The Tycoon's Odyssey

The night sky draped over Bombay as flashing cameras and dazzling lights lined the entrance of the luxurious Grand Blue Hotel.

Guests in glamorous attire flocked to the red carpet, where limousines pulled in one after another. Among them, a sleek black limousine came to a smooth halt, and from it, a long, slender leg emerged, adorned with heels sharp enough to cut glances. A ripple of excitement spread through the crowd as the rest of Suri Barret followed, her silk gown shimmering under the lights.

As she took long, confident strides forward, a swarm of people surged toward her

Photographers, fans, and guests came clamoring for a moment wildly.

"Miss Suri, what is the next project you are working on?"

"Miss Suri, where did you spend your vacation?"

"Were you alone or went with someone?"

The media asked questions, and the guests in luxurious coats and designer suits greeted her with enthusiasm, enchanted by her charm. Suri responded with an elegant warm smile, exchanging handshakes and air kisses with elegance.

Yet, not every encounter was welcome. A few older men, eyes glinting with inappropriate admiration, tried to touch her.

One reached for her hand, another for her waist, but with a graceful sidestep, she dodged them effortlessly.

"Haa! Sorry, you know I am a clean freak woman."

She maintained her polite smile but thought inwardly with thinly veiled annoyance.

'These old bastards really don't know when to quit. Always hunting for young grass to graze.'

She let out a subtle sigh, hiding her irritation behind a perfect grin, and stepped into the opulent hall.

...….

Inside the Grand Blue Hall

The interior sparkled with extravagance. Golden chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, and marble floors reflected every shimmer of the guests' gowns. Tables were lined with elaborate dishes filled with caviar, lobster, exotic fruits, and champagne towers while a live band played soft jazz in one corner, setting a lively but elegant mood.

On the dance floor, guests swirled in slow circles, lost in rhythm, while the air hummed with conversation and laughter.

Celebrities from every field filled the room from actors, singers, business tycoons and several well-known faces flocked to Suri the moment she entered.

She greeted them all with grace, offering compliments that seemed genuine despite being second nature. In this industry, the ability to smile through feigned interest was essential.

After a while, the crowd around her thinned, giving her a brief moment to breathe. She made her way to the bar, intending to quench her thirst with a cool drink. As the bartender handed her a flute of champagne, a familiar, sarcastic voice interrupted her reprieve.

"It seems you're still a hot commodity, as ever. Wanted by so many men."

Suri turned, a slow smile curling across her lips. It was Anika Deshmukh, her old rival.

She wore a tight silver gown that hugged her figure, her black hair perfectly coiffed, and makeup carefully applied to enhance her sharp cheekbones. While she had made her mark in the industry, Anika's success always paled next to Suri's, and she never missed a chance to throw snide remarks Suri's way.

With a glint of amusement in her eye, Suri tilted her head slightly. "First of all, I'm not a commodity. Secondly..."

She leaned closer and muttered with a voice smooth as silk. "No one dares use gods."

Anika's expression faltered, though she fought to maintain her smile. "If you keep up this arrogant act, you'll fall from grace soon enough. Who knows how many nights you've spent... currying favor behind the scenes?"

Suri's smile didn't falter, but the glimmer in her eyes sharpened. "Hmph! I don't need to curry favor with these measly people. Do you really think these fools have the guts to mess with me?"

The words hit their mark. Anika's lips pressed together in frustration, but she knew better than to push further. Suri's reputation for martial arts wasn't just a rumor.

The industry still whispered about the incident during a film shoot, a man had made the mistake of groping Suri in the wrong spot. Without hesitation, she delivered a powerful kick that sent him to the hospital, nearly breaking his spine. Since that day, no one dared to test her boundaries.

She didn't knew if someone used drug on her but there had never been any talks about it.

Anika clenched her jaw but forced a smile back on her face. "I suppose some things never change, do they?"

Suri's smirk widened as she sipped her champagne, relishing the victory in this silent battle. "No, they don't."

With that, Suri turned away, to refill the drink.

Then as Suri turned back to finish her drink and as she swiveled back toward Anika, her heart skipped a beat as Anika collapsed onto the floor suddenly.

"What?"

Suri gasped really bewildered wondering if this was another ploy of Anita to throw dirt on her but in the next moment.

Suri's sharp gaze flicked across the hall. One by one, guests were falling to the ground first the dancers, then the people at the bar, and even the musicians slumped over their instruments. Panic surged through her veins.

"What the hell is going on?"

She glanced at the glass in her hand, her instincts screaming danger. With a sharp motion, she hurled it away, the crystal shattering as it hit the ground. Her senses sharpened.

In the chaos, she now noticed what she'd overlooked before the faint, cloying scent in the air. It blended with the overpowering perfumes worn by guests, masking its presence until now.

Suri's breath hitched.

"DRUGG!"

Without wasting time,she bolted toward the door.

Just as she reached the entrance, a sudden BANG echoed through the hall, the sound of unmistakable gunfire.

Suri instinctively ducked, sliding low across the floor as bullets whizzed past her.

With a nimble leap, she vaulted over a nearby table, knocking over glasses and platters.

Then came the sound that froze her in place for a split second.

"Hahaha! Suri, it's been a long time since we met. Won't you come out and greet your little brother?"

Her eyes narrowed as she identified the source of trouble.

Suri then crouched behind the table and cursed.

'Damn! Did he finally lose it and go insane?'

'How did he get the guts to act like this?'

The scent in the air, the sudden collapse of the guests, and now Paul's voice…this was no coincidence.

He was behind all of this but..

She wasn't sure if he was alone or acting along with others cause what he was doing was broadlight terrorism so someone Indra must have his back to sweep things.

She pressed her back against the overturned table, listening carefully to the sound of footsteps approaching from the entrance.

She peeked over the edge of the table, trying to gauge how many men he had with him. In the dim light, she spotted a group of armed men in black suits, their faces hidden behind masks. The air thinned, and she could feel her breathing grow heavier.

She had to act fast before she was surrounded.

Her lips curled into a bitter smile. Little brother or not, you picked the wrong sister to mess with.

With one deep breath, Suri tightened her grip on the edge of the table, ready to fight her way out.