One moment, he stood behind the podium, his hands resting lightly against its edge.
Next, Rahul was flat on the floor, clutching his nose with a loud cry. Yamini saw that there was blood dripping from Rahul’s nose.
Yamini was shocked.
The room went completely silent.
“Get him out,” Bharat commanded to the security who had now reached Rahul.
But before security took Rahul away, Bharat leaned down slightly and said something to Rahul in a voice too low for anyone else to hear.
Yamini couldn't make out the words. But she saw the change.
Rahul's face lost what little color remained. The bitterness vanished. For the first time since barging into the room, he looked terrified.
Security had Rahul by both arms and dragged him out of the hall. But just as Rahul was being dragged out, Yamini saw his eyes falling on someone in the front row.
Yamini turned to see Tina, who sat frozen and deathly pale. Her carefully composed expression had vanished. The confidence Yamini had always associated with her was gone.
Tina caught Yamini's eye for exactly one second. Then she stood abruptly, murmured something to her father, and left through the side entrance.
Bharat returned to the podium. He flexed his right hand once, testing it, the same clinical assessment he gave everything.
Several journalists were still staring at him in stunned silence while cameras continued to roll.
Bharat adjusted his cufflinks. “The briefing is concluded,” he said.
His tone was calm and absolute.
No one argued.
The moderator blinked, then hurried to end the session while security moved through the room with renewed urgency.
Bharat’s gaze then fell on her as he came to her.
“Let’s go,” he said.
His hand settled firmly at her waist as he guided her toward the private exit.
Several members of his security detail fell into step immediately.
As they reached the corridor, his voice turned cold. “I want to know how he entered this building.”
No one answered.
“I want every person involved identified.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“And I want a complete review of every individual who had access to today's event.”
His tone remained even, which was far more unsettling than anger.
They reached the helicopter.
Bharat helped Yamini inside before turning back to Mr. Tikku.
“He got close enough to speak to my wife.” The mountain air seemed to turn colder. “That will not happen again.”
