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"What do you think, Amira?" I asked, finally voicing the question that had been swirling in my mind for hours. "Why did Caleb betray us?" Amira's hands paused mid-motion, and she turned to face me, her expression thoughtful.

"I've been wondering the same thing, ma'am," she replied, her brow furrowed in concern. "He was always so loyal, so dedicated to our cause... but maybe that was all just a ruse." Her voice trailed off, and she hesitated before continuing. "Maybe he was bought off, or perhaps he was never truly on our side. Maybe he was just a spy, playing us all along."

Her words sent a shiver down my spine, and I felt a wave of uncertainty wash over me. Amira's eyes locked onto mine, and I sensed that she had more to say.

"Ma'am, if... if you don't mind, may I share something with you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She glanced around the room cautiously, ensuring we were alone, before continuing. "It's just a guess, nothing concrete... but I think it might be relevant."

My curiosity was piqued, and I leaned forward, my eyes fixed intently on Amira. "What is it?" I urged, my voice low and encouraging. Amira took a deep breath, her eyes never leaving mine, and sat down in the guest chair opposite me.

"After Ava mam's accident, Vidharth sir came here and met with Atulya mam." She paused, her face turning serious. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I needed to get a document from the manufacturing department signed, and as you instructed, I went there for that. That's when I accidentally overheard their conversation... Atulya mam told Vidharth sir, 'She deserves it.'"

Her words made me frown, but I dismissed the idea that she was talking about Ava di. "Did you hear anything else?" I asked, pushing for more details.

"No, before I could hear more, Atulya mam's secretary returned, and I left before anyone could catch me."

"Maybe she was talking about someone else," I said, dismissing her words. Amira walked out of my cabin. Despite dismissing her words, I felt unsettled. My mind wandered back to morning when I had found Vidharth talking with Atulya di.

As I sat there, my mind wandered back to the earlier conversation between Vidharth and Atulya di. I hadn't been able to hear what they were discussing, but I sensed that something was amiss. Even when we were leaving the function, Vidharth couldn't take his eyes off her. I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't notice my phone buzzing until it persisted.

I pulled myself out of my reverie and checked the caller ID. The number was unknown. I hesitated for a moment, wondering who it could be. My finger accidentally pressed the answer button, and a harsh, all-too-familiar voice pierced through the line.

"Ah, you finally answered," the voice sneered. "I thought you were too scared to ever pick up my calls again." A wave of revulsion washed over me as I listened to that disgusting voice, making my stomach turn.

"What do you want?" I questioned, straining to maintain a neutral tone despite the seething rage that threatened to consume me.

The man's chuckle was like a rusty gate scraping against concrete. "What I want? Hmm... let me think... Didn't you know already?" He paused, savoring the moment. "I want you, Riva. I need you."

My anger boiled over, and I thundered, "That's enough! Who do you think you are? Do you have any shame left, or have you devoured it all? How dare you... Wasn't the beating you got last time enough?"

My body trembled with rage, and I dug my nails into my palm to restrain myself from unleashing my fury.

The man's voice dripped with condescension. "Oh, Riva... You're still as impulsive as ever. Can't you understand the gravity of the situation? Your boss might be helping you now, but she won't be able to protect you for much longer. Time is running out, and the only person who can help you is me."

His words, laced with arrogance and self-importance, made my blood boil. I gritted my teeth, fighting the urge to storm to his house and make him pay for his audacity.

"You don't need to worry about what I'll do! I can handle my problems myself. And for your information, I'm not running to you; you're the one constantly bothering me about things I can resolve instantly. So, back off!" I slammed my finger onto the screen, ending the call, and tossed the phone aside.

His words still lingered, though. "He's right," I admitted to myself. "Time is running out, and I need to find a way out of this situation... or else..." I caught myself, refusing to let negative thoughts take hold. "No, don't think like that. Everything will work out. Just stay positive."

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I smiled at the helper who assisted me with my saree. "Thanks!" I said.

"It's my job!" she replied, closing the door behind her as she left.

I turned to the mirror, admiring my reflection. The pink organza saree hugged my body perfectly, showcasing its beautiful gradient effect in shades of pink, from light to dark. The decorative silver border added a touch of sparkle and sophistication. I paired the saree with a matching cropped blouse, featuring sheer puffed sleeves cinched at the wrist, creating a voluminous and stylish look. Oxidized jewelry, braided hair, and sleek silver heels completed my ensemble.

Just then, Vritika giggled from behind me. "You look amazing!" she exclaimed.

I turned around to see her dressed in a stunning black saree. "You too!" I complimented.

Vritika smiled, linking her arm with mine. "Thanks! Let's go! It's almost time." We made our way to the hotel area, where the reception was being held.

As you might have guessed, I'm here because I was struggling to drape my saree, and that's when Ava di called, inviting me to get ready at Randhawa Palace.

We arrived at the lounge, and Vritika dragged me to the table where Janav, Ariv, Vidharth, and Jarek were already seated.

"You took this long to look like that?" Ariv teased, pointing at Vritika and scrunching up his face. Vritika's face fell, and she shot him a death stare. Jarek burst out laughing.

"I couldn't agree more!" he chuckled.

"Ariv, bhai!" Vritika stomped her foot.

Janav intervened, "Enough, Ariv. No need to tease her."

Ariv retorted, "Okay, but I wasn't alone. You can stop me, but what about him?" He pointed at Jarek.

I decided to take a seat, letting them continue their banter. Jarek just smirked and said, "I'd say it again!"

Vritika's face turned red, and she quickly dialed a number. "Bhabhi! Jarek is making fun of me!" she exclaimed, clutching her phone to her ear.

Jarek mumbled a hasty apology, trying to grab Vritika's phone, and the table erupted in laughter.

Vritika flipped her hair and took a seat next to Ariv, a triumphant smile still plastered on her face. "You were saying something?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Jarek slumped back in his chair, muttering under his breath, "This isn't going to work every time."

Vritika's smile grew wider. "It works every time," she replied, her voice dripping with confidence.

I turned my attention to my other side, only to meet Vidharth's gaze. His eyes were fixed intently on me, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

Just then, Atulya Di's voice cut through the chatter. "Riva!" she called out, standing a few feet away, resplendent in a light blue saree.

I had never seen Atulya Di nervous before, but today she was. I could sense her unease from the way her eyes darted around the crowd and the tight grip she had on her purse. I glanced back and noticed Vidharth was watching her not me, his expression unreadable.

She approached our table and took a seat, her movements stiff. Thankfully, the table was large enough to accommodate our entire group.

I leaned in close, whispering in her ear, "Are you okay?"

Her body trembled slightly, and I could sense her tension. "Yeah, I'm fine," she assured me, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just my anxiety. You know I'm not good with crowds."

Just then, Ava di entered with Adwait jiju, and the room swarmed around them. I was about to get up to greet them, but a hand grasped my wrist, holding me back.

"Let's wait, they'll come here themselves," Vidharth said, his voice low.

Vritika nodded in agreement. "Yeah, let's wait. They're already surrounded by more people than necessary."

I settled back into my seat, watching as Ava di and Adwait jiju made their way through the crowd, greeting everyone they met.

My gaze was drawn to a man in his seventies, his deliberate strides carrying him towards the couple. His long, silver-streaked hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail, with a few stray grey strands escaping to frame his weathered face. A faint, jagged scar above his cheekbone caught my attention, as did his piercing grey eyes, which seemed to bore into the souls of the couple before him. A small, enigmatic smile played on his lips, sending a shiver down my spine.

He grasped a worn, ornate cane in his hand, its rounded head glinting in the light. Every step he took was accompanied by the soft thud of his shoes and the gentle thwack of the cane, a rhythmic announcement of his approach. As he moved forward, the crowd parted instinctively, people yielding to his quiet authority. His presence was imposing, commanding respect without demanding it – and I wasn't the only one who felt a sense of intimidation as he approached.

"Who is he?" I whispered, turning to the others.

Everyone's gaze shifted to me, curious. "Who?" Ariv asked, and I nodded discreetly toward the man.

Ariv, Janav, Vidharth, and Vritika exchanged puzzled glances. Atulya Di's eyes narrowed, her lips pursed in concern. But Jarek's expression transformed, a look of realization crossing his face.

"He's Nicolas's grandfather," Jarek said, his voice low. "My grandfather's brother, Ivano York."

I nodded, intrigued.

Jarek's expression turned serious. "Be careful when you talk to him. He's particular about respect. One misstep, and no one can save you."

With that warning, Jarek downed his drink and rose from his seat, his eyes locked on Ivano York.

I watched him go, puzzled by his words. What did he mean? Why was Ivano York so formidable?

Atulya Di's eyebrows shot up, her eyes sparkling with a mix of surprise and curiosity. "Did the name Ivano not ring any bells in your head?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of amusement.

I paused, my mind racing as I tried to recall any information associated with the name. But my memory drew a blank. I shook my head, admitting defeat.

Atulya Di's expression turned serious, and she leaned in, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "Did you not hear about the downfall of the Koch family from Germany?"

Her words had an immediate effect on me. I knew the Koch family; they were a powerhouse of influence and wealth. But then, without warning, they vanished from the public eye, leaving behind only whispers and speculation.

Atulya Di's eyes locked onto Ivano York, her gaze piercing. "It was his doing," she stated, her voice firm.

A shiver ran down my spine as memories came flooding back. "Oh, so it's that Ivano! I heard rumors he's a ruthless man, that he single-handedly dismantled the entire Koch family."

Vritika's voice cut through my thoughts."Wow, everyone in bhabhi's family is dangerous!"

I glanced around, having almost forgotten that the others were there, too, watching the exchange with interest.

"They're all quite dangerous," Atulya Di said, taking a sip from her drink. "Don't think for a moment that Jarek, Ava, or any of their cousins are innocent. It's only because Ava is here that he didn't react when you made fun of him. Otherwise, I've seen people lose their heads for such a small mistake."

Vritika remained silent, her gaze fixed on Ava Di and the others. Ivano York had already departed, and Jarek was still conversing with Ava and Nicolas, their conversation inaudible to us.

"Even without Ava, we're strong enough to protect our own families," Vidharth chimed in.

"And she's the reason we're connected to them in the first place," he added with a hint of mockery.

Janav suddenly intervened, his voice firm. "Enough, guys! We don't need to discuss who's stronger or who can protect us. We're Randhawas, and we don't fear anyone. Nor do we care why we're connected to them." Janav's gaze locked onto Vidharth as he emphasized the last point.

The conversation ceased after Janav's words, and an uncomfortable silence fell over the table. After a while, we dispersed, and I decided to take a stroll in the garden after dinner.

The garden was breathtakingly beautiful, with fairy lights twinkling on the shrubs, arranged in a deliberate pattern. A serene fountain stood in the center, its tiny water droplets bouncing everywhere, yet contained within the fountain's radius, unable to escape.

As I stood there, lost in thought, I heard a familiar voice behind me. "Riva!"

My heart skipped a beat as I turned to find Arjun standing before me. My blood ran cold, and I froze, my mind racing with questions.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral, despite the fear creeping up my spine. I refused to let him see my vulnerability. That was a luxury he didn't deserve.

"I was invited," Arjun said, his smirk twisting his face. "You know how influential our family is, don't you?" He drew out the last words, his tone dripping with condescension.

I felt a surge of anger, my fists clenching. Can I break his teeth? Yes, but I'd need some backup; my martial arts skills weren't quite up to par.

Instead, I opted for a verbal jab. "Great, so go inside and enjoy. Who knows if you'll ever see a party like this again?" My tone was smug, and I knew exactly which buttons to press.

Arjun's jaw clenched, his nails digging into his palms. I saw the anger rising in him, his eyes flashing.

"Is that so?" he said, his voice low and menacing, as he took slow steps towards me.

I stood my ground, my heart pounding. "Is there any doubt about my words? Your father is just a small employee; how could his son afford to attend parties like this?" I sneered, my words deliberately hurtful.

I tried to leave, but Arjun grabbed both my hands, his nails digging deep into my skin. I struggled to break free, but he was too strong.

"Leave me!" I demanded, trying to pry his fingers off.

But he only pulled me closer, his breath reeking of alcohol. "Why are you being shy, baby? Soon you'll be mine, and then I'll show you who's the real boss here."

His voice was disgusting, dripping with entitlement. "Why wait? We can do the deed now. After all, you're going to be mine soon."

I glared at him, my eyes blazing with anger. "Are you an idiot? This place is filled with my people. One word from me, and you'll be thrown out."

Arjun's eyes, clouded with lust, seemed to gleam with excitement, but I stood my ground, refusing to back down.

"It's quite noisy here, no one would notice," Arjun slurred, his courage bolstered by the alcohol. He placed a sloppy kiss on the crook of my neck, and suddenly, my mind went blank.

I felt like I was suffocating, my heart racing wildly. My palms grew sweaty, and my body began to tremble. My vision blurred, and a searing pain shot through my head. Memories I'd long suppressed came flooding back, and I felt like I was reliving that horrific night.

No, no, no! This can't be happening! I grasped desperately for my scattered senses and screamed at the top of my lungs, "Fuck! Leave me!"

I tried to kick Arjun in the gut, but he caught my leg. "Don't try to outsmart me, understand?" he growled, his voice low and menacing. He grabbed me by the waist, threw me over his shoulder, and started to walk away.

Just as suddenly, a voice shouted from behind, "Leave her!" I came back to my senses, kicked Arjun's stomach with all my might, and sent him crashing to the floor. I landed hard beside him.

As I turned, Vidharth suddenly appeared before me, his eyes scanning my face with concern. He swiftly closed the distance between us, his hands reaching out to gently grasp my arms. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.

But before I could respond, a dark haze began to creep in, shrouding my vision. The world around me started to blur and fade, and I felt my knees buckle. The last thing I remembered was Vidharth's worried face, his eyes wide with alarm, before everything went black.

Author's Scribbling Point

Main jawab dene k mood main hun sawal puch lo!!