The next morning, the news channels were filled with only one story.
"ROHAN MALHOTRA HUMILIATES DEV KHANNA AT PRESS CONFERENCE."
Aria sat on the couch scrolling through the articles while sipping coffee.
"Well," she said, "the internet officially thinks you're a genius."
Rohan walked into the living room, adjusting his watch.
"I wouldn't celebrate yet."
Aria looked up.
"Why not? Dev embarrassed himself in front of the whole country."
Rohan sat down across from her.
"Because someone else helped him get that contract photo."
Aria sighed.
"Right… the mystery traitor."
Just then, Kabir walked into the villa.
He looked tired, like he hadn't slept all night.
"I have news," he said.
Aria immediately sat up straight.
"Good news or bad news?"
Kabir hesitated.
"Confusing news."
Rohan frowned.
"Explain."
Kabir placed his tablet on the table.
"I checked everyone who had access to the contract room that night."
Aria leaned forward.
"And?"
Kabir pointed to the screen.
"There were only five people in the hotel corridor that evening."
He began listing them.
"The hotel manager… two staff members… a security guard…"
He paused.
"And one more person."
Aria frowned.
"Who?"
Kabir slowly turned the tablet toward them.
A security camera image appeared.
Aria's eyes widened.
The person in the picture looked familiar.
Very familiar.
Rohan's expression turned serious.
"That's impossible."
Aria looked between them.
"Who is that?"
Kabir answered quietly.
"My assistant."
Aria blinked.
"Your assistant?"
Kabir nodded.
"Her name is Nisha. She's been working with me for three years."
Rohan stood up immediately.
"She's loyal."
Kabir shook his head slowly.
"I thought so too."
Aria crossed her arms.
"So your assistant somehow walked into the room where the contract was kept?"
Kabir nodded.
"Yes."
Rohan looked thoughtful.
"Did she know what the contract was?"
Kabir hesitated.
"I'm not sure."
Aria sighed.
"This story keeps getting worse."
Rohan looked at Kabir.
"Where is she now?"
Kabir looked uneasy.
"That's the problem."
"What problem?" Aria asked.
Kabir took a breath.
"She didn't show up for work this morning."
Aria felt a chill run down her spine.
"You're telling me the only person who might know something about the contract…"
"…has suddenly disappeared?"
Kabir nodded.
"Yes."
Rohan's voice became serious.
"Did you try calling her?"
Kabir pulled out his phone.
"I called ten times."
"And?"
Kabir showed them the screen.
All the calls were unanswered.
Aria rubbed her temples.
"So either she's hiding… or someone made her disappear."
The room fell silent.
Finally, Rohan spoke.
"We need to find her."
Kabir nodded.
"I've already asked a few contacts to look for her."
Aria looked at the ring on her finger again.
When she agreed to the contract marriage, she thought the biggest problem would be pretending to be in love.
But now…
there were missing people, hidden enemies, and secrets everywhere.
She looked at Rohan.
"This story is starting to feel like a thriller."
Rohan gave a small smile.
"You said you wanted to see how the story ends."
Aria sighed.
"Yeah…"
Then she added quietly,
"I just didn't expect the plot to get this dangerous."
Outside the villa, the peaceful beach looked exactly the same.
But somewhere in the city…
Nisha was sitting alone in a dark room, staring nervously at her phone.
A message appeared on the screen.
"Stay silent. Or the contract goes public."
Her hands began to shake.
Because now she knew something terrifying.
Someone powerful was controlling the game.
And if she spoke the truth…
it could destroy Rohan and Aria's entire marriage.
End of Chapter 21
Next Chapter: The Missing Assistant