Chaotic Relations

Chapter 41

Hi guys!

The new chapter is here! Chapters 42-50 are already uploaded on Scrollstack. If you want, you can check them out. The link is on my profile.

Enjoy reading!

The Agnihotri Palace

The sun was setting over Jodhpur, casting long shadows across the grand Agnihotri Palace. Usually, this hour brought a sense of calm as the family gathered for evening tea, but today, the palace walls seemed to vibrate with tension. The news of Ruhanika's kidnapping had spread through the household like wildfire, leaving devastation in its wake.

In the main hall, Anant Agnihotri stood like a statue, his face carved from stone as he listened to the palace security chief's report. The only sign of the turmoil within him was the white-knuckled grip he maintained on the back of a chair.

"Kuch bhi pata chala?" he asked, his voice deceptively calm. Have you found anything?

"Not yet, Maharaj," the security chief replied, his eyes downcast. "We've reviewed the mall's security footage. Two men forced Princess Ruhanika and Mrs. Rajput into a black van. The license plate was covered, but we're checking all routes leaving the city."

Anant nodded once, a sharp, controlled movement. "And Smita? How is she?"

"Mrs. Rajput sustained minor injuries during the struggle but is stable. Dr. Khanna is with her now. Mr. Jai Singh Rajput has been notified and is on his way."

"Accha. Ab jao, aur mujhe har ghante report karo." Anant dismissed him with a wave of his hand. Good. Now go, and report to me every hour.

As the security chief departed, Anant finally allowed himself to sink into the chair he had been gripping. His Anika, his precious daughter, snatched away again—it was a cruel repeat of history that threatened to break him. Thirteen years he had searched for her, thirteen years of emptiness, only to have her returned to him for mere months before being taken again.

"Nahi, is baar nahi," he whispered to himself, a fierce promise. No, not this time. He would tear the world apart if necessary, but he would not lose his daughter again.

Divyank's Office

Across the palace, in his private office, Divyank Agnihotri was in a state of controlled fury. The members of 4 Ace—Aldo, Alexei, and Mason—stood around him as he paced the length of the room like a caged tiger.

"I want every resource we have directed to finding her," he commanded, his voice slicing through the tense atmosphere. "Every contact, every informant, every favor we're owed—call them all in. I don't care what it costs."

"We've already got people on the ground," Aldo reported, his Spanish accent thickening with emotion. "Our networks in Rajasthan, Delhi, and Mumbai have been alerted. If they try to move her across state lines, we'll know."

"What about ransom demands?" Alexei asked, his Russian features set in a grim expression. "Surely they will make contact soon if money is their motivation."

"It's been three hours," Mason, the American, pointed out. "No calls, no messages. This doesn't feel like a standard kidnapping for ransom."

Divyank stopped his pacing abruptly, turning to face his team. "Because it isn't," he said quietly. "This is personal. Someone knows exactly who Anika is and what she means to this family."

The realization hung heavily in the air. Divyank's mind flashed back to that night thirteen years ago when his mother had taken Anika from his arms. The guilt that had haunted him all these years surged back with renewed force. Once again, he had failed to protect his little sister.