Disgust and shame were suffocating me.
I could no longer tolerate that obscene dance or Neel's mysterious smile.
Without caring about anyone, I quickly got up from my seat and moved to a dark corner of the hall.
I tried to hide myself, but trouble didn't leave me.
Within seconds, I saw Neel Chowdhury rushing after me. Before I could react, he suddenly pulled me and pinned me against the wall.
With his strong hands, he tightly held my wrists and pressed them against the wall.
The weight of his body and his intense gaze left me completely trapped.
Trembling with fear and anger, I said,
"Neel Chowdhury! What are you doing? You're my boss—you can't behave like this with me! There are hundreds of guests outside.
What if they see us? Please, let me go!"
Without saying a word, Neel leaned even closer.
His eyes burned intensely. I spoke again in a firm tone,
"Don't try anything inappropriate here.
I came because you told me to, I wore what you gave me—but that doesn't mean I'll be your puppet! I won't listen to you anymore. Let me go!"
I don't know if my protest reached him, but at that moment, as Neel held me against the wall, the hall speakers roared again.
The mechanical announcement silenced the entire crowd.
A voice echoed through the microphone:
"Ladies and gentlemen! We hope you are enjoying the evening. Now we have a special announcement.
The main reason for today's event is my brother, Rushda.
He is here to introduce his future wife to everyone.
Their wedding is scheduled for the day after tomorrow!"
For a moment, my world froze.
Rushda's wedding? So this grand arrangement was just to announce his marriage!
The announcement continued even louder:
"To share this joy, we are honored to have a special guest among us—everyone's well-known Neel Chowdhury,
the owner of Maima Group of Industries, who has graced this party with his companion."
Neel tightened his grip on my hand.
A sly, victorious smile appeared on his face. Leaning close to my ear, he whispered,
"You heard that, Sahana? Tonight, all eyes are on you.
Your ex just announced his new life, and you will stand before everyone as the personal companion of the owner of Maima Group. Will you still try to run away now?"
Caught between the wedding announcement and Neel's cruel behavior, I felt completely lost.
Meanwhile, Rushda was walking toward the stage with his fiancée.
My hands and feet felt ice-cold. This was the moment—either I would be completely humiliated, or I would have to keep playing Neel's dangerous game.
Neel gripped my hand with unbelievable strength and pushed through the crowd, dragging me right to the front of the stage.
I moved like a lifeless puppet beside him.
But as we got closer, it felt like the ground beneath my feet disappeared.
Looking ahead, I saw—under the bright lights—Rushda and his fiancée standing at the center of the stage, holding hands with victorious smiles.
The applause and flashes of light pulled me into a strange trance.
I stood frozen, as if all the blood in my body had turned to ice.
At that very moment, Rushda noticed me. Seeing me in that short, uncomfortable outfit, his eyes narrowed.
He paused, and his proud smile carried a hint of surprise and mockery.
Seeing me like this, he probably felt satisfied—as if he had finally proven himself right.
His gaze clearly showed that old contempt, as if saying, "I told you—you're not worthy of anyone."
Beside me, Neel placed a hand on my shoulder.
His touch carried both protection and fear.
When Rushda took the microphone and began speaking,
it felt like the ground beneath me was shaking. Shamelessly, he said,
"Everyone, listen carefully. I had a girlfriend.
I loved her very much, but she betrayed me.
One day, she suddenly told me she didn't want to stay with me anymore."
His words pierced my ears like poison.
I stared at him in shock. Inside, I wanted to scream,
"Liar! You betrayed me! You left me saying I wasn't beautiful, and now you're blaming me in front of everyone?"
My whole body trembled with rage.
I silently swore that I would take revenge for this humiliation.
I would not let him get away so easily.
Just then, Neel leaned close to my ear and said mockingly,
"Listen carefully, Sahana.
Your 'beloved' Rushda is telling everyone how you betrayed him.
Enjoy the moment."
Clenching my teeth, I replied,
"Can't you see he's lying? He betrayed me, not the other way around!"
Neel looked at me and gave a mysterious smile. Calmly, he said,
"I know who betrayed whom and what really happened.
Just watch what happens next."
His calm attitude and Rushda's lies pushed me into a deep crisis.
All eyes were now on me—and I stood there, trapped in the middle of a dangerous conspiracy.