Page 131 of Okay Boss
"What happened?"
A pause stretched across the line. When she spoke again, her words came carefully.
"Professor Kashyap used the examination to make personal attacks. He questioned Divya's integrity. Suggested her research access came solely from her connection to you." Her tone hardened with remembered anger. "He called her work 'opportunism dressed in academic language.' Said her degree was merely 'decoration' for her climb up the social ladder."
Vikram went completely still. The kind of stillness that precedes something dangerous.
"He said this publicly? During her examination?"
"Yes. In front of the entire committee and observers." Frustration carried through the line. "I tried to redirect him, but the damage was done. Her thesis was excellent. He couldn't deny her academic work, so he attacked her character instead."
"I understand." Two words, delivered with absolute certainty. "Thank you."
He ended the call without further pleasantries.
The family remained silent. This wasn't just academic politics. This was an attack on a Khanna. On Vikram's wife.
Vikram's thumb moved across his phone screen. When he raised it again, his expression had shifted completely. Gone was the concerned husband. In his place stood the Khanna heir. Controlled. Focused. Deadly in his certainty.
The call connected after one ring.
"Mr. Bansal. Defamation suit against Professor Sunil Kashyap. Public humiliation of my wife during her thesis examination. Maximum damages. Papers filed by morning."
A brief pause for the lawyer's acknowledgment.
"Good." He ended the call.
Immediately, he dialed again.
"Rahul. Everything on Professor Sunil Kashyap from Mithibai College. Academic history. Personal life. Financial records. Every skeleton. By morning."
A pause.
“Finish him.”
Another connection ended.
He looked up at his family. Fury banked in his eyes but not extinguished.
No one spoke. No one needed to. Harshit's hand remained on his son's shoulder, a gesture of approval. Kavita's expression had hardened to stone. Raghav released a slow breath, understanding completely. His brother rarely unleashed this side of himself. But when he did, it was devastating.
Vikram moved toward the stairs, steps measured and purposeful.
The family watched him climb toward the bedroom where Divya had retreated.
He rarely got angry. But when he did, it was always for those he loved with all his heart.
Chapter 30
Vikram pushed open the bedroom door without knocking. The scene that greeted him stopped him just inside the threshold.
Divya stood by the couch, mechanical in her movements as she laid out a pillow and blanket. Her face remained blank, emptied of emotion, as she smoothed the fabric with the same attention she gave to production schedules.
She'd changed into simple cotton pajamas. Her glasses sat slightly crooked on her nose. Her hair hung loose down her back. But it was her eyes that caught him, flat, distant, empty.
"What are you doing?" Vikram asked, though the answer lay obvious before him.
Divya didn't look up, just continued arranging the pillow. "Setting up for the night."
