CHECKMATE

Chapter 33

The flashes of light clicked from the camera and the loud buzz in the conference hall became even louder when the CEO of the company, Shivendra Rathore entered the hall.

Even before he could sit down, the questions began pouring in.

"Mr. Rathore, is the food in your company no longer safe for consumption?"

"Mr. Rathore, how could you let such a thing happen? Does food inspection no longer take place in Rathore Enterprises any more?"

"Can I sit first?" Asked Shivendra with a bored look across his face.

The reporters fell silent and Shivendra smirked, "Thank you." and finally sat down on the seat. "You may begin."

Once again the reports all began asking questions all at once. Shivendra smacked his forehead and looked at Pratap mumbling, "You wanted me to have a press conference with this heard of sheep's?"

Pratap looked at Siddharth who was the moderator of the conference and asked, "What the hell are you up to? You are supposed to monitor this not enjoy it."

"I'm trying," growled Siddharth and finally he shouted, "SILENCE."

Just like a bunch of school children, the reports fell silent once more.

"Please ask your questions one by one." Requested Siddharth shaking his head, who made them reporters in the first place?

"Mr. Rathore," began one of the reporter, "Would you care to explain how the rats made their way into the freezer in the first place?"

"Well I was in Venice busy marrying so I really don't know." Replied Shivendra.

"Well...umm...Mr. Rathore don't you think your management is being too lax with the entire situation?" Asked another reporter.

"I think my management are filled with trustworthy people. I bet they themselves had no idea about this entire fiasco and I as the CEO will not question them." Said Shivendra in a firm voice. "Being the CEO, if I do not trust my employees building and maintaining a whole business empire with no trust....is just impossible."

"Mr. Rathore what if it really was one of your staff members who did this? Will you let this slide away or will strict action be taken against those behind this?" Asked another reporter.

"I can say with certainty that this is not the doing of any of my staff members." Said Shivendra standing up from his seat. "I know my employees and I trust them and where there's trust, there's no place for scepticism. Thank you." Saying this he left the hall.

Siddharth immediately said, "Well that's all. I hope you feel free to have our refreshments before leaving. Thank you."

Siddharth and Pratap too left and went to Shivendra who was sweating profusely.

"I've given tall claims that nobody in the company did it..." Warned Shivendra pointing a finger at Pratap. "If someone from the company did it I swear you will get a bashing."

"It's actually my gut feeling that this whole incident has absolutely nothing to do with your staff members. If the person is an outsider, then he will retaliate in some way or the other." Said Pratap with a slight shrug.

~

"You said this would work!" Exclaimed Vinayak in irritation. "Shivendra isn't even doubting his employees. Forget doubting, he wasn'tt even willing to take any questions regarding them."

R

anveer smiled rather calmly and said, "In order to weaken him, one must get rid of Pratap."