Page 122 of Lawfully Yours

“You’ll be expected in court next week,” Arundhati added. “And if you fail to appear or deny your involvement, we’ll proceed with legal action. Defamation. Perjury. Conspiracy to obstruct justice. Take your pick.”

“Seriously?” she said, folding her arms. “You’re threatening me now? I’m also a client of Verma & Associates, in case you forgot. My company’s legal portfolio…financial reviews, tax structuring, everything…your firm handles it. I’ve brought you enough business to deserve more respect than this witch-hunt.”

Kushal didn’t blink.

“We know that. And that makes your actions even more problematic,” he said. “You knowingly interfered in a high-profile case that’s also underourrepresentation. You advised a third party to falsify claims against another Verma & Associates client, publicly and maliciously. That’s not just unethical, Kamya. That’s a direct conflict of interest.”

Kamya’s lips parted to respond, but he didn’t give her the chance.

“As per Clause 5 of your client agreement,” he continued, “you’re obligated to maintain non-interference in any ongoing litigation handled by the firm. Breaching that clause means your service contract is up for immediate review and potential termination—pending internal inquiry.”

“And if the inquiry confirms deliberate intent to sabotage our legal representation of another client,” Arundhati added coolly, “the firm reserves the right to blacklist your company and formally withdraw as your legal counsel. Which means... no more business protection. No more privileged representation.”

Kamya’s confidence faltered just enough for Arundhati to see it.

“You don’t scare me,” Kamya snapped, though her voice had lost its bite. “I have my own lawyers. I’ll get my legal team to respond to this circus.”

“Please do,” Kushal said, tossing the folder on the desk between them with a cold smile. “Just make sure they read every page of this... before they call us. Including the signed witness statement from Noyonika that names you as the one who suggested the media angle.”

Kamya stared at the folder as if it might bite her.

“That statement came in this morning,” he continued. “My source in Dalhousie paid Noyonika a little visit again after Arundhati and I took the flight yesterday. She signed everything.”

Arundhati didn’t know this, but she was happy that Kushal had taken care of that too. She folded her arms, her gaze just as relentless as she turned to Kamya again.

“It’s admissible in court. And now that her statement is on record, it won’t just be Noyonika under scrutiny. You’re officially part of the paper trail.”

Kamya didn’t respond.

Because the moment had arrived…the tipping point where all her false confidence could no longer hold the weight of consequences.

She glared at the two before turning to leave.

But just before she reached the door, she looked back over her shoulder…this time, directly at Arundhati.

“You’re really not going to stop until you’ve got everything, are you?” she said with narrowed eyes.

Arundhati didn’t even blink. “I alreadyhaveeverything. I just don’t intend to lose it again.”

With a dramatic toss of her hair, Kamya strutted out.

Arundhati exhaled, slow and shaky, leaning back against the desk while Kushal tried to decode what she had just said to Kamya.

When she said to Kamya, she had everything and didn’t intend to lose it again. She had meant Kushal. She hadn’t even said it to herself in the mirror, much less admitted it aloud to anyone.

God. What had she done?

She had spent months building walls, drawing lines, rehearsing detachment. She’d convinced herself the marriage was over. That it had been a mistake.

But one moment with Kamya…one glimpse of that smug confidence walking into her space like she still had a claim…and all those walls had cracked. Arundhati hadn’t just defended herlegal ground. She had defended her marriage grounds, too. Her territory.Her man.

“Aru…” Kushal finally said, walking closer.

“Don’t,” she murmured, her arms still folded, knuckles white from the grip of her own resistance. “Don’t read too much into it.”

Kushal stilled.

“I just wanted to have the upper hand this time,” she added. “Over her. That’s it.”