Jhanvi didn't miss Ishika's ignorance on Ankush's arrest. She probably thought the man deserved it. Unlike Ishika, Jhanvi took up the hatchet alongside Aakriti long before and knew the absurdities to look out for.

Ayaan was away and not reachable on his number. He planned to stay that way for a 24-hour stretch until he uncovered the dirt buried by his late Aunt. Anyone who knew this byte could use it to their advantage. Without his responsible son and reputable sister, Ankush Agnihotri was reduced to a puppet. Much like the role he wanted Layana to play. The history was returning to bite him.

The suspect behind the arrest was Payal, according to Jhanvi. So she called Payal to her hotel for a meeting. The young lady, now sitting before her, passed muster.

Jhanvi asked her, “You have played your cards well. Who is giving you these instructions?”

Payal feigned ignorance. “Sorry, ma'am. I don't get you.”

“The stakeholders have been receiving calls from ‘Office of Ayaan Agnihotri’ asking them to resign. Those who didn't agree were threatened to be dealt by Ayaan Agnihotri who kept confidential dockets with their information, ready to go public. I believe, you made the calls.”

“I believe, you are right.” Payal's behavior took a turn as she leaned back, confidence overlaying the previous innocence.

Oh, she was right and she knew right when she received the same call being a passive stakeholder of the Agnihotri group. Jhanvi owned a mere 1000 shares in the company which Aakriti had purchased for her transactions. Jhanvi had called Ayaan to cross check but he had no idea of the plot behind his back. Jhanvi didn't volunteer to make him aware of it. She instead turned to other stakeholders on Aakriti's camp who were wondering if the instruction was Aakriti's or a new player in the game. It drew Jhanvi to Mumbai, which Ayaan misstook as her helping him with Aashayein.

“Why are you doing this, Payal?”

“Why should I answer you?” came the response.

“Ms Singh, you can keep your arrogance to yourself. It would do you good to be on my side and play by my instructions. You are seahorse playing with a whale. The whale can't even see you, do you realise that?”

“What are you, a seahorse or a whale?”

“I am the net Aakriti has cast for the downfall of Agnihotris. A seahorse or a whale doesn't matter to me. My target are only Agnihotris. I will do my best to save others from losing their lives, both figuratively and literally.”

Payal was astounded by the revelations. Jhanvi went on to disclose that her husband Vipul Gupta was as much a victim as Payal's father. She also revealed her relationship with Deepshika.

“I am trying to overturn the management. Compensations and debts have been piling up since Aakriti's death. If the investors and shareholders demand their shares and investment principal back, the company would go bankrupt. I have about 20% agreement. I need another 30%. But the family owns upto 55%. Can you help me?”

“You planned well but slipped in executing it. Ayaan is unaware of the power he has. He is still an in-between with the politics of the company. I will give you the list of three other major investors who were Aakriti's allies. But the script must be ‘Office of Aakriti Agnihotri’. If any one questions, give my name. They would agree in moments. It would increase the agreement to 35%. I will see what I can do for the rest. We have less than 24 hours to complete this. Once Ayaan is back, we would not know the direction forward.”

Payal started to leave when Jhanvi's words stalled her. “It was you who caused the accident, right?”

“How did you know?”

Jhanvi smiled as an answer. Once Payal left, Jhanvi thought about the remaining stake. They had to find it within the Agnihotri family. Aakriti herself never held the shares. She was instead a beneficial owner for  part of Ankush's share. Jhanvi found her answer. But there was not much time to implement.

Jhanvi called Ishika to let her know of the happenings in Mumbai.

“Shika, I'm sorry, dear. I forced you to leave on that day.”

---

**A few weeks back**

Ishika called Jhanvi after her resignation. “Mamma, I don't have another choice. It could potentially affect Ruth's company. I don't want that to happen.”

“Did you talk to Ayaan about this? I don't think he would fire you.”

“No. There's an accident in their factory. Payal told me he was there whole night.”

An accident within Agnihotri Manufacturing seldom happened unless it was a trap or diversion. “And how does Payal know?”

“She is his secretary. I normally call her when I can't reach Ayaan.”

“How did the accident happen?” Jhanvi wanted to know more details. She specifically wanted to know if Chhaya was involved.

“I don't know, Ma. Why are you investigating me?”

“Because your hurried dismissal and a sudden accident following Aakriti's funeral… isn't this too much of a coincidence?”

“Ma, what do you want me to do now?”

Her anxiety caught up with her as she mouthed instructions to Ishika. “Get out of there right now! I would be happy to have you back safe and sound. Too many disasters in a string is only harbinger of more problems. Shika, courier the bag and get on a flight right now.”

“I have to check the availability on website…”

“I will do the booking. Just move out of there.”

___

Shika asked in surprise, “Mom, you knew about Payal's involvement?”

“No, I shot in the dark. She caught the bait. Also, she is planning to overthrow the management. It won't happen so easily and definitely not in such short time. But it works as a good distraction to keep Ankush and Chhaya occupied. I gave her my support.”

“Mamma, I got to go now. I will keep you updated. For once, no more secrets.”

Jhanvi replied, “Once this is over, there won't be any secrets between us.”