After the devastating attempt at character assassination in Chapter 36 failed, Edward realized that Ariyan Hossain was not just a bureaucrat—he was an ideology. Ariyan, on the other hand, decided that defense was no longer enough. He chose to launch an international offensive. He prepared to travel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands, to file a landmark lawsuit against Sigma Corporation for defamation and transnational cybercrime.
1. On the Way to The Hague: An Unequal Battle
The morning of his departure from Dhaka, Ariyan was organizing his final files. Accompanying him were Raisa and the laptop wizard, Raihan. For safety reasons, Aman had been sent to his maternal grandfather's house under heavy police protection.
"Ariyan, are you certain you can fight alone against the most powerful company in the world?" Raisa's voice was laced with deep concern.
Ariyan took her hand and spoke calmly. "I am not alone, Raisa. I have the prayers of 160 million people and the power of truth. Edward has money, but I have proof."
2. The First Day at the International Court
Inside the historic courtroom in The Hague, the atmosphere was electric. On one side sat a phalanx of the world's top lawyers representing Sigma Corporation. On the other stood Ariyan Hossain, a simple Secretary from Bangladesh. Edward's lawyers tried to paint Ariyan as an "ambitious and vengeful" bureaucrat seeking personal fame.
However, when Ariyan's turn to speak came, he relied on logic rather than just emotion. He presented the digital forensic report prepared by Raihan to the judges. He demonstrated exactly how a Geneva-based server was used to forge the video of a high-ranking state official.
"Your Honors, this is not merely about my reputation," Ariyan's resonant voice echoed through the chamber. "This is an international conspiracy to destabilize the administrative structure of a sovereign nation."
3. Edward's Final Strike: 'The Last Resort'
Sitting in his headquarters in Geneva, when Edward heard that the court had accepted Ariyan's evidence as admissible, he lost all sense of reason. The board members of Sigma Corporation had already given him an ultimatum to resign.
"Ariyan Hossain can no longer be stopped legally," Edward summoned his Chief of Security. "Stop him permanently. Ensure he does not return to Dhaka alive from The Hague."
A terrifying operation began. A team of professional assassins was deployed to monitor Ariyan's hotel in The Hague.
4. That Breathless Night at the Hotel
1:00 AM. Ariyan was in his hotel suite, making notes for the next day's arguments. Suddenly, Raihan's coding alarm blared from his laptop.
"Sir! The hotel's security system has been breached. The elevators are disabled, and the CCTV cameras in the corridor are down. They are coming!" Raihan whispered urgently.
Ariyan immediately tried to evacuate Raisa through the fire exit. But on the stairwell, their path was blocked by three armed assailants. Ariyan had no weapon, but he had his quick wit. He grabbed a fire extinguisher from the wall, pulled the pin, and sprayed it with full force. A thick white fog filled the corridor instantly.
Using the confusion as cover, Ariyan led Raisa to the basement garage. A taxi was already waiting, which Raihan had remotely hacked and started beforehand.
5. A Historic Victory
The next morning, when Ariyan entered the courtroom slightly bruised but undefeated, the entire world was stunned. He presented the CCTV footage of the assassination attempt—which Raihan had successfully retrieved from the cloud—directly to the judges.
The court delivered a monumental verdict: Sigma Corporation was ordered to pay massive reparations to Bangladesh, and an international arrest warrant was issued against Edward for orchestrating character assassination and attempted murder. It was not just Ariyan's victory; it was a moral triumph for a third-world nation.
6. Conclusion: A New Page in the Diary
On the flight back, leaning his head against the window, Ariyan opened his diary. Under the date, he wrote:
"Chapter 37: Death touched me very closely today. I finally understand how treacherous the path of truth is. The Edwards of the world are powerful, but they are cowards. They strike from the shadows, while we fight with the torch of light. From today, Bangladesh's 'Generation 2030' is not just a project; it is a global revolution. Shahed has likely heard the news in his cell that his master, Edward, is now a fugitive. In this 300-chapter odyssey, I have finally tasted the true meaning of liberation."
Below the plane lay a sea of clouds. Ariyan knew that upon returning home, he would have to reorganize everything. He was returning to his soil as a victorious warrior.