Mira cupped Anesha's face in her hands, her eyes brimming with motherly affection and concern. She asked, "Annie darling… are you okay? You didn't commit a murder or something last night, did you?"
Hearing this, Anesha's eyes narrowed sharply.
She glared at Mira and, pushing her hands away from her face, pursed her pink lips and said in a dry tone, "Stay away from me! I know everything. You and that Ronit spiked my juice with wine! It's because of you two that I got drunk. And now you're here pretending to care? You venomous snake!"
Mira felt deeply hurt by Anesha's words and her gesture of pushing her hands away. The guilt and regret from her actions last night were evident in her eyes.
With a sorrowful expression, Mira asked softly, "Who told you about this?"
"Ankit, who else?" Anesha replied, turning her face away from Mira.
Her expression made it clear that she felt betrayed, not just by Mira and Ronit, but by the entire world at once.
Mira glanced sideways at Ankit, who was already glaring at her angrily. Avoiding his gaze, Mira got up quietly and left for Manan's room.
Anesha was genuinely furious with her at that moment. Mira knew that if she tried to explain herself or talk to Anesha any further, it would only make her angrier. So, she decided to leave.
Meanwhile, Mahi, like a strict teacher, started grilling Anesha for a detailed report card of all her antics and adventures from the previous night.
Leaving aside anything related to Devansh, Anesha obediently narrated everything from last night to Mahi, like a good child.
At the same time, Ankit went and sat beside Raunak. The two exchanged a few words silently through gestures.
Anesha believed that Ankit was just an ordinary college guy, her friend, someone who cared for her like a brother and always protected her.
But in reality, Ankit's truth was entirely different.
Ankit was Devansh's man, assigned by him for the past two years to stay close to her in college and protect her.
While talking to Mahi, Anesha kept glancing at the door every now and then, as though she was waiting for someone.
Noticing this, Mahi paused for a moment and asked, "Why do you keep looking at the door, Annie? Are you expecting someone?"
Anesha blushed slightly and replied hesitantly, "Ronit didn't come with you guys?"
Mahi laughed and said, "He didn't come. That scoundrel spiked your drink last night, and karma immediately caught up with him. He got beaten up pretty badly in his drunken state last night. He's in the hospital now, and the reason he isn't here is because of his broken arms and legs."
Hearing this, Anesha made a face and said, "Serves that dog right! Came to mess with me."
Anesha and Mahi continued chatting, lost in their conversation.
Meanwhile, hearing their talk, Raunak and Ankit's expressions soured.
It was none other than Devansh's men who had beaten Ronit up last night.
If Ankit hadn't arrived on time, Ronit wouldn't just be injured but dead by now, and these two girls would have been sitting in front of his corpse, crying their hearts out. Devansh's men would have killed him without hesitation.
But unaware of all this, these two girls were laughing at Ronit's misfortune.
With these thoughts in mind, Ankit glanced at Anesha with pity and regret. He genuinely felt bad for her.
Ankit knew his boss, Devansh Kapoor, very well.
On one hand, his boss was a beast, someone who played a bloody game of life and death every day.
On the other hand, Anesha was an innocent kitten, scared even by the sight of a single drop of blood.
Ankit couldn't even imagine the day when Anesha would discover Devansh's true nature.
When she would learn that her ex-husband was so obsessive, so cruel, so insane, and such a dangerous psycho.
Diverting his gaze from Anesha, Ankit looked at Raunak.
Even in Raunak's eyes, there was pity and sympathy for Anesha.
Their eyes met, and they silently exchanged thoughts, both agreeing in unison—"We'll go against our boss for this cute cat if needed… but no matter what, we'll protect her at all costs."
A little while later, Ankit left with Anesha to drop her at the airport.
At Kapoor Industries,
Deepak sat in his president's cabin, his face tense with barely concealed anger.
Opposite him, seated with equal intensity, was Mahesh Singhania, Hina's father, his expression stern and unyielding.
The sharp knock on the door broke the silence, and Deepak's assistant, Manish, stepped inside.
After offering a polite greeting, Manish addressed Deepak, "Sir, Miss Hina has requested to meet with you."
"Tell her I have no interest in entertaining foolish girls," Deepak replied curtly, his tone laced with contempt, even in Mahesh Singhania's presence.
Mahesh chose not to react, but Manish spoke again, his voice steady, "Sir, Miss Hina mentioned that what she wants to discuss is in your best interest. She also hinted that it might help you achieve your revenge."
Deepak's brows furrowed in confusion. He glanced toward Mahesh, his questioning gaze evident.
Mahesh shrugged casually. "I don't know why she's here, but I do know my daughter well enough to say that she doesn't make baseless statements."
"Oh, is that so?" Deepak raised an eyebrow, his sarcasm biting.
Clearly irritated, Mahesh shot back, "Yes, it is. I admit she may get overly sentimental where Devansh is concerned, but beyond that, even you are well aware of her intelligence and capabilities."
Deepak muttered under his breath, acknowledging the truth in Mahesh's words. After a moment of contemplation, he turned to Manish and said, "Send her in."
Hina stepped into the cabin with an air of confidence, wasting no time as she addressed both men. "Before we proceed with anything else, there's something I need to clarify with both of you."
Her directness left both Deepak and Mahesh watching her intently, questions lingering in their eyes.
Hina, unflinching, met their gazes one by one before continuing, her tone firm and resolute. "I expect a simple yes or no as an answer to my question."
She paused briefly, her sharp eyes scrutinizing them both. Then, with deliberate precision, she asked, "Dad, Deepak—did Mr. Devansh Kapoor truly kill his father and elder brother?"
"Yes," Deepak responded flatly, his tone devoid of emotion.
Mahesh exhaled heavily, nodding in agreement. "Yes, Hina, it's true. The entire world knows this. Devansh Kapoor is a force of destruction—a demon in human form. He spared no one, not even his father and brother. If, despite knowing this, you still choose to approach that fire, Hina, then the pain, the burning, and the inevitable destruction that follows will be inescapable. Even I won't be able to save you. That's why I'm warning you now—say no to this engagement. I'll find someone far better than Devansh Kapoor for you, someone deserving of you. But Devansh is not the man for you."
Hina's lips curled into a faint smile as she absorbed her father's words.
She walked to the couch with effortless grace, crossing one leg over the other as she sat. Her eyes held a quiet determination as she looked from her father to Deepak. Then, with a subtle, knowing smile, she asked, "Of course, Dad, you'll find someone better than Devansh Kapoor. But tell me this—will that man be as powerful as him?"
Mahesh's confident facade faltered, his silence louder than any argument he could muster.
Meanwhile, Deepak's hands curled into tight fists, his jaw clenched as waves of anger and frustration coursed through him.
___________________________
What will happen next?
To know…
To be continued…