Page 6 of Trapped By the Maharaja

She was led inside, where a group was waiting. Her eyes automatically searched for a tall figure, but he and his entourage of assistants and bodyguards weren’t inside the room.

One of the senior board members adjusted his spectacles nervously.

“Dr. Shetty,” he said. “We apologize for what happened today. It was a… misunderstanding.”

Sanjana noticed that Dr. Rao was standing with the board with an angry look on his face. She knew he was hoping she would spend the night in jail.

“Apology accepted,” she replied calmly.

There was visible relief on the board members' faces.

“I would like to go home now to rest,” she said. “I have an afternoon shift tomorrow.”

The chairman nodded. “Yes, of course, Dr. Shetty,” he said. “But first, we would like you to meet someone briefly.”

Sanjana’s jaw clenched, knowing who it was.

“It’s Ram Devara,” the chairman said. “His Highness intervened on your behalf. You can thank him in person. He is in conference room Omega.”

The words scraped across her nerves like sandpaper.

Thank Ram?

She gave a curt nod and turned, her soaked clothes clinging to her skin. She didn’t wait for Rajesh or anyone else. With every step toward the elevator, anger coiled tighter inside her. The building blurred around her as she climbed to the top floor.

Sanjana’s heart pounded against her ribs, each beat a tremor of disbelief.

Ram.

Why the hell is he here?

She didn’t have time to process the storm inside her.

When she reached the conference room, half a dozen bodyguards stood outside the double doors. All of them wore matching charcoal suits with communication devices in their ears. They didn’t move, but one of them opened the door with a brief nod.

Sanjana stepped inside the large conference room. The long table was empty except for the two people at its far end.

Ram sat at the head while his assistant hovered, holding a file.

Ram’s dark eyes looked up the moment she entered, scanning her face with unreadable precision.

A shiver racked her body, which she promptly blamed on her wet clothes in the cold air conditioning.

He looked exactly like she remembered him.

The years hadn’t changed him. If anything, they had made him more striking.

Even while being seated, he looked tall, impossibly composed, jawline carved from stone.

His tanned skin still bore the unmistakable Devara heritage, but his presence had grown colder and more ruthless.

The Devara insignia ring gleamed on his hand.

The last time she had seen that ring, it had been tossed on a floor after—

She didn’t let the memory finish.

“You may leave and close the door,” Ram said, his voice cool and low.

A poised man with sleek hair and a digital tablet, who must be Ram’s assistant, obeyed with a small nod.

A few seconds later, the door shut with a small click. For a moment, the only sound was the soft hum of the air conditioner and the faint patter of rain against the high windows.

Ram didn’t stand. He simply stared at her.

“I see nothing has changed,” he said finally. “You are still breaking laws trying to save the world.”

Sanjana let out a slow, furious breath.

“And you still act like the world exists for your convenience.” Her voice was sharper than she would have liked. She wanted to appear cool and unfazed like him.

Ram’s mouth twisted into a small, dark smile.

“What are you doing here, Ram?” she demanded.

“I own this hospital now.”

Her breath caught in her throat with shock.

She knew his family literally owned several towns across the country and ran several businesses. Purchasing an obscure mid-size hospital wasn’t of much significance for him.

Taking a deep breath, she looked at him. “My senior staff and board members sent me here to thank you for stopping my arrest,” she said, making it obvious she was only there because she was asked to.

“Sit down, Sanjana,” Ram said.

“I already thanked you,” she said. “I had a long day and would like to excuse myself.” She didn’t want to talk to him or be anywhere near him.

“Sit down,” he repeated, his voice a low command.

Her back stiffened at his command, but gritting her teeth, she pulled out a chair and sat.

He watched her for a moment before picking up a sleek black folder and placing it in front of her.

“Open it and read,” he commanded.

“If it’s the cost of the surgery, I have already made arrangements to pay it back,” she gritted. “I always do.”

“This isn’t about money.”

Gritting her teeth, she opened the folder that held a gold-colored, royal logo on top. She expected to find the details on the charges filed against her, but a frown marred her forehead when she saw the word ‘contract’.

She barely read the first few paragraphs when shock and anger exploded inside her.

She stood up. “You want me to marry you and have your child?” she shouted. “Are you crazy!”