quickly realized what was happening.
None of them entertained the opportunists.
Instead, they focused on something far more important.
Examinations.
With the first semester examinations drawing near, the study group became more determined than ever.
Their friendly competition remained alive.
Basit.
Rihannat.
Rayyan.
Ridwan.
Faridat.
Balkis.
They spent hours solving questions, revising notes and challenging one another.
Ridwan and Faridat quietly buried the awkward emotions lingering between them.
For now, their books came first.
Deep down, both of them knew the issue between them would eventually have to be addressed.
But not before examinations.
Not now.
As for Rihannat...
Despite discovering the immense wealth and influence surrounding her biological family, nothing about her ambitions had changed.
She had no intention of hiding behind the Collins name.
She refused to build her future on inherited prestige.
Instead...
She intended to build a legacy of her own.
Now, with access to opportunities she had never dreamed of before, she would prove that her greatest strength had never been her family's influence.
It was her mind.
Her determination.
And her unwavering trust in Allah.
As the examination season approached, one question echoed throughout the university after seeing the hardworking group who has it all but still remain diligent in their studies.
Who would claim the top position this semester?
Would Basit defend his place at the summit?
Or would Rihannat finally surpass him?
And who would follow behind them?
Rayyan?
Faridat?
Balkis?
Ridwan?
Only the results would reveal the answer.remain
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