Bound by power

Aadhira’s POV

The smell of smoke still lingered in the lobby.

Not thick. Not suffocating. Just enough to remind everyone that someone had tried.

Tried — and failed.

I stood in the center of the polished marble floor of Aurenza Global’s headquarters, watching staff clear the last shards of shattered glass. The building was quiet now. Controlled. Restored.

Like nothing had happened.

But I don’t believe in “nothing.”

Every attack is a message.

Every message has a sender.

And every sender makes a mistake.

“Security footage?” I asked without turning.

“Being analyzed, ma’am,” the head of security replied. His voice was steady. Good. Fear spreads fast. I don’t allow it to settle.

I bent slightly, picking up a small fragment of broken glass that had escaped the cleanup. I examined the reflection in it — distorted, sharp.

“You increased perimeter patrols?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“Double it.”

He nodded.

No raised voice. No panic. Just decisions.

Because panic is for people who don’t own the board.

I walked toward the elevator, heels echoing against marble. Employees straightened automatically as I passed. Some looked shaken.

I wasn’t.

The forty-second floor opened into my office — glass walls, dark oak desk, the city stretched beneath like something I commanded with a glance.

My phone buzzed.

Unknown number.

I answered.

“Aadhira Kapoor.”

Silence. Then a voice.

Deep. Calm. Controlled.

“Aryan Rathore.”

Of course.

The Rathores don’t call without reason.

“To what do I owe the interruption?” I asked, leaning back in my chair.

“Kairos acquired seventeen percent of your coastal project this morning.”

I didn’t react outwardly.

“I’m aware.”

“Are you aware,” he continued evenly, “that he’s done the same to three of my defense subcontractors?”

Interesting.

Kabir Malhotra was ambitious. But this was coordinated.

“You’re suggesting this is larger than competition?” I asked.

“I don’t suggest,” he said. “I verify.”

His tone wasn’t arrogant.

It was certain.

Silence stretched between us — not awkward. Strategic. Measuring.

“And why are you calling me?” I asked softly.

“Because if he destabilizes you, he strengthens himself. And when he strengthens, he expands.”

“And you don’t like expansion?” I asked dryly.

“Not when it’s uncontrolled.”

A small smile touched my lips.

Control.

Finally, a language I respected.

“You think we share a problem,” I said.

“I think we share a threat.”

There it was.

A calculated threat.

Not emotional. Not reckless. Not dramatic.

Planned.

“Why warn me?” I asked.

“Because I prefer strong competitors,” he replied calmly. “Weak ones collapse too quickly.”

A challenge.

I stood, walking toward the window. The city lights flickered below.

“I don’t collapse,” I said.

“I know.”

There was no hesitation in his voice.

Just fact.

That unsettled me more than arrogance would have.

“Then consider this a courtesy call,” he added. “Check your board. Someone is feeding him information.”

My expression hardened.

“Careful, Mr. Rathore.”

“I’m always careful.”

The line went silent.

I lowered the phone slowly.

A leak?

Inside Aurenza?

No.

If there was betrayal, I would find it.

And I would erase it.

I pressed the intercom. “Call for an emergency board review. Full audit. Quietly.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

As I ended the call, I stared at my reflection in the glass.

Aryan Rathore.

He hadn’t threatened me.

Hadn’t tried to impress me.

Hadn’t tried to intimidate me.

He had simply… informed me.

As if he expected me to handle it.

That was either respect.

Or strategy.

Either way—

Interesting.

Very interesting.

Because if Kabir was moving pieces on the board…

Then so was I.

And I never lose when the game becomes personal.