"Since when do you own Delphie?", Vikram asked in surprise with his eyes opened all wide.

"Since yesterday," Raymond said and came forward and wrapped his arm around Akira.

"It has been officiated and she has 51% shares of my company now".

"You do not understand Raymond with what you are playing with", Vikram said and shook his head in disappointment.

"What I am playing with? Probably you should think of what mess you are getting yourself into", Raymond said and looked at Katherine who switched the slides.

"Well first of all - this is a written statement by Dr. Brooks where she has agreed to have received a good amount of sum, in return of her services from your assistant Peter Gnatt".

"Second, we have footages of your car in front of the cafe where your assistant Peter, went to meet Scarlett and she will definitely stick to her statements when we drag you to court", Katherine said and then looked at Vikram.

Vikram turned to look at Akira and his heart died from within. He had never seen such hate, mistrust, and judgment in her eyes for him. He took a deep breath and calmed himself down for he couldn't let his ship sink, not this way at least.

Looking deep into her eyes he said,

"You have known me since childhood days Akira. You have been through my thick and thin. You know me better than I do myself, so just because of these few slides will you believe that I was behind all this? Tell me Akira, do you think that I will go to such an extent to ruin your life?".

"Even I thought I knew you Vikram. But after seeing all this, I am not so sure about that anymore. Why did you hate Raymond so much? How did he wrong you to deserve all this? How did I wrong you to deserve all this Vikram? Answer me now?".

"That's because I love you Akira. I always have", Vikram said and sighed.

"No, you are lying. Tell me you are lying", Akira said and took her steps back.

"I know it's hard for you to believe, but it was always you Akira".

"I wish, I didn't, but I did love you more than anything else and more than anybody else", he said and hung his head low.

"Is that why you wanted to crush me and Raymond?"

"Is that why you wanted him to be bankrupt?", Akira asked and this time her tone was not so sober.

"I made mistakes, I agree to that. But I won't agree to all these ridiculous accusations. What proof do you guys have that I was behind all the things that happened?", Vikram asked.

"You want proof, then here is your proof", saying that Raymond turned back and signaled someone.

The anchor who was till now standing there silently like a mock spectator immediately rushed inside the small utility room on the terrace and brought Peter outside.

"Your man will speak for you. Now let's see what you arrange a rebuttal for that !!!", said Raymond and pointed his hands towards Peter.

Peter's hands were tied in the back and he looked like he had been thoroughly tormented, although there was no sign of any physical assault on him. The anchor pushed him forward towards the center and said,

"It's time to speak !!!".

"I am sorry Mr. Shah. I was very careful with everything but somehow I ended up being here", Peter said looking at Vikram with his eyes begging for his mercy.

"It's ok Peter, just tell them the truth. Tell them that I am actually not behind all this. You can tell them everything, A to Z of the things we did but they should know that I didn't stoop so low. I wasn't behind all this".

Peter trembled and looking all down he mumbled,

"I am sorry Mr. Shah".

"It is ok Peter !!! Just tell the truth".

"I am sorry Mr. Shah", Peter mumbled again and then lifted his eyes and said,

"He had asked me to monitor the call logs of Miss. Akira and Mr.Raymond and when he got to know that they are together, he wanted them to be separated from each other at any cost. I had collected all the information about Miss. Scarlett as he had asked me to do a background check on Mr.Raymond".

Then he paused and looked at Vikram again,

"It's ok Peter continue".

"Then he asked me to bring Scarlett back at any cost. I researched and figured out that Anthony was her cousin brother and that was the sweet spot for us and I took that path and got her to our side. We knew about the weakness of Raymond for a baby so I bribed and arranged for the services of Dr. Brooks so that Scarlett can come back into Raymond's life. Engaging Anthony to threaten Akira was also a part of his plan and regarding the closure of the deal, he had asked me to prepare the papers and had asked me to keep it confidential".

"What on earth are you speaking Peter?", Vikram roared with anger.

"I asked you to prove me innocent, but why are digging a grave for me? Are you also a part of their team now? How much did Raymond bribe ...".

"Stop Vikram. For God's sake".

"Just stop it already !!!", Akira cut through and looked straight into his eyes.

Tears were streaming down her cheeks, for she had been betrayed. She never knew that one day the only person whom she considered next to her dad would become the Brutus of her life. She wiped her tears and turned back and said,

"You want me to believe you right?"

"Fine, for a moment let's say I believe you".

"Let's say I assume that it wasn't you".

"Then who was it? Who would stoop so low to do all this? Who would want Raymond and I to be separated?"

"Do you have any answer? Can you give me a name? Can you tell me who was it Vikram?"

There was nothing but extreme silence that spread all around them, but then a voice emanated out of nowhere,

"IT WAS ME !!!"

"ALL ME !!!"