The cold blade pressed against Ava's throat.
She could feel her heartbeat pounding in her ears.
Snowflakes fell silently around them, but the street was filled with tension.
Mihir stood a few meters away, his security guards ready behind him.
His eyes never left Ava.
"Let her go," Mihir said again, his voice low and dangerous.
The attacker laughed.
"You always had a weakness, Mihir," he said mockingly.
"And now I see it clearly."
He pushed the knife slightly closer to Ava's neck.
Ava felt a small sting of pain and froze.
Mihir's fists clenched.
"You want me," Mihir said.
"Then take me. Leave her out of this."
The attacker tilted his head.
"Unfortunately… that's not how this works."
Suddenly, a car door slammed nearby.
Everyone turned.
A black luxury car slowly pulled up to the street.
The door opened.
A tall man stepped out.
He was dressed in an expensive coat, his posture confident and calm.
Ava immediately felt the air grow colder.
Mihir's face hardened.
"Arman," he said.
So this was him.
Arman Malik.
The man who wanted Mihir dead.
Arman walked forward slowly, clapping his hands sarcastically.
"Impressive entrance, Mihir," he said with a smile.
"But I'm disappointed."
Mihir didn't move.
"You shouldn't have involved her."
Arman glanced at Ava.
His eyes were sharp and calculating.
"Oh, but that's exactly why she's interesting," he said.
Ava felt uncomfortable under his gaze.
Arman stepped closer.
"So you're the famous Ava," he said.
"The woman who managed to break Mihir's perfect control."
Mihir's voice turned cold.
"Stay away from her."
Arman chuckled.
"Relax. I'm not here to kill anyone tonight."
Everyone froze.
"What?" Ava whispered.
Arman smiled.
"I only came to send a message."
He nodded at the men holding Ava.
They released her instantly.
Ava stumbled forward, and Mihir quickly pulled her behind him.
Arman looked amused.
"See you soon, Mihir," he said.
Then his expression darkened.
"Next time… the game won't be so friendly."
With that, he got back into his car.
The vehicle disappeared into the snowy night.
Silence fell.
Ava was still shaking.
Mihir gently held her shoulders.
"Are you hurt?"
Ava shook her head slowly.
But she realized something terrifying.
Arman didn't just want revenge.
He was playing with them.
And the game had only just begun.