Page 188 of One Hellish Passion

Dhruv helped Kunal stand on his feet this time. Ranveer was unmoved, but Maya was still clueless. Did this mean Ranveer trusted her?

“All your life, Kunal Malik, you have been insensitively trying to plot against me only because your girlfriend Cindy was cheating on you. I didn’t sleep with her. And I have no reason to hide it. Cindy meant nothing to me; she never will. Four years ago, you attempted to manipulate Maya into my life, and I've already caused enough harm to that innocent woman to burden myself with guilt for a lifetime. Back then, I couldn't place my trust in her because I didn't truly know her. But today, I won’t make that same mistake. The only person I trust in this world is her,” he pointed at Maya, who was too numb to react.

Kunal stumbled in fear as Ranveer strode to him.

“Today, you broke my patience, Kunal, by manipulating my wife, by bringing tears to her eyes, by making her feel guilty before me. I won’t forgive you for this. You will have to pay big time.”

Kunal swallowed his fear. He didn’t understand where Ranveer got this trust in Maya from.

“If you ever try to cross our paths again or even dare to look at my wife, I am going to put you in the same place where your father is. And this is not a warning, it’s a challenge. And you know when I take up a challenge, I damn well make sure to win it.”

Ranveer clicked his fingers at Dhruv then.

“Open your eyes and see what kind of people you are living between, Dhruv. You are no longer a kid. Support the people who are right, not the ones who pretend to be,” he preached.

Dhruv looked down feeling guilty. The way Ranveer opened up the past enmity between Kunal and him just gave a new insight into the real Maliks. Probably, he had to consider both angles before judging whom to support, and he would do that soon.

Ranveer turned back to the door to leave and on his way even dragged his wife Maya along.

Chapter 59

Ranveer’s silence terrified her. Not a single word passed between them in the car as they drove back to Paradise. Nor could she bring herself to speak. Maya realized she had been foolishly manipulated by Kunal Malik, despite knowing how wicked he was. If Ranveer hadn't shown his trust in her today, everything would have been over. Everything.

He parked the vehicle and stepped out, not bothering to open her door. She got out of the car herself and followed him quietly to the private elevator. Inside the confined space of the elevator, she could feel his tension, though he wasn't even glaring at her. She knew that if she tried to talk to him, he would explode. How was she supposed to convince him that she would never repeat this?

The elevator doors opened again with Aisha desperately awaiting their arrival.

“Ma’am, are you alright?” Aisha immediately checked on her.

“You,” Ranveer barked. “You are fired.”

Aisha stood rooted to the spot, totally scared of his tone.

“There was just one task you were assigned to do and you failed me twice,” he continued, venting his anger on Aisha.

Aisha struggled to hold back her tears, acknowledging her mistake. She should have kept a closer watch on Maya today. She was preoccupied with urgent family matters, for which she had received permission from Maya. Aisha had also informed Maya to contact her if she left Paradise for any reason. She immediately returned to work when Aman Mathur called her and explained the situation between Ranveer, Maya, and Kunal. She couldn't fathom that Maya would take such drastic measures for the Maliks, but despite the evidence against Maya, Aisha knew it was only to protect Ranveer Malhotra. Upon arriving, she began searching for clues and evidence that could prove Maya's innocence, just in case her boss, Ranveer, doubted his wife.

“Sir,” she tried to interrupt him, but he didn’t let her.

“Enough of your excuses and apologies. You are not needed here anymore, Aisha.”

“Ranveer,” Maya immediately tried to pacify him, but the moment she spoke, he shot her a heated glance and walked into the house.

Aisha fought back her tears.

“Aisha, please don’t mind him. I will talk to Ranveer and...”

“No. He is right. I have failed you both twice. I won’t take any more chances. I should go.”

Maya wanted to stop her, she tried, but Aisha didn’t stop. Her chapter here was over.

**************

An hour Later

“Laura was involved too,” Aman informed Ranveer.

After Aisha left, Aman had dropped by Paradise to give him some important information. Ranveer was shocked. Was that why Laura had been missing ever since he and Maya returned from the Maliks?

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