Beneath His Silence.

Chapter Forty Five.

Meanwhile...

Advik stepped in Devraj’s office. He didn't say a word as he crossed the room and dropped a thick, leather-bound file onto Devraj’s glass desk.

Devraj’s gaze didn't flicker at first, but when his eyes finally dropped to the cover, they locked onto the name printed there in bold, black letters.

"That’s everything you asked for.." Advik stated, "Every account, every silent partnership, every deal he’s inked across India and Nepal. Honestly? The guy is talented. He has helped his family on building something solid from the ground up."

Devraj’s jaw tightened. "Doing well?" He flicked the file open with a dismissive finger.

"The man isn't even in the top twenty on the national index. He’s playing in the dirt while I own the mountain."

"He’s doing fine for his scale, Raj. Not everyone needs to be a titan.." Advik countered with a smirk, trying to lighten the mood.

"Anyway, Alia is finally out of your hair, so that's one fire extinguished."

Devraj didn't even acknowledge the mention of her. His eyes were scanning Kunal’s financial vulnerabilities, looking for a soft throat to crush.

"Devraj."

Advik’s voice had lost its playful edge. It was suddenly serious. Devraj felt the shift and slowly lifted his head, his amber eyes narrowing.

"What?" Devraj asked.

Advik leaned forward, bracing his hands on the desk.

"Don't give me that look. We’ve been friends too long for the intimidating act. I want to know what the hell is going on between you and Ira."

Devraj’s only response was a darkening glare, but Advik pressed on.

"This is the second time you’ve had me run a deep-dive research project on her fiancé." At the mention of the word fiancé, Devraj’s hand curled into a slow, bone-cracking fist on top of the file.

"And don't get me started on the way you were looking at her yesterday.." Advik continued,"She was contracted to care for you for three months, but she vanished after one. The math isn't adding up, man. What happened??"

"...." Devraj didn't answer. He didn't even blink. Instead, he slid the file back across the glass.

"There are claims in that file.." Devraj began, his voice has no trace of any warmth. "Kunal is spearheading a massive expansion deal. The firm he’s negotiating with is a subsidiary under the Rathore influence."

Advik narrowed his eyes..

"Correct. I’ve looked at their projections. They have a stellar record and the margins are solid, so I was planning to–"

"Cancel it.." Devraj interrupted.

Advik blinked, certain he had misheard. "What?"

"I want the deal frozen. No..not just frozen," Devraj said, leaning forward until his shadow fell over the desk.

"I want it strangled. Kill the contract in its final stages. Make sure they know the order came from the very top. I want him to feel the floor drop out from under him just as he thinks he’s reached the summit."

Advik’s jaw dropped. "Devraj, this is a clean deal. There’s no legal ground to–"

"Also.." Devraj continued, his voice rising in a stern command, "I want you to claw back twenty percent of the shares in Mehra Enterprises. I want their board in a state of blind panic by noon. I want their stock to bleed."

A dangerous glint sparked in Devraj’s amber eyes, a look so ruthless it made even Advik, a man who had seen Devraj at his worst, feel a chill of genuine fear.

Devraj was a man known for his carefully planned moves, but this was different. Kunal hadn't challenged the Rathore empire..why is Devraj going full demon mode on him?

"Raj..." Advik sighed. "You’re going too far. This isn't a strategic acquisition. This is a massacre. It’ll destroy his family’s legacy, Devraj. You’re talking about ruining people who don't even know why they’re being targeted. Think about—"

"I’m done talking," Devraj snapped, his gaze shifted back to his laptop screen.

"I want feedback before the sun sets today.."

Advik stared at the man he had called his brother for years, seeing only a stranger fueled by a dark, all-consuming hunger.

He gulped, his throat tight, and reached out to pick up the file.

Without another word, he turned and walked toward the door, the weight of the Mehra family’s destruction tucked under his arm.

Devraj stopped typing, He leaned back in his leather chair, staring at the closed door where Advik had just exited.

"I will break every pillar he stands on.." Devraj vowed to the empty room.

His phone vibrated against the desk, he checked the ID..it was the lead on the security detail he had assigned to follow Ira.

He swiped to answer. "Speak."

"Sir... there’s a problem," the voice on the other end stammered..

"Go on," Devraj voice dropping into a deadly tone.

"Deepak Tiwari, Mr. Tiwari son, was just at Ms. Ira’s house."

Devraj didn't just sit up; his body went rigid, his muscles coiled. He was on his feet before the sentence was even finished.

"What was that filth doing there?"

"We don't know yet, Sir. He was inside for a while, then left in a hurry. A few minutes later, Ms. Ira walked out. Sir... she looked worried and stressed out.."

"Follow her!" Devraj yelled into the phone, "Do not let her out of your sight for a single second! If so much as a hair on her head is harmed, I will have your soul. Give me every update on her whereabouts, Now!"

He hung up. He was already moving, grabbing his suit jacket and heading for the door.

He had it clear to the Mr. Tiwari. He had sent s warning him to keep his gutter-born son away from Ira’s family.

The debt was settled. But it seemed Deepak Tiwari lacked the basic instinct for survival.

He dared to enter her home? Got closer to her?

Devraj gritted his teeth. He headed straight for his private elevator.

~????~

Inside a restaurant, Ira gave a small smile as the waitress handed her the neatly packed bags.

It was Kunal’s favorite lunch..an apology wrapped in brown paper and steam.

She paid, her heart fluttering with a tiny spark of hope that this might be the key to breaking his silence.

But the moment she stepped out of the restaurant,

She was moving fast, her mind already halfway to Kunal’s office, when she collided with a chest.

The impact jolted her, nearly sending the food bag off her grip.

she gasped, her hands steadying the lunch.

"I’m so sorry!" She looked up to apologize, but her eyes widen instead.

"D... Devraj?"

Her grip on the bag tightened more. He looked down at her, his silhouette blocking out the sun, his eyes burning with an intensity that made the bustling street feel suddenly empty.

His gaze drifted slowly, almost hungrily, to the bag in her hands.

"Is that for me?" he asked.

Ira looked at the food, then back at his face, her fear was replaced b defiance.

"Excuse me, Sir. I have somewhere to be."

She tried to side-step him, but Devraj moved blocking her path once more.

"So... it’s not mine?" he uttered, his tone conversational but his eyes fixed on her

Ira’s brow furrowed in a deep frown. The stress of the morning, the trauma of Deepak’s visit, and the silence from Kunal finally boiled over.

"I don't have time for this. Move out of my way."

Devraj didn't move. Instead, he smirked and folded his arms over his chest, a gesture that was deceptively relaxed.

"No... I don't think I will.." he said, his tone carrying a trace of childish playfulness that made Ira blink in disbelief.

"Devraj... Move.." she sternly said.

The smirk on his face deepened. He loved the sound of his name on her lips.

He leaned down, his face inches from hers. Ira instinctively flinched, taking a small step back, and a flicker of irritation crossed Devraj’s features at the distance she put between them.

"There is just something about the way you say my name.." he whispered, his voice turning hoarse. "It gives me goosebumps... it makes me want to pull you so close."

Ira’s eyes widened in horror. She glanced around, sensing the weight of public stares.

A few passersby had slowed down, sensing the drama unfolding on the sidewalk.

Devraj saw her panic and thrived on it. He took another step forward, closing the gap she had fought to create.

This time, Ira didn't move.

"Call my name again.." Devraj murmured, "It’s so... intimate for–"

Before he could finish the thought, Ira’s hand flew up, her palm pressing against his mouth to silence him.

Devraj froze, his amber eyes widening in genuine surprise.

But the shock didn't last, a smoldering heat filled his gaze. He wasn't angry, he was delighted.

"Stop saying nonsense!" Ira hissed, her face flushed with a mix of fury and embarrassment. "People will get the wrong idea!"

She glared at him, her eyes sparking with a fire that only made her look more breathtakingly alive to him.

Devraj watched her, mesmerized, before he did the unthinkable. The tip of his tongue grazing the center of her palm in a stroke.

Ira gasped, She ripped her hand away, stumbling back a step.

"You... you crazy man!"

"Perhaps.." he whispered, the smirk returning to his lips.

"Please, just move.." she pleaded, "I have to be somewhere."

Without a word, Devraj’s hand shot out, his fingers encircling her wrist and he simply began to pull.

"Hey! Let go! What are you doing?" Ira thrashed against his grip.

He led her straight to his car idling at the curb. He wrenched the passenger door open and practically forced her into the leather seat.

As she scrambled to get back out, Devraj leaned over, looming over her, blocking the exit.

"Step down.." he challenged, "and I will kiss you right here. I’ll give these people exactly the scene you’re so afraid of."

Ira froze, her breath hitching. She looked at the smoldering intent in his eyes and knew he wasn't bluffing.

Slowly, she sank back into the seat, as she clutched Kunal’s lunch to her chest.

Devraj slammed the door shut, rounded the car and slid into the driver’s seat.

The started the car, and they lunged into traffic.

"Where are you taking me?" Ira asked, her voice small.

"To my private island.." he answered casually, his eyes fixed on the road.

"W-what? No! Drop me off right now, Devraj!" Panic flared in her chest.

"Relax, Ira.." he said. "If I wanted to kidnap you, I would have done it the second after running away from me that night.. you left me..Do you have any idea how many times I’ve thought about locking you away where the world could never find you?"

He glanced at her, "But I’m trying to tame that side of myself. For your sake."

Ira shivered, a cold dread settling in her bones. Even as he promised safety, he sounded like a man barely holding back.

"..For now ." he whispered under his breath.

"Um... please drop me at... Mehra Enterprises," Ira said, her voice barely a whisper.

Devraj’s entire body went rigid, his fingers tightening on the steering wheel until the leather groaned.

He didn't look at her, and he didn't agree. He just kept driving.

Ira glanced down at her phone again. The screen was still cold, still empty. No calls. No texts.

The silence from Kunal was beginning to feel more like a wall than a wound.

"You are so cruel, Ira." Devraj said suddenly. He yanked the wheel to the left, taking a turn that threw her slightly against the door.

"Huh? What did I do?" she asked, startled by the bitterness in his voice.

"You didn't even bother to ask how I was..." he said, his eyes fixed on the road but his tone dripping with hurt.

"You saw me yesterday. You saw that I wasn't... right."

Ira felt a pang of guilt.

"I... I'm sorry. I’ve just had a lot on my mind. How are you feeling?"

A victorious smile ghosted across Devraj’s lips. "Not too good.." he lied.."I’m still trying to recover. The doctors said it was... significant. A few more minutes alone, and it could have been worse."

Ira turned toward him, her concern genuine now. "What happened to you? Was it the fever again?"

"No," he said, his grip on the wheel tightening until his knuckles turned white.

"It turns out I was drugged. It was all a plan... orchestrated by Alia."

"What?!" Ira gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.

"She tried to take advantage of me while I was vulnerable.." he said, "She wanted to trap me."

"I... I’m so sorry, Devraj. That’s horrible." Ira felt a wave of pity for him.

"I hope you feel better soon."

Ping.

Ira’s head snapped down to her phone, her heart leaping into her throat. But as she read the screen, her shoulders slumped.

It was a weather alert, not a message from Kunal.

Devraj saw the movement. He saw the way she immediately discarded him the moment she her phone beeped.

The pity she felt for him was a drop in the ocean compared to the flood of devotion she had for Kunal.

"Give me your attention, Ira.." Devraj rasped desperately.. "I need it. More than he does."

Ira looked at him, a cold shiver racing down her spine. He was acting weird again.

"Um... can you just drop me here? Please." she asked..

Devraj didn’t even glance at her. It was then, looking out the window at the unfamiliar skyline, that Ira realized the truth.

"Devraj... where are you taking me? This isn't the way to the office." Her voice rose in pitch as panic clawed at her throat.

"This is kidnapping! Stop the car right now!"

He remained still, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.

Ira’s heart beat fast.. She fumbled for her phone, her thumb hovering over her mother’s contact, when suddenly...the screen lit up.

Kunal Calling.....

A sob of pure relief escaped her lips. A smile broke through her terror.

He had called, he was finally reaching back. She moved to swipe the screen, just a touch away, when Devraj slammed his foot onto the brake.

The tires shrieked..

Ira jolted forward, her hair falling in a chaotic silk curtain over her face.

Before she could regain her balance, Devraj’s hand shot out. He didn't just take the phone, he snatched it.

He didn't silence it, he answered and pressed it to his ear.

"Ira?!" Kunal’s voice was faint through the speaker.

"Hello.." Devraj’s voice was casual..

"Who is this? Where is Ira?" Kunal’s tone shifted instantly.

"This is Devraj Singh Rathore.." Devraj replied, his eyes locked on Ira’s horrified face. "And my Ira is with me. Your timing is unfortunate, Mr. Mehra.. your call was disturbing our date. Please, don’t call back. You should really be focusing on your... company."

He ended the call with a flick of his thumb and tossed the phone into the backseat.

The silence that followed was a stinging..

crack.

Ira’s palm connected with Devraj’s cheek, the force of the slap echoing in the small space. Tears blurred her vision as she stared at him, her chest heaving.

"I have been trying so hard!" she screamed. "I have been fighting for a single word from him, trying to fix the mess you created! And the one moment he reaches out, you ruin it! You ruin everything!"

She leaned back against the door, her voice dropping to a trembling, hate-filled whisper.

"I hate you. Stop bothering me. Stop hunting me. Leave Kunal and me alone! I am another Man's Woman! My wedding is next week!"

The lie felt heavy in the air, a desperate shield she hoped would finally make him see her as untouchable.

Devraj didn't flinch, he didn't touch his stinging cheek.

Ira took the opportunity and got down from the car, hurriedly walking away with tears..

????