Page 4 of Lawfully Yours
Chapter 1
A few minutes later
Arundhati stormed into Raj Verma’s cabin, barely containing the irritation simmering in her chest.
“Uncle, how could you?” she demanded, her voice edged with restrained fury. “Me and him together working on a case? That’s highly impossible.”
Raj Verma, seated behind his stately desk, glanced up at her with practised calm.
“I already clarified that, didn’t I?” he said, setting aside his reading glasses and leaning back in his chair, as composed as ever. “I want the best of both of you to help Anant win this case.”
Arundhati let out a sharp breath as she planted her hands on his desk and leaned in. “Uncle, I can’t stand his high-end, know-it-all attitude. Working together will only make me lose my peace of mind. He is—”
The door swung open again, and Kushal entered, once again not even acknowledging her presence.
Instead, he walked straight to Raj Verma.
“I’m not exactly thrilled about this arrangement either, Sir,” he said smoothly. “Working with someone who clings too much to rules instead of using strategy makes things more complicated than they need to be.”
Arundhati bristled.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” she drawled, folding her arms. “Would you rather work with someone who treats legal battles like a game of psychological warfare rather than actual justice?”
Kushal finally turned his dark, assessing gaze toward her, bored amusement flickering in those maddeningly sharp eyes.
“Justice?” he repeated, tilting his head slightly. “I seem to recall your self-righteous approach failing spectacularly in the Oberoi divorce case last year. If I remember correctly, you were so determined to play by the book that your client nearly lost everything.”
Arundhati’s jaw clenched. “But I won that case. And, if I remember correctly,yourmanipulative tactics in the Malhotra case had the opposing party signing a settlement that was legally unethical.”
“Ethicality is subjective,” Kushal shrugged. “Winning isn’t. You get too caught up in what’s right and wrong, whereas I’m more focused on winning, no matter the method.”
Her glare sharpened. “And that’s exactly why I despise working with you.”
Raj exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples before his authoritative voice sliced through their bickering.
“Are you both done?”
Silence.
They both turned to face him, arms crossed, mirroring each other’s stance even in their stubbornness. Raj’s gaze flickered between them before he let out a heavy sigh.
“The two best lawyers I’m most proud of, standing before me, fighting like children in a schoolyard?” He leaned forward. “Instead of fighting with each other, it would be better if you used that energy for this case, because trust me, it’s not going to be an easy one.”
Kushal straightened, that infuriating smirk still in place. “Oh, don’t worry. I’ve already started.”
“You have?” Raj lifted a brow.
Kushal tucked his hands into his pockets confidently.
“Of course. I’ve already leaked select information to the press, hinting that Sadhna’s claims are financially motivated rather than truth-based.” His gaze flicked to Arundhati for just a second before returning to Raj. “A couple of carefully placed media narratives have started shifting public opinion. By tomorrow, a few industry insiders will start questioning her credibility.”
Raj’s lips curled into an approving smile. “Well played, Kushal.”
Arundhati folded her arms. “I’m not sitting idle, either.”
Both men turned to her, Raj intrigued, Kushal sceptical.
She lifted her chin.
