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Vikram and the other board members were waiting in the conference room for Anuj to join in.

Anuj had informed Vikram that he will be late to the office but he didn't say that he is gonna be missing the meeting. The board meeting was scheduled at 12:30 pm but it has been half an hour since and Anuj still wasn't here.

Vikram thought of starting the meeting on his own but it would have been of no use as Anuj had all the proof with him. He wondered how could he be late to such an important meeting and realised it's impossible afterall the meeting was related to Anupama. There must be something else. With each passing minute he was getting anxious about Anuj. He kept trying his phone but it was not reachable.

Mr. Rathore:- Mr. Mehra....where is Anuj sir?

He inquired tired of waiting.

Vikram:- He is on his way....Mr. Rathore

Mr. Khan:- The meeting was scheduled at 12:30 and it's already 1.

He complained.

Vikram:- I understand...but please have some patience...he is on his way.

He asked everyone to wait a little more as he couldn't start the meeting without him.

Mr. Shishodia:- We get it but we have other commitments too...Mr. Mehra.

Mr. Singhana:- And Why can't we start the meeting without him?

They questioned.

Vikram:- Because he asked us to wait for him....I completely understand that all of you must have your own commitments....but this board meeting is an important one...so we need to wait for Mr. Kapadia.

He stated patiently addressing everyone's complaints.

Mrs. Awasthi:- Sure....but can you atleast let us know what is the agenda of the meeting?...since we already had a board meeting yesterday.

Vikram:- I can Mrs Awasthi but Mr. Kapadia wanted to address the issue himself and I am not going to disrespect his wish.

Everyone nodded in understanding and Vikram tried calling Anuj one more time.

He dialed his number and the sound of the ring came from the office. He looked towards the source of the sound and found Anuj coming in through the door.

As soon as he entered, everyone stood up to greet him.

Anuj:- Sorry everyone for being so late.

He apologized and took a seat on one of the ends of the table beside Vikram.

Vikram leaned a bit towards him and whispered.

Vikram:- Sab theek hai Anuj?

Anuj:- Haan

He hinted.

Vikram:- Why are you so late?

Anuj:- You will soon find out.

He mumbled with a grin on his face.

Anuj:- So ladies and Gentlemen...shall we start?

He said and everyone gestured him to go on.

Anuj:- I know all of you must be wondering why I have called for a meeting just the next day after it was already held but I wanted to discuss something really important.

Mr. Aggarwal:- What is it Mr. Kapadia?

He inquired.

Anuj:- I will disclose that in a bit.

Standing up from his chair, he moved towards the projector and connected it with his laptop.

Anuj:- But first I want all of you to have a look at something.

He said pressing the play button on his laptop.

A video started playing on the projector and everyone looked at it perplexed while Vikram was bewildered seeing that.

It was the video they had obtained from the security where Kavya was entering her office with the IT employee Subodh. It shouldn't have been alien to Vikram but it was because instead of Kavya....it was Vanraj in the video entering the office with Subodh.

Vikram was stunned to see that. He looked at Anuj in question while the latter signalled him to have patience.

As soon as the video ended, everyone waited for Anuj to explain.

Mr. Singhania:- What were we looking at sir?

He asked baffled noticing Vanraj in the video.

Anuj:- Let me explain Mr. Singhania.

Saying this, he walked back and took his seat.

Anuj:- As everyone knows a few days ago.....the bids of our government project was leaked to the other company.....and a video surfaced in this office on the basis of which Ms. Anupama Joshi was accused of the fraud.

He paused for a moment before continuing....

Anuj:- So now another video has surfaced that absolves her from all the accusations.

He stated.

Mrs. Awasthi :- You mean the one we just had a look at ?

Anuj:- Absolutely Mrs. Awasthi.

He replied.

Mr. Rathore:- But what is this video...and how does it free Ms Joshi from the accusations?

He asked confused.

Anuj:- Let me give you all a bit of context for this video.

He gestured Vikram and he got the hint.

Vikram:- This video is of the morning of 3rd July 2022...A Sunday morning and the two men you can see in this video are our employees.

Anuj:- Mr. Vanraj Shah...the head of the Project Summer 2022....and... Subodh Jaiswal...one of the employees in the IT department.

He added.

Mr. Khan:- But what they have to do with the leak?

Anuj:- They are the ones who leaked the bids.

He stated plainly and everyone was baffled.

Mr. Singhania:- But how?.....Are you inferring this from a video that shows two people entering a office?

He said trying to defend Vanraj as Vanraj...if found guilty.....can drag him with it.

Anuj:- No Mr. Singhania.....I am not that naive....I have said earlier and I am saying it again a mere video is not a proof of someone being guilty.

He declared.

Mr. Shishodia:- Sir.....but we still don't understand this.... neither the video nor the basis on which you are accussing these two people of fraud. Did they have access to the government project file or they tried to get it in some other way?

Anuj:- No they didn't have the access to the government project file but it's not the only way to access our bids.The bids are also entered in our system. I know we have a secured digital system but it's not as secure as we think especially in today's world.

He explained clearing Mr. Shishodia's doubt.

Vikram:- On the Sunday morning...the day of this video...I was neither in this office nor was my secretary Ishika but still the history of the folder showed that it was opened. It couldn't be opened without my password which no one knows except me not even Ishika. The only explaination for this could be that the system was hacked.

He added.

Anuj:- So we hired a person to look into it and find out whether the folder with the bids in Vikram's computer was accessed by someone else or not and turns out that it was.

Mrs Aggarwal:- But how can we be so sure that it was them who hacked the system?

Anuj:- Zain, the guy we hired, found the IP address of the computer that was used to access the system. We looked into it and found that the computer with the IP address was installed in Mrs Kavya Shah's office. It's the same office in which these two guys are entering.

He answered patiently.

Vikram:- The date and time of unauthorised access into the system completely aligns with the date and time of this video.

Anuj put forward the files that showed date and time of unauthorised access to the system.

Anuj:- And that is how we know that these two were the ones who illegally accessed the bids.

Both Anuj and Vikram explained the entire scenario with a straight face knowing full well that it wasn't true.

As everyone in the board halted and examined the evidence laid down in front of them, Mr. Singhania broke the silence.

Mr. Singhania:- Sir but if the computer was installed in Mrs Kavya Shah's office...how did these two got access to it?

Vikram smiled at the statement seeing Mr. Singhania act innocent as if he never knew that Vanraj and Kavya are married when he himself noticed him talking to them often.

Anuj:- Vanraj and Kavya Shah are married. I guess she would have been in on the plan.

Vikram:- I wonder how you still don't know that Mr. Singhania since I have seen you hanging out with them in the office a number of times.

He said cheekily.

Mr. Singhania :- It was related to work Mr. Mehra. Are you trying to imply that I had something to do with them?

He said jumping to his defence.

Vikram:- Not at all Mr. Singhania....Inferring someone is guilty on the basis of with whom they hang out in office is your forte....not mine.

He sneered.

Anuj:- I think we are getting off topic.

He said looking at Vikram asking him to stop.

Mr. Rathore:- All the proofs clearly indicate that Mr. Vanraj Shah illegally accessed the bids with help from our own IT employee Subodh Jaiswal.

He stated looking at the files in his hand and everyone nodded in agreement.

Mrs. Awasthi:- But what about Kavya Shah?...Was she in on it?

Mr. Shishodia:- I think she was.

Mr. Rathore:- I agree. Vanraj Shah couldn't have accessed the office without her knowing.

Mr. Khan :- But still there could be a chance she didn't know.

Anuj and Vikram looked at each other and smiled while a heated debate started between the board members regarding Kavya's involvement in the fraud.

Anuj:- Everyone.... please have some patience....this is a board meeting not a flee market.

He reprimanded their behaviour and everyone in the board fell silent.

Anuj:- I think we are doing the same mistake we did when we accused Ms Joshi of the fraud.

Vikram:- We can't reach a conclusion without hearing their side of the story.

Mr. Khan:- What's there to hear Mr. Mehra?....The proof is very clear to us. Mr. Vanraj Shah is the one who defrauded our company.

Anuj:- You said the same thing about Ms Joshi a few days ago Mr. Khan. If we would have sued her on the basis of what you guys believed to be true, we would have destroyed an innocent woman's career. So it's better we take a look at the other side of the coin before deciding.

He mouthed his disappointment.

Mr. Khan:- Sure sir.....we are sorry for before.

Vikram:- No need to be Mr. Khan. We all have made some abrupt decisions that were proved to be wrong later. It's just we should learn from them.

Everyone agreed with Vikram and decided to hear Vanraj's side of the story before taking a decision.

Vanraj was called into the office and a few moments later he arrived.

Opening the door, he spoke asking for permission.

Vanraj:- Sir you called me?

Anuj:- Yes Mr. Shah. Please come in.

Vanraj came in and was staggered to see the entire board there. He was told that Anuj Kapadia wants to have a talk with him not the entire board of directors.

22 July 2022, 11:30 am

Vanraj and Kavya stepped out of the elevator on their floor and were greeted by Ishika there. They were astonished to find her waiting for them near the elevator and wondered what it is all about.

Ishika:- Good morning sir....Good morning mam.

She greeted them with a warm smile.

Vanraj & Kavya :- Good morning.

Both acknowledged the greeting and continued to walk towards their office when Ishika intervened...

Ishika:- Sir....I would like you to come with me.

Vanraj:- Where?

He asked curiously.

Ishika :- To the lobby.

Vanraj:- We have an important meeting Ishika.

He replied as he was getting late for the meeting.

Ishika:- Sir the meeting was cancelled and you are asked to wait in the lobby.

Kavya:- What?.....and by whom?

She inquired baffled by the information.

Ishika:- By Vikram sir.

Vanraj:- Why would he cancel our meeting?

Ishika:- I don't know that sir. I was just told to ask you to wait in the lobby as Anuj sir wants to talk to you.

She replied.

As Vanraj and Kavya heard that Anuj wants to talk to them, their confused faces lit up like a candle as they started imagining the new opportunities and respect they would be getting in the office after

their direct dealings with the Anuj Kapadia.

Both of them had incredible startup ideas that they wanted to pitch to the higher management but they never got the opportunity. Finally after a long wait they were getting a chance to be in the same room with Anuj Kapadia and they were not going to let it go.

Vanraj:- Sure why not....Kavya you wait for me in the office....I will be back.

He said not wanting Kavya to accompany him as he thought it was his one and only chance and he can't let Kavya's over excitement ruin it.

She was annoyed and wanted to go ballistic at Vanraj for trying to exclude her out of the meeting but it was office and all she could do is nod in understanding and deal with it later.

She was bitter because of Vanraj's habit of sidelining her whether it is in meetings or personal life. No matter how much hardwork she puts in, she never gets her credit. Most of the ideas that Vanraj had were the brainchild of Kavya and yet when it came to pitching those ideas, she was ignored like she had no part in it.

Vanraj looked at her expressions and understood that she is annoyed but he couldn't risk this opportunity just to pacify her. So he gestured Kavya to wait for him and spoke...

Vanraj:- Let's go Ishika.

Ishika:- Sorry to interrupt but Anuj sir wanted to talk to both of you.

She corrected Vanraj.

Although Vanraj would never admit it but he always considered Kavya less smarter than him and Anuj inviting her to the meeting annoyed him a bit.

Vanraj:- Fine !!

He sighed looking at Kavya.

Vanraj:- You can come with us.

All three of them walked to the lobby and took a seat. Kavya and Vanraj had been waiting there for almost two hours constantly checking with Ishika about when they would be able to meet Mr. Kapadia but she said nothing other than asking them to have patience. Not wanting to miss this opportunity, they waited patiently for the meeting and finally Vanraj was called into the conference room instead of Anuj's office that left both Kavya and Vanraj perplexed.

As he looked at the entire board in front of him, he felt anxious wondering what it's all about.

Anuj looked at his tensed face and politely asked him to come forward.

Vanraj took a few steps forward and stood in front of the board members.

Anuj:- Mr. Shah...there are a few questions we would like to ask you.

He said with a pleasant smile.

Vanraj:- Yeah sure....but can I ask what this is all about?

He asked curiously.

Vikram:- Don't worry Mr. Shah. We are not going to ask something that you don't have an answer to.

He replied.

Mr Aggarwal:- Mr. Shah were you in the office on 3rd of July?

Vanraj was confused about why he was being treated like an accused when the date suddenly rang a bell in his mind and he swallowed in nervousness.

Vanraj:- No sir....I wasn't.

He replied with determination as he knew even if it was about the bids, he had nothing to do with that. It was Kavya who did all the work.

Vikram:- Let me rephrase it Mr. Shah. Were you in the office on 3rd of July between 8 and 10 am?

Vanraj:- No sir.

He seemed confident.

Anuj:- Are you sure?

Anuj tried to confirm before moving on.

Vanraj:- Yes sir...I am. As far as I remember, 3rd July was a Sunday and what would I be doing in the office on a Sunday morning.

He affirmed.

Anuj:- That's our question Mr. Shah. What were you doing in the office on a Sunday morning?

Vanraj:- As I said sir....I wasn't in the office on Sunday. What is this all about?

He asked acting naive.

Mr. Rathore:- We thought you would answer honestly but since you started with a lie....we are inclined to believe that you did steal those bids and sold it to the MG Group.

He remarked plainly accusing Vanraj of the fraud.

Vanraj :- WHAT ?

He exclaimed anxiously as he wasn't expecting this.

Vanraj:- What are you talking about?....I didn't do any such thing.

He replied in a jittery voice.

Mr. Shishodia:- The proof says a different story Mr. Shah.

Vanraj started feeling a little uneasy at the remark.

Vanraj:- What proof?

Anuj slid the file that showed his punching in and out time from the office.

Anuj:- This attendance sheet clearly shows that you were in the office between 8 and 10 on 3rd July. Are you denying it?

Vanraj:- Yes I am... because I wasn't here and even if I was....what it has do with the leak of the bids?

He sounded sure of his statement and Anuj wanted to break that confidence.

Anuj:- It has....Mr. Shah. Our bids were accessed from the system during the same time you were in the office.

Vanraj:- I have said again and again that I wasn't in the office that day and there could be plenty of other people who could have accessed the bids. For example, Ms Anupama Joshi.

He stated subtly trying to shift the blame on Anupama.

Mrs Awasthi:- Ms Joshi has nothing to do with this. You are the one who stole those bids and now you are blaming it on Ms Joshi to save yourself.

Vanraj:- I am doing no such thing mam. Ms Joshi did steal those bids as it is evident from the video that was circulated in the entire office.

He said firmly while Anuj looked at him with a smirk on his face.

Anuj:- I am glad you brought up the video Mr. Shah. I have another video that absolves Ms Joshi of all the accusations and proves that you are the one who is guilty.

Vanraj:- What?

Anuj played the video of Vanraj and Subodh on the projector ignoring the confusion evident on Vanraj's face.

Anuj:- This is you and Mr. Subodh Jaiswal entering into the office with the computer which was used to hack our system. Isn't it Mr. Shah?

Vanraj was shocked to see himself in the video. The video made him question himself that whether he was in office or not. Although he was quite certain that he wasn't and that too not with Subodh. He never met him directly and dealt with him through Kavya.

Vanraj:- No...no... it's not true.

He tried defending himself certain that the video is not true.

Anuj:- It is Mr. Shah. The time for which you and Subodh were in office completely aligns with the time during which our system was broken into.

Vikram:- This clearly implies that you are the one who stole the bids.

He added.