Rising Phoenix

Chapter 1; Veiled Intrigue

4 Years Later

Reyansh's Perspective:

Life has a knack for throwing unexpected twists our way, leaving us adrift in a sea of uncertainty. It can be a roller-coaster ride, taking us from cloud nine to rock bottom in the blink of an eye. Such was the case for me after the devastating loss of my only family. I became a hollow shell, struggling to piece myself together and forge a new path forward. With the passing of my parents, I found myself cast into a world of solitude and loneliness, where the absence of their presence was keenly felt.

Lost in my thoughts, the blaring horn of a car jolted me back to reality. An impatient driver gestured brusquely, urging me to move my car as the traffic light turned green. I took a deep breath, shaking off the fog in my mind, and refocused on the road ahead.

As I made a turn, something caught my eye—a figure I never expected to see so soon. She was supposed to remain imprisoned for another year. Although I had never caught a clear glimpse of her face, as she always concealed it beneath her hair, I had managed to steal a fleeting glance just before her sentencing. From what I could recall, the person I saw matched her description. Confusion washed over me, but deep down, I knew it was her. How could I forget the face of the person who had torn my life asunder? Anger and hatred surged through me like an inferno, as memories of the past flooded back. It was unfathomable to witness her walking free, knowing she was the architect of my profound loss.

Rage boiled within me, and every fiber of my being yearned to confront her, to make her pay for the anguish she had inflicted. Yet, I knew this wasn't the time or place. I needed to gather myself, to strategist my actions meticulously. With a lingering question echoing in my mind—why was she now outside the confines of prison?—I drove towards my office, determined to unearth the truth.

Upon arriving at my office, an overwhelming urgency compelled me to grab my phone and dial a number—a lifeline that held the answers I sought. Restless thoughts swirled in my mind, as I wondered what other secrets were being kept from me, while the phone rang.

With each passing second, the weight of uncertainty grew, fueling my determination to unravel the mystery of her release and how it had evaded my notice. Though I wasn't directly involved in her case, her actions left an indelible mark on my life. I refused to let her roam free, to rob me of the remnants of joy left after my parents' passing. But before I could act, someone had already taken matters into their own hands.

"Good morning, boss," greeted the familiar voice of my trusted informant on the other end of the line.

"How is it possible that she's already outside of prison? She was meant to serve another year. Find out when she was released and who authorized it," I whispered sharply, struggling to contain the surge of emotions within me.

"I'll gather the information and get back to you as soon as possible," he replied urgently, sensing the gravity of the situation.

How had she managed to slip away unnoticed? It seemed she had evaded our surveillance completely, leaving us blindsided. Questions swirled in my mind, mingling with a sense of frustration and urgency. What had my team and I been doing for the past four years if her release remained concealed? I anxiously awaited answers, knowing that time was of the essence. Seeing her again had stirred up a tempest of emotions, but I needed to focus on unearthing the truth and taking decisive action.

As I waited for the call, I resolved to gather every available piece of information about her—every detail that could aid me in devising my next move. I took a deep breath, attempting to compose myself and shift my attention back to work, but the weight of the situation made it no easy task.

Finally, my phone buzzed, signaling an incoming call. I knew that the answers I sought lay on the other end of that line. With a renewed sense of urgency, I answered, ready to gain closure on this perplexing situation.

"Boss, she was released four years ago due to good behavior and a plea bargain. However, the identity of the person who authorized her release remains unknown," my informant relayed the crucial information.

I listened intently, grappling with the reality that she had been freed four years ago without my knowledge. It dawned on me that if I hadn't encountered her today, she might have remained hidden indefinitely, granting her the power to wreak havoc on my life once more. Determined to unveil the puppeteer behind her release and ensure their accountability, I realized that despite the authority I held, there were forces at play beyond my control.

"But how could she have been released four years ago without me receiving any information? Did she manage to elude our surveillance completely? What were you all doing for the past four years if her release went unnoticed?" I vented my frustration and anger, seeking to make sense of the situation.

"I apologize, sir. We were keeping a close eye on her, but it appears that someone orchestrated a cover-up to keep her release hidden from our view," my informant explained, revealing the unsettling depth of the problem.

"I want every scrap of information on her, starting from the day she entered this world. I need that file on my desk before dusk. Consider this your final chance—make it count," I sternly commanded before ending the call.

Now that she had evaded capture for four long years, it was clear that someone was protecting her—a person in a position of power, eluding the vigilant eyes of my team. No one could vanish for such a duration without powerful assistance.

With renewed determination, I picked up my phone, ready to dig deeper and unearth the full extent of this intricate web of deception. As each second ticked by, the urgency within me grew, propelling me further into the heart of the mystery.

"Hello, Reyansh. It's good to hear from you," came the familiar voice of Mr. Miller, one of the most influential figures in the country.

Drawing a deep breath, I replied in a casual yet authoritative tone, "Yes, Mr. Miller. I was wondering if you had any knowledge regarding her release."

Mr. Miller, the chairman of Miller's Group and a prominent figure in our nation, held significant sway and was instrumental in her imprisonment.

A moment of silence passed before he responded, "Are you referring to her?"

"Indeed, Mr. Miller. I wanted to know if you had any information about her release," I reiterated, my curiosity and determination merging into a single focus.

"Why wasn't I informed about her release? We used our influence to secure a stringent sentence, and she was meant to remain behind bars until next year," his voice seethed with anger and distress, clearly unaware of the situation that had transpired.

My blood simmered at the audacity of someone raising their voice before me, regardless of their position. With controlled resolve, I replied, "I trust, Mr. Miller, that your anger is not directed toward me. However, unless you wish to face the consequences of your actions, raising your voice is not a privilege you possess."

"I apologize; that was not my intention. I was caught off guard by the news, and I couldn't control my emotions," he offered a hasty apology, attempting to explain his emotional reaction.

"I understand, but let it be known, Mr. Miller, that I am not one to forgive easily, nor do I tolerate disrespect," I reminded him in a firm yet friendly tone.

"Yes, I understand, and I will keep that in mind," he humbly apologized once more.

"Good."

"When was she released?" he inquired, striving to contain his impatience.

"Four years ago," I replied, the weight of that revelation hanging heavy in the air.

There was a long pause on the other end as if the gravity of those words sank deep into Mr. Miller's core.