Chapter 16: The Singapore Gambit
The rain lashed against the car windows as the city blurred past in streaks of neon and shadow. Aanya sat in the backseat, the sealed envelope from Manav Verma clutched in her hands like a loaded gun.
Her pulse raced. Was it a gift — or a trap?
Arjun drove in silence, his knuckles white against the wheel. Meera, in the passenger seat, tapped furiously on her laptop, already decrypting the data Verma had provided.
Finally, she looked up, her face pale. "It's real. Rajiv's moving Malhotra Global's European branch into a Singapore shell company — tomorrow morning. Once it's through, he'll lock you out of the international market completely."
Aanya's chest tightened. Verma was telling the truth… or at least enough of it.
The system chimed.
[Ding!]
Chapter Quest Active: The Singapore Gambit
Objective: Stop Rajiv's Singapore transfer.
Time Remaining: 23 Hours, 41 Minutes.
Reward: Negotiation Skill (Tier 2), +20 System Points.
Penalty: Malhotra Global loses international control.
She clenched her fists. "We can't let that happen."
Arjun's eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, meeting hers. "Then we'll stop it. But remember — Verma doesn't play charity. He's using you."
"I know," Aanya said softly. But deep inside, she wondered — why warn me if he wanted me crushed?
The Malhotra Global Singapore office glowed with sterile white light, its skyscraper piercing the clouds. At dawn, the three of them stepped off a private jet, their exhaustion hidden behind determination.
"Meera, hack the servers," Aanya instructed as they slipped through a back entrance with stolen ID badges. "Find the transaction pipeline. If we can intercept before it clears, we win."
Meera nodded, already unpacking her gear.
Arjun scanned the hallway, his body tense, every movement precise. Years of martial training radiated from him in the way he walked — silent, deadly, ready.
"You've done this before," Aanya murmured as they moved.
He gave her a brief look. "Some skills never leave you."
The tension between them was unspoken, sharp as glass. Every glance, every brush of his arm against hers carried weight neither dared name.
Inside the server room, Meera cursed under her breath. "Rajiv's already initiated the transfer. I need at least ten minutes to reroute the transaction."
The system flashed before Aanya's eyes.
[New Subtask Generated]
Hold off Rajiv's agents for 10 minutes.
Reward: +10 System Points.
Her stomach dropped. "Agents?"
The door slammed open. Four men in black suits strode in, their expressions hard, their movements calculated. Not ordinary guards — professionals.
Arjun stepped in front of Aanya, his voice calm but lethal. "Stay behind me."
The first man lunged. In a blur, Arjun disarmed him, twisting his arm until the man dropped, groaning. Another swung a baton, only for Arjun to sidestep and strike with precise force, sending him crashing into the wall.
Aanya's breath caught. He wasn't just skilled — he was a storm contained in human form.
The system chimed.
[Ding!]
Observed: Martial Mastery — Hidden Attribute Unlocked.
Bonus: Arjun's Combat Efficiency increased by 15% when defending Host.
Two more men charged. Aanya grabbed a metal rod from the equipment shelf, swinging with surprising force. The clang echoed as she blocked one attack, her arms trembling from the impact.
Arjun's voice cut through the chaos. "Focus!"
She gritted her teeth, striking again, this time catching the man's knee. He collapsed with a cry.
The last guard hesitated — and Arjun's cold glare made him retreat, dragging his fallen comrades with him.
Panting, Aanya dropped the rod. "You… you fight like…"
He met her gaze, his chest rising and falling. "Like a man who's had to survive."
Something in his eyes made her pulse skip. She wanted to ask more, but Meera's voice broke in.
"Got it!" she exclaimed, fingers flying. "The transfer's frozen. Rajiv's deal won't clear."
The system chimed.
[Task Completed!]
Transfer Intercepted.
Reward Unlocked: Negotiation Skill (Tier 2), +20 System Points.
Relief flooded Aanya. We did it.
But the victory was short‑lived.
Meera's screen suddenly flickered. A new message appeared, unsigned but unmistakably deliberate.
Congratulations, Ms. Malhotra. You play the game well. Consider this a gift. But remember — every favor has a price.
A chill ran down Aanya's spine. "Verma."
Arjun frowned, leaning over. "He was watching us."
The system chimed ominously.
[Warning!]
Phantom Investor Influence Detected.
Current Leverage Level: Moderate.
Risk of Manipulation: High.
Aanya shoved the laptop shut, her voice low and fierce. "I won't dance to his tune."
Arjun stepped closer, his voice steady. "Then we change the music."
For a moment, their eyes locked — the storm of danger outside mirrored in the intensity between them.
Aanya whispered, "Thank you… for protecting me."
His jaw tightened, emotion flickering across his usually stoic face. "Always."
Back in Mumbai, Rajiv slammed his fist against his desk, fury burning in his eyes. "She stopped it!"
On the video call, Manav Verma's calm smile was a stark contrast. "I told you she was dangerous."
Rajiv snarled, "Then why give her the chance?"
Manav's eyes glinted, sharp as a blade. "Because I want to see what kind of queen she becomes. And when she's strong enough…" His smile widened. "…she'll either kneel to me — or fall."
Rajiv stared, a chill settling over him. For the first time, he realized — he wasn't the master of this game anymore.
[Ding!]
Quest Completed: The Singapore Gambit
Negotiation Skill (Tier 2) Acquired.
Reputation +20.
Current Allies: 1/3.
Warning: Phantom Investor's interest in you has increased.
Aanya gazed out of the jet window as they flew back. The lights of Singapore dwindled behind them, but her mind burned with Verma's words.
The game was no longer about Rajiv alone.
It was about the Phantom's hand — and whether she would outplay it, or be ensnared.