Forsaken Melody

Part 28

"And what if it goes sideways? What if we don't have an option, but to show our hand and reveal our espionage?" asked Deepti, shifting her gaze between the disheveled co-founders.

Abhay's jaw tightened at the thought of their covert operation being compromised. The risk of their spy being exposed loomed over them like a dark cloud, threatening to unleash a downpour of consequences. He weighed his words carefully, knowing that every decision from this point forward carried immense weight.

"If it comes to that, Deepti," Abhay began, his voice steady despite the storm raging inside him, "then I will take the fall. Counter-espionage was my idea and Avantika doesn't even know the mole."

Avantika felt a knot tighten in her chest at Abhay's declaration. The selflessness and courage in his words struck a chord deep within her, igniting a spark of admiration amidst the chaos of their situation. She watched him closely, noticing the furrowed lines on his brow, the tension in his shoulders, and the unwavering resolve in his eyes.

In that moment, something shifted within Avantika. It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing a side of Abhay she had never expected to see. Not after their bitter fallout. He had claimed her obliviousness was his insurance upon initial confrontation, only to make it her safety vest.

"I won't let you do that, Abhay," she said softly, her voice tinged with emotion. "Even if you had suggested the idea, I had approved it. How can I let you take the sole responsibility for an idea that I encouraged and benefited from?"

Abhay's eyes softened at Avantika's words, a mix of gratitude and conflict playing out on his face. He had never anticipated such a response from her, especially after the rift that had formed between them in the past. Her unwavering support touched a chord within him, reminding him of the deep connection they once shared before it all fell apart.

As he met Avantika's gaze, he saw a glimmer of the woman he had once known—a woman who stood by her decisions, who fought for what she believed in, and who wasn't afraid to show vulnerability when necessary. It stirred something within him, a barely-buried feeling of longing that had been weighed down by his remorse.

Deepti observed the unspoken tension between Abhay and Avantika, her keen eyes catching every subtle shift in their expressions. She admired their dedication to the cause, their unwavering integrity shining through even in the face of adversity.

Despite the palpable unease lingering in the air, Deepti chose not to address the underlying emotions that simmered beneath the surface. She had learned long ago that some wounds needed time to heal, and some conversations were best left unsaid.

As Avantika stood firm in her resolve not to let Abhay bear the burden alone, Deepti felt a surge of respect for her co-founders. Their willingness to stand by each other, to shoulder the weight of their decisions together, was a rare quality that Deepti deeply admired. The bond between them, though marred by past hurts and misunderstandings, seemed to be rekindling in the face of their current predicament. It was a fragile flame, flickering in the winds of uncertainty, but its warmth was undeniable.

"As impressed as I am by your reluctance to throw each other under the bus, that was not the intent behind the question." Deepti's voice measured and authoritative as she leaned back in the settee. "Our priority is to gather irrefutable evidence of Saksham Rawat's conflict of interest without alerting FinGo to our suspicions. If we give in, we risk not only our credibility but also the safety of our source."

Abhay and Avantika nodded in agreement, a silent understanding passing between them as they braced themselves for the challenges that lay ahead. The room fell into a heavy silence, each lost in their thoughts, contemplating the intricate web of deceit they found themselves entangled in.

****

The tension in the conference room was palpable as Avantika's words hung in the air. Her declaration of the criteria for accepting the auditing panel had caused chaos to erupt among the attendees.

"A signed affidavit with full disclosure?" one man repeated incredulously, his voice rising above the murmurs and gasps that filled the room.

"Does this mean we have to sign a NDA?" another person asked, their tone laced with uncertainty and concern.

Avantika remained composed, her expression betraying nothing as she watched the reactions of those around her. She knew that this bold move would stir the hornet's nest, but it was a risk she was willing to take. Avantika had always been one to play the long game, thinking several steps ahead like a chess grandmaster. The wariness in the investors' eyes only fueled her determination further.

As the room buzzed with nervous energy and whispered conversations, Abhay caught Avantika's eye. There was a silent exchange between them, a wordless reassurance that they were in this together, come what may. Despite their turbulent history and the wounds that still lingered between them, there was an unspoken understanding that they were united in their mission to save InnoVault.

Deepti, ever the strategist, took charge of the situation with her trademark poise and authority. She addressed the clients directly, her words cutting through the chaos like a sharp blade.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I understand your concerns," Deepti began, her voice commanding attention. "But rest assured, this measure is not only for the protection of InnoVault but also for your best interests. We need to ensure that every decision made is transparent and free from any ulterior motives that could harm the company in the long run."

Her words seemed to have a calming effect on the agitated investors as they leaned in, their expressions shifting from apprehension to cautious curiosity. Deepti's ability to command respect and instill confidence in her audience was undeniable.

"This is ridiculous! Are you forgetting that it is your company that is under investigation and not us, Avantika?" asked Saksham. His lips had twisted into a sneer and his knuckles turned pale as he grabbed the armrest in a relentless grip.

"Exactly, Saksham!" A saccharine sweet smile danced on Avantika's lips which failed to reach her eyes. "It is my company that is under investigation, not all the auditing firms in the city that you abandoned them and took on their role. The clients are free to choose any auditing firm, but if they want to chair the audit and conduct the investigation by themselves, they have to abide by the criteria."