Chapter 21: The Devil's Bargain
The elevator ride to Verma's penthouse felt endless. The mirrored walls reflected Aanya's tense posture and Arjun's sharp, watchful gaze. Beside them, Manav Verma looked utterly at ease, as though he owned not just the penthouse above but the very city sprawled beneath it.
When the doors slid open, the scent of expensive whiskey and imported cigars wrapped around them. The penthouse was a palace in the sky — marble floors, panoramic windows showcasing Mumbai's glittering skyline, and art pieces that whispered of old money and dangerous taste.
Verma spread his arms. "Welcome to sanctuary. I trust the journey was… exhilarating?"
Aanya's eyes narrowed. "You mean terrifying. You orchestrated Contingency Alpha."
Arjun stiffened, his gaze flicking to Verma like a blade drawn. "Did you?"
Verma smiled faintly. "Not exactly. I simply ensured the right whispers reached the right ears. Rajiv bit the bait faster than expected." He poured himself a drink, the amber liquid catching the light. "And now… you're here."
The system chimed.
[Critical Encounter: Manav Verma]
Influence Level: High
Warning: Manipulation Probability — 72%.
Aanya didn't sit. "Cut the theatrics, Verma. What do you want?"
He sipped leisurely, eyes glinting. "I want what you want: Rajiv destroyed. Malhotra Global restored. The difference is, I have the resources to make it happen in days, not years."
Arjun stepped forward, jaw tight. "And the cost?"
Verma's gaze slid to him, cool and assessing. "Smart man. Yes, there's always a cost." He turned back to Aanya. "Ally with me publicly. Let the world see that you and I stand together. The board will fall into line overnight. Rajiv will crumble. You'll be untouchable."
The system chimed again.
[Branch Path Available]
Path A: Accept Verma's Alliance — Gain Immediate Control Over the Board.
Path B: Refuse Alliance — Continue Independent Struggle.
Hidden Risk: Unknown.
Aanya's pulse quickened. "And in exchange?"
Verma's smile deepened. "In exchange, I want exclusivity. No deals, no moves, without my knowledge. I want to be the only one you trust." His eyes softened, just slightly. "You'd find I can be a… generous partner."
The words were silk, but the trap beneath them glistened like steel.
Arjun's voice was low, tight with barely leashed anger. "He doesn't want partnership, Aanya. He wants ownership."
Verma chuckled. "Says the man who hides behind her shadow. Tell me, Arjun — what do you offer her? Aside from loyalty and bruised knuckles?"
Aanya stepped between them, her voice sharp. "Enough."
The system chimed softly.
[Trust Bond with Arjun Mehra: 55%]
Emotional Stability Boost Active.
She turned back to Verma. "If I agree, you'll pull back the task force?"
Verma's lips curved. "They'll vanish by morning. Your accounts restored. The board silenced."
"And if I refuse?"
His eyes darkened, the warmth gone. "Then Rajiv wins. The board strips you. And when you come crawling back, you'll find my price doubled."
The air in the room tightened, heavy with the weight of the choice.
Later, alone in the guest suite Verma had provided, Aanya paced like a caged lioness. Arjun leaned against the wall, arms folded, watching her.
"You're thinking about accepting."
Her head snapped up. "I'm thinking about survival. If I lose the company, I lose the chance to avenge my parents. To stop Rajiv."
"And if you tie yourself to Verma, you lose you." His voice was steady, quiet, but fierce. "That's what he wants, Aanya. Not your company. You."
Her throat tightened. "And what if I can't win without him?"
Arjun stepped closer, his gaze burning. "Then we fight harder. Dirtier. Whatever it takes. But not by putting your neck in his collar."
The system chimed.
[New Ability Available: Battle Synchrony]
Effect: When operating together with Arjun Mehra, skill effectiveness increased by 30%.
Her chest ached. She wanted to believe him. But the memory of Rajiv's smirk at the board meeting, the whispers of doubt in the directors' eyes, gnawed at her resolve.
At midnight, unable to sleep, she wandered to the penthouse balcony. The city sprawled below, restless and alive.
Verma appeared beside her, silent as the night itself. He handed her a glass of wine.
"You're stronger than you know," he murmured. "But strength without backing is just a story waiting to end in tragedy."
She didn't take the glass. "Why me? Why risk so much?"
His smile was enigmatic. "Because you're different. You don't beg. You don't flinch. You remind me of myself… before I learned that lions cannot rule alone."
Her heart thudded. He was dangerous, intoxicating — and terrifyingly convincing.
The system chimed softly.
[Warning: Emotional Influence Detected.]
Probability of Persuasion: 61%.
She stepped back, steadying herself. "If I ever agree, it'll be on my terms. Not yours."
Verma's laugh was low, rich. "Then I look forward to the day you realize your terms and mine are the same."
He turned, leaving her with the city and her thoughts.
Across Mumbai, in a dimly lit warehouse, Rajiv slammed his fist onto the table. The guard before him trembled as Rajiv snarled, "She slipped through Alpha because of Verma. That bastard thinks he can steal what's mine."
A voice crackled over a secure line. A woman's voice — calm, measured. "Then it's time for Contingency Beta. If Aanya won't break under pressure, we'll break her heart."
Rajiv's lips curved into a cruel smile. "So be it."
Back in the penthouse, as Aanya finally sank onto the bed, the system chimed one last time.
[Quest Update: The Devil's Bargain]
Decision Pending: Accept or Reject Verma's Alliance.
Time Limit: 48 Hours.
Hidden Consequence: Contingency Beta Initiated.
Aanya's eyes fluttered shut, exhaustion pulling her under. She didn't know that in less than two days, her hardest choice would no longer be about power — but about love, loyalty, and blood.