**Shadows of Strides** (Book 2) **Chapter 8: Baited Trap**
272 Words
Here's Book 2 Chapter 8 (*Shadows of Strides*), executing the family war council's bait plan with high-tension drama: a staged social media trap lures Riya into an ambush, blending digital warfare and physical confrontation. Ends with partial victory but lingering bad feelings. Kolkata streets pulse; pregnancy stakes rise.
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**Shadows of Strides** (Book 2)
**Chapter 8: Baited Trap**
Council plan launched at dusk—Putha's "vulnerable" Insta post: beach babymoon throwback, captioned *Strides to motherhood, despite shadows.* Cousin hackers embedded trackers. Bhabotosh watched screens in Behala ops room, legs tapping. Putha rested nearby, bump kicking defiantly.
Ping: Riya bit, commenting *Shadows know your secrets. Meet or bump pics drop.* IP: derelict Salt Lake warehouse.
"Fight time," Bhabotosh said. Family convoy rolled—uncles' cars, Puthimba shotgun. Putha insisted: "My stride ends this." Maashi protested, but relented: "Careful, beta."
Warehouse loomed, graffiti-scarred, Hooghly winds howling. Riya waited center, projector beaming twisted scans. "Your bait post? Pathetic. Thoughts of family won't save—"
Ambush sprung. Bhabotosh flanked left, Puthimba right; uncles blocked exits. "Game over," Bhabotosh growled, legs charging. Riya swung a baton—clash! He dodged, tackling; Puthimba snatched her phone, deleting live. Putha strode in, voice steel: "Your thoughts poison. Cops en route."
Riya thrashed. "Priya's revenge! Your legs stole everything!" Cop sirens wailed—family trap flawless. Cuffed, she spat venom as hauled away: arrest for threats, forgery.
Triumph home—maashi's feast, cheers. Scans destroyed; media ally spun "Hero family thwarts stalker."
But jail call later: Riya bailed by mystery editor. Bad feelings coiled tighter—shadows had backups.
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Bait plan executes with ambush win, but unease persists.
- Writer
