Page 214 of One Hellish Passion

Kunal removed the papers from the file and tore them.

“They are not the original papers, by the way. I’m not a fool to hand you over the real ones,” Ranveer stated.

Kunal started sweating. Yes, he had engaged in his fair share of wrongdoing in certain business transactions, manipulating his clients and extracting more funds from them. However, he never anticipated that Ranveer would apprehend him and gather evidence to incriminate him.

“What do you want?” Kunal barked.

“I don’t want anything from you because you cannot afford me.”

Kunal’s nose flared in rage. This man’s ego was higher than the sky.

“It won’t take me long to put you behind bars, but I wouldn’t do that if—”

“If?”

“You share the Malik property with Dhruv, which he is rightfully heir to.”

Kunal was shocked again. How did Ranveer know he was manipulating all the property and assets of the Malik family and soon going to kick Dhruv out of it?

“You don’t have much time to think, Kunal. Just tonight. Tomorrow morning, if you don’t give Dhruv his share willingly, I will have to submit the real proofs to the police.”

Threatening him enough, Ranveer got up to leave.

“And I would be more than happy to choose the second option, you know,” Ranveer added with a wink.

“You’re messing big time, Ranveer,” Kunal said with dangerous evenness in his tone.

Ranveer paced forward to Kunal and met his eyes.

“You’re yet to see the danger. And the day you do, no one will even stand by your side to save you. So, do as I say. Or else you will lose even that bit of respect which Dhruv still has in his eyes for you.”

Saying that Ranveer strode out of Malik office, bristling with anger. He had done his part and was very much sure Kunal would do his. He purposely didn’t involve Dhruv in this conversation nor let him know how selfish Kunal had become for the Malik property. Dhruv would have innocently left all his assets for his stepbrother, but how could Ranveer let this injustice happen to his younger brother? He had to intervene.

Chapter 66

Paradise

When Ranveer entered his room at midnight, it was dimly lit, allowing him to discern that his wife had already retired to bed, much to his dismay. Considering it was nearly 1:00 am, he hadn't expected her to stay up so late. However, he noticed she was covering herself with the duvet, her figure obscured beneath its fluffy folds. Quickly changing into his night attire, he emerged from the bathroom hoping to find her shifted on the bed, but she remained in the same position. Concerned, he approached her and shook the duvet to rouse her, only to realize that it was only pillows beneath the covers. Before he could process the situation, he heard her hearty laughter from behind the French doors, where his wife, Maya Malhotra, emerged from behind the curtains.

“Oh, goodness. Did you really think it was me?” Maya continued to laugh.

Although Ranveer wasn't accustomed to being the butt of such pranks, particularly when perpetrated by his wife, he didn't mind.

“I assumed you'd realize it wasn't me the moment you entered the room,” she remarked, stepping closer.

Despite feeling foolish, Ranveer was charmed by her infectious joy. He would do anything to see her so happy more often. As she noticed his intense gaze, her laughter subsided, and she approached him. Before she could reach out to him, he withdrew.

“Good night,” he muttered, retreating to his side of the bed.

Maya was taken aback. “Seriously? Good night?” she questioned, displeased with his response. “I stayed up for you, and this is how you treat me?”

With Ranveer continuing to ignore her and turning off the last lamp, Maya was frozen by his persistent avoidance.

“Ranveer,” she kicked off her shoes and joined him on the bed, “Don't be such a spoilsport. It was just a harmless prank. Stop being so hard about it?”

When he remained silent and refused to face her, she relented.

“Fine. Good night,” she said, preparing to lie down.

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