Investigate

Minar’s train of thought was interrupted by a sharp knock at the door. His brows furrowed slightly as he straightened in his chair and called out, “Come in.”

A young man, probably in his mid-twenties, stepped in. His demeanor was casual but respectful. “Sir, you called me?”

“Ryan,” Minar said, his voice steady as he set the file in his hands aside. “Call Mohit. I need him to look into someone.”

Ryan blinked, his confusion evident. “Someone? Who, exactly?”

“Viraj’s girlfriend,” Minar replied with unsettling calmness, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

Ryan’s jaw dropped slightly. “Wait… what? Viraj’s girlfriend? Are you serious? Sir, you do realize this isn’t just anyone we’re talking about! If Viraj finds out, it’ll crush him!” His words spilled out in a single breath, momentarily forgetting the unspoken rule: Don’t question Minar Singhania.

Ryan had been Minar’s personal secretary for five years. A 25-year-old who’d been with Minar ever since he got his first job at MIRAJ Autogiant, thanks to his dad being Minar’s father’s secretary. But this wasn’t just some hand-me-down position—Ryan had earned it through his own hard work. After that, he followed Minar abroad to help set up the business, and for five years, he hadn’t had the chance to go back to India—either with Minar or without him.

Minar had always been someone Ryan admired, almost like a fan. Even though they were almost the same age, Ryan had always looked up to him—how Minar spoke, how he handled tough situations, how he turned into the man he was after losing his father. He was basically Minar’s biggest fan, second only to Viraj.

But right now, Ryan couldn’t wrap his head around this. Investigating Viraj’s girlfriend? That felt like crossing a line. But he also knew Minar—when he said something was important, it was important. And no one, not even his closest friends, dared question him when it came to family.

Minar, who had resumed flipping through the papers in the file, froze mid-motion. Slowly, his sharp, piercing gaze met Ryan’s panicked one. The room felt a few degrees colder.

“You wanna die?” Minar asked, his voice icy and terrifyingly calm.

Ryan gulped audibly, sweat forming at his temples. “S-sorry, sir! It… it just slipped out! I swear, I didn’t mean to overstep!” He inwardly cursed himself for his big mouth. Five years by Minar’s side should have taught him better by now. Minar was fiercely protective of his family, and when it came to his brother Viraj, there were no boundaries he wouldn’t cross.

Ryan’s mind raced. He wasn’t genuinely scared for his life—Minar wasn’t the kind to lash out unjustly—but he also knew better than to test the limits of Minar’s patience.

Minar finally broke the silence. “Do you plan on standing there all day, or do you have work to do?”

“Uh… no, sir. I mean, yes, sir. I mean…” Ryan stammered, mentally facepalming at his inability to form coherent sentences.

“What is it, Ryan?” Minar snapped, growing impatient.

Ryan hesitated, shifting uncomfortably. “Are you sure about this? About investigating her?”

Minar’s lips twitched into a smirk, though his eyes remained cold. “You’re still questioning me? Yes, I’m sure. It’s important.”

“I get that, but…” Ryan started, but Minar cut him off with a wave of his hand.

“No buts, Ryan. You remember the last time, don’t you? I let it go because you asked me to. I stopped myself because you thought it wasn’t necessary. But this time, I’m not taking any chances.”

Ryan sighed, defeated. There was no point in arguing with Minar once he made up his mind. “Alright. I’ll talk to Mohit.”

As he turned to leave, Ryan couldn’t help but glance back at Minar. Despite his cold demeanor, Minar’s actions were always driven by love and loyalty. He just hoped Viraj wouldn’t misunderstand this as interference, but rather as the unshakable bond of an elder brother who would do anything to protect him.

“Don’t overthink it, Ryan,” Minar called out, not looking up from his papers.

Ryan chuckled softly, shaking his head. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

A faint smirk tugged at Minar’s lips. “And yet, here you are, still working for me.”

As Ryan left the room, Minar leaned back in his chair, his mind wandering. He’d do whatever it took to ensure Viraj’s happiness—even if it meant making some tough calls along the way.

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