Chapter 24

Vikram picked up the call, but didn't speak.

On the other end, Adharv's voice broke the silence. "Viki, have you seen the photo I sent?"

"Hm," Vikram hummed, his throat tight with emotion.

"What do you think? Do you think what your stepmother said was true? It seems like she's married and has a son now," Adharv said, his voice tinged with confusion.

Vikram's jaw tightened. His heart burned, but he pushed the pain down. "Adharv, I want every single detail about her, and I want it in two hours. I don't care how you get it, but I need to know everything," Vikram's voice was thick with anger and a cold determination.

"Alright, I'll arrange it," Adharv replied, sensing the shift in Vikram's tone. The call disconnected.

Vikram stood, his knuckles white as he gripped the edge of his desk. His eyes narrowed as he stared at the photo on his phone—the image of Lakshmi holding a child with that bastard. His breath came in shallow bursts as fury and betrayal flooded him. You just know Vikram as a lovesick fool. But now, you'll see the true Vikram. You'll see what I'm capable of.

The next day, Lakshmi was in the office early, cleaning the cabins before the staff arrived. As she wiped down the last cabin, a young man, about 27 or 28, entered. This was his cabin. He worked as a senior software engineer.

He noticed her immediately, smirking as he did. For the past few days, he had been watching her closely. He had gathered that she was married, and it was clear that she had a child, though she spoke little of her personal life. Through casual conversations with other cleaning staff, he'd overheard that she didn't have a husband.

Charan, his eyes scanning her curvy figure, couldn't hide his interest. But Lakshmi, lost in her work, didn't notice his lingering gaze. She only ever spoke to a few women in the cleaning department, always focused on doing her job.

Seeing her alone in his cabin, Charan moved closer. As she was sweeping the floor, her back to the door, she didn't notice him approaching until he was nearly right behind her. He leaned in, his breath warm on her neck.

Startled by his proximity, Lakshmi stumbled, but before she could regain her balance, Charan reached out and grabbed her by the waist, his hands roaming her body.

Lakshmi's eyes widened in shock and disgust. With adrenaline pumping through her veins, she pushed him away with all her strength. He collided with the glass wall behind him, his body bouncing off it from the force of her push.

Her heart was pounding as she grabbed her cleaning supplies and rushed out of the cabin, desperate to escape. Charan, stunned and enraged, watched her leave. His anger simmered as he seethed silently, already plotting how to get her under his control.

Lakshmi, meanwhile, fled to the staff room. Once inside, she couldn't hold it in any longer. The tears came freely, spilling down her cheeks as she sank into one of the chairs. The sharp pain of betrayal from Vikram still lingered, but this? This was different. It was raw, unexpected, and it tore at something deep inside her. Is it me? she thought. Is there something wrong with me? Why do men think they can treat me like this?

Why is it always me? Why do they think I'm weak, that I don't deserve respect? Is it because I have no one to stand up for me? Because I'm alone? Because I don't have a man to protect me?

She wiped her face with the back of her hand, but the tears kept coming.

She felt violated, humiliated, and helpless. She had tried so hard to maintain her dignity, to keep her focus on work, but moments like these shattered her sense of safety.

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The next day, the office was buzzing with chatter about the arrival of the new CEO. The company was now officially under the umbrella of V & A Groups, and everyone was on edge, anticipating the change in leadership. Lakshmi overheard a few employees talking in hushed tones about the new CEOs, saying that they were known for being strict and ruthless. The whispers sent a chill down her spine, and fear settled in her stomach. She couldn't afford to make any mistakes, not with a new boss taking over. She decided to focus entirely on her work, hoping to stay out of the way of the new head.

Lakshmi worked tirelessly, trying her best to avoid any confrontation, especially with Charan, who had already made her feel uncomfortable. She decided to clean his cabin first, hoping to get it done and move on to the other areas. With every sweep of the mop and every dusted corner, she felt a growing tension in the air. The fear of facing the new CEO.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Vikram had arrived in Adharv's hometown and attended the ceremony of Adharv's son. The family gathered for the traditional tonsure ceremony, a significant event in the child's life. Despite the festive mood surrounding him, Vikram could hardly focus. His heart was pounding in his chest—not because he was going to reunite with Lakshmi, but because he was about to face her for the first time after everything had fallen apart.

One part of him, the part that had loved her deeply, still wished that all the details he had received were a mistake, that there was some misunderstanding. But deep down, he knew the truth. He had seen the information with his own eyes. Adharv had spared no detail—her job, her address, her marital status.

The one that hurt the most was the "Marital Status: Married." It burned him. I should have been the one to give her that title. I should have been the one to stand by her, to share everything with her. Instead, he had been the fool, trusting her when the truth was right in front of him all along.

He sat in silence, staring at the screen of his phone, his heart torn between anger and sorrow. The pain of betrayal gnawed at him, but it was the unanswered question that tortured him the most: Why? Why did she do this to me?

He didn't know what he was going to do when he saw her again. But he knew one thing for sure: He would make her feel the weight of her actions. He would make her regret ever walking away from him.

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Vikram and Adharv arrived at the office, and Vikram's eyes immediately started scanning the surroundings. He was here for one reason—to find her. But despite his search, Lakshmi was nowhere to be found. The old CEO, who had been expecting their arrival, greeted them warmly.

Vikram didn't waste time with pleasantries. He turned to the old CEO and said, "I want all the staff assembled in the conference hall immediately." The CEO nodded in agreement, and with a swift gesture, he instructed the staff to gather in the conference room.

Vikram's gaze was cold, determined, as he continued, "After meeting with the technical team, I want to see the non-technical staff—the cleaning staff, cafeteria workers, everyone. Don't leave anyone out."

The old CEO acknowledged the order, leading the way to the conference hall.

As they entered the large, airy room, Vikram's eyes swept over the assembly of technical staff, their faces a mix of curiosity and apprehension. Once the introductions were made, and Vikram and Adharv delivered their speeches, the technical team filed out. The atmosphere shifted as the non-technical staff began to trickle in.

Vikram's eyes immediately scanned the crowd, searching for the one person he was focused on. But she wasn't there. Where is she? His frustration grew. He was about to begin his speech, his patience running thin, when the door of the conference hall suddenly swung open.

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Hey guys!!!

I'm not entirely satisfied with this chapter. Something feels missing. Do you think the emotional buildup is strong enough? Is there anything that feels rushed or out of place? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

So comment your thoughts guys!

Bi Bi!!!