Riya sat in her office, her mind racing. The meeting with her investigation team had concluded, but the weight of the Sterling Group crisis still loomed over her. Every instinct screamed at her to act, to fix this as quickly as possible, but she knew better than to rush. This wasn't just a minor issue—it was sabotage. The last thing she needed was to make a hasty decision that could cost her everything.
Her phone buzzed again. A message from Dev, checking in about her work.
She stared at the screen, her thumb hovering over the keys. For a brief moment, she considered it. Reaching out to Dev could give her access to the information she needed. His company was tied to Sterling Group in subtle ways, and he might have connections or resources that could help her uncover the truth.
But the thought of involving him, of relying on someone she barely knew, gnawed at her. She wasn't about to start her relationship with Dev by making it transactional, especially when it came to her professional life.
No. She wasn't going to ask for Dev's help. This was her mess, and she was going to clean it up.
Riya took a deep breath, pushing away the impulse to reply to Dev. She needed to stay calm and think clearly. After all, she had other resources—ones that Dev didn't need to know about. Riya had built a vast network of professional contacts, but within that network, there were connections she had cultivated outside the limelight. People who operated in the gray areas of business. People like Kai.
Kai was a fixer—a man who specialized in solving problems quietly, efficiently, and without leaving a trace. He had helped her once before when her company faced a minor scandal involving insider trading accusations. Back then, he had dug through mountains of digital dirt and found the culprit in record time, saving her reputation.
Pulling out her phone, Riya quickly dialed Kai's number.
It rang twice before he picked up, his deep, calm voice greeting her with a hint of amusement. "Riya Mehta. It's been a while."
"Kai," Riya said, leaning back in her chair, trying to keep her voice steady. "I need your help again."
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line, and then a low chuckle. "I figured as much. What's the situation?"
Riya quickly filled him in on the Sterling Group breach, the internal sabotage, and her need to investigate quietly. As she spoke, she could feel the tension in her body easing slightly. Kai wasn't just efficient—he was discreet. No one would know she had contacted him.
"I'll handle it," Kai said once she had finished explaining. "I'll dig into Sterling's financials, but I'll also look into your team. If there's a mole, I'll find them."
"Thank you," Riya said, her relief palpable. "I trust you'll be careful."
"You know I will," Kai replied smoothly. "I'll be in touch soon."
She hung up, feeling a sense of reassurance. With Kai on the case, she could focus on her other responsibilities without the constant dread of the situation spiraling out of control. Riya wasn't naive enough to think this would be easy, but at least now she had a plan that didn't involve relying on Dev Kapoor.
The rest of the day passed in a blur of meetings and emails. By the time Riya finally left the office, it was well past dusk. She was exhausted—mentally and physically—and all she wanted was to get home and put this day behind her.
As she approached the parking lot, her heels clicking against the pavement, an odd sensation crept over her. It started as a prickle on the back of her neck, an uneasy feeling like someone was watching her. She slowed her pace, glancing around the dimly lit area, but there was no one in sight.
Still, the sensation lingered. She could feel it, like eyes drilling into her back.
Riya shook her head, forcing herself to take a deep breath. It's been a long day, she thought. I'm just being paranoid.
But the feeling didn't entirely disappear, even as she reached her car. She fumbled with her keys, her senses on high alert, scanning the shadows around her for any sign of movement.
It was silent, too silent for a bustling city like Mumbai.
Finally, she unlocked her car and slid into the driver's seat. She locked the doors immediately, staring out into the darkness. There was nothing there—no movement, no sounds. Just the quiet hum of distant traffic.
Get a grip, Riya. You're overthinking.
She pulled out of the parking lot, blaming her nerves on the stress of the day. It wasn't like someone was following her. It was just her mind playing tricks after everything that had happened. Still, she couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that lingered as she drove home.
—————
Meanwhile, across town in a sleek, high-rise office, Dev Kapoor sat behind his large mahogany desk, his eyes focused on a file in front of him. His assistant had just left the room after delivering the dossier, leaving him alone with the information.
He opened the file, his expression unreadable, and flipped through the pages. Inside were detailed reports on Riya Mehta—her family background, education, career history, and even personal anecdotes. It was a thorough profile, meticulously compiled by his private investigators.
Dev paused when he reached a photo of her. It was from a recent event—she looked composed, confident, dressed in business attire, her eyes sharp and focused. He studied the picture for a long moment, his fingers brushing lightly over the glossy surface of the photo.
"Riya Mehta," he murmured, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. His gaze lingered on her image, his thoughts unreadable.
There was something about her, something intriguing. She wasn't like the women he had encountered in his world—those who were either enamored by his wealth or eager to be part of his life for what he could offer. Riya was different. She wasn't seeking him out, wasn't trying to impress him. In fact, she seemed to want nothing from him at all. And that, more than anything, piqued his interest.
Dev closed the file, leaning back in his chair, his fingers steepled under his chin. His expression shifted slightly, a more calculated, determined look crossing his face.
He glanced out of the window, the city skyline twinkling in the distance, and spoke to the empty room, his voice low and ominous.
"She doesn't know it yet, but she's already part of the plan."
And with that, Dev Kapoor smiled—a smile that held more secrets than anyone could ever guess.