Chapter 19: The Rescue and the Reckoning
The boardroom clock ticked like a drumbeat, every second loud in Aanya's ears. Rajiv's smug smile taunted her from across the table, while the photo of Arjun—bloodied, bound, and helpless—burned in her mind.
The system's warning echoed.
[Emergency Quest Active!]
Rescue Arjun Mehra without losing the board's confidence.
Time Remaining: 1 Hour, 58 Minutes.
Aanya's pulse thundered. She couldn't show weakness here. Not in front of the wolves.
She rose slowly, sliding the folder of evidence toward Raghav. "Mr. Kothari, continue presenting the findings. The board deserves the full truth."
Raghav blinked. "But—"
Her eyes met his, steady and commanding. "You have the floor. I trust you."
The system chimed.
[Ding!]
Delegation Skill Activated.
Effect: Ally Raghav Kothari's Influence +25%.
Rajiv's smirk faltered for the first time. "Running already, dear cousin?"
Aanya leaned across the table, her voice low and cutting. "No, Rajiv. I'm simply giving you a chance to enjoy your last few minutes of power."
Without waiting for his retort, she strode out, her heels clicking like the steps of judgment.
Outside, Meera caught up, breathless. "What's happening?"
Aanya showed her the photo. Meera's eyes widened. "Oh my God. Where—?"
"The metadata," Aanya interrupted. "Pull it from the file. Now."
Meera's fingers flew over her tablet. Within moments, she exhaled sharply. "Abandoned textile mill. Navi Mumbai. Rajiv's men own it."
The system chimed.
[Ding!]
Location Confirmed.
Side Path: Mill Compound, Sector 12, Navi Mumbai.
Danger Level: High.
Aanya's heart pounded. "Get the car."
The textile mill loomed like a carcass of rust and shadows. Broken windows gaped like jagged teeth, and the scent of oil and mildew hung in the air.
Inside, muffled voices echoed.
Aanya crept forward, the rod from Singapore gripped tightly in her hand. Meera remained outside, working to jam security feeds.
Through a crack in a rusted door, Aanya spotted him—Arjun. Tied to a chair under a flickering bulb, blood streaking his jaw but his eyes burning with defiance.
Two men stood guard, one pacing, the other scrolling through his phone.
Her breath hitched. Relief crashed over her, chased by fury. Rajiv will pay.
The system chimed.
[Stealth Task Activated]
Neutralize the guards without alerting reinforcements.
Reward: +15 System Points.
Aanya inhaled deeply, then pushed the door open with a creak.
The pacing guard turned. "Who the—"
She swung the rod hard, striking his knee. He collapsed with a grunt, clutching his leg. The other guard lunged, but before he could reach her, Arjun twisted his chair, slamming his captor sideways.
"Finish him!" Arjun barked.
Fueled by adrenaline, Aanya swung again, the rod cracking across the second man's wrist. He howled, dropping his weapon. Arjun kicked him backward, sending him sprawling.
Panting, Aanya fumbled with the knots on Arjun's ropes. Her hands trembled, not from fear but from the sheer force of emotion.
When the ropes fell, Arjun surged to his feet. For a moment, they just stared at each other. His hand lifted, brushing her cheek despite the blood on his knuckles.
"You came," he whispered, voice rough.
Her throat tightened. "Always."
The system chimed softly.
[Trust Bond Strengthened: Arjun Mehra]
Attribute Bonus: +15% Morale in Crisis Situations.
But the reprieve was brief. Shouts echoed from deeper in the mill. More men were coming.
"Move!" Arjun grabbed her hand.
They raced through the crumbling halls, weaving past broken machinery and collapsed beams. As they burst into the night air, headlights flared—Meera had the car ready.
They dove in as Meera floored the accelerator. Bullets cracked against the rear bumper as they sped into the Mumbai night.
Back at the shelter, Aanya tended to Arjun's wounds herself, ignoring Meera's protests that a doctor should be called. Her hands were gentle but firm, cleaning the cuts, her eyes filled with both anger and relief.
Arjun studied her, his voice low. "You risked everything to save me. Even the board."
She paused, meeting his gaze. "Without you, none of this matters."
For a heartbeat, the air between them shifted—charged, intimate. His fingers brushed hers, lingering.
The system chimed again.
[Emotional Bond Progress: 48%]
Potential Unlock: Partner Skill — Battle Synchrony.
Before she could respond, Meera burst in. "You need to see this."
She switched the TV on. The news anchor's voice filled the room.
"Breaking news: Rajiv Malhotra has accused Aanya Malhotra of colluding with the infamous Phantom Investor, Manav Verma. Alleged footage shows the two in a private meeting, sparking fears that Malhotra Global could fall under foreign control. Meanwhile, Rajiv claims an attempt was made on his associates tonight in Navi Mumbai…"
Aanya's stomach twisted. He had flipped the story. Again.
The system chimed grimly.
[Warning!]
Reputation -20 with Neutral Board Members.
Crisis Escalation: Immediate Response Required.
Arjun's jaw clenched. "He won't stop until you're broken."
Aanya rose slowly, her resolve hardening into steel. "Then it's time I stop playing defense."
Her eyes blazed. "Tomorrow, I take the fight to him."
Far across the city, Rajiv sat in his study, swirling a glass of whiskey. A guard limped before him, bruised and shaken.
"You failed me," Rajiv hissed, his hand tightening around the glass until it cracked.
The guard stammered, "S-she wasn't alone… the man fought like a demon."
Rajiv's lips curled into a snarl. "Arjun Mehra. That orphan dares to touch what's mine."
In the shadows, Manav Verma watched silently, sipping his wine. His smile was unreadable.
"You underestimate her," Verma murmured. "She's not the same woman you sent to prison."
Rajiv slammed the glass down. "Then I'll remind her who holds the leash."
Verma's eyes glinted. "Careful, Rajiv. Wolves who bare their teeth too soon often lose their throats."
[Quest Completed!]
Rescue Successful.
Reward: +15 System Points.
Bond Strengthened: Arjun Mehra.
[New Main Quest Unlocked!]
Reckoning of the Malhotras
Objective: Publicly expose Rajiv and reclaim rightful control of Malhotra Global.
Time Limit: 10 Days.
Aanya stood at the window that night, staring out at the glittering Mumbai skyline. The game had changed.
Rajiv had shown her the depths he would sink to. And Verma had shown her that every gift came with poison.
But she was no longer the broken woman who had stumbled out of prison.
She was the queen rising from the ashes. And tomorrow, the reckoning would begin.