Rising Phoenix

Chapter 2; Shadows of Intrigue

Reyansh's Perspective:

After a long pause, Mr. Miller's voice erupted from the other end of the line, "Four years ago."

"Mr. Miller, as I have already warned you, raising your voice towards me will not be tolerated. Please remember who I am. Do not underestimate my strength. I am more than capable of wiping out the entire Miller crew," I responded calmly yet firmly, before hanging up the call.

I had no intention of tolerating Mr. Miller's rudeness and haughtiness towards me, simply because we had shared a common goal during the trial of his daughter. Regardless of someone's background or status, I strive to maintain my authority and respect in every situation. I am a man of my word and do not tolerate any form of disrespect or disobedience.

At that time, I had no interest in delving into Mr. Miller's motivations for imprisoning his daughter. When I discovered his involvement in her incarceration, I didn't concern myself with their family matters. The satisfaction of knowing that she was imprisoned for stealing the most valuable thing in my life was enough for me. During that period, I was already battling with my depression, and I didn't need any additional distress. So, I chose to distance myself from that case.

As someone in a position of power and influence, I have learned to regulate my emotions and maintain composure even in challenging situations. However, like anyone else, there came a point in my life when I reached my breaking point. The harshness of reality became too much for me to bear, plunging me into the depths of depression. After months of drowning myself in self-guilt and hopelessness, I sought professional assistance and embarked on the path to recovery and healing.

That phase was the most painful and challenging chapter of my life. Even though I had transformed into a seemingly heartless and unfeeling person, thoughts of her still haunted me daily. But through therapy and self-reflection, I began to understand the importance of healing and letting go.

Therefore, at that time, I made what I felt was the appropriate decision—to step back and observe the trial from a distance. As an underage offender, she was initially set to serve five years in prison for her actions. However, her father, abusing his power, doubled her sentence instead of showing compassion for his daughter and allowing the justice system to run its course.

At that particular moment, my sole focus was on obtaining the desired outcome. I disregarded any other factors, solely aiming to ensure that the accused received punishment as an act of revenge. Consequently, I didn't bother to conduct an impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the case.

But now, as I maneuver through this perplexing situation, I struggle to find the truth. In this turbulent time, I question whether my efforts for revenge were justified. All I can do, despite everything, is hope that my search for justice wasn't hasty or impulsive.

Lost in my thoughts, I hadn't realized when the sun set, casting my room into darkness. With a sigh, I gazed out the window, observing the twinkling lights of the city below. The view was breathtaking, but my mind remained entangled in the dilemma that consumed me. Just then, my phone rang, abruptly interrupting my thoughts.

"Yes," I answered wearily, taking the call.

"I have taken the liberty to gather and send you a comprehensive report, sir. Please go through it thoroughly, as there may be crucial information that could assist in the case. However, upon reviewing my findings, I stumbled across an anomaly that warrants further investigation. It appears that all records of her activities beyond prison walls are missing from our database. Despite my extensive efforts, I was unable to uncover any evidence detailing her conduct post-release, apart from confirmation of her serving the five-year sentence," my investigator informed me.

I thanked him for his efforts and hung up, deep in thought.

The fact that there are no records of her life outside of prison despite extensive research raises concerns. It suggests that unknown parties involved in her case might be attempting to hide crucial evidence. The absence of information begs the question: Did Mr. Miller or any other person of interest orchestrate this act, and if so, why? Is he guarding a secret that would implicate him if revealed? Or has someone gone to great lengths to manipulate records and conceal vital details about the inmate's incarceration? Mr. Miller seems unaware of his daughter's time behind bars, which may rule him out as a primary suspect in hiding important information.

How is it possible that I didn't receive any information about the situation? And why are my men unable to figure it out? Another possibility is that someone tampered with the prison records.

But I'm not the strongest player in this game; others possess greater power than I do. Two powerful groups exist, and although my group holds significant strength, the last time I checked, we were not on par with the circumstances surrounding this situation.

All these swirling possibilities and unanswered questions create a hurricane of thoughts in my mind. Midst the chaos, I found the most recent email when I opened my screen.

As I opened the file, my eyes were met with a breathtaking image of a young woman. Her radiant face immediately captivated my attention and left me in awe. Describing her beauty is no easy task; it surpassed mere attractiveness. She appeared like a goddess descended from the heavens above. Before this moment, I had never paid close attention, but now, seeing her stunning features up close, there was no denying her remarkable beauty.

I couldn't tear my gaze away from her countenance. Each delicate feature held an enchanting allure. The curve of her lips and the sparkle in her eyes held me captive. Despite my attempts to redirect my thoughts, she had an undeniable magnetic pull, not only on my gaze but also on my heartstrings.

The impact of her actions on me and the situation at hand left a profound impression. I confronted the harsh reality of it all. It was astonishing how someone I had never even met could have such a dark effect on my life.

Aanya Miller—two words etched into my memory. It's peculiar how a name can hold such power over one's mind. Perhaps it's due to the tangled web woven by our past experiences. Perhaps Aanya has left too much of an impact on who I am today for me to shake off her influence so easily. In any case, saying her name leaves an unpalatable taste in my mouth and sends shivers down my spine, not something I enjoy doing frequently or fondly reminiscing about.

Upon learning that her father's name is William Miller, a wave of emotions washed over me. It felt as if the ground beneath my feet had completely shifted, and I found myself struggling to grasp this new piece of information. Her mother goes by the name of Gitanjali Miller.

However, my personal experience only extends to Robert and Jessica Miller, who are the owners of the powerful Miller Group. The current situation has reached a remarkable depth, and its gravity is becoming increasingly apparent.

Consciously deciding to head back home and gather my thoughts, I approached the case with renewed focus. I realized that attempting to complete the file while emotionally scattered would only lead to frustration and compromise the quality of my analysis. As I arrived home, I took some time for introspection, allowing myself space for contemplation before delving back into work.

To complement this re-centering activity, I decided to indulge in some Italian cuisine from one of my favorite nearby restaurants. It never fails to soothe me. Although socializing and dining out seemed appealing, having dinner in the comfort of my apartment felt right at that moment. It provided the peace of mind that would later aid in maintaining my productivity levels.

Upon entering my apartment, I chose to take a refreshing, cold shower to relax. My mind was racing with the possibilities and details swirling in my head. As the water cascaded over me, I attempted to wash away the weight of the situation.

Feeling revitalized, I donned comfortable shorts and headed to the kitchen. As I prepared to satiate my hunger, an overwhelming thought crossed my mind—how many other secrets were being kept from me? The mystery surrounding certain aspects of my life bothered me as I sat down to relish the flavors of my food.

After regaining my composure, I resolved to finish reviewing the file and gathering all the necessary data. With a grim determination, I poured myself a glass of smooth whiskey and settled in to read through the file once more. Every word on every page was scrutinized with meticulous attention as I searched for even the slightest hint that could prove useful in solving this confounding situation. With each sip of my drink, I delved deeper into the text before me, fully committed to uncovering any clues that may shed light on this perplexing case.

Aanya Miller is thus the child of William and Gitanjali Miller. William Miller, born in 1967, is a native of Washington, USA, while Gitanjali Miller was born in 1962 in North India. Their paths crossed at California University, where her parents were pursuing advanced degrees. Initially, they were friends, but over time, their connection grew stronger, leading them to tie the knot and establish their household.

Gitanjali Miller was completely unaware of William Miller's true identity, which further complicates the plot. William happened to be the son of none other than James Miller, a wealthy business tycoon with an extensive network and enormous influence in his industry. As it turns out, James held deep-seated prejudice against any Indian match for his only son, due to his castigate outlook and disdain for inter-caste marriage alliances. He sought a suitor who would bring him a financially well-off daughter-in-law and fulfill other criteria of social prestige, perpetuating and consolidating their wealth. It was only later that Gitanjali discovered the startling truth about William's ancestry, leaving her feeling betrayed.

Devastated, she decided to confront William's father about their relationship, guided by her family's tradition of seeking parental advice. The revelation of William's true identity and his father's disapproval created a rift between the couple, ultimately leading to their separation.