Page 178 of Since You Stole My Heart

The gash she had left on Viraj’s cheek had been stitched, but the skin around it was red and swollen, with blood still seeping from one corner. His gaze slid shamelessly over her face, taking in the bruises he had left behind.

Then he winked. ‘I have to admit, I like the new look, babygirl.’

A dangerous fury darkened Swayam’s face as he took a slow step towards Viraj.

Revulsion coiled inside her, and Kashvi pointed to his cheek with satisfaction. ‘Funny, so do I. It really suits you.’

Viraj scoffed. ‘I still look better than your husband.’

‘I don’t think so,’ Kashvi said, shaking her head. ‘Swayam never needed to drug, blackmail, or threaten women to make them stay. Not everyone can be as shameless as you.’

Viraj smirked. ‘This loyal-wife act is sweet, but your husband wasn’t exactly there when you needed him, huh?’

Swayam’s voice turned cold. ‘Since you’re struggling with basic manners, let me remind you, Viraj. Talk to her with respect. She’s yourbhabhi.’

Viraj gave a short laugh. ‘What? Are you going to teach me manners now?’

‘Someone has to,’ Swayam retorted. ‘I’m counting every word you say to my wife, and I’ll make it even by breaking the same number of your bones. Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you.’

The menace in his voice sent a chill through Kashvi.

She placed a hand against his back and felt the tension locked through his muscles beneath her touch.

Viraj’s nostrils flared. ‘Aww, what happened to that stupid nickname you gave me as a kid? Did you forget your Viru for your whore of a wife?’

Swayam’s fingers flexed at his side, and the fury in his gaze darkened frighteningly. ‘Keep going. I told you. I’m counting.’

Viraj’s cocky composure cracked as he snapped, ‘If you think you can take me on, try me!’

‘Enough!’ Karthik shouted, slamming his palm onto the desk. ‘Viraj, stop behaving like a child. This is bigger than your petty feud.’

Viraj shot him a sharp glare, but he swallowed back whatever he was about to say.

Karthik said dryly, glancing at the group. ‘I should’ve known you would bring your yes-men along.’

‘That’s rich. You brought your lapdog too,’ Kashvi observed, pointing at Viraj with disdain.

Viraj’s lips peeled back in a sneer. ‘Want me to bite you, babygirl?’

Swayam pinned him with a cold gaze. ‘Call her that again, and I’ll carve a matching scar into your other cheek.’

‘Enough of this family circus,’ Karthik said sharply. ‘Did you bring the money, Kashvi?’

Kashvi glanced at Dhruv, who stepped forward and placed a black duffel bag onto the desk with a heavy thump.

Karthik’s face lit with delight as he quickly pulled the zipper open.

Just as quickly, his joy gave way to confusion. There was no money inside, only thick stacks of files and rolled documents.

‘What the hell is this?’ he barked.

Siya stepped forward, her voice cold enough to frost the air between them. ‘Evidence. Enough to make you famous as the sick fraud you are. You’ve built an empire on stolen land, blackmail, and extortion.’

Karthik stared at her, open-mouthed. Then he lunged for the bag and yanked out a file. He flipped through page after page, his eyes widening with panic.

‘How…’

Siya went on, savouring the moment. ‘These are the records of your shell companies, your offshore accounts, the land you stole illegally, and the trust fund money you squandered for your own greed. You can read all night, but you still won’t reach the bottom of it.’