Anaya and Aryan stepped out of the hotel, their minds racing.
"If Avni was behind the forgery, then she's just a pawn," Anaya said, her voice cold. "She doesn't have the resources to pull off something this big."
Aryan's jaw clenched. "Which means the real mastermind is hiding behind her. And if someone from my family is involved, we need to be careful. They won't go down easily."
Anaya's eyes gleamed with determination. "Then let's make them think they've won."
The Perfect Bait
The next morning, Anaya called for a press conference.
The entire business world tuned in, expecting her to break under pressure. Instead, she stood tall, calm, and composed.
"I have full faith in the legal system," she announced. "Kapoor Industries is fully cooperating with the authorities, and we will ensure that the truth comes out."
Then, she smiled—just slightly. "In fact, we have uncovered new evidence that will expose the real culprits behind this scandal."
Across the city, Avni's blood ran cold.
New evidence? That wasn't possible. She had been careful.
Her mysterious ally had assured her that Anaya wouldn't find anything.
But if Anaya had proof—
Avni grabbed her phone, fingers trembling. "We need to meet. Now."
On the other end of the line, a deep chuckle echoed. "Relax, Avni. Anaya is bluffing."
"She's not! What if she has something?"
Silence. Then—
"Fine. Let's meet."
Avni exhaled shakily. She needed reassurance. She needed to know this plan wasn't falling apart.
But what she didn't know—
Was that she had just walked straight into Anaya's trap.
The Sting Operation
That night, in a secluded warehouse on the outskirts of the city, Avni arrived with her mysterious accomplice.
She was nervous. Too nervous.
"You're overreacting," the figure said. "Anaya is playing mind games."
Avni bit her lip. "Then why did she call a press conference?"
Before the figure could respond—
The warehouse doors burst open.
Spotlights blinded them. Shadows moved. And then—
Anaya stepped forward, flanked by officers from the Enforcement Directorate.
Avni's heart stopped.
"You were right about one thing," Anaya said, her voice smooth as ice. "I was bluffing."
Then she held up a flash drive. "But now? I have the proof."
The figure beside Avni stiffened. For the first time, they looked uncertain.
Aryan emerged from the darkness, his eyes locked onto the hooded figure. "Let's see who you really are."
With one swift motion, Aryan pulled back the hood—
And the face that emerged sent shockwaves through the room.
---
As Aryan pulled back the hood, the dim light revealed a face neither of them had expected.
Anaya's breath caught. Aryan froze.
Avni's eyes widened in pure shock.
Standing before them was Abhay Sharma—Anaya's childhood friend.
The room went silent.
"Abhay?" Anaya whispered, disbelief washing over her.
But Abhay didn't look surprised. He didn't even look guilty. Instead, he smirked. "Took you long enough."
Aryan's eyes darkened. "You were the one behind this?"
Abhay tucked his hands into his pockets. "Not entirely. I had help. But yes, I orchestrated the money laundering setup. The forgery. The leaks to the media." He tilted his head. "And I must say, Anaya, you almost had me worried."
Anaya's fingers curled into fists. "Why?"
Abhay sighed, as if disappointed. "I thought you'd figure it out by now. Do you really think Vikram was the only one who wanted Kapoor Industries? You were so focused on your stepmother, your father, and Avni that you forgot about the one person you always overlooked."
A sick realization crept into Anaya's mind.
"You wanted to take over Kapoor Industries?" she asked, her voice shaking with rage.
Abhay chuckled. "Not just Kapoor Industries. I wanted to destroy you."
Avni stumbled back, shaking her head. "This… this wasn't part of the plan."
Abhay turned to her with amusement. "Oh, Avni. You were just a tool. A very useful one, but still… a tool."
Avni's face twisted in betrayal. "You said you wanted to ruin Anaya because of me—because of what she did to me!"
Abhay laughed. "You really believed that? My dear Avni, this has never been about you."
Anaya's heartbeat pounded in her ears. "What did I ever do to you, Abhay?"
His eyes darkened. "You existed."
Silence fell over the room.
Abhay stepped closer, his voice was dangerously soft. "All my life, I stood beside you. I protected you. I was your friend. And what did I get in return?" His voice rose, bitter and filled with resentment. "Nothing. You never saw me. Never truly valued me. And then, you walked back into this city, reclaiming everything like it was your birthright."
He exhaled sharply, his mask of calm slipping. "I was done waiting for leftovers."
Aryan's patience snapped. He lunged forward, grabbing Abhay by the collar. "You were her friend." His voice was a low growl. "She trusted you."
Abhay met his glare fearlessly. "And you? Do you think you're any different, Aryan? You left her once before. Who's to say you won't betray her again?"
Anaya's hands trembled. The weight of betrayal was suffocating.
She had lost so much already. And now, Abhay—the boy she had once considered family—had turned into her worst enemy.
But she wasn't that helpless little girl anymore.
She straightened, ice settling in her veins. "You made one mistake, Abhay."
He arched a brow. "And what's that?"
Anaya smiled—a dangerous, knowing smile. "You thought you could win."
With a nod, she signaled the officers. Within seconds, Abhay was surrounded.
The realization dawned on him too late. His smirk faltered.
"You played me," he muttered.
Anaya tilted her head. "Checkmate."
As the officers stepped forward to arrest him, Abhay's expression turned unreadable.
But just before they took him away, he leaned in and whispered, "This isn't over, Anaya. You have no idea what's coming."
A chill ran down her spine.
Because deep down, she knew—
This war had just begun.
---