Chapter 17: Chapter 17

Niharika's POV

My deep slumber was broken with a phone call. I checked the time. It was eight in the morning. I picked up the call. It was Raghav.

"Hello, madam. Good morning!", I heard in a cheerful voice.

"Good morning, Raghav. Is it really a good one?" I asked him, mocking at his cheerfulness.

"Yes, madam. Sapna has woken up. Police are taking her statement. I wasn't allowed to talk to her but my subordinate, Rachel, has given important information. Sapna is Niyati's cousin." I was shocked to hear this.

"What?" I asked.

"Madam, one more for you. Niyati is Vikram's new girlfriend for the last six months." I was amazed this time not at the news because I was expecting something like this but at the excitement of Raghav.

"Why are you so happy, Mr. Raghav?" I asked him as I switched to a pure business tone.

"Madam, according to my theory, Sapna was working for you. Vikram involved Niyati in his foul play and Niyati, in turn, involved Sapna. It's Vikram's mind working, ma'am. You were right. Meet them today. Let's see what happens." Raghav said, concluding his theory which was assumed by all of us.

"Okay send me the details of the meeting asap, Bye." I said disconnecting the call.

I dressed up in a loose peach colored shirt and white pants. I had to go to the hospital to see Sapna. Plus, I needed to meet Vikram and Niyati at The Marriott today. I was not going to the office today so I dressed up in semi-formals.

I fixated a spy camera in the top button of my shirt and got ready for meeting the insane villains at 10. The meeting will be captured and work as evidence for my case.

I was prepared for the worst in the meeting because I wondered if they would both come to meet together or not.

I grabbed an apple as I had no appetite amidst tension and asked my driver to take me to the hotel.

*****

Reaching, The Marriott, I waited for them on the table booked for us. I ordered a cappuccino and waited.

I saw a young fair girl coming to me. She was wearing a maroon colored tight fitted top and a black wrap skirt reaching her knees. She was indeed, beautiful and had a model-like figure. I wondered if she was Mr. Walia's girlfriend. She appeared too beautiful and young for that grumpy fellow.

"Hello, Ms. Niharika Sehgal, I am Niyati Verma", she said introducing herself lending forward her hand for a handshake.

I shook my hands with her and we both took our seats. I managed to say a meek hello to her.

"So, why have you called me up here? You should be working over improvising your product-lines rather than wasting time in compromising. I am here to tell you that we will see each other in the court." I was taken aback at her tone. I wondered if she talked to me as if I was seriously a culprit. She was indeed, a good actor. I was filled with anger and disgust towards her behavior.

"Madam, I would be delighted to see you in the court. It is really annoying that you just came all the way to tell me that I am wasting time compromising with you. By the way, I am not here to compromise with you." I said in pure professional tone hiding my disgust for her because that is against my business ethics.

"Then, why am I called?", she asked, getting annoyed.

"I have called you to tell that the products you are using are completely safe and they have passed all the laboratory tests. I have submitted the reports also. I will see you in the court, if you want this but only after a coffee." I smirked at her only to see Mr. Walia coming. I could figure out that they were aware of each other's presence beforehand.

"Hello, Ms. Sehgal. Hope you have got busier these days." He said, smirking as he came near the table. He saw Niyati and reacted as if he was oblivious of her presence.

"Well! Why?" I said so that they could bring out their truth by themselves.

"Umm, court cases, I think. Right, Niyati." He said looking at her. Both of them smiled at each other and smirked at me.

"No big deal", I exclaimed to agitate them.

"But your international deal, and new project matters, I suppose", said Vikram with an evil grin.

"You know a lot about my company, I see", I said digging their conspiracy.

"I have my sources, right Niyati", Vikram said grinning like an evil monster.

"I see..."before I could complete I heard a gunshot. I was shocked to see Niyati lying in the pool of blood. She was shot in her shoulder and she was wincing in pain. I saw Vikram smirking at me. He said, "I know the police will be here. You are stuck in your own web, darling. Let's have a merger now and stop this turmoil. Sell your company to me to save it from the scandal or else, you are finished. You see, I am after your company. I shot Sapna and Niyati. I ransacked your home. I threatened your employee. I did everything still, you will be under the radar. Call your advocate for the bail."

I knew I had to behave as I was recording everything. Of course, the police were present. The crime scene was sealed and efforts were made to catch the snipper but to no avail.

Niyati was taken to the hospital via the ambulance. I was questioned since I was a prime suspect because I had arranged the meeting. I handed the spy camera to the police official. Raghav and Mr. Singh came to the crime scene and assured them that they had filmed the entire meeting via the camera I had. This was done to have two copies of the evidence.

The police realized Vikram's game was over. He was taken into custody. His expression was priceless. I was relaxed.

The media was shooting everything in the camera when he was taken to the police station.

I, along with my Security Head, Raghav and Advocate, Mr. Singh moved out of the hotel avoiding the series of questions of journalists.