Amidst the torrential downpour of the monsoon season, Aakash Mital cautiously navigated his motorbike through the city's slick streets.
The rain had drenched him thoroughly, and a slight shiver ran through him from the cold spray. The roads, reflecting the city lights, presented a mesmerizing yet treacherous scene. He was en route to his new job, a position he had eagerly awaited for weeks.
A mix of nervous anticipation and excitement filled him as he concentrated on reaching his destination safely, hoping.
From a modest, middle-class background, Aakash's academic prowess had secured him a full scholarship to a prestigious university, culminating in a Master's degree.
This achievement paved the way for a promising career, beginning with his new position at a multinational corporation.
Despite the heavy downpour causing his delay, a mix of anxiety and excitement propelled him forward, the rhythmic swoosh of the windshield wipers a constant companion.
The gleaming office tower, a symbol of his aspirations, loomed in his mind, and he hoped his tardiness wouldn't mar his first impression.
The rain, though inconvenient, also felt like a cleansing ritual, marking the start of a new chapter.
He contemplated the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead, the colleagues he would meet, and the contributions he hoped to make. His grip tightened on the handlebars, his resolve to make a positive impact firm.
The city lights, blurred by the rain-streaked visor, reflected the myriad possibilities awaiting him. This was just the beginning of what he hoped would be a long and rewarding journey.
He envisioned the bustling office, the fast-paced financial world, and the steep learning curve. A blend of nervousness and exhilaration fueled his determination. Confident in his skills and drive, he was ready to prove his worth.
As he neared the office building, he took a deep breath, preparing himself for the day ahead. Parking his bike as the rain subsided to a drizzle, he walked towards the entrance, ready to face whatever awaited him.
On the top floor of the Madhavan Group's headquarters, Riyansh Madhavan, the CEO, commenced his first official day in the role. His two-year tenure at the company had culminated in this significant achievement.
Today marked a significant milestone in Riyansh's career. His rapid ascent, exceptional leadership, and demonstrable business acumen had earned him the board's confidence.
While cognizant of the weighty responsibility, he was energized by the challenges and opportunities ahead. He envisioned a future of innovation and growth for the Madhavan Group.
His office, with its panoramic city view, served as a constant reminder of his decisions' impact. He was eager to commence this new chapter, implement his strategic vision, and solidify the Madhavan Group's leadership position.
A meeting with the executive team was scheduled for later that day to outline his priorities and foster collaboration.
Riyansh's professional journey began as CEO of Madhavan's group. Driven by ambition, he rose to the top.
To commemorate his success and express gratitude to his mother, he decided to gift her a portion of TK Jewelers' shares. This gift represented not only a financial asset but a tangible symbol of his achievements and a token of appreciation for her unwavering support.
He meticulously planned the share transfer to ensure a seamless process, reflecting the care he invested in this surprise.
The secretary, overwhelmed with a multitude of tasks, was specifically instructed to compile a comprehensive report on TK Jewellers, a potential acquisition target.
Recognizing the importance and complexity of the task, she delegated this responsibility to Pankaj, the company manager, emphasizing the strict two-day deadline.
Pankaj, already burdened with his own workload, subsequently assigned the report to Akash, a recently hired junior analyst, stressing the report's critical significance to the company's strategic objectives. He emphasized the need for absolute accuracy and meticulous attention to detail, leaving Akash with the daunting task and a looming deadline.
On Akash's first day working on the report, Pankaj reiterated the gravity of the assignment, warning him sternly, "Be meticulous; any error, no matter how small, could result in termination."
The weight of this warning settled heavily on Akash, who simply replied, "OK, sir," before immersing himself in the task. Akash diligently worked throughout the day, meticulously researching and documenting details about TK Jewellers, including their financial performance, market share, competitive landscape, and potential synergies with the acquiring company.
He poured over financial statements, market research reports, and industry publications, striving to create a comprehensive and insightful report that would aid the company in its takeover bid. Unaware of the brewing conspiracy against him, Akash remained focused on delivering a flawless report, unaware of the manager's intentions to misrepresent his hard work.
The incompetent and unscrupulous manager, Pankaj, planned to present Akash's meticulously crafted report as his own, hoping to gain recognition and advance his career. He knew that Akash was a diligent and thorough worker, and he intended to exploit this to his advantage.
Pankaj relied on Akash's quiet and unassuming nature, as well as his dependence on the job, believing that Akash would be unlikely to challenge him.
This act of blatant plagiarism was a calculated move by Pankaj, who saw an opportunity to capitalize on Akash's hard work.
However, behind the scenes, evidence was being gathered to expose the manager's deception. Discrepancies in writing style between Pankaj's usual communications and the report raised red flags.
Furthermore, timestamps on the report's various sections demonstrated that Pankaj lacked the necessary time to have produced such a comprehensive document.
Metadata embedded within the file, along with activity logs from the company's network, pointed definitively to another individual as the true author of the report. This digital trail provided irrefutable proof of Pankaj's fraudulent claim.
After 2 day– Morning
Pankaj approached Akash's workstation and inquired, "Was the report completed?"
Akash, having worked tirelessly, responded affirmatively, "Yes, sir."
Pankaj, satisfied with the response, simply replied, "Good," before taking the report and heading towards Riyansh's office, the CEO.
CEO OFFICE – DAY
The vibrant cityscape shimmered behind the expansive glass walls of the CEO's office.
Riyansh Madhavan, the CEO, sat behind his sleek, modern desk, his demeanor calm and focused. A soft knock interrupted the quiet hum of the office.
Pankaj, the manager, entered the office, carrying the report in a neat file. "May I come in, sir?" he asked respectfully.
Riyansh, without looking up from his work, simply replied, "Come."
Pankaj approached the desk and placed the file neatly in front of Riyansh.
Riyansh glanced at the file, then at Pankaj, before asking, "This is the report I asked for?"
Pankaj, feigning confidence, replied, "Yes, sir. I included the projections and market segmentation you mentioned."
Riyansh opened the file and began to slowly flip through the pages. A palpable silence filled the room.
After a moment, Riyansh quietly remarked, without any discernible emotion, "This is… very thorough."
Pankaj, suppressing a smug smile, responded, "Thank you, sir. I made sure it aligns perfectly with your acquisition strategy."
Riyansh, still looking down at the report, inquired, "You compiled all of this yourself?"
Pankaj hesitated, a brief but noticeable pause that betrayed his deception.
He then stated, attempting to maintain composure, "I developed the overall framework and the majority of the content. Aakash provided some assistance, primarily with formatting and verifying data."
Riyansh's eyes lifted, his gaze now cool and sharp. He bluntly asked, "What was Aakash's contribution, exactly?"
Pankaj, attempting to downplay Akash's role, responded, "Minimal. He just cleaned up the visuals, like the charts and presentation polish."
Riyansh closed the file with quiet deliberation and leaned back in his chair.
"I see," he said, his tone leaving Pankaj uneasy.
A long, uncomfortable pause followed, the air in the room growing heavy with tension. Finally, Riyansh said, "That'll be all for now."
Pankaj, masking his discomfort with a quick, forced smile, replied, "Of course, sir," before turning and exiting the office.
The door closed with a soft click, leaving Riyansh alone with his thoughts and the weighty report in front of him.