Page 231 of Claimed By the Maharaja
Chief Minister Mehta spoke first. He praised cooperation between industry and the government and highlighted his office's role in the outcome.
When it was Bharat's turn, he answered questions about plant safety and expansion plans. As always, his replies were calm, brief, and precise.
“Your Highness,” a familiar woman’s voice greeted behind her.
Yamini turned slightly. It was Tina Mehta, the chief minister’s daughter.
Yamini hadn’t seen her or heard from her after the formal announcement event, where Rani Suchitra had introduced Yamini as the Jogra maharani.
Tina offered one of her polished smiles. “I wanted to congratulate you personally. The photographs wereextraordinary. My father hasn't stopped talking about them. He says they've done more for investment confidence than months of official outreach.”
“Thank you,” Yamini said.
“It must be such a relief,” Tina continued, “after everything. The protests. The—” she let the sentence trail, delicate, leaving the gap exactly where she wanted it. “—rumors. I heard there was a… difficult phase until recently. A friend mentioned that the Jogra security was seen outside a pharmacy building for almost three weeks. People talk, you know how it is.”
“Not really.”
Something tightened around Tina's mouth before her polished smile returned.
“I'm glad everything seems to have settled down.” Tina's eyes didn't match her mouth. “Anyway, congratulations again.”
Tina hurried away towards the front row, where her father had just finished his remarks.
The moderator opened the floor for questions. Hands went up. A reporter near the front asked about the new plant Jogra Steel was acquiring. Another asked about the number of workers expected to be employed there. Bharat answered both with facts and figures, his tone calm and precise.
“I have a question,” a man said loudly, cutting through the room. “For the maharaja. About his wife.”
Yamini froze.
She looked toward the voice.
Her breath caught.
Rahul.
He looked thinner than she remembered. But it was him.
He held up what appeared to be a press badge. She knew immediately it had to be fake.
Bharat seemed to recognize him too because he became still.
Rahul laughed bitterly.
“Tell me, Your Highness. Does it feel honorable, stealing another man's wife?”
The room fell silent.
Cameras turned.
Yamini felt her stomach drop. Several reporters exchanged shocked looks.
“That's enough,” the moderator said sharply, but nobody was listening anymore
Security had already started moving. But it would take a few seconds to reach Rahul.
“A man like you could have had anyone,” Rahul said in a challenging tone. “Why settle for my leftovers?”
Yamini never saw Bharat move.
