Rudraksh's POV -

The moment I stepped out of the mansion, something inside me shut off.

By the time my car stopped in front of Rathore Industries, I wasn't the man who wiped her tears.

I was something else.

I was Rudraksh Rathore.

Chairman. Power. Fear.

Controlled. Sharp. Absolute.

Something far worse.

The doors of Rathore Industries opened instantly.

-Rathore Industries-

The entire lobby fell silent.

Employees stood still. Heads lowered. No one dared to meet my eyes.

Good.

I walked past them without a glance.

Inside the elevator, the silence followed me.

That's what I was used to.

I walked straight to my cabin.

Raghav was already there.

"Sir... everything has been informed."

I didn't respond.

Didn't need to.

I removed my watch, placed it on the table, and said just one word...

"Basement."

-In the Basement-

The air changed the moment I stepped inside.

Cold.Heavy.Unforgiving.

They were already there.

Tied.Bruised.Shaking.

And this time... I saw clearly who they were.

Her uncle.His wife.And their two daughters.

The moment they saw me...

They broke.

"Please... forgive us..."

"We didn't mean..."

"She's our own..."

I stopped a few steps away.

Slow.Silent.Deadly.

"My Vaishali was also yours," I said softly.

Silence.

Then my voice turned colder.

"And still... you touched her."

That was enough.

I picked up the metal rod lying nearby.

Not in anger.Not in rage.

Just... purpose.

The first strike landed hard.

A sharp crack echoed through the room.

Her uncle screamed.

Loud.Broken.

Another strike.

"You thought no one would come for her?"

Another.

"That no one would care?"

He cried.Begged.Collapsed.

But I didn't stop.

Each hit was controlled.

Measured.Precise.
Not to kill.Never to kill.

To break.

"Did she scream like this?" I asked calmly.

No answer.

Only cries.

Good.

I grabbed him by the collar and dragged him forward.

His face was swollen. Barely visible.

But his fear....perfectly clear.

"Look at me," I said.

He struggled.

Forced his eyes open.

I leaned closer.

"So now... you understand fear."

A sharp sob broke from the side.

His wife.His daughters.

Crying. Shaking. Begging.

"Please... we didn't..."

"Please let us go..."

I turned toward them.

My eyes hardened.

For a second...

Silence.

Then I stepped back.

"No."

They froze.

"I don't torture women," I said, voice calm.

A flicker of hope crossed their faces.

But it didn't last.

I glanced at Raghav.

"Send them in."

The door opened.

Two women walked in.

Dressed in black.

Calm.Cold.Unshaken.

They didn't look at me.

Only at them.

Fear returned.

Stronger.

Worse.

"These women," I said quietly, "work for me."

I stepped closer to them, voice dropping.

"And they don't forgive what you did to another woman."

The daughters started crying harder.

"Please... no... please..."

I didn't stay.

I didn't need to.

Because sometimes ....The worst punishment isn't death.
It's fear.
And knowing what's coming.

Behind me, her uncle's voice broke again.

"Kill me... please..."

I stopped.

Turned slightly.

A faint smile touched my lips.

"No."

His body stilled.

"You don't get to die."

I walked slowly.

Circling.

Letting every word sink in.

"You live," I said, voice calm and steady, "exactly how she did."

Their breathing turned uneven.

Panic rising.

"Every second... you'll wish it ends."

I looked straight at him.

"But it won't."

Time lost meaning after that.

Screams echoed.Pleading broke.Hope shattered.

And I stood there..

Silent.

Watching.

By the time I stepped back, they were no longer people.

Just fear.

Just regret.

My white shirt...it was  no longer white.

Stained.Ruined.
Just like them.

One last time, her uncle looked up.

Barely breathing.

"Why..." he whispered. "Why not just kill us..."

I stared at him.

Cold.

Unmoved.

"Because death is mercy," I said quietly.

"And you don't deserve it."

-Aftermath-

I turned away.

"Clean this," I said to Raghav.

"Yes, sir."

I removed my coat.

Dropped it aside.

"And get me another shirt."

He nodded.

I paused at the door.

Just for a second.

"She shouldn't see me like this."

That was the only explanation he needed.

Inside the washroom, I stood in front of the mirror.

For a moment... I saw what I truly was.

Not just a man.Not just a protector.
Something darker.Something ruthless.

I washed my hands.

Changed my shirt.

Adjusted my cuffs.

And just like that ... Rudraksh Rathore was back.

Untouched.Unshaken.Controlled.

As I walked out, one thought remained clear.

No one would ever hurt her again.

Not while I existed.

Because for the world, I am power.
For my enemies, I am punishment.
And for her...

I am her protection.