VEIL OF VENGEANCE

CHAPTER-17

**Chapter 17: The Reckoning**

The mansion was alive with tension. Adrith stood at the window of his office, staring out at the sprawling estate, lost in thought. The leaked article had accelerated their plans, and now, time was slipping through their fingers. He could feel the weight of everything—his father’s empire, the threat to his family, and the growing closeness between him and Yashika.

Yashika entered the room, carrying a file in her hands. "We found something. It's not enough to take him down yet, but it's a start."

Adrith turned, the exhaustion in his eyes evident. "What is it?"

Yashika placed the file on the desk and opened it to a page with bank transactions. "These funds were funneled through multiple shell companies. The transfers lead back to an offshore account that matches the same one used in the bribery case a few years ago."

Adrith frowned, scanning the page. "So my father’s been using these accounts to cover his tracks."

Yashika nodded. "It’s the first tangible link we have. We just need more evidence to make it solid."

Adrith sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We don't have much time. The security around the company has tightened, and my father’s growing suspicious."

Yashika stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We’ll get through this, Adrith. We have to."

---

Later that evening, the family gathered in the grand dining hall for dinner, the atmosphere tense and heavy with unspoken words. Samar Singh Shehrawat sat at the head of the table, as usual, his sharp eyes watching his children with an intensity that made the air feel thick with danger.

Adrika, Ansh, Adrith, and Yashika exchanged brief glances, knowing they had to act normal, despite the storm brewing under the surface. Samar was a master at reading people, and one wrong move could set everything in motion before they were ready.

Samar’s deep voice broke the silence. "I’ve heard interesting things in the past fewdays," he said, his eyes slowly moving across each face at the table. "It seems someone has been digging where they shouldn't."

Adrith felt his pulse quicken, but he kept his expression neutral, meeting his father's gaze. "What do you mean, Father?" he asked calmly.

Samar smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. It was a smile that carried an edge, like a blade hidden just out of sight. "You know, son, curiosity is a dangerous thing. It can lead to unexpected consequences."

Ansh shifted in his seat, trying to mask his discomfort. Adrika gave the faintest of nods to Yashika, signaling her to stay quiet. The tension was unbearable, each second stretching longer than the last.

Yashika, sitting across from Adrith, could feel the cold, scrutinizing gaze of Samar lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary. She knew they were playing with fire, and one wrong move could burn them all.

Samar continued, his gaze now fixed on Yashika. "And you, Ms. Kapoor. You’ve been spending quite a bit of time with my son lately. I trust it's all... professional?" The question hung in the air, an unspoken warning underlying his words.

Yashika kept her composure, offering a polite smile. "Of course, Mr. Shehrawat. Adrith has been helping me understand the company's inner workings. I’m just doing my job."

Samar studied her for a beat longer, then leaned back in his chair, seemingly satisfied. "Good. Because loyalty, Ms. Kapoor, is everything in this family. Betrayal is not something we tolerate."

Adrith clenched his jaw, forcing himself to stay calm. "We all know that, Father."

Samar gave a slow nod. "I'm glad to hear it. Because in times like these, you can never be too careful about who you trust."

The rest of the dinner passed in a tense silence, every bite feeling like a chore, every glance like a risk. When they were finally excused, Adrith and Yashika retreated to his study, closing the door behind them.

Adrith let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "He's onto us. We need to move faster."

Yashika nodded, her eyes reflecting the urgency of the situation. "We’ll have to take a bigger risk if we want to get what we need. There’s a document—one that could be the key to everything. It’s in your father’s private office."

Adrith looked at her, the weight of the decision heavy in his mind. "You mean we have to break into his office?"

Yashika stepped closer, her voice low but firm. "It’s our only chance, Adrith. If we don’t act now, everything we've worked for will be lost."

Adrith stared at her, then nodded slowly. "Alright. We’ll do it. Tonight."

Yashika gave a determined smile, her hand briefly brushing against his. "We’re in this together."

Adrith nodded, feeling a strange mixture of fear and resolve. "Together."

The stakes had never been higher, and as the clock ticked closer to midnight, Adrith and Yashika prepared themselves for the most dangerous move they’d ever made—one that could either save them all or bring everything crashing down.