Chapter 7

Night had settled over the city, wrapping everything in a quiet glow.

From the glass walls of his penthouse, the lights below looked distant and controlled. Veeresh Raj stood still, hands in his pockets, his reflection faint against the glass. His mind, however, was not as controlled as the world beneath him.

He picked up his phone.

“Robin.”

“Yes sir.”

“I want full details on Professor Poornima Rai.”

“Okay sir.”

The call ended.

Veeresh placed the phone down, his gaze returning to the city. He was not a man who acted without reason. But this was not impulse. This was intention.

An hour later, the door opened and Robin stepped in with a file.

“Sir.”

Veeresh turned, took the file, and sat down. The room fell silent as he opened it.

His eyes moved across the page.

Poornima Rai
Age 28

Daughter of Rai Industries
Elder child

Ignored by family due to her simplicity
No longer considered heir to Rai Industries

Lives independently in an apartment
No significant contact with family

Younger brother Rayesh Rai
Maintains close relationship
Visits her regularly

Veeresh leaned back slightly, his expression unchanged, but his attention sharpened.

Educational background Business graduate from London University

A faint smirk touched his lips.

“So you walked away from all that,” he murmured.

He continued reading.

Profession Literature professor
Passion for teaching and writing

Then his eyes paused.

Secret identity Author
Pen name Mannat

Published works Multiple novels
Genre Dark romance

This time, he didn’t move forward immediately.

His gaze lingered on the words.

Dark romance.

A slow exhale left him.

“Interesting,” he said quietly.

Calm on the outside. Depth on the inside.

Bold writing style
Emotionally intense themes

No scandals
No known relationships
No boyfriend

A faint, knowing smile appeared.

“Of course.”

His eyes moved to the last line.

Occasionally consumes Old Monk rum

This time, a low chuckle escaped him.

“Didn’t expect that.”

He closed the file slowly and stood up, walking back to the glass window.

His reflection stared back at him, but now there was clarity in his eyes.

“You’re not simple, Miss Rai,” he said softly.

“Not even close.”

Ignored by her family. Walked away from power. Built her own world. Living on her own terms. Writing under a hidden name.

That was not weakness.

That was control.

And control was something Veeresh Raj understood deeply.

A slow smile formed.

“This just got interesting.”

He picked up his phone again, glancing once more at the file.

“Mannat,” he repeated under his breath.

Then, with quiet certainty,

“Let’s see how long you stay untouched, Miss Rai.”

The city lights flickered below.

But inside him, something had already begun.

Not attraction.

Not yet.

A decision.

And Veeresh Raj was not a man who stepped back once he decided.