The gala was in full swing when Sameer Khurana made his move. He didn't go for Vihaan; he went straight for the woman standing in the shadows.
"A drink for the most overworked woman in Mumbai?" Sameer asked, handing Akshara a glass of sparkling water. He knew she didn't drink alcohol on the job—another detail Vihaan often ignored.
"Thank you, Mr. Khurana," Akshara said, taking the glass. It was the first time she had spoken more than five words in an hour, and Vihaan, standing five feet away, felt a surge of murderous jealousy.
"I saw the card I left is still in your drawer," Sameer leaned in, his voice loud enough for Vihaan to overhear. "My offer stands. Why be the shadow of a man who doesn't respect you when you could be the light of your own department?"
Vihaan didn't wait. He stepped between them, his presence an icy wall. "Sameer, I thought I told you to stay away from my staff."
"Your staff? Or your prisoner, Vihaan?" Sameer smirked, looking over Vihaan's shoulder at Akshara. "Tell me, Akshara, does he let you breathe without permission? Or do you have to file a memo for that too?"
"Sameer, get out," Vihaan hissed, his knuckles turning white.
"Make me," Sameer challenged. "Or better yet, let Akshara decide. Akshara, if you want to leave this circus right now, my car is outside. You don't have to take the insults anymore."
The entire circle of billionaires went quiet. All eyes were on Akshara. Vihaan looked at her, his heart hammering. He was terrified. For the first time, he realized she actually could walk away.
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The tension! 🧨 Sameer is playing a dangerous game, but he's hitting Vihaan exactly where it hurts—his ego and his fear of losing her.