Aanya hadn't been to the 42nd floor since the leak.
The executive wing. The board's den.It used to terrify her.
Not anymore.
Today, she wasn't just Riaan's assistant.She wasn't someone's scandal.She was a woman on a mission.
She walked through the hallway, ignoring the stares, heading straight to the assistant of the chairman.
"Tell him I need 10 minutes," she said firmly.
"Miss Sharma—"
"I won't ask twice."
—
Ten minutes later, the boardroom door opened.
She stepped inside.
Every man in that room looked up — shocked, some amused, some clearly annoyed.
But she didn't flinch.
"I know I'm not supposed to be here," she began, voice clear, "but I'm not here for permission. I'm here for truth."
One leaned forward. "You're here to protect Mr. Khurana?"
She smiled.
"I'm here to protect myself."
They blinked.
"I'm the one whose photos were leaked. I'm the one being whispered about in your halls. And I'm the one you're all using as a pawn in your power games."
A pause.
"Well," one board member muttered. "She's not just a pretty face."
"No," she replied. "I'm also the woman who holds the login credentials to every PR release your company's issued in the last year. I know who signs off on what. And I know exactly whose assistant edited that 'leak' metadata."
She slid a pen drive across the table.
"I suggest you open it before deciding who the real threat is."
And then, she turned and walked out. Head high.
—
Back downstairs, Riaan stood waiting. Eyes searching her face.
"Well?" he asked.
She smiled, adrenaline still pulsing.
"I didn't just defend us," she said.
"I warned them."
He stared at her.
Then grabbed her hand and kissed it.
"You're incredible," he murmured.
"No," she said. "I'm just tired of being the one they underestimate."