Prisha POV

After a long and exhausting day at the office, I was relieved that the weekend was just around the corner. I had planned to spend it unwinding with my friends, a much-needed break from the hectic workweek. As the clock struck the end of the workday, I gathered my belongings, eager to head home and start my weekend.​

Just as I reached the office exit, a voice called out from behind, causing me to pause. Turning around, I saw a staff member approaching with a polite smile.​

"Good evening, ma'am," he greeted, slightly out of breath. "I apologize for stopping you as you're leaving, but I have something for you."

Curiosity piqued, I nodded, prompting him to continue.​

He extended his hand, revealing a small pen drive. "Bali Sir had to attend to some urgent matters and asked me to deliver this to you. He mentioned it's important and requested that you ensure he receives it."

I took the pen drive from him, its metallic surface cool against my palm. Suppressing a sigh, I managed a polite smile. "Thank you for letting me know. I'll make sure Bali Sir gets this."​

With that I exited the office.​

After a long day at the office, I finally arrived home, feeling the weight of exhaustion pressing down on me. The thought of the upcoming weekend brought a sense of relief, and I was eager to finalize plans with Siya. After freshening up, I settled onto the couch and dialed her number.​

"Hey, Siya!" I greeted, a smile spreading across my face.

"Prisha! How was your day?" she inquired.

"Absolutely draining," I sighed. "But I'm so looking forward to our outing tomorrow. Are we still on?"

"Of course!" Siya confirmed. "Let's meet at our usual spot around noon?"

"Perfect," I agreed. "Can't wait to catch up."

After exchanging a few more words, we ended the call. As I set my phone down, a nagging thought surfaced—the pen drive. I had completely forgotten about it. Curiosity piqued, I retrieved the small device from my bag and plugged it into my laptop.​

A single video file appeared on the screen. I clicked on it, and the footage began to play. The footage appeared to be from a surveillance camera. The timestamp indicated it was from the day of Amrish's mission. As the video played, I heard Vedant's voice conversing with Ketan aboard a helicopter. The conversation was muffled, but it was evident they were discussing mission details.

As the video progressed, the setting shifted. Vedant was now behind a building, conversing with two unfamiliar men. Their attire and demeanor didn't align with anyone from the Solanki empire. A realization struck me—they were outsiders. Vedant hadn't been alone during that mission. Who were these outsiders?

Driven by curiosity, I fast-forwarded further. The footage captured Vedant entering the HDD floor, engaging in a fierce fight. The camera's angle made it difficult to see all the details, and eventually, the feed was cut short as the camera was damaged during the altercation. The video ended abruptly, leaving many questions unanswered.

Despite the incomplete footage, a smirk formed on my lips. This was a significant find—a piece of evidence that could be used against Vedant. Recalling our confrontation from the previous day, I felt a surge of determination. He had challenged me, but now, I had the upper hand. It was time to remind Vedant of his place and ensure he understood the consequences of defying me. ​

Closing the laptop, I felt a surge of determination. Tomorrow would bring more than just a casual outing with friends—it would mark the beginning of a reckoning.​

Author POV

The Solanki family gathered around the grand dining table for breakfast, engaging in light conversation as they enjoyed their meal. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and an assortment of traditional dishes filled the air, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.​

As the family conversed, Bali entered the dining hall, his expression serious. Jitendra looked up from his plate and gestured towards an empty chair.

"Bali, join us for breakfast," Jitendra offered.​

Bali gave a respectful nod but declined. "Thank you, but I have an urgent package delivery to handle. I must attend to it immediately."​

Understanding the urgency, Jitendra didn't press further. He knew that Bali's role often required him to be on the move, dealing with matters that demanded immediate attention. Bali then turned his attention to Prisha, his expression serious.​

"Prisha, did you receive the pen drive I sent through my assistant?" he inquired.​

Prisha's heart skipped a beat, but she maintained her composure. Feigning regret, she replied, "Yes, I did. Unfortunately, it accidentally fell into a glass of water and got damaged. I've sent it to the tech team for recovery."​

Bali's face fell, disappointment evident. That pen drive contained potential evidence against Vedant, and now it was compromised. Suppressing his frustration, he sighed, "I see. Hopefully, the tech team can retrieve the data."​

Prisha nodded sympathetically, her eyes reflecting a mix of concern and something else—"I understand. I'll follow up with the tech team and keep you updated."

With a brief nod to the family, Bali took his leave, his mind preoccupied with the setback. As the breakfast continued, the atmosphere had shifted. Prisha turned to Ketan, her tone casual.​

"I'm planning to go out with friends today and would like Vedant to accompany me," she stated.​

Ketan's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Before he could voice his thoughts, Jitendra interjected.​

"Let her go. She can take him along, After all they have to work together." Jitendra said, his tone leaving no room for debate.​

A smile played on Prisha's lips as she anticipated the day's events. The prospect of having Vedant accompany her on this outing added an intriguing twist to her plans.​

Vedant stood outside the Solanki mansion, leaning against his car, waiting. His phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw Ketan's name on the screen.​

"Vedant," Ketan's voice came through. "Prisha wants to go out with her friends today. You're to accompany her."​

Vedant's jaw tightened. He wasn't thrilled about being assigned as a babysitter, especially for someone as headstrong as Prisha. But orders were orders. "Understood," he replied curtly.​

Moments later, the mansion's grand doors swung open, and Prisha emerged. She spotted Vedant and smirked, a glint of mischief in her eyes. She had plans—plans to put Vedant in his place. With the evidence she had recently uncovered, she felt confident she could bend him to her will.​

Without a word, she approached the car and slid into the passenger seat. She turned to Vedant, her smirk widening. "We're going to The Orchid Lounge," she stated, naming an upscale venue known for its exclusivity.​

Vedant, concealing his irritation, nodded silently, starting the engine and pulled away from the mansion. As they drove, Prisha's mind raced with plans to leverage her newfound advantage over Vedant, eager to see how the day would unfold under her orchestrations. ​