Vikram roared in a thunderous tone and the ground beneath Anupama shattered.

She was stunned by the sudden change in his tone that was a few moments ago defending her in front of everyone.

Perhaps he doesn't believe her anymore after witnessing Kiara's statement, the thought crossed her mind.

She looked for allegations in his eyes but found none. She looked for faith in his eyes but was only greeted by a stony look that pierced her heart.

The whole world and their accusations were dead to her now. The only thing now she cared about was if her friend Vikram, perhaps the only friend she made after Devika in her entire life, believes in her innocence or not. She was petrified to the core thinking that he doesn't.

Anu:- Vikram....

Vikram:- Sir...sir for you...

He closed his eyes to avoid looking at her face when the words escaped his mouth.

Anupama stood still not able to comprehend what is happening. She blinked twice to even take in the words Vikram just said when Vikram continued....

Vikram:- Ms Joshi...I said pack up your things and leave...

He paused.

Vikram:- You are fired.

Saying this he turned to the other side.

Everyone in the room looked satisfied with his decision except Kiara and Ishika who were baffled to see Vikram being this cold to her friend.

The words from his mouth cleared all the doubts that Anupama had going on in her mind. She took his words as a sign that he didn't believe her anymore. She wanted to explain to her friend again and therefore tried for one last time.

Anu:- Sir I didn't...

She was interrupted by him.

Vikram:- Ms Joshi...please don't waste our time.... I said pack up your things and leave...NOW...

He said in a determined tone.

Anupama knew by now that he doesn't wanna listen to anything she wants to say and therefore decided to leave.

She looked at him for one last time pleading to give her a chance to atleast explain herself but he didn't budge.

She was numbed by the whole incident and could barely feel her legs. She gathered her courage,turned around with a heavy heart and basically dragged herself out of the conference room.

Vikram looked at her retreating figure with a pang of heartache.

As soon as she left, he gestured Ishika for something and she understood.

He walked back to his chair and sat down.

Vikram:- Kiara you can leave...

He ordered in a harsh tone.

Kiara nodded and left the conference room.

Mr. Singhania:- So now the agenda of this meeting remains that for how much amount we should sue Ms Joshi and the MG Group?

Vikram:- No one is gonna sue anyone for anything.

Vikram directed his statement at Mr. Singhania with a stern voice.

Mr. Rathore:- But Mr. Mehra we need to make up for the lossess that the company has suffered due to this fraud.

Vikram:- And suing Ms Joshi would make up for it....she is not a billionaire....you know...

Mr. Khan :- But MG Group is...

Mr. Singhania:- And as far as Ms Joshi is concerned...A police complaint should be filed against her to put out a statement that our company doesn't tolerate fraudsters....she needs to spend some time in jail to repent what she has done...

Vikram:- Mr. Singhania....I don't know why you are so adamant on sending Ms Joshi to jail?

Vikram glared at him.

Mr. Singhania:- And I don't know why you are so adamant on defending her?

He rebuffed.

Mr. Shishodia:- Mr. Mehra you just fired her because she is guilty and now you are back to defending her...

He questioned looking at Vikram for explaination.

Vikram:- Let me correct you Mr. Shishodia...I fired her because she is an accused not because she is guilty....

Mr. Singhania:- What are you talking about?....It was just proved in front of everyone that she has been lying about the file and you are saying she isn't guilty....this is utter nonsense...

Vikram:- Mr. Singhania....this is a board meeting not your college reunion....please speak in a tone that we can respect....

He roared.

Mr. Khan:- Yes Mr. Singhania... please let's maintain the decorum of the meeting...

Mr. Singhania:- Sorry...

He said in a low voice.

Vikram:- Before anyone bring up further accusations...let me clear somethings up....if we are deciding our verdict on the basis of Kiara's statement, then this board meeting shouldn't have taken place at the first instance...both Kiara and Ms Joshi have joined this company almost at the same time in the same team...if there is a possibility that Ms Joshi is lying, then we can't also deny the fact that there might be a possibility that Kiara is lying.

Mr. Rathore :- What about your secretary Ishika who backed Kiara's statement?...Are you saying she was also lying?

Vikram:- I am saying nothing of this sort. As far as Ishika is concerned, she only backed up Kiara's statement on what color file she handed her over the next day. She didn't back Kiara up on what color file she asked Ms Joshi to bring from my office. And as to the colour of the file,it could have been a clear miscommunication on both Ms Joshi's and Kiara's part.

Mr. Khan :- This is too much speculation on our part without any concrete facts.

Vikram:- That's what I am talking about...if we are gonna address every accusations and allegations in this company on basis of hear say....then trust me....we won't be left with much employees to work with. Even if for a second we believe that Ms Joshi read that file....we don't have any proof that she leaked it to the MG Group. She was just a summer intern who has not yet completed her MBA. I agree that she is very talented but I don't think so that she is qualified or experienced enough to know or find out which company is bidding for which project.

Mr. Siddique:- I think Mr. Mehra is right if we sue someone without any concrete proof, it might not only damage our company's reputation in case we loose plus the real fraudster would still be working in this office right under our nose.

Mr Khan :- I think we should do a proper investigation.

Vikram:- Mr. Khan is right.

Mr. Rathore:- I am still not convinced that Ms Joshi is not guilty...I think she is and we should file a complaint against her with no further delay.

Vikram:- Why don't we vote on it? Further investigation or filing a police complaint?

Mr. Shishodia:- Okay let's do it. Those who find Ms Joshi guilty and wants to file a complaint against her and MG Group.... please vote by show of hands...

He said by raising his hands.

Both Mr. Rathore and Mr. Singhania raised their hands in agreement with him but Mr. Khan and Mr. Siddique didn't.

Vikram:- So it's a tie....

Mr. Khan:- Not necessarily....I am of the opinion that we shouldn't file a police complaint but we need to sue Ms Joshi for the fraud and let the court decide that if she is guilty or not....

Vikram was now exhausted of these continuous allegations against her friend. He tried his best to convince the board members of the most logical way to deal with this keeping his friendship aside but he no longer can.

Enough is enough, he thought to himself.

He leaned back on his chair and crossed his legs with one over the other and spoke in a stern voice...

Vikram:- In the last few hours, everyone in the room have thrown allegations and passed their judgements without any concrete evidence but now enough is enough. I have taken a decision and my decision is final. No one is gonna file a case or a police complaint against Ms Joshi without a proper investigation. Is it clear?

Mr. Shishodia:- Mr. Mehra this is not at all acceptable. You are taking an important decision without consent of the board members.

Vikram:- Mr. Shishodia...I didn't ask for your opinion. I just asked if what I just said is clear or not?...Do I need to repeat it?

Vikram stated coldly and everyone fell silent.

Mr. Khan:- We understand your point of view Mr. Mehra but the way you are taking a decision alone is wrong.

Mr. Singhania:- You clearly have some sort of soft corner for Ms Joshi and this affection of yours will cost our company a huge amount.

Vikram:- Excuse me?

Vikram sprung up from his seat agitated at the remark made by Mr.Singhania.

Mr. Rathore:- Gentleman this is taking a turn for the worse...we should calm down a bit and then talk patiently.

Vikram:- There is nothing to talk about Mr. Rathode. I am the MD and CEO of this company and I have made my decision clear.

Mr. Singhania:- Then maybe you shouldn't be.

Vikram put his hands on the table and leaned a bit to look at Mr. Singhania and spoke....

Vikram:- What did you just say?

Mr. Singhania:- I said that maybe you shouldn't be our CEO. Your partiality towards your employees is causing harm to this company and we won't tolerate that.

Vikram:- Mr. Singhania you have been a part of this company for just 5 years while I gave my entire life to it and you are accusing me of causing harm to the company just because I don't agree with your opinion. That's just baffling...

He said in a mocking tone.

Mr. Singhania:- Maybe you have worked to build it your entire life but now I think you are prioritising your personal relationship with the employees over the welfare of our company and a person who can't keep out personal out of their professional is not worth being our CEO.

Vikram was baffled at the mention of personal relationship by Mr. Singhania as no one knew about his relationship with Anupama except Ishika. He was lost in thoughts when Mr. Shishodia spoke.

Mr. Shishodia:- I think we should take it to the senior management. There is no use of accusing each other of things that we don't know about.

Mr. Singhania:- You are right Mr. Shishodia...I think we should take this issue to senior management of AK Group and let Mr. Kapadia decide whether Mr. Mehra should continue to be our CEO or not.

Vikram smirked at his statement.

Vikram:- I don't know when the agenda of this meeting shifted from company fraud to whether I should be CEO or not but please by all means....Mr. Singhania....go to the senior management....I would surely like to know Mr. Kapadia's views on what a pathetic job I have been doing all these years.

He said sarcastically.

Vikram:- There will be another board meeting after two days to discuss how we should proceed with the investigation and further details of the meeting will be mailed to you. Till then this meeting is adjourned.

Saying this he turned around and walked out the door.

Anupama has left the AK Group office and was mindlessly walking in the middle of the road completely unaware of her surroundings. She had no idea where she was going or where she wanted to go. The outcome of the meeting has devastated her so much that she left the AK Group premises without her bag or phone.

She was hurt by the allegations that were thrown at her by her colleagues and seniors but the thing that caused her the most pain was Vikram's words.

These words kept ringing in her ears like a constant reminder that Bunty doesn't trust her anymore. She wanted to tell him that she wasn't the person who betrayed him...she wanted to go back and scream it wasn't her but Kiara who was lying.....she wanted to show Vanraj and Kavya their place for insulting her but she couldn't....she had no proof....but just a sack of tears in her chest that she refused to spill.

She was aimlessly walking in the middle of the road oblivious of the coming traffic lost in her own agony when she heard a truck approaching from behind constantly blowing its horns. She turned around and froze as she saw the truck was about to hit her when a pair of hands caught her by the elbow and pulled her to the side of the road.

Vanraj was pacing the length of his office when Kavya barged in.

He looked at her in anticipation when she spoke...

Kavya:- Mr. Singhania came through. The deed is done.

Hearing this, a grin spread on Vanraj's face.

A pair of hands caught Anupama by her elbow and pulled her to the side saving her from a horrific accident.

Anupama breaths got heavier as she realised what could have happened if she was not pulled to the side. She straightened up and looked at the voice that was constantly calling her name.

Anupama....Anupama...tum theek ho?

She was surprised to find Rittika standing by her side supporting her.

Rittika:- Anupama....tum theek ho?

Anu:- Haan....

She said wiping the sweat formed on her forehead.

Rittika:- Are you alright?....What the hell are you doing walking in the middle of the road?

She asked in an authoritative tone.

Anu:- Wo...wo dhyaan nhi tha..mera..

She tried to form a sentence trying to get back to her senses.

Ritttika:- Tumahra dhyaan nhi tha....tumahra dimag to kharab nhi hai....abhi kuch ho jata to...

Rittika yelled scared of what could have happened if she wasn't there.

Anu:- Sorry....maine dhyaan nhi diya...but mai theek hoo..

She said taking a long breath.

Rittika:- Tum theek ho?..just look at yourself....chalo office me chalo pehle...wha chal ke baat karenge...

She ordered.

Anu:- Rittika mai bilkul theek hoo... mujhe office nhi Jaana... please go....

Rittika:- Aur tum kha jaa rhi ho?

Anu:- Ghar...

Rittika:- Tum ud ke jane wali ho ya chal ke....

Anupama looked at her baffled.

Rittika:- Nhi....I was just wondering ki na tumahre pass tumahra purse hai na phone...to tum 10 km chal ke jane ka plan kar rhi ho....

Anupama looked down and realised she left her bag and phone on her desk but she didn't want to go back.

Anu:- Rittika I will take an auto and pay when I reach home....

Rittika:- Anupama...what happened?....kuch hua hai kya...tumhe dekh ke aisa lag rha that you are not okay....

Anu:- Kuch nhi hua hai Rittika...

She closed her eyes to hide her tears.

Rittika:- You look anxious.. tumahri breathing uneven hai......tum abhi ke abhi office chal rhi ho mere sath.... let's go...

She held her wrist to drag her to the office with her so she can calm down but Anupama stopped her.

Rittika looked at her in question and Anupama nodded in a no.

Anu:- Rittika....I can't go back to office....

Rittika:- But why not?

She asked confused.

Anu:- Because I am fired.

Rittika:- Whatt???

Rittika yelled in shock and a tear slid down Anupama's cheeks.

Rittika:- How?....and Vikram ne kuch nhi kiya...

She paused.

Rittika:- I am sure usko pata nhi hoga...let's go and talk to him...

She said pulling Anupama towards office but she stopped her and freed her hands from her hold.

Anu:- He was the one who fired me....

Rittika was left stunned by her words. She knew Vikram was impressed by Anupama's hardwork and sincerity and there was no chance that he would fire her for her work. It had to be something else.

Rittika:- Anupama saaf saaf batao hua kya hai....

Anu:- Rittika I understand aapke man me bahut sare sawaal hai...lekin mere andar himmat nhi hai un sabka jawab dene ki...mai bas abhi apne ghar jana chahti hoo...

She said gathering her composure and turned to leave.

Rittika:- Anu...ruko mai tumhe ghar chod deti hoo...

Anu:- It's okay....mai chali jaungi...

Rittika:- No discussion.....gaadi me baitho...

She said indicating towards her car.

Anupama nodded in a yes and both walked down to the car and left.

Vikram entered his office exhausted from all the discussion that happened in the conference room. He hasn't gone home for a day and was sleep deprived but he wasn't concerned as he had bigger things to worry about now.

He walked upto his desk and picked up his phone to check if GK or Anuj had called yet but they hadn't.

He looked at his table which had a stack of files piled one over another.

Vikram:- Ishika....Ishikaaa...

He shouted at the top of his voice and Ishika came running in.

Ishika:- Yes sir...what happened?

She asked worried.

Vikram:- WHY THE HELL ARE THESE FILES STILL HERE?

He yelled.

Ishika:- Sir these files needs your sign.

She said in a low voice afraid of Vikram's anger.

Vikram:- I have already signed those files last night. What are they still doing here on my desk?

He said in annoyance.

Ishika:- Sorry sir I didn't check....