The First Blow

Dhruv sat in his dimly lit study, the only sound in the room the soft ticking of the antique clock on the wall. Aman’s message still lingered on his phone screen, and Dhruv’s fingers itched to call him. Kartik’s scandal—whatever it was—had the potential to blow the situation wide open. This wasn’t just about business corruption anymore; this was about destroying the man who had taken everything from him.

He tapped Aman’s contact and brought the phone to his ear, listening to the soft hum of the dial tone. After a few rings, Aman’s voice came through, hushed but clear.

“Dhruv, I’ve got something big. Are you ready for this?”

Dhruv leaned forward in his chair, his grip tightening around the phone. “I’m ready. What did you find?”

Aman sighed, and Dhruv could sense the tension in his voice. “So, Kartik has been living a double life. The guy’s been involved in some shady stuff on the side—parties, drugs, women. It’s all connected to some underground circles. But here’s the real kicker—he’s been keeping it hidden from his family and the media. If this gets out, his image will be destroyed, and it’ll ruin whatever’s left of his father’s business dealings.”

Dhruv’s heart pounded with adrenaline. This was the kind of information that could obliterate Kartik’s carefully crafted persona. He had always seemed untouchable, but no one was invincible. Dhruv knew that with the right leverage, he could bring Kartik to his knees.

“You’re sure about this?” Dhruv asked, his voice low and serious.

“Positive,” Aman replied. “I’ve got photos, videos, and testimonies from people who were at these parties. Kartik’s name is all over it. He can’t deny this if it goes public.”

Dhruv leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. This was exactly what he needed—ammunition. Kartik had humiliated him by stealing Jasmine, but Dhruv would make sure Kartik’s fall was public, painful, and permanent.

“Send me everything you have,” Dhruv said calmly, though his pulse quickened with anticipation. “I want to review it all before we make our next move.”

Aman agreed and hung up, leaving Dhruv alone with his thoughts. Kartik’s days of pretending to be on top were numbered. The once charming, untouchable playboy would soon be nothing more than a disgraced name in high society.

But even as the thought of Kartik’s destruction-fueled him, a small part of Dhruv wondered if this path of revenge would truly bring him peace. He had already crossed lines he never thought he would. He was no longer the same person who had tried to hold onto love and trust. Now, he was consumed by power, control, and the desire for payback. There was no going back.

---

The next morning, Dhruv received an email from Aman with the files attached. He opened the folder and began sifting through the evidence—grainy photos of Kartik at underground parties, blurry videos of him doing drugs, and explicit images of him with women in compromising positions. It was everything Dhruv needed and more. If this hit the public eye, Kartik would be finished. His father’s business partners would distance themselves, his family’s reputation would be shattered, and his social standing would collapse.

Dhruv’s hands hovered over his keyboard, considering his next step. Should he send this to the media, or should he take a more personal approach? Something was tempting about confronting Kartik directly, showing him the evidence and watching the fear wash over his face before the world found out.

As Dhruv weighed his options, his phone buzzed again. This time, it wasn’t Aman. It was Jasmine.

For a moment, Dhruv’s thumb hovered over the screen, debating whether to answer. Part of him wanted to ignore her, to cut her out completely. But another part—the part that still remembered the love he once felt for her—was curious about why she was reaching out again.

He swiped to answer.

“Dhruv?” Jasmine’s voice was soft, hesitant.

“What do you want, Jasmine?” Dhruv asked, his tone clipped.

There was a pause on the other end of the line. “I just… I wanted to apologize again. I know I said it before, but I didn’t get the chance to explain. Kartik—he wasn’t who I thought he was. I regret everything.”

Dhruv clenched his jaw, his patience wearing thin. “What exactly do you regret, Jasmine? Choosing Kartik over me? Or the fact that Kartik isn’t the prince you thought he was?”

“I regret hurting you,” she said quietly. “I made a mistake, and I see that now. You’re different, Dhruv. You’ve changed, but… I don’t blame you. You have every right to be angry.”

Dhruv’s grip tightened around the phone. She was right. He had changed. The Dhruv who would have forgiven her, who would have begged for answers, was gone. The man standing in his place was focused on something much bigger than Jasmine’s regrets.

“You’re right. I have changed,” Dhruv said coldly. “And you’re a part of the past I’ve left behind.”

Jasmine’s breath hitched, but Dhruv didn’t let her speak. “I don’t have time for your apologies, Jasmine. I’m moving forward, and I suggest you do the same.”

Before she could respond, Dhruv ended the call. His heart pounded in his chest, a mixture of anger and resolution coursing through him. Jasmine’s words had stirred something within him, but it wasn’t enough to sway his course. He had come too far to turn back now.

---

That evening, Dhruv sat at his desk, staring at the evidence against Kartik. His fingers tapped idly on the keyboard as he debated his next move. Sending it to the media would guarantee a public scandal, but Dhruv wanted something more. He wanted Kartik to know that this wasn’t some anonymous attack. He wanted Kartik to know exactly who had orchestrated his downfall.

With a deep breath, Dhruv drafted an email, attaching the incriminating files. His message was short and to the point:

“You took something from me, Kartik. Now I’m taking everything from you. Watch your back.”

He hit send and leaned back in his chair, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. Kartik’s world was about to fall apart, and Dhruv would be the one pulling the strings. The game wasn’t over yet, but this was the first real blow, and Dhruv was ready to watch Kartik crumble.

---

The following day, Dhruv’s phone buzzed again. It was Aman.

“You’re not going to believe this,” Aman said, his voice filled with disbelief. “Kartik’s lawyers just released a statement. They’re denying everything, but the media’s not buying it. The scandal’s already spreading like wildfire. Kartik’s in deep trouble.”

Dhruv smiled to himself. The plan was working perfectly. Kartik’s carefully constructed life was falling apart, and Dhruv was just getting started.

“Good,” Dhruv replied, his voice calm. “This is only the beginning.”

As he hung up the phone, Dhruv felt a strange sense of both satisfaction and emptiness. The revenge he had longed for was finally within reach, but somewhere deep down, a small voice whispered that this path might not bring the peace he craved.

But Dhruv silenced that voice. There was no room for second thoughts. Kartik had to pay, and Dhruv was going to make sure he did.

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