ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴀʟʟ ᴏꜰ ᴅᴀɴɢᴇʀ

The courtroom buzzed with quiet murmurs as lawyers shuffled papers and the judge took his seat.

"Order in the court," the clerk announced.

At the center stood Advocate Shalini Swaraj, dressed in a crisp black lawyer’s coat, her expression calm yet sharp. Across from her stood the opposing counsel, flipping through files nervously.

Shalini stepped forward confidently.

"My Lord," she began, addressing the judge respectfully, "the opposing counsel claims that my client illegally transferred company funds for personal use."

She paused and lifted a document from her file.

"But the bank statements submitted clearly show that the transactions were approved by the board of directors. In fact—" she held the paper up, "—this signature here belongs to the complainant himself."

A murmur spread through the courtroom.

The opposing lawyer quickly interrupted, "My Lord, the defense is presenting misleading evidence—"

Shalini turned toward him calmly.

"If it is misleading," she said firmly, "then perhaps the complainant would like to explain why his signature appears on all three authorization forms."

The judge adjusted his glasses and examined the documents carefully.

After a moment, he spoke.

"Counselor, unless you can prove these documents are forged, the court will accept them as valid."

The opposing lawyer fell silent.

Shalini closed her file with quiet confidence.

"My client has been falsely accused for months, My Lord," she said. "All we ask is that justice be served."

The judge nodded slowly.

"The court will review the submitted evidence. Hearing adjourned for today."

The gavel struck.

The case had clearly turned in Shalini’s favor.

Outside the courthouse, the afternoon sun shone brightly as lawyers and clients walked down the steps.

Shalini removed her lawyer’s band and slipped it into her bag. Her posture finally relaxed after the long argument.

She walked toward the parking area where her black bike was parked.

Putting on her helmet, she started the engine and rode away, weaving through the city traffic toward her apartment.

After a while, she reached the building and parked the bike.

Climbing the stairs, she unlocked the door and stepped inside.

But the moment she entered, she noticed something strange.

Shravan was standing in the living room, holding his phone tightly to his ear.

Her husband, Dr. Shravan Swaraj, one of the most renowned surgeons in the city.

Yet his face looked nothing like the calm doctor everyone knew.

He looked… horrified.

His jaw was clenched, his eyes filled with shock.

Shalini frowned slightly.

"Shravan?" she called.

Just then, the call ended.

Shravan slowly lowered the phone, his expression still tense.

He looked at his wife and walked toward her quickly.

"Shalini," he said urgently.

She felt her stomach tighten.

"What happened?"

His voice dropped into a serious whisper.

"She’s in danger."

Shalini’s brows furrowed.

"Who?"

Shravan grabbed his car keys from the table.

"We don’t have time to explain."

He looked straight into her eyes.

"We have to go. Now."

The urgency in his voice made Shalini realize one thing instantly.

Whatever had happened…

It was serious.