Species Of Life

48. Game Over, Secrets Sealed(Updated)

The phone call changed everything. Just moments after Shekhar had arrogantly instructed the cancellation of the Nigam Collection deal, his phone buzzed again. He picked it up, confident and smug—until his expression changed drastically.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Shekhar snapped, disbelief rising in his voice.

The voice on the other end said something inaudible to everyone else, but whatever it was, it shattered the ground beneath Shekhar's confidence. He ended the call abruptly, his hand trembling in suppressed rage.

Seeing him unsettled, Sam stepped forward. "What happened, baby?"

Shekhar didn't answer. His silence was louder than any scream. His jaw clenched, his knuckles white.

Sid, standing to the side, folded his arms with a faint smirk. "It seems your baby doesn't have the words. But don't worry, Sam, I'll explain."

Everyone turned to Sid, curiosity clouding their faces. Even Jan stared, unsure what was coming.

"That deal," Sid said calmly, "the one Shekhar just tried to cancel—it couldn't be canceled."

Abhi looked confused. "What are you saying, Ashu?"

"It's simple," Sid continued. "The contract stated that if either party pulled out, they'd have to compensate the full losses of the other. Which means if they cancel it, they pay up... heavily."

Shekhar's head snapped toward Sid. "How is that possible?"

"When we received the deal, I had a strange feeling. Something wasn't right," Sid replied. "So I had the agreement modified accordingly. Just a precaution."

Furious, Shekhar grabbed Sid by the collar. "You tricked us!"

Sid chuckled, not moving an inch. "Control your anger. I've got more news."

Shekhar shoved him away, trying to regain composure. But Sid's voice was calm, calculated. "You want to hear it or not, that's up to you. But you will hear it."

Faisu stepped in with a smirk. "I don't know about Shekhar, but I'm dying to know what this second surprise is."

Shekhar glared at him, but turned back toward Sid, frustrated. "I'm done with your games. Just know one thing, Mr. Nigam—you can't destroy me."

Sid's voice turned cold. "Let's find out."

He began counting down—"Ten... nine... eight..."—his voice ringing clear through the tense air. Shekhar stared, confused, while Sam looked worriedly between them.

"Three... two... one."

Right on cue, Shekhar's phone rang again.

He answered it, only to freeze, his face draining of color. "What?!"

The phone slipped from his hand and clattered onto the floor. He stared blankly ahead, visibly shaken.

"Baby?" Sam called out, her voice now laced with real fear. "What is it?"

Abhi frowned. "Ashu?"

Sid didn't look away from Shekhar. "Dada, all of Shekhar's illegal factories across India... they've been sealed."

Gasps echoed in the room. Sam clutched her head, stunned. Shekhar, overcome with rage, lunged toward Sid again, hand raised to strike—but this time, another hand stopped him.

The police had arrived.

A uniformed officer grabbed Shekhar's wrist, twisted it, and locked handcuffs onto him. "Your game is over, Mr. Shekhar."

Sid stepped forward slowly, eyes burning into his rival. "Finally... it's over."

"How?" Shekhar choked. "How did you do all this?"

Sid simply smiled. "That's a secret... and some secrets are better left unsaid."

The officer nodded. "Take him."

As they began dragging Shekhar away, he shouted over his shoulder, voice desperate with fury. "I'll be back, Siddharth! You haven't seen the last of me! I will take my revenge!"

Just as the officers were escorting him out, a female constable stepped up and arrested Sam as well. She didn't resist—she was too shocked to even react.

Once they were gone, silence filled the air. Sid looked across the room and found Jan already staring at him. Without hesitation, he opened his arms.

She ran to him, her feet flying, and wrapped herself around him in a fierce hug, burying her face in his chest.

"I missed this hug," she whispered, voice breaking.

Sid didn't respond. His eyes softened but his expression remained unreadable.

Jan pulled back a little, searching his face. "Have you forgiven me?"

Sid's gaze didn't waver. "We'll talk about that... at the mansion."

He turned to Abhi. "Dada, take her home. Faisu and I have some things to finish here. We'll come later."

Jan didn't want to go. Her arms lingered on his, reluctant. But Abhi gently pulled her away, and she followed, though her eyes kept returning to Sid until she disappeared from sight.

When they were gone, Faisu stepped closer and placed a hand on Sid's shoulder. "You're still upset with her... aren't you?"

Sid didn't answer. His silence was heavy with emotion.

Instead, he said only, "Let's go. I've got one last thing to take care of."

And with that, he walked off, his footsteps firm, his resolve unshaken. Faisu followed without another word.

The battle was over, but the war inside hearts... was just beginning.

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