Recap: Daniel and Manasi plan against Sanjana to get her into a scandal with Daniel.

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The next day, Daniel executed his plan. From an unknown number, he leaked the photos to all the members in the office through the official WhatsApp group. To ensure his safety, he had procured the SIM card in Manasi's name. As the messages spread, a ripple of gossip swept through the office.

Sanjana arrived at work, unaware of the storm brewing around her. As she walked through the corridors, she noticed the lingering stares and hushed whispers. Confused but determined to ignore them, she made her way to her cabin. Just as she settled in, her phone rang. She retrieved it from her bag and saw Pavi's name flashing on the screen.

"Hello, Pavi," she answered.

"Sanjana, where are you?" Pavi's voice was urgent.

"At the office... but something feels off. People are looking at me strangely."

"Sanjana," Pavi hesitated before continuing, "there's a photo of you and Daniel circulating among the office members."

"What?!" Sanjana's heart pounded.

"Check your phone," Pavi urged.

"Okay, bye." Sanjana ended the call with trembling fingers and opened her WhatsApp. Her breath hitched. There it was, a photo of her and Daniel. Taken at an angle that falsely portrayed them as kissing. The world around her blurred as tears filled her eyes. She felt sick, betrayed, humiliated.

Meanwhile, Aryan had also seen the image. Rage boiled within him as he stormed into the office. His fury was palpable. The moment he stepped into his cabin, he lashed out, knocking everything off his desk. The loud crash startled Sanjana, making her flinch.

"Ranjith!" Aryan's voice thundered through the walls. "What the hell is happening? I told you to keep an eye on him!"

Ranjith rushed in, visibly tense. "Sir, I'm already on it. Give me thirty minutes."

"You have twenty." Aryan's eyes were bloodshot, his fury unrelenting.

True to his word, Ranjith returned within twenty minutes, holding out his phone. "Sir, watch this recording."

Aryan took the phone and played the video. It showed Daniel stumbling and reaching for Sanjana's shoulder for support. The angle of the photo had completely misrepresented the moment.

"Who did this?" Aryan demanded, his grip tightening on the device.

"Manasi. The number used to circulate the photos is registered under her name."

A dark smirk formed on Aryan's lips. "Send this video to everyone. I want Daniel to record a confession as well. Now."

"Yes, sir." Ranjith turned to leave but paused when Aryan added, "Call Manasi before you do."

A few minutes later, Manasi arrived at Aryan's cabin, her heart racing. She took a moment to check her appearance before stepping in, convinced that her plan had worked, that Sanjana was finally out of Aryan's mind.

"Sir, you called me?" she asked, her voice dripping with anticipation.

Aryan leaned back in his chair, his face unreadable. "Yes."

Manasi took a step closer. "Tell me, sir."

"Are you in love, Manasi?" His tone was calm, almost casual.

Her heart fluttered. This is my chance. "Yes, sir." she said a meek voice.

"Interesting. Who's the lucky man?" Aryan asked playing her game.

A blush crept up her cheeks as she closed the distance between them. "Aryan... I love you. I've loved you for two years. Do you know how hard it was for me to gather the courage to tell you? I tried so many times to be near you, to express my love."

Aryan's phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen, Ranjith had sent a message: "Done."

He looked back at Manasi. "So you love me. What would you do for me?"

Manasi's eyes sparkled. "Anything, Aryan. Anything for you. I'd give my life for you."

Aryan's lips curled into a chilling smile. "Good. Then give your life."

Before she could react, he pulled a knife from his drawer and plunged it into her stomach.

A strangled scream escaped her lips, but it was futile, Aryan had already turned on the soundproof setting in his cabin. Blood gushed from the wound as she collapsed to her knees, gasping in shock and pain.

He crouched beside her, his voice low and menacing. "How dare you act against Sanjana? Touching or hurting her is equivalent to touching me. If you ever so much as think of going against her again, I won't hesitate to finish what I started."

Manasi's vision blurred. She whimpered, unable to form words.

Aryan stood, retrieving a wiper from his cabinet. As he methodically cleaned his hands, he spared her one last glance. "Never, even in your dreams, think of hurting her."

At the same time, Ranjith sent the original video along with Daniel's recorded confession to every office member. Within moments, the truth spread, clearing Sanjana's name. However, the damage was already done. She sat in her cabin, staring at the video, but the relief was overshadowed by a deep, lingering ache.

Tears streamed down her face as she struggled to process everything. " Someone wanted to ruin me"

Pavi rushed in and immediately wrapped her arms around her. "Sanju, don't cry. It's over now. The truth is out. Be strong, okay?"

Sanjana clung to her friend, sobbing into her shoulder, the weight of the betrayal crushing her.

Meanwhile, Ranjith hurried back to Aryan's cabin. The floor was still stained with blood. He swiftly called the cleaning staff to take care of the mess before carrying Manasi out. Without wasting time, he admitted her to Aryan's hospital for treatment.

Aryan stepped into Sanjana's cabin and found her in tears, her face buried in Pavi's shoulder. Pavi, noticing his presence, gently pulled away and gave Sanjana a reassuring pat before excusing herself. As the door clicked shut behind her, Aryan took a step closer.

"Sanjana." His voice was firm yet gentle.

She barely acknowledged him with a muffled hum, her eyes still cast downward.

"Are you so weak that you'd cry over this?" His tone sharpened slightly. "Look at me, Sanjana."

When she didn't respond, he reached out, tilting her chin up with his thumb and forefinger. Her tear-streaked face came into view, and he wiped away a stray tear with his thumb. Without a second thought he pulled her into a warm embrace, his hand gently caressing her hair.

"Keep your head high," he murmured. "You've done nothing wrong and no one will dare to speak ill of you. Trust me."

She responded with a slight nod, her body still trembling from the overwhelming emotions.

Aryan pulled away just enough to look into her eyes. Without hesitation, he pressed a firm kiss to her forehead. "No matter what happens, don't let yourself feel low. Remember, Aryan is always with you. Do you understand?"

Sanjana bobbed her head in acknowledgment.

"Good girl." He gave her a small, approving smile. "Now, wash your face and get back to normal. Let me handle the rest."

Another nod from her. Satisfied, Aryan kissed her forehead once more before walking out of her cabin, his expression hardening as he made his way to his own.

A few minutes later, the entire office buzzed with confusion as Aryan's voice echoed through the mass communication speakers fitted across every floor and cabin. It was a rare occasion for him to use this system, and everyone immediately fell silent.

"This is Aryan Chaitanya," his voice rang with authority. "It disgusts me to see such petty, disgraceful acts unfolding in my office. Now that the truth is clear, I want no further gossip about this matter. If anyone dares to speak about it, you are welcome to accompany me in my cabin for a discussion."

A heavy silence settled across the office. No one needed further clarification this was a warning, and only a fool would dare to cross Aryan after this.

Meanwhile, in her cabin, Sanjana remained oblivious to the announcement since her floor lacked the speaker system. But as lunchtime arrived, she made no move to leave her cabin, unwilling to face anyone.

Aryan had anticipated Sanjana's reaction. He knew she would want to avoid facing the world, to hide away in her cabin, retreating from the whispers and the stares. But that was not an option not when he was there to stand by her. Picking up his phone, he dialed her extension and waited for her to pick up.

"Sanjana, have you had your lunch?" His voice was firm, leaving no room for excuses.

She hesitated for a moment before answering, "No."

Aryan sighed. "Go eat."

"I'm not hungry."

His jaw clenched slightly. He had expected this. "Are you hiding from others? Do you want to prove them right by acting like you have something to be guilty about?" His tone softened, yet held an unmistakable edge. "Go and have your lunch. Be bold. You have me. Don't hesitate to face anyone."

Sanjana hummed in response, not quite agreeing but also not resisting. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to her feet and headed toward the cafeteria. The moment she stepped inside, she spotted Pavi waiting for her near their usual table.

Pavi's face lit up the moment she saw Sanjana. "Sanju! Do you even know what Aryan sir did for you?"

Sanjana frowned as she sat down. "What did he do?"

Pavi gaped at her. "You're seriously asking me that? He addressed the entire office using the mass communication speakers! I swear, the way he spoke, it was almost a threat. No one would dare whisper a word about that stupid photo anymore."

Sanjana blinked in surprise. "Really?"

Pavi placed a hand on her chest. "I swear on my favorite handbag."

A small smile threatened to form on Sanjana's lips. "He is... nice sometimes."

Pavi grinned. "Not just sometimes! Our boss is always nice."

Sanjana rolled her eyes playfully. "Fine. I agree your boss is good."

Pavi leaned in conspiratorially. "By the way, have you noticed? Manasi is nowhere to be seen today."

Sanjana's brow furrowed. "Yeah, I haven't seen her either."

Before Pavi could respond, a shadow loomed over their table. They both looked up to find Daniel standing there, looking nervous.

"Sanjana... I...I don't know who did this," he began, his voice almost pleading.

Sanjana didn't give him a chance to continue. She stood up and, without a second thought, slapped him across the face.

The sound of the slap echoed across the cafeteria, and suddenly, all eyes were on them.

"I told you to stay away from me," she hissed. "I am not as easy as you think, Daniel. Stay out of my way."

Daniel's face burned with humiliation as whispers filled the room. He gritted his teeth, anger flashing in his eyes, but he knew better than to retaliate. Without a word, he turned and stormed away.

Pavi let out an impressed whistle. "Wow. That was a solid slap."

"He deserved it," Sanjana muttered, settling back into her seat.

Pavi smirked. "Now, let's talk about what's going on between you and Aryan sir."

Sanjana groaned. "Nothing is happening."

Pavi gasped dramatically. "Oh, stop lying! Girls have been throwing themselves at Aryan sir for years, and he hasn't even looked at them. But today, he personally spoke up for you. There's definitely something going on."

Sanjana shook her head. "Pavi, shut up."

"Fine, fine. I'll shut up." Pavi paused, then grinned mischievously. "But tell me, not even once did your heart flutter for him? He's like a Greek god, Sanju."

Sanjana groaned again, covering her face with her hands. "God, Pavi, please shut your mouth. You're imagining things. I have work to do." She quickly grabbed her tray and stood up.

Pavi watched her with an amused smile. "Yeah, yeah... run all you want."

Sanjana walked briskly back to her cabin, shutting the door behind her. She sat down and exhaled, closing her eyes for a moment. But as soon as she did, an image flashed in her mind—Aryan holding her chin, wiping her tears, the warmth of his touch, the way he had kissed her forehead so gently yet so possessively.

A strange, unfamiliar smile formed on her lips.

Her eyes widened, and she quickly shook her head as if trying to rid herself of the thought.

"Why do girls follow him like crazy?" she muttered to herself.

Her mind betrayed her once again, replaying the way Aryan had stood up for her, protected her, and made sure she didn't crumble under pressure.

"Am I failing to notice that he's actually... good?"

She exhaled sharply, frustrated with herself.

"Ugh! Why do I feel so disturbed?"

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A/N:

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