Monday morning at Khurana Group Headquarters was unusually tense.
The office buzzed with quiet excitement because everyone knew one thing—
A major international investor meeting was scheduled in Mumbai for the Eco Tower Project, the biggest project the company had taken this year.
And the person responsible for the design…
Was Anika Kapoor.
Anika sat at her desk, reviewing the project documents again and again. Even though she had already fixed the design issue, she still felt pressure in her chest.
Across the floor, employees whispered occasionally.
Some still believed the rumours.
Some didn't.
But the tension hadn't completely disappeared.
Just then, Meera, Arman's secretary, walked into the department.
"Ms. Kapoor," she said politely.
Anika looked up.
"Yes?"
"Mr. Khurana would like to see you in his cabin."
Several heads immediately lifted around the office.
Anika noticed it.
Ignoring the curious stares, she stood up and walked toward the CEO's glass cabin.
Inside the cabin, Arman Khurana stood near the large window, looking at the city skyline.
His posture was calm.
Controlled.
But the moment Anika entered, he turned slightly.
"You called me?" she asked.
Arman gestured toward the chair in front of his desk.
"Sit."
Anika remained standing.
"I'm fine."
He raised an eyebrow slightly but didn't argue.
Instead, he picked up a file from his desk and slid it toward her.
"The investor meeting for the Eco Tower project is tomorrow."
Anika nodded.
"I know."
"It's happening in Mumbai."
"I know that too."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"Good. Then you also know you're coming with me."
For a second—
Anika thought she had heard him wrong.
"I'm… what?"
"You're attending the meeting."
"With you?"
"Yes."
Her expression instantly turned serious.
"That's not a good idea."
Arman leaned back in his chair.
"Why?"
"You know why."
He watched her quietly.
"The rumours," she said.
"People already think I'm getting special treatment."
"And you care what they think?"
"Yes," she said immediately.
"Because I worked hard for this project."
Arman studied her face carefully.
The determination in her eyes was real.
"You designed the building," he said calmly.
"Yes."
"You understand every structural detail."
"Yes."
"Then you'll present it to the investors."
"It's not that simple."
Arman leaned forward slightly.
"It is exactly that simple."
Anika crossed her arms.
"You didn't even ask if I was available."
His lips curved slightly.
"I wasn't asking."
She sighed in frustration.
"You're unbelievable."
"And yet," he replied calmly,
"You still work for me."
That made her glare at him.
"I work for the company."
Arman didn't argue.
Instead, he stood up from his chair and walked toward the window again.
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Then he spoke again, his voice quieter.
"You shouldn't run away from opportunities because of rumours."
Anika looked at him.
"I'm not running away."
"Then prove them wrong."
She frowned slightly.
"What?"
"Stand in that meeting room," Arman continued, "and show those investors why your design was chosen."
His tone was calm, but there was something firm in it.
Something almost… encouraging.
For the first time since she entered the room, Anika hesitated.
Then she asked carefully,
"And if something goes wrong?"
Arman turned to face her.
His dark eyes met hers.
"It won't."
"You sound very confident."
"I am."
"Why?"
Arman held her gaze for a moment before answering.
"Because you're good at what you do."
The words surprised her.
Coming from him…
That almost sounded like a compliment.
Anika looked away first.
"When do we leave?"
Arman checked his watch.
"Tomorrow morning. Eight o'clock flight."
She nodded slowly.
"Fine."
He raised an eyebrow.
"That was easy."
"Don't get used to it."
She turned toward the door.
But just before leaving, she paused.
"Mr. Khurana."
"Yes?"
"If this trip creates more rumours…"
His expression remained calm.
"I'll handle them."
Anika looked at him for a moment.
Then she opened the door and left.
Outside the cabin, the office atmosphere felt the same as before.
Except now—
Even more people were whispering.
Anika ignored them and walked back to her desk.
But across the floor—
Rhea had been watching everything.
Her eyes followed Anika carefully.
Then she turned slightly toward Arman's cabin.
A slow smile appeared on her face.
"So," she whispered quietly,
"You're taking her to Mumbai."
Her eyes darkened slightly.
"Let's see how long that lasts."
Because if Arman thought the rumours were bad now—
They were about to become much worse