Juliana sat with her grandma on the old wooden bench outside their small house. The air was calm, the evening sun spreading golden light across the fields. She held her grandma's wrinkled hands tightly and spoke softly.
"Grandma, you know my dream," Juliana said, her eyes shining with hope. "I want to go to the city and try acting. I always wanted to be on screen, just like mom and dad wished. But without you, I feel scared. I don't want to leave you alone."
Her grandma looked at her lovingly. She had raised this child from the age of five, after Juliana's parents died in a tragic accident. Every time Juliana spoke about her dreams, her grandma's heart filled with both pride and fear.
Memories of that day still haunted her.
It was sixteen years ago. Juliana's father had taken the family—his wife, his little daughter Juliana, and his mother—to the city. They were crossing a long bridge when suddenly, disaster struck. The ground shook violently. An earthquake ripped through the city. Roads cracked, buildings swayed, people screamed.
The bridge they were on began to shake, the concrete splitting apart. Cars crashed into one another, horns blaring. Then, in a terrifying moment, the bridge broke. Several cars fell into the river below. Many people died instantly.
Juliana's father, a strong swimmer, acted quickly. With desperate courage, he saved Juliana first, pulling her to safety. He helped his wife and mother too, dragging them away from the collapsing bridge. He even risked his life to save strangers, pulling them from sinking cars.
Almost everyone near them survived because of him. But fate was cruel. Just when it seemed they were safe, a massive stone from the second bridge fell. It crashed down without warning, right on Juliana's parents. They were crushed instantly.
Her grandma closed her eyes, tears forming as she remembered. That day, she lost her daughter and son-in-law forever. Since then, she had raised Juliana with all her love, protecting her from every storm.
Now, as she looked at Juliana's eager face, her heart trembled. She was afraid of letting her granddaughter go to the city. The city had already taken away her children. What if it took Juliana too?
But she also knew one truth—Juliana's parents had loved acting. They had always dreamed their daughter would become a star. If she stopped Juliana now, it would be like stopping their wishes too.
She wiped her tears and forced a smile.
"My dear, don't worry about me," Grandma said softly. "This is my birthplace. I have lived here all my life. My neighbors are like family; they will help me. I may be near seventy, but I am strong enough. I can cook, walk, and care for myself. You don't have to worry."
Juliana frowned. "But Grandma, what if you fall sick? I'll be far away. How can I take care of you?"
Her grandma squeezed her hand. "If anything happens, I will tell you. Just go and chase your dream. Stay there for a few months, settle yourself. After that, you can take me with you if you want. But remember, I am happy here. What matters most is your happiness, Juliana."
Juliana's eyes filled with tears. She hugged her grandma tightly. "Thank you, Grandma. I promise, I won't fail. I will shine like the sun."
Far away, in a large mansion surrounded by tall iron gates, another story was unfolding.
An old man sat in a wheelchair, his face pale but his eyes sharp with wisdom. In front of him stood his son and daughter-in-law, listening quietly.
The old man spoke slowly, his voice filled with memory. "For many years, we searched for them. Sixteen years, and still no news. That day… if not for that man, we would all be dead. He saved us, but he and his wife died under the falling stone. He left behind a little child and his mother. We owe them our lives. We must repay that debt. We must find them."
The son bowed his head. "Yes, Father. I remember. We owe everything to that man."
The daughter-in-law added, "But it's been so long. That little child must be grown now. We don't know where she is, or who she has become. Fate has hidden her from us."
The old man gripped the armrest of his chair, his voice firm. "No matter how long it takes, one day we must find them. We must help them. That is my last wish."
The room fell silent. The three of them knew the truth—fate would decide the day when paths would cross again.
Back in the boardroom, Remian sat in silence, his anger hidden behind cold eyes.
The shareholders shifted uncomfortably in their seats. The video had exposed the betrayal. Everyone now knew who had leaked the important tender documents, the reason for the company's billion-dollar loss.
Remian leaned forward, his voice sharp as steel. "Tell me. How should we punish him?"
The room buzzed with whispers. One shareholder raised his hand. "Hand him over to the police."
Another shook his head. "No. The punishment must be heavy. Only then will others learn not to betray us."
Different opinions clashed across the room.
Remian finally stood up, his tall frame towering over everyone. "Enough. I will not punish him myself. Because of him, all of you doubted me. So now, all of you will decide his punishment."
Before anyone could reply, Remian walked out of the hall with Lovian by his side. His footsteps echoed through the corridor.
The shareholders stared at each other in shock. The man who had betrayed them trembled in fear, not knowing what fate awaited him.
Inside his private cabin, Lovian turned to Remian. "Why didn't you punish him yourself?"
Remian's lips curved into a cold smile. "Because I know he isn't the only black sheep. There are more. By handing him to the shareholders, I will see who else trembles. That will lead us to the others."
Lovian nodded. He understood. Remian's mind was always three steps ahead.
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit apartment, Richard paced the room with restless energy. He was tired of the same old work. The customers wanted something new. Different settings. More daring.
He couldn't think of anything fresh. His mind was blank.
Shilpa, sitting on the sofa, watched him with a sly smile. Then she got up, walked over, and sat on his lap. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she whispered, "I have an idea."
Richard raised an eyebrow. "What idea?"
"Remember last time, when we played in the swimming pool?" she said in a teasing voice. "At first, it was romance. Then we lost ourselves in each other. It was the first time we tried it under the water. That experience was different. Why can't we use that idea again? We can try it with the college girl and the male actor. It will look fresh and new."
Richard's eyes lit up. "Superb idea, baby! You're right. But we need special cameras for underwater shooting. I'll arrange that."
Shilpa giggled, pressing her lips to his cheek. "I knew you'd like it."
Richard cupped her face and kissed her deeply, their lips crashing together. His frustration melted into desire as he pulled her closer.
For now, the plan was set. A new kind of video. A new trap. And somewhere far away, Juliana's life was slowly being pulled into their dark world without her even knowing.