‘What did they speak about?’
‘I only know what they spoke about in the car. Ananya ma’am seemed upset because she lost a job. Rekha ma’am told her Jai sir had already given it to a friend of his. Then she offered her a different job – Jai sir’s assistant. Said he was new, and she was worried about him and the company. Wanted Ananya ma’am to keep an eye on things, report to her about what was happening at the office,’ Raghu paused. ‘She also made it clear that the job came with that condition. And that in a few months, she’d get the position she had always wanted.’
‘Ananya’s story checks out,’ Arjun said. ‘Rekha lied to her.’
I swallowed, forcing down the bitter taste. I’d suspected it and pieced it together from Ananya’sfractured confession. But hearing it from Raghu confirmed it all – the calculated manipulation, the false concern. A chill crept through me.
Rekha had exploited Ananya’s desperation, twisted it into compliance.
And she was going to pay for it.
‘What about Keshav Seth?’ Arjun asked.
I recognised the name immediately. He was the vice president of Lehenga Bazaar.
‘We have a source at Lehenga Bazaar. Word is, they gave the Mahalas money to hand over our plans to them,’ Dad had said.It was a bald-faced lie, so I knew Rekha was behind it. It was also enough to tip me off – her connection to Lehenga Bazaar was internal, not third-party.
That was all the information I could give Arjun. And he’d managed to find the man.
Raghu nodded. ‘Picked him up near Horniman Café, dropped him off at the same place. They spoke about business the whole time. Some line Jai sir was working on. Mentioned “kauseya” a few times. Towards the end, Rekha ma’am handed him a dark blue file. Told him to release it before Jai sir launches his collection. He said the payment will be in her account by morning.’
The Mahalas’ centuries of tradition. My months of hard work. Dadaji’s legacy. She’d handed it over like it was collateral damage in the game she was playing.
It made my hands itch. To act. To exact revenge.
‘Anything else?’
‘No, sir.’
‘Thank you. That will be all,’ Arjun said.
Raghu nodded gratefully and left.
I stared at the closed door. My fingers curled into fists. She hadn’t just sabotaged me. She’d sold the whole family out.
‘If you can confirm the colour of that file—’
‘It was navy,’ I said flatly.
‘Then we have our witness.’ Arjun pulled out a piece of paper from his briefcase. ‘And his sworn testimony.’
I looked at the document. Raghu’s detailed statement. His signature. The notary seal and stamp. It was airtight.
Only one question remained.
‘What did you tell him?’ I asked. ‘Why would he reveal his boss’ secrets?’
‘Offered both his children full scholarships to Singhania Academy.’ A ghost of a smile appeared on his face. ‘Loyalty towards your employer is no match for love for family.’
When Arjun wanted something, nothing and no one could stop him. It was a skill I respected him for.
I placed the paper carefully in my desk drawer. ‘Thank you.’
‘There is more.’ He pulled out a hard drive.
I connected it to my computer and opened it. Inside were two folders, one labelled J. Advani, the other named LB. I clicked on mine.
Two documents.
