Reyansh’s Perspective:
As I looked around the room, I couldn’t help but notice the varied expressions on the faces of those present. Anisha and Aanya, in particular, regarded me with curious glances, their eyes seemingly questioning the urgency of my summons. But they knew better than to inquire without cause, for they understood the gravity of our situation.
The events of the previous night, as recounted by Hridhan, had left me with a multitude of questions and a pressing need to unravel the truth. Every detail, every piece of information, was like a puzzle piece waiting to be fitted into its rightful place. We needed to gather all the facts before taking any action against the Dagger Syndicate.
As I processed the information we had acquired thus far, I decided that it was time to bring Anisha and Aanya into the fold. They were essential to our mission, and their perspectives and insights could prove invaluable. Without hesitation, I had summoned them to my office at short notice.
Now, in the confines of my office, the four of us were gathered. Anisha and Aanya sat on the plush couch, while Hridhan and I occupied the chairs opposite them.
My gaze shifted from one woman to the other, studying their expressions. Anisha’s eyes held a hint of curiosity, as if she was trying to discern the reason behind this sudden summons. Aanya, on the other hand, appeared more guarded, her posture reflecting a certain wariness. It was understandable; they had been through a lot, and trust was not something that came easily in their world.
My secretary entered the room, bearing a tray with glasses of water and a decanter of whiskey. She offered the drinks to Anisha and Aanya, who politely declined. Hridhan and I, however, accepted a glass each. The whiskey was a mere formality, a prop that helped maintain the appearance of a casual meeting.
I met both of their eyes, my gaze unwavering, and spoke with the utmost seriousness and determination. “Ladies, understand this clearly: today, I require honest answers to certain questions. These answers are crucial for the success of our mission.”
Anisha nodded, her expression determined. It was clear that she was ready to cooperate, to shed light on the mysteries that surrounded her.
Anisha was the first to respond. “We understand the gravity of the situation, Mr. Rout. We’re here to help in any way we can.”
Aanya met my gaze with a mixture of apprehension and resolve. She knew that our mission was of the utmost importance, and her cooperation was essential.
Hridhan, always the astute observer, interjected, “Before we delve into the details, Anisha, can you share your insights on Samuel Anderson and his supposed death?”
Anisha took a deep breath, her eyes reflecting the weight of her experiences. She began, ”
You’re already aware of how I was framed for Samuel’s murder. Samuel, from a young age, was a bully who took pleasure in hurting others. He targeted me too, and when I reported his behavior to my coach, he decided to teach me a lesson in the cruelest way possible. He subjected me to a brutal beating until I learned to defend myself and stand my ground. I was just a child, and he was a trained adult, so the beating was severe. However, once he saw that I was willing to fight back and protect myself, he delivered a harsh lesson: in this world, if you’re weak, you’ll be attacked until you either faint or worse, regardless of your gender. His message was clear: learn to fight and protect yourself, because it’s the only way to survive in this harsh world.”
She took a deep breath and continued, “After that brutal lesson, I realized that no one was coming to save me. My father, ever since my mother’s death, only cared about his group. When it was decided that I would become the future leader, he essentially threw me into the harsh world to fend for myself. I had no choice but to learn how to fight and defend myself. Samuel attempted to bully me once more, but when I fought back and nearly beat him to death, he never crossed my path again. However, his father couldn’t accept this defeat. He took the matter to my father, and I was subjected to another painful punishment. Following that, rumors spread that I despised Samuel because he might become the next leader. I tried to avoid crossing paths with him, and he did the same, but tensions simmered. It reached a breaking point when I caught him attempting to assault a mute girl. I couldn’t stand by, so I intervened and beat him severely, worse than before. He ended up in the hospital for two weeks to recover from my beating. My punishment, though, was identical to his. I was beaten just as badly, but unlike him, I didn’t have the luxury of rest and healing. I had to be back in class the next day. After that incident, Samuel never dared to confront me again until the evening of the coronation. Everyone assumed I had murdered him at that time and accused me. At a certain point, I couldn’t blame them because the circumstances made it appear that way.”
Listening to her, I couldn’t help but empathize, though I kept my emotions from showing on my face. The path to leadership is filled with hardship, a truth that many fail to grasp. People tend to believe that it’s a privilege, that future leaders are born with a silver spoon in their mouths, and that it’s an easy life. What they don’t understand is the kind of hell we’re put through from a young age to prepare us for the responsibilities ahead. We endure this not out of privilege but out of necessity, to ensure we’re not broken by the challenges life and our adversaries throw at us. It’s not about being born with a silver spoon; it’s about molding ourselves to protect our people, even if it means sacrificing our own lives. While others played with plush toys during their childhood, we were handed knives and taught the art of wielding them in various ways. It’s not a path meant for everyone, yet everyone feels entitled to criticize us, often without any understanding of the reality we face.
She continued, “But all my reasoning and understanding were cast aside when I was subjected to a hell far worse than any I had experienced before. No one deserves to be abandoned by their parents. They brought us into this world, which makes it their responsibility to ensure our safety. Even though I was a future leader, there were moments when I wished my father could have been there to hold me and reassure me that everything would be okay. I started to despise my father and blamed him for my predicament. We never had an ideal father-daughter relationship, but the least he could have done was to listen to me and have faith in me. Instead, the moment he saw me in that room, he accused me with his eyes even before Mr. Anderson did.” I could tell she was on the brink of tears, but she held them back. Leaders aren’t supposed to display weakness, and she was making a valiant effort to maintain her composure.
I nodded, processing this new information. It was a crucial distinction, and it raised further questions about the turning of events and path.
Hridhan, always methodical in his approach, continued, “Now, here’s where it gets intriguing. Last night, when we were at the masquerade ball, we encountered someone who was supposed to be dead.”
Aanya exchanged puzzled glances.
Hridhan went on, “The person we encountered was Mr. Anderson’s son, Samuel, who was believed to have been murdered. But he was present at the party, alive and well.”
Aanya was the only one surprised in the room; the rest of us were already aware of this news.
Hridhan then glanced at me, and I nodded, indicating for him to proceed as planned. He cleared his throat and, without making eye contact with Anisha, continued, “But that’s not the primary reason we brought you here. During our investigation, I uncovered something even more astonishing.” After taking a deep breath, he continued, “Samuel is not Mr. Anderson’s biological son.” As he finished his sentence, a heavy silence settled in the room, the tension so palpable it could be cut with a knife.
Aanya and Anisha wore expressions of disbelief, their minds lost in thought. After a moment, Aanya regained her composure and asked the question, “So, who is Samuel’s real father then? He must be the son of a prominent figure within the group, considering the influence he had on Anisha’s punishment, even though she’s the leader’s daughter.”
Upon hearing this, I turned to Anisha, capturing her attention, and asked the question that had been gnawing at me since I learned this shocking revelation. “Anisha, what kind of relationship do you have with Mr. Gomez?”