Page 53 of Wicked Trap

Aryan sat back. “That’s not what I’m hearing, Mr. Shetty. There’s a lot of noise going around where investors and bureaucrats are doubting whether the park will be allowed to be converted into a luxury mall. In fact, I’ve heard that members of your own family are the ones to strongly oppose it.”

There was a look of anger on Girish Shetty’s face. “My daughter is a hothead, Mr. Varma. She is young and quite out of touch with reality. I’ve spoken to her, and she has agreed not to intervene. She strongly regrets her actions.”

Aryan was amused. If only the bastard in front of him knew how strongly his daughter regrets her actions by joining the company in an underhanded way and working under the chairman to find defaming information that would stop the mall construction.

“Mere words don’t run businesses, Mr. Shetty, especially when it comes to a billion-dollar investment over the next five years. The mall construction will set the precedent of how my company will choose to spend the rest of our money. And I value my company’s reputation the most. Your daughter might be a hot head, but her actions and words are damaging.”

The older man looked panicked. “Mr. Varma, I will speak to my daughter again. I would like to assure you that things are well on schedule, and there will not be any interruptions. And your company name has not been revealed in any of the news outlets or elsewhere. Prism Corporation is in the forefront. I promise there will not be any negative impact on your company’s reputation.”

Aryan didn’t respond. He let the silence intimidate the older man.

“Mr. Varma, I know it’s hard to believe me. But please give me the opportunity to show you how much I and other top politicians and bureaucrats appreciate your investment in our city. Please accept an invitation to throw a party in your honor. I will have my daughter attend it. She will apologize and do anything to convince you she won’t interfere.”

Aryan’s mouth twisted at the not-so-subtle eager and desperate look on the older man’s face. “I’ll think about it, Mr. Shetty. I have upcoming travel to New York planned. Maybe when I get back, you can show your appreciation as well as provide proof that things are going to go as planned.”

“Yes, yes, of course, Mr. Varma. I will be in touch with your personal assistant to keep providing you updates as usual.”

Aryan got up from the chair.

Girish Shetty hurried towards him and shook his hand. “Thank you so much again, Mr. Varma. I am looking forward to hosting the party in your honor at my place.”

Giving the older man a curt nod, Aryan turned to leave. The older man escorted him outside.

The rage Aryan felt each time he saw Girish Shetty was still bubbling inside him. But knowing how close he was to destroying the cunning old bastard gave him immense satisfaction. The house that Girish Shetty lived in belonged to the Vardhamans.

After the death of Ashok Vardhaman, the banks auctioned all the properties that belonged to the Vardhaman family. Before even an auction could be held for the Vardhaman house in the city, the property was purchased by Girish Shetty.

It not only proved that the crooked lawyer was more than involved.

Even after fifteen years, as he passed through the large open halls of Girish Shetty’s house, Aryan’s mind filled with the memories of the time his family spent in the same home. He had been too young to recall everything clearly, but his family had used the city home mostly for visiting his brothers who were enrolled in a city school and also when their father had business meetings. The rest of the time was spent in Vardhaman Estate which had been their primary home.

While Bhargav worked on getting back Vardhaman Estate, Aryan was determined to get back the city properties. He knew it was only a matter of time when all of Girish Shetty’s properties would be seized.

Aryan wondered how his fiery prey would react after finding out that he was responsible for her father’s bankruptcy and arrest.

Will she hate me more? Or will she stand by the truth?

***

Girish Shetty watched as the sleek Aston Martin drove away from his house.

He was fifty-five years old and among the richest and powerful men in the city. But his hunger to be the most powerful man in the entire state made him suck up to a rich man who was less than half his age. He needed Aryan Varma’s money to win the upcoming elections.

He hated men like Aryan Varma. He resented their existence.

With a suit that cost more than a car, men like Aryan Varma didn’t know what it was to be a middle-class man in a rich man’s world. Men like Aryan Varma didn’t experience a day-to-day struggle. They didn’t experience how it felt to always crave a better life.

And men like Aryan Varma would never lose the women they loved to another man.

“I’m sorry, Girish, I can’t marry you. I love someone else.”

“How can you say that! You know I have always loved you.”

The woman’s beautiful face fell. “I didn’t know you loved me, Girish. I always thought of us as friends. And even if you did like me, we don’t suit well together. We want different things in life.”

“How can we not suit well? We are both from middle-class families. I know you want to marry that man because he is very rich!”

She shook her head. “No. I love him because of the man he is. His love for nature. His generous heart and the drive to help the ones in need. His ability to make others laugh and feel good about themselves. He is confident and content. The fact that he has money is just coincidental.” She looked at him in regret. “I’m sorry to disappoint you.”

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