ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇᴠɪʟ'ꜱ ᴛʜʀᴇᴀᴛ

Kunal moved around his bedroom, fastening the silver cufflinks on the sleeves of his crisp black shirt. His movements were calm, practiced—like every successful businessman preparing for another important deal. But beneath that calm exterior, his mind was elsewhere.

The meeting today was important. The deal could expand his company into international markets and multiply their profits. Investors were waiting, competitors were watching, and failure was not an option.

Yet before leaving, there was somewhere he had to go.

Kunal walked down the silent hallway of the mansion and pushed open a door slowly.

Inside, the room was quiet. Machines hummed softly beside the bed.

Ridhima lay there, motionless.

His wife.

His fingers tightened slightly as he walked toward her. Sitting beside the bed, he looked at her pale face—the same face that once laughed loudly in this very room.

He spoke softly, as if the slightest loudness might break something fragile.

"Ridhima… take care of yourself. I’ll be back soon."

There was no response. Only the steady sound of the heart monitor.

Kunal stood up and turned toward the door. But just as he was about to leave, he stopped.

He glanced back at her.

His voice dropped into a whisper.

"I'm still waiting for you to wake up."

Then he walked out.

Half an hour later, Kunal entered the conference room inside his corporate office building.

The room smelled faintly of leather and coffee. A large glass table stood in the center, surrounded by suited executives.

And sitting at the head of the table was the man everyone in the business world knew.

Vidhwan Sinha.

The Badshah of the business world.

His sharp eyes lifted when Kunal entered.

"Kunal Avasthi," Vidhwan said calmly. "Right on time."

Kunal took his seat across from him. "Time is money, Mr. Sinha. I prefer not to waste either."

A faint smile touched Vidhwan’s lips.

"Good," he said. "Let’s discuss the merger."

One of the assistants slid a file across the table.

Kunal opened it and began speaking.

"My company controls sixty percent of the northern logistics market. If we combine that with your manufacturing network, we can dominate distribution across three states within a year."

Vidhwan leaned back in his chair.

"And the profit split?" he asked.

"Fifty-five to forty-five," Kunal replied smoothly. "You get the larger share for the first two years. After expansion stabilizes, it becomes equal."

The room fell silent.

Executives exchanged glances.

Vidhwan studied Kunal for a long moment.

Then he chuckled.

"You negotiate well, Mr. Avasthi."

Kunal’s expression remained calm.

"I prefer efficiency over flattery."

After another fifteen minutes of negotiations, the deal was finalized. Papers were signed, hands were shaken, and the meeting ended successfully.

But as Kunal stood to leave, Vidhwan’s voice stopped him.

"Mr. Avasthi."

Kunal turned.

Vidhwan gestured toward the door.

"Walk with me."

They left the building together and walked down toward the underground car garage.

Kunal felt a slight hesitation. Something about the man beside him felt… off.

Still, he followed.

The garage was quiet. Only the faint echo of footsteps and the distant hum of engines filled the air.

They stopped beside a row of expensive cars.

Vidhwan turned slowly toward him.

"I heard," he said casually, "that your wife is in a coma."

Kunal’s face stiffened.

For a second, something dark flashed in his eyes—but he remained standing still, hands in his pockets, expression cold.

Vidhwan stepped closer.

This time his voice lowered into a dangerous whisper.

"You should run for her life, Mr. Avasthi."

Kunal’s brows tightened.

Vidhwan’s lips curved slightly.

"Because my men… won’t spare her this time."

For a moment, the world went silent.

Kunal froze.

Then rage exploded inside him.

He grabbed Vidhwan by the collar and slammed him against the car behind him.

"What did you say?"

But suddenly his mind filled with something far worse than anger.

Fear.

Ridhima.

Without another word, he released Vidhwan and ran.

His footsteps echoed loudly through the garage as he rushed toward his car.

All he could think about was one thing.

He had to reach the mansion.

Before it was too late.