Games of Deception

Chapter 5 - Power of Greed

High Street Pheonix, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Friday, May 8th 2015

Appearances can be deceiving. It is in our nature to accept what is shown to us at face value. However, it takes one singular moment for the illusion to shatter. Just one moment, for over a decade's worth of trust, love and respect to disseminate into to the winds.

The afternoon sun streams through the large window into his 30th floor office, casting a glowing halo around Rishabh's face. Sighing, he leans back against his plush, leather chair. He frowns fiercely, the results of an investigation he initiated upon taking on the chairmanship of Kundra Industries, clenched tightly in his fists. In an uncharacteristic burst of anger, he slams his fists down on to his dark, gleaming desk, scattering the loose pages of the report on to the floor.

His eyes gleam furiously, it is just as he had suspected. After Rishabh had carefully reviewed bookkeeping records to familiarize himself intimately with the company. He noticed minor discrepancies and decided to investigate further. According to the results of the investigations, Kundra Industries has been the victim of fraud. A sum of money, too insignificant that it has been able to fly underneath the radar, has been shifted from account to account every month till the money was wired out to an untraceable account in the Cayman Islands. Though the amount from each transfer is insignificant but in total, the company has lost over 10 crores. Based on the report, the quick shift of the same amount of money from one account to another has been going on for over 3 years. Though the amount that has been siphoned out of the company may be just a drop in the bucket in terms of the assets under management for Kundra Industries, for Rishabh it is the principle of the matter. His father's company and now his, is still being swindled based on the spur of activities from last month. Kundra Industries has become the victim of fraud, therefore, in extension so has he, making him feel like a blind fool. There is one thing Rishabh Kundra does not relish playing and that is the part of a fool.

Rishabh shakes himself out of his silent reverie and looks up to see his jeeju, Hitesh, standing impatiently at the door, ready to knock again to gain his attention. Masking his irritation, he smiles politely at his brother-in-law and gestures for him to enter with a wave of his hand.

His face marred in a perpetual frown, Hitesh walks in cautiously. Glancing warily at Rishabh, his fists are clenched tightly by his side, as if priming for battle. Rishabh shrewd gaze assesses his brother-in-law. At the age of 40, Hitesh looks haggard and more like he is in his 50s. Once a decent looking chap with passable good looks, the stress from the job along with working long hours, coupled with smoking and drinking, has taken a toll on his appearance. He is a man of average height but with his stocky built, Rishabh notes, Hitesh can easily beat a man into a pulp. He leans back and studies the unholy flames of fury in his eyes and Rishabh concludes that his brother-in-law may just use him as a punching bag.

Tired of the stare down match, Hitesh furiously bits out, "What the hell was that Rishabh? Why did you pull such a stunt at the board meeting without consulting me first?"

Rishabh shrugs his shoulders and states politely, "You are unnecessarily getting upset jeeju. My stunt, as you call it, was nothing more than a planned, calculated move. The company needs a shakeup and my suggestion to change up the executive team, is a step in the right direction."

Hitesh stares at Rishabh incredulously, finding it hard to speak for a moment. Regaining his voice, he asks angrily, "You call kicking out your own jeeju as the CEO is a step in the right direction?"

Shaking his head, Rishabh sighs dramatically before he adds patiently, "Seriously jeeju? You are blowing it way out of proportion. First of all, you are still the CEO. You haven't been voted out of the position yet. Secondly, with the number of shares that you had previously, combined with the shares you inherited from dad, you will still be one of the directors on the board. So you will still have the power that has been allotted to all members of the board for the overall running of the business." He ends in a condescending tone, "So chill...relax. You have worked long and hard for Kundra Industries, you deserve a break. Since you couldn't reap the benefits by inheriting majority of the shares in the business, compensate yourself by working less and spending more time with your family. Di and the kids would love it."