VOWS OF VENGEANCE

Chapter 1: Shadows of the Law

The courtroom buzzed with tension as the trial reached its climax. All eyes were on the woman standing at the center of it all. Kiara Singh, known as the undefeated advocate, commanded the room. Her tall frame was draped in a perfectly tailored black suit, the sharpness of her attire only matched by the sharpness of her mind. Her long, jet-black hair was tied into a sleek ponytail, reaching down to her waist—a trademark look she carried with pride.

She turned toward the judge, her eyes burning with determination. "Your Honor, the evidence speaks for itself. My client has been wrongfully accused, and it is clear that the prosecution has no grounds to stand on. Justice demands nothing less than an acquittal."

Her voice was steady, measured, a blade cutting through the silence. The opposing counsel shifted uncomfortably in their seat, knowing they were facing an uphill battle. The courtroom waited, breaths held, for the judge’s next words.

The judge adjusted his glasses, his gaze fixed on Kiara before nodding. "The court will deliberate and reconvene tomorrow for the final verdict. Court dismissed."

The gavel struck, and the tension eased momentarily, but Kiara's posture remained rigid. Victory was inevitable, as it always was when she stepped into the courtroom, yet there was something unsettling in the air. Rivals were closing in on all sides, and her enemies would stop at nothing to see her fall.

As she packed her files, she overheard whispers in the back of the room—about him. Her greatest rival. The man whose name echoed in dark corners, as dangerous as it was elusive.

Aarav Thakur

---

In the depths of an underground basement, the air was thick with fear. The flickering light bulb cast eerie shadows against the cold, concrete walls. Blood dripped onto the floor, the steady sound echoing in the otherwise silent room.

Aarav Thakur stood, dressed in all black—his shirt rolled up to the elbows, revealing strong, tattooed forearms. His dark eyes were fixated on the man before him, a trembling figure bound to a chair, beaten and bruised beyond recognition.

Aarav stepped forward, his expression unreadable, but the sheer intensity of his presence was enough to make anyone falter. His voice was low, laced with an undercurrent of menace.

"You had one job," Aarav said, the cold steel in his tone sending chills down the man's spine. "One job, and you failed."

"I-I swear, I'll make it right. Just give me more time—"

Before the man could finish, Aarav's fist connected with his jaw, the impact resonating through the room. The man slumped in the chair, blood trickling down his face, but Aarav showed no mercy, no emotion. He simply leaned closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

"Time is a luxury you don’t have."

The room grew colder as Aarav turned away, wiping the blood from his knuckles with a handkerchief. He walked toward the exit, his black leather shoes echoing against the concrete. His empire thrived on fear, power, and control—and in his world, there was no room for weakness.

As he stepped into the dimly lit hallway, a familiar name surfaced in his mind.

Kiara Singh. The woman who was not only his legal rival but someone whose very presence had become a thorn in his side. He hadn't yet crossed paths with her personally, but he knew all too well of her reputation. The courtroom might be her battlefield, but he ruled the streets.

And in this twisted game of power, neither was willing to lose.

For now, they were only shadows to each other—rivals in two different worlds.