Part-204

  Rahat's pen froze mid-signature, and his eyebrows furrowed in surprise. He had dealt with AIGP Sam several times in the past over various matters, but their unication had always been limited to phone calls or formal exges through intermediaries. This would be the first time the Additional Ieneral of Police was visiting his offi person. Why now? And what could it be about? Rahat's mind quickly ran through the possibilities, but none of them seemed good.

  "Send him in," Rahat said after a brief pause, nodding to himself as if to reaffirm his own posure. He stood up, adjusting his suit jacket, and positioned himself in front of his desk.

  Moments ter, the door swung open, and Sam entered with the authority and presence befitting a man in his position. His posture right, his uniform crisp, and his expression—though polite—was unreadable. Rahat greeted him with aended hand and a warm, professional smile.

  "Hello, Mr. Sam. It’s an honor to have you here."

  Sam returhe gesture, shaking Rahat’s hand but with a noticeably firm grip. "Thank you, Mr. Rahat," he replied, though his smile was thin, and his eyes carried a depth of purpose that Rahat found uling. After a few brief pleasantries about business and the city's affairs, Sam's demeanor suddenly shifted. The transition was subtle yet unmistakable—the air in the room seemed to cool as Sam's eyes grew colder, harder, a sharp trast to his earlier polite facade.

  "I have some other work to attend to," Sam said, his voice steady and devoid of warmth, "so I’ll keep this brief. Let’s get to the reason I’m here."

  Rahat’s muscles tensed slightly. He had faced difficult versations before, many of them in this very office, but there was something different about this one. He nodded silently, letting Sam tinue.

  Sam stepped closer, log eyes with Rahat, his tone now ice-cold. "I’ve gathered evidence of your wrongdoings," he began, his words dropping like stones into the still air. "But my hands are tied, so I ’t take direct a against you—at least not yet."

  Rahat's stomach dropped. He had always been careful, meticulous even, in how he ducted his business dealings. What had Sam found? And more importantly, how much did he know? But before he could voiy of his s, Sam tinued.

  "However," Sam's voice greer, more threatening, "if you or anyone from yanization harms my family, especially my son, I will destroy your pany from its core. I’ve do before, and I will do it again. Don’t test me."

  The words hung in the air, heavier than the silehat followed. Rahat felt his throat tighten, but he maintained his posure, his face betraying none of the fear or shock he felt inside. Sam’s eyes, now like twin shards of ice, bored into his own, making it clear that the threat was not a bluff.

  Then, just as quickly as the storm had e, Sam’s expression softehe fire in his gaze dimmed, repced by an almost casual politeness once more. "I hope you have a good day," he said in an offhaone, as if they had just discussed the weather. Without waiting for a response, Sam turned a, his footsteps eg faintly as he disappeared through the door.