Vihaan's POV:
The next morning, we decided to meet Seraphine Duvall.
"You ready?" I asked Ama over the call.
"Yeah… just a minute. Where are you?" she replied, still organizing her things.
"Outside your house," I said.
There was a brief pause on the line before I heard her soft chuckle. "You're always on time, aren't you?"
"I try," I muttered, glancing at my watch. The streets were just waking up, a quiet hum in the distance, but I couldn't shake the tension knotting in my stomach. Every step we took today mattered.
"Okay, coming down," she said. Her voice had that calm determination I loved—but I also sensed the underlying nerves.
I leaned against the car, scanning the surroundings, my mind running through every precaution. This meeting with Seraphine wasn't just a lead—it could change everything.
Within minutes, Ama appeared at the doorstep, moving with her usual grace, yet her eyes were sharp and alert. My chest tightened at the sight of her, knowing how much danger we were walking into.
The morning sun barely touched the streets as we pulled up outside Seraphine Duvall's townhouse. The building was sleek, modern—but every detail screamed security. Cameras blinked at the corners, and a black sedan idled across the street.
"Good morning," Seraphine greeted as we stepped inside. Her tone was polite, but her eyes scanned us like a hawk.
"Good morning," I said, opening the passenger door for Ama. She slipped in beside me, clutching her notebook.
Seraphine's gaze lingered on us. "You two… together?"
"Yes," I said firmly. "She's my girlfriend."
Inside, the apartment was immaculate, almost too quiet. The faint hum of an air purifier and the occasional beep from a laptop were the only sounds. Ama immediately pulled out her pen and notebook, fingers poised, ready.
"Let's get straight to it," I said. "Your involvement in Celine Ventures, and the mishap with the owner transfer—everything you know."
Seraphine's eyes darted toward the window, then back to us. "It's dangerous what you're asking. Liam… he's ruthless. But if you're determined…" She took a deep breath. "The owner transfer wasn't just a financial maneuver. It was part of a much bigger plan. Your father refused to comply, so they killed him and your mother. But even that… wasn't enough for them. Now, anyone who investigates is a target."
Ama's pen moved furiously across the page, but I noticed her hand freeze as a shadow passed across the window. My pulse quickened. "Someone's watching," I muttered under my breath.
Seraphine nodded slightly, as if confirming my fear. "I've been careful, but Liam has eyes everywhere. You must be careful too. These documents…" She handed us a folder. "Everything here is proof, enough for a court case if used correctly. But one wrong move and…" She didn't finish the sentence. The threat hung thick in the air.
I glanced at Ama. Her eyes were wide, but her hand didn't stop writing. "We understand. Safety first."
"And," I added, voice low, "you're sure this is everything?"
"Yes," Seraphine said, glancing at the laptop. "But if Liam finds out, you won't know who to trust. Some of these people… they're closer than you think."
Ama's fingers tightened around the pen, her notes suddenly feeling heavier than ever. "Then we have to be smarter," I said, squeezing her hand under the table. "Every move from now on has to be calculated."
Seraphine leaned back, eyes narrowing. "You're stepping into a dangerous game. Make no mistake—the stakes are higher than you realize."
I nodded. "We know. And we won't back down. But we'll be careful. Always."
For a moment, the room was silent except for Ama's rapid scribbling. The tension didn't leave; it clung to us like smoke. Every glance, every word, every shadow outside reminded me that this investigation wasn't just about documents or courtrooms—it was about survival.
We gathered the documents, carefully stacking the folder in Ama's bag. My eyes never left the windows as we prepared to leave. Something about the quiet felt… off.
"Ready?" I whispered to Ama, slipping my hand into hers.
She nodded, tightening her grip. "Let's go."
The door clicked shut behind us, and the faint echo of our steps filled the corridor. As we reached the elevator, a shadow flitted across the glass of the lobby's far wall. My pulse quickened.
"Stay close," I muttered.
The elevator dinged, doors sliding open, and we stepped in. I pressed the button for the lobby, scanning the mirrors for movement. A car engine roared outside—too close, too fast. My gut told me it wasn't coincidence.
"Someone's following us," I said quietly, pressing Ama's hand into mine.
Her eyes widened, but she didn't panic. "What do we do?"
Before I could answer, a loud horn blared, and a black SUV screeched to a stop outside the building. Two men stepped out, scanning the entrance.
"Move!" I hissed, pulling Ama behind the nearest pillar.
We crouched low as the men approached the elevator doors, glancing around. The tension was electric, every heartbeat echoing in my ears. Ama clutched the folder to her chest, her notes now a weapon as well as proof.
I caught her gaze. "Listen to me. Calm, steady. Follow my lead."
She nodded, breath shallow but controlled. I pressed the emergency button inside the elevator, holding the doors closed just as one of the men reached out.
"They're watching everything," I muttered, teeth clenched. "We can't let them know what we have."
Ama's fingers dug into the folder. "Then let's make sure they never find out."
The SUV started circling the building, engine growling like a predator. I glanced at Ama, determination mirrored in her eyes. Together, we slipped into a side exit, the city streets suddenly a maze of shadows and danger.
The courthouse buzzed with murmurs and the occasional shuffle of papers. Ama and I took our seats at the plaintiff's table, my suit crisp, notes organized. Every detail was ready—but I knew the game wasn't just about documents; it was about reading the room, anticipating moves, and keeping control.
The judge entered, robes flowing, eyes sharp. Liam's legal team sat across from us, confident, polished, their smirks a challenge.
"Let's begin," the judge said.
I rose first, adjusting my tie, eyes scanning the courtroom. "Your Honor, ladies and gentlemen," I began, calm, measured, my voice carrying effortlessly. "Today, we present evidence regarding Celine Ventures and the circumstances surrounding the transfer of ownership…"
As I spoke, Ama quietly took notes, her pen capturing every subtle reaction—lawyers shifting uncomfortably, a witness hesitating, small tells that might matter later.
We presented Seraphine's statements, the reports, and our collected evidence. Every question I asked was precise, every objection strategically timed. Yet despite our preparation, the court found the proof circumstantial. Liam's lawyers twisted words, highlighted gaps, and skillfully defended him.
I caught Ama's eyes. She was tense but attentive, absorbing everything, ready for the next move.
The judge banged the gavel. "The court finds that while the presented evidence raises concerns, it is not sufficient to proceed. A new date will be scheduled once additional evidence is provided."
Liam's smirk stretched across the room as he left, confidence radiating—but I saw the flicker of unease behind it.
Outside the courtroom, I let out a slow breath. "We didn't win today," I said, placing a hand on Ama's shoulder. "But we've learned enough. Next time, the proof will be airtight—and then… There will be no escape for them."
Ama nodded, determination in her eyes. "Then we work smarter. Every step, every document, every witness… nothing can slip."
I smiled faintly, my mind already plotting our next moves. "We'll get it. And when we do… justice will follow."
We left the court. Our mind is still searching for what to do next.
"They just neutralized every evidence we had. We need some witnesses along with the proof," she said.
"Hmm, for that, we need to find a crack in his empire. Someone who knows his actions and is close to him, but is ready to help us." I said this while still figuring it out.
Amara's POV:
I was quite tired today, not because I did a lot of work, but because none of the work's outcomes were satisfactory.
I entered the house, and Jia was holding some papers. First, I thought they were another paper of her case studies, but they were case studies of my parents' murder.
"You are investigating your parents' murder?" she asked, concern flickering on her face.
"You know, Ama, how ridiculous and inhuman those people are—still you want to do that?" and this time, anger was sharp in her voice.
"Vihaan is also working on the same," I said, avoiding her gaze, my hands tightening around the papers I still held.
For a few minutes, she was completely silent. The kind of silence that presses against your chest until you can't breathe. Then, she finally broke it—spitting the truth I had been too afraid to voice myself.
"You clearly know what the consequences could be, still you dragged him into this. Amara, I know he is a well-established lawyer with great reach and reputation, but he doesn't have any family to support him. It's just Eric and him. Do you have any idea, if anything happened to any of you, how the other is going to survive?"
Her words cut deeper than I expected. My throat tightened, and for a second, I had no defense. Because she was right. Vihaan and Eric had only each other. Their entire world was already fragile, one step away from shattering. And here I was, pulling them into my storm.
"I didn't drag him," I whispered, but my voice trembled. "He chose this. He chose me. And I… I can't walk away from the truth anymore. Not when I know what they did."
Her eyes softened, but the frustration didn't leave. "Ama, truth comes at a price. Are you ready to pay it? Because when people like Liam lose control, they don't just play dirty in court—they destroy everything in their path."
I bit my lip hard, fighting the sting in my eyes. The thought of Vihaan—or even Eric—suffering because of me was unbearable. Yet, I also knew the truth she spoke of was the very thing keeping me standing.
"I'd rather burn than keep living in the dark," I said finally, steadier this time. "If I have to carry this burden, I will. But don't ask me to let them walk free while my parents' voices are silenced forever."
For a long moment, we just stood there—her gaze heavy, mine unflinching. She finally sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Then promise me one thing, Ama. Promise me that when the time comes, you won't lose yourself in this fight."
My lips curved faintly, though my chest was heavy. "I can promise I'll try. But you know me—I'm not good at letting go once I've started."