Arjun didn't reply to the unknown number after reading the message.
She admitted the signatures were forged. And she named Vikram as the one who suggested it.
He sat still for a few seconds, then locked his phone and placed it face down on the table. It wasn't shock. It wasn't relief either. It was confirmation.
When pressure increases, alliances break.
His phone buzzed again.
Neha.
"She told HR everything," Neha said immediately. "Not just about you. About Vikram too."
Arjun leaned back in his chair. "What exactly did she say?"
"She admitted the rental agreement wasn't signed by you," Neha replied. "And that Vikram helped arrange it."
"Did she admit forging the signature?" Arjun asked.
"Yes."
Arjun exhaled slowly.
"That changes things," Neha added. "HR is escalating internally."
"To legal?" Arjun asked.
"Yes."
Arjun nodded once, even though she couldn't see him.
"And Vikram?" he asked.
"He doesn't know yet," Neha replied.
That made Arjun look up.
"She hasn't told him?" he asked.
"No," Neha said. "She's trying to protect herself first."
That didn't surprise him.
"Thank you," Arjun said.
He ended the call.
By noon, Vikram called.
Arjun stared at the name for a moment before answering.
"What?" he said calmly.
"Did you talk to her?" Vikram demanded.
"No," Arjun replied.
"She's saying I forced her into signing those documents," Vikram snapped.
Arjun remained silent.
"She's dragging me into this," Vikram continued. "You need to fix this."
"I need to fix it?" Arjun repeated.
"Yes," Vikram said. "This started because of you."
Arjun let out a short breath.
"It started because she forged my name," he replied.
"She said you knew about the flat," Vikram said.
"She also said I threatened her," Arjun replied. "That didn't make it true."
Vikram went quiet for a moment.
"She's under pressure," he said finally.
"So am I," Arjun replied.
There was a long pause.
"She said you're planning to file a case," Vikram said carefully.
"I haven't yet," Arjun replied.
"Don't," Vikram said quickly.
Arjun almost smiled.
"Why?" he asked.
"Because this can still be handled quietly," Vikram said.
"Quietly worked well so far," Arjun replied.
Vikram exhaled sharply.
"You think you're clean?" he asked.
"I documented everything," Arjun replied calmly.
Silence.
"She won't survive a criminal case," Vikram said.
"That wasn't my decision," Arjun replied. "It was hers."
He disconnected.
At 3:14 p.m., his lawyer called.
"I received unofficial confirmation," the lawyer said. "Her company has initiated formal investigation."
"Will they terminate?" Arjun asked.
"If forgery is proven internally, yes," the lawyer replied.
Arjun stayed quiet.
"Are you filing?" the lawyer asked.
"Not yet," Arjun replied.
"You're giving her time," the lawyer observed.
"I'm giving the truth time," Arjun said.
"Be careful," the lawyer warned. "Once she realizes she's losing everything, she may escalate again."
"I know," Arjun replied.
That evening, Riya called again.
He answered.
"Why didn't you tell me you had those documents?" she asked immediately.
"You knew I had them," he replied.
"I thought you wouldn't use them," she said.
"You thought wrong," he replied.
She was silent for a few seconds.
"They're suspending me," she whispered.
Arjun didn't respond.
"They think I acted alone," she continued.
"You did," Arjun replied.
"No," she snapped. "Vikram pushed me."
Arjun's tone stayed flat. "You signed."
"I was scared," she said.
"You were strategic," he corrected again.
Silence.
"They're asking about the loan too," she added.
"That's a bank matter," he replied.
"Please," she whispered. "Don't file anything."
"I haven't," he said.
"Promise me you won't," she demanded.
"I don't make promises anymore," he replied.
She started crying softly.
"Vikram's blaming me now," she said.
"That's predictable," Arjun replied.
"He said it was my idea," she added.
Arjun didn't react.
"Is it?" he asked calmly.
She didn't answer.
He disconnected.
At 8:02 p.m., the unknown number messaged again.
Unknown:
They're turning on each other.
Arjun typed.
Arjun:
Expected.
Pause.
Then:
Unknown:
Vikram just contacted HR directly.
Arjun's eyes narrowed.
Arjun:
Why?
The reply came quickly.
Unknown:
To protect himself.
Arjun leaned back slowly.
The next morning, Arjun returned to office.
Not as a man under review.
As someone cleared.
The atmosphere felt different.
Not supportive.
But neutral.
That was enough.
Sameer walked toward him immediately.
"She's suspended," Sameer said quietly.
Arjun nodded.
"And Vikram?" Sameer asked.
"Under inquiry," Arjun replied.
Sameer studied him carefully.
"You're not happy," Sameer said.
"This isn't about happiness," Arjun replied.
At noon, his phone buzzed again.
Unknown number.
Unknown:
There's a twist.
Arjun didn't like that word.
Arjun:
What now?
Pause.
Then:
Unknown:
Vikram submitted evidence.
Arjun's fingers paused.
Arjun:
Against who?
The reply came slower this time.
Before it arrived, another call came in.
Private number.
He answered.
"This is Inspector Rao," the voice said. "We need you at the station again."
"When?" Arjun asked.
"Today. 4 p.m."
"Understood," Arjun replied.
The call ended.
His phone buzzed again.
Unknown number.
Unknown:
Against her.
He recorded their planning conversation.
Arjun stared at the screen.
Because that meant—
This wasn't just blame shifting anymore.
It was proof.
And once recordings enter the game…
There's no going back.