The Price of Protection

Chapter 6: The Infiltration

🔍 The Kapoor Empire

Siddhi studied the comprehensive profile of Karan Kapoor displayed on Li's tablet. The basic details—successful London-based businessman—were known, but Siddhi wanted the deeper roots.

The Kapoor Empire was a financial giant in Asia, built by Rakesh Kapoor's ancestors. Rakesh, Karan's father, was the current president, known for his numerous philanthropic endeavors and generally perceived as a good man. His wife had passed away years ago.

Karan had one younger brother, Veer Kapoor, the Vice President. The description of Veer instantly caught Siddhi's attention. While Karan was known to be rude, heartless, and possessive, Veer was worse: manically obsessive and erratic, a reputation well-known in London society. Both brothers were noted Casanovas who ran the company from the family's London estate.

Siddhi scanned the business affiliations. A cold sense of destiny settled over her. The Kapoor Empire was closely tied to the Lin family—specifically through their hotel ventures and a complex goods supply chain. This connection confirmed that the Lin resources, which Siddhi now controlled, could be leveraged directly against Karan.

The timeline of Karan's personal life was crucial: he hadn't had a stable girlfriend for six months—exactly the period when he discovered Anjali and his son. He had cleared his life for one objective: securing Aryan. Siddhi reviewed the evidence of his relentless, calculated pursuit of his son, which confirmed Anjali's broken belief that Karan truly loved Aryan.

But Siddhi knew the fight wasn't about love; it was about pride and possession. Anjali, consumed by hopelessness, had been easy prey.

🚪 The Sanctuary Abandoned

A week passed. Anjali's visible injuries had healed, and her physical strength was returning, though her spirit remained fragile. Siddhi had to step out for a few hours that day to finalize arrangements for her imminent plan, leaving Anjali under the watchful eye of Head Monk Gyanendra.

Siddhi returned to the temple at 6:00 PM. As she walked to the resting room, she felt a sudden, profound silence.

"Where is Anjali?" she asked the head monk, her voice sharp.

The monk's face was grave. "Child, she left. She walked out of the temple gates willingly about an hour ago... with the guards who have been watching the compound for a week."

Siddhi felt a sick lurch in her stomach. Anjali had surrendered. Despite the sanctuary, despite Siddhi's promise, Anjali had chosen to walk into the viper's den. She must have believed it was the only way to protect or stay near Aryan.

Worry turned instantly into fierce determination. Siddhi knew exactly where Anjali had gone: the opulent Kapoor Villa. Instead of relying on a complex, aggressive extraction, Siddhi pivoted to infiltration.

🎭 The Caretaker

A few days later, Siddhi Lin—or rather, a new persona—was standing in the grandiose hall of the Kapoor Villa, being interviewed by Karan Kapoor himself. She was disguised with a pair of thick, unfashionable glasses and a mask that covered the lower half of her face.

"My face was damaged in a fire when I was younger," she explained, her voice subtly altered, softer, more yielding. "I am an orphaned girl now, studying medicine on a scholarship here in London."

Karan listened, his expression bored and arrogant.

"You are a student," Karan finally said, leaning back in his chair. "How can you handle my wife and child? I require a full-time caretaker who must reside here at Kapoor Villa permanently."

Siddhi's composure cracked internally. Wife. Anjali had signed the contract. The realization hit her with sickening clarity: Anjali had traded her freedom and dignity for proximity to her son.

Siddhi immediately recovered. "Sir, I have extensive experience in babysitting and managing care," she answered smoothly. "Since I am studying online, I can dedicate my full attention to your wife and child. I will stay here forever, or for as long as you require my services."

Karan was about to respond when a nervous, elderly maid rushed over to the head servant and whispered a piece of news that carried across the massive, quiet hall:

"Anjali Madam is refusing to eat anything, sir."

Karan's face tightened with anger and frustration.

Siddhi saw her opening. She stepped forward, her voice confident and professional. "Mr. Kapoor," she challenged. "If I can successfully make Anjali Ma'am eat dinner tonight, will you accept me as the caretaker?"

Karan studied the confident, strange girl with the hidden face. He was desperate. Anjali's defiance was undermining his control. He nodded curtly, a slow, predatory agreement.

"You have a deal."