[Inside the car]

"I have something to ask", said Akira.

"Yeah tell me", Raymond said looking at her.

"There was a file related to some gas pipeline deal at Vikram's office. The deal was with your dad's company. I took a few pictures too. Can you check and see what the deal is all about?"

"Why would you take pictures of official documents like that Akira?", Raymond asked all surprised.

"Actually he looked extremely reading those papers. I think there is something wrong", Akira said and took out her phone from her bag.

"Fine" Raymond said and slowly parked his car on the side.

As he checked the pictures, he too started getting tension lines on his face just like Vikram.

"What is it? Why do you look so tensed? What's wrong?"

"Vikram is going to lose a shit load of money. My dad will not support his Gas Pipeline deal. He is in deep waters. The good thing is that his project was insured, so he will get 90% of the money but the rest 10% is gone. But more than that, its big blow to the credibility of his company's name. I think more than the money part, we would be worried about his brand name going bad."

"But he didn't tell me a thing. I think that's why he flinched when I was about to pick up the papers".

"I am really feeling bad now Akira, for thinking so low of him. I literally had no idea that he would take such a strong stand for us. I think just to save us and our compnay, he is sacrificing so much. I shouldn't have insulted him so much earlier", Raymond said and sighed. The guilt was creeping inside him.

"Hey hey !!! Don't feel all bad about it. You didn't know ok. Things were designed to make him look like he was the one at fault. So why are you cursing yourself? Instead of all this just join hands with him and make this venture successful. Maybe that way we can repay him back", Akira said while ruffling his hair with her fingers.

"Trust me Akira I am going to try everything possible to win in GCG. Maybe that way I can say a proper sorry to him", Raymond said and then started the car.

---

Vikram went back to his cabin and as he entered inside, he found Peter already sitting on the sofa. He got up as he entered and then placed a file in front of him.

"This is the list of all the GCG council members that you had asked me to prepare".

"Great !!!"

"Any peculiar observation?"

"Well, I have highlighted the name of two persons. I found them frequently visiting a night bar in Queens together".

"Interesting !!! What about the rest?".

"Umm... the rest of the lot looks quite clean", Peter said and pointed out the highlighted names on the file.

Vikram glanced at the names and then looked up at Peter and said,

"Brilliant acting by the way. But how were you able to arrange for the exit box so fast?"

"Oh that !!! Those weren't my stuff. I just went to the storeroom and picked an empty carton and sealed it up just to make my exit look more real".

"Well, indeed it looked real. She begged me to re-instate you", said Vikram and chuckled

"But what was the need of going to such lengths sir?"

"There is a need. A big need."

"I need to win their trust back because only then my plan will work"

"Oh, and one more thing. Do not forget to purchase that Hermes' bag for my mother. She had to hear so much from everyone because of me."

"Sure sir, I will do that, but I have a question in my mind".

"Yes, tell me".

" I don't understand why do we need to have a background check on the board members? What is the need of it?"

"Because Raymond's company is going to participate in GCG. Losing a face there would be a huge loss for his startup. He won't be able to market his game then", Vikram said and swiveled slightly sitting in his chair.

"But didn't we send a message to Walker Enterprises earlier that we do want to be any part of their activities to tear down Raymond's company. You specifically told me that you were not interested in taking the company away from him", Peter asked as he was puzzled with Vikram's strategy.

"Who said I want to take the company away from him?", Vikram said and smiled.

Peter couldn't understand and a clear mark of confusion was evident from his face.

Vikram stopped swiveling and looked at Peter and said.

"I don't want to take the company away from him, I want to take HIM away from the company."

A viscious smile spread on his face and he leaned back on his chair and started reading the docments given by Peter.