The whole crowd at the entrance stopped and uncontrollably took a second look at the car that was standing.

Some people recognized the car and their faces went pale instantly. They were looking at the car as if they were seeing a ghost from the past. While those who did not recognize the car were confused by the dramatic effect the other around was giving them.

After all, the car itself does not really stand out in any special way. From the outside, it just looks like any other luxury sedan. The only peculiar thing about it is probably the lack of any brand symbolization and there is also the number plate that had a fancy number with just one big ONE.

But those who were in the media when Adithya Srinivas was still around, they could recognize the car like the back of their own hands. This car was a very famous and very scary existence back then.

This car was custom designed and made by Adithya. There was absolutely no duplicate to it. NO one knew its design or features ever. There was also no estimate of its cost or speed. Nobody knows anything about the car except that the car belonged to The only Adithya Srivastav.

Many people took a fancy to the car and asked Adithya to make something similar.. but Adithya always refused it without hesitation.

The car was a feared existence for both the media and paparazzi. NO matter how desperate they were for the scoop on Shreya's parents, nobody ever dared to follow this one car. Because they were terrified they would cause an unexpected accident and they wouldn't be able to afford the compensation. Even the companies they worked for had strict rules to stay away from the car.

Such a car had disappeared from existence when Adithya and his wife passed away never to be seen again.. until now.

So, it was not really such a surprise that they would react as such.

Shreya got down from the car as lazily as ever with her hoody over her head. Since her sweatshirt was really very baggy for her size, her hoody was also so much bigger than her head almost covering the whole of her face.

In her sneakers and torn jeans, she looked like a really bratty college student rather than the heir to the most prestigious family in the country.

Shreya pulled down her hoodie and tussled her own hair languishing. Her eyes wandered around without giving care to anything or anybody around as if she was actually looking at a furniture or something rather than a heap of people who are busybodies.

"Damn! That's Shreya Srivastav!!" Someone exclaimed softly but in that still atmosphere, it still resonated bringing everyone out of their trance. As if their butts were being burnt with fire or something, everyone came back to their senses, and instantly camera's started flashing rapidly as Shreya laxly ran her hands over her hair and hoisted her phone on her back pockets.

In the chaos someone instinctively asked in a voice louder than intended, "Wasn't she supposed to be depressed?"

When the voice was heard out, everything went quiet all over again as everyone looked at Shreya nervously.

Even if the rookies did not know, all the seasoned reporters knew what arriving in that car meant.

Shreya was declaring her sovereignty over Sri corp. and also over the legacy left behind by Adithya Srivastav. She was declaring to the world that she was officially claiming the rights to her throne. That throne that gives her the right over almost half of the country as it is..

So, when one of their own people ends up asking something so stupid, they were, of course, scared to be swallowed whole by the giant that crash-landed on them unannounced. The reporters looked around glaring to find the source of the voice.

But Shreya just gave them an amused but still extremely arrogant smile and said, "Do I really look stupid enough to be depressed over an asshole?"

Only one person dared to chuckle in such an atmosphere and that was Srinivas.

"You completely ruined the atmosphere, idiot!" Shreya complained pouting. Before any of the reporters or people around could react, she stomped on Srinivas's foot and walked to the stairs.

Srinivas followed behind her smiling. Two more people followed behind him. They followed Shreya just a step behind her as she strutted through the hotel portico unaffected by all the stares from around.

Some people were curious while others were uncertain of what was happening. But looking at the entourage following her, nobody dared to stop her even though she was not dressed appropriately.

By the time they reached the banquet hall, the news had already traveled before they could.

So, when Shreya entered, there was an eerie silence there with a path cleared for her to walk in.

Shreya looked around without really giving attention to anybody in particular. It seems the host and her other foes were yet to come. Or they may have left after making an initial sighting.

Shreya couldn't really be bothered about anyone else in there. So, she straight-up turned towards the bar and walked with people giving her way very eagerly with a big smile.

"Bourbon on the rocks.." She ordered the bartender and sat down on the table.

Only then people came back to their senses and started talking. Seeing that Shreya was not going to socialize, they left her alone.. mostly because they were afraid of the consequences they will have to face if they offended her.

Shreya did not even give anyone a second glance or bother to actually listen to anything they were saying.

She just sipped on her drink as soon as it was served.

Srinivas was beside her all the while but he did not say anything till then.

"Why is everyone so afraid of you suddenly?" He asked at last not being able to contain his curiosity. After all, Shreya did not really do anything extravagant yet to instill such a reaction.. neither from the media outside nor from the crowd of high and proud business people in this room.. but still, they seemed to be nervous around her.

He can already say that none of the three they were here to meet is in this hall right that moment. And none of the other people in the country had reached their caliber in the past years.

"That is my dad's car.. it is an exclusive car representing the head of Sri corp. by default!" Shreya answered Srinivas very diligently sipping on the alcohol. She took it in small sips. She was not afraid of getting drunk here with everyone around but she still wanted to have a proper conversation with her adversaries. So, she was conscious of the fact not to drink too much.

But then she was not in the mood for light alcohol now.

"Wow!" is all that Srinivas could give as a reply.

After all, it was ingenious and brilliant on one level but also very simple and extremely effective at the same time. There was probably no better way of declaring war.

"Hey, what did Zee tell you today?" He asked suddenly remembering Shreya's expression then.

"You did not hear her?" Shreya asked arching her eyebrows. After all, she saw Srinivas walk into her office just as Zee left.

"Not from lack of effort. Your office just has very high sound insulation.." Srinivas answered rolling his eyes.

Shreya's lips twitched but she did not say anything more.

"I need to know Shreya.." Srinivas insisted.

"It has nothing to do with you.." Shreya answered slightly annoyed this time. She couldn't really control her frustration when she remembered Zeenath's words this morning in spite of herself. Her voice invariably turned slightly venomous.

But then something struck her.. she was probably doing and saying the words identical to that of what Zee had said to her this morning.

So, Shreya looked at Srinivas and reluctantly answered, "She said I have no right to meddle in her affairs whatsoever. That I shouldn't dare to be nosy about her life. Her life had nothing to do with me."

Srinivas could clearly see the discomfort and stung in her voice.

"I'm sorry.." He mumbled. After all, this was something Shreya had done for her sake.

"I told her I am going to arrange a date for you.. for real this time.." Shreya said once again. This time there was a smirk on her that looked extremely proud.

Srinivas just shook his head and mumbled, "Evil Brat.."

"She started it!" Shreya complained disapproving of his accusation.

"And you ended it right?" Srinivas asked looking straight into her eyes.

Shreya just pouted and looked away.

"I am not complaining. She must have pushed you to that point. I know that.. I am sorry you have to go through something like that because I asked you something really stupid."

Shreya just dismissed it without really even bothering to acknowledge his apologies.

"You like her doesn't mean you have to take her blames," Shreya said one last time before sipping on her drink.