Chapter -20

The day started like any other, with Rudraksh dropping Roohi off at school, giving her an encouraging smile before watching her disappear into the school building. His heart swelled with pride as he saw how easily she was adapting to her new environment.

With Roohi safely at school, Rudraksh headed to work. Today was significant—a product launch he had been meticulously planning for months. Everything was going according to schedule, and the excitement in the air was palpable.

The launch event was held in one of London’s most prestigious hotels, with media from all over the world in attendance.

The event kicked off without a hitch. The presentation was flawless, the product received rave reviews, and Rudraksh was pleased with the positive reception.

As the Q&A session with the press began, he was confident that the focus would remain on the product and the success of the launch.

However, that confidence was soon shattered.

A journalist, known for his provocative questions, stood up. “Mr. Oberoi,” he began, his tone sharp and probing. “We’ve heard rumors about a child—a daughter, in fact—that you’ve been keeping hidden from the public. Some sources claim she’s not even legitimate. Care to comment?”

Rudraksh’s expression darkened instantly. His jaw clenched, and his eyes narrowed as he stared at the journalist. The room fell silent, the tension thick in the air.

Another journalist quickly joined in, emboldened by the first. “Is it true that this child is the result of an affair? The public deserves to know the truth, Mr. Oberoi.”

Rudraksh’s hands tightened into fists at his sides. His anger was barely contained as he addressed the room, his voice low and deadly calm. “I agreed to this interview to discuss the product we’re launching today, not to entertain baseless rumors and personal attacks.”

The journalists didn’t back down, sensing a potential story. “But the public is curious about your personal life, especially since it could impact your image as a business leader. Is Roohi really your daughter, or is she—”

“Enough!” Rudraksh’s voice thundered through the room, cutting off the journalist mid-sentence. His eyes were dark, filled with a fury that sent chills down the spines of everyone present. “How dare you insinuate such vile things about an innocent child? Roohi is my daughter—my flesh and blood—and I will not tolerate anyone speaking about her with such disrespect.”

The room was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. The intensity of Rudraksh’s anger was palpable, and no one dared to speak further. He took a step forward, his gaze piercing through the crowd. “I’ve built my reputation and this company through hard work and integrity. My personal life is not your playground, and I will not allow anyone to malign my family. This interview is over.”

With that, Rudraksh turned on his heel and walked out of the room, his body radiating controlled rage. The media personnel exchanged uneasy glances, fully aware that they had crossed a line.

Back in his private office, Rudraksh paced back and forth, trying to calm the storm brewing inside him. The thought of those journalists questioning Roohi’s legitimacy, reducing her to a scandalous rumor, made his blood boil. He knew he had to protect her from the world’s ugliness, but today had shown him just how ruthless people could be.

Taking a deep breath, Rudraksh grabbed his phone and dialed the number for his PR team, his mind already formulating a plan. The events of the day had made it clear that he could no longer avoid addressing the rumors head-on.

When his PR manager, Neha, answered, he wasted no time. "Neha, we need to handle the situation with the media immediately. The questions they raised today crossed a line, and I want it made clear that any further attacks on my family, especially involving Roohi, will not be tolerated. Do whatever it takes to shut down those rumors."

Neha’s voice was calm, but there was an edge of concern. "Understood, Mr. Oberoi. We’ll issue a statement and take control of the narrative. But we need to be proactive—address the rumors directly to prevent them from escalating."

Rudraksh nodded, though she couldn’t see him. "Exactly what I was thinking. I want to schedule an event—a press conference where I’ll officially introduce Roohi to the world. We need to frame this on our terms, not theirs."

There was a brief pause on the other end, as Neha processed his decision. "That’s a bold move, sir. But I think it’s the right one. If we control the message, we can shut down the gossip before it spirals. When would you like to hold the event?"

"As soon as possible," Rudraksh replied, his voice firm. "I want it well-organized, with no room for misinterpretation.

Make sure the media is well-briefed on the boundaries. This isn’t just a press conference; I want world to know that “Roohi is my child. I will not tolerate anyone using those words against her. I don’t care about the circumstances of her birth—she is mine and that is all they need to know.

"Understood, Mr. Oberoi. I’ll coordinate with our contacts and get the ball rolling immediately. We’ll also prepare a statement for you to review before the event."

"Good. I trust you to handle this, Neha. Let’s make sure that when the world meets Roohi, they understand exactly who she is and why she matters."

After ending the call, Rudraksh sat back, feeling a mix of resolve and apprehension. He knew this was the right step to protect Roohi and solidify her place in his life, both personally and publicly. The world would soon know that she was more than just a rumor or a whispered scandal—she was his daughter, his pride, and no one would dare to question that again.