The whole hall went to an uproar all over again when Naren made his grand entrance walking down the stairs with a glass of wine in his hands.

He looked dashing in his expensive suit and proud grin. Everyone gathered around him like bees around a flower. Some individuals proposed a toast for him and wished him a prosperous year ahead while others just praised him one way or another about his business and achievements.

The only exception is, of course, Shreya. She did not even bother to give him a second look as she leisurely sat down on the bar stool with her legs crossed. Her face was buried in her phones.

When Srinivas curiously peeked over her head, he found that she was actually playing a game. But he did not point her out or comment on it. He just went and stood guard a few feet away from her as always.

It was almost half an hour later when Naren actually approached them. Shreya was after all the elephant in the room. As soon as he addressed her, he can go back to enjoying his party. Nobody dared to approach her but nobody could ignore her either. Everyone was walking around eggshells because of her presence. He cannot let her ruin his party. As soon as he talks to her and sends her away, he can bring the merry atmosphere back.

And since he was the host of the party today, it was his responsibility. Even though it was rude of Shreya to not come to him, he still swallowed the difficulty and approached her on himself.

By then, Shreya was done with her glass of bourbon.

"One more.." She ordered herself one more when she heard the ever so familiar from beside her telling, "One for me too.."

Shreya did not bother looking at him. She just took the glass and sipped treating him like air.

"Gosh, Shreya. You still have shitty taste in booze." Naren complained after taking a sip.

"I see that you still have the taste of a little girl when it comes to booze.." Shreya smirked mocking him blatantly.

Naren did not lose him composure though. He had long gotten used to her sharp tongue. But her arrogance still pissed him off.?After all, he was not that same immature brat back in school anymore. So, instead of fists, he used his tongue for punches.

"It has been a long time since I last saw you. You seem well.." Naren commented casually instead as if he had not taken her words to heart and that they were long lost friends meeting after a break. As if they had been best of buddies who knew everything about each other and were just fooling around childishly now.

Shreya just played along.. for then. But before she could say anything, Naren continued in his same friendly voice.

"I heard about your parents.. I am extremely sorry for your loss!" His voice was gloating unconsciously even when he was trying to act sympathetic.

Shreya's hands stiffened around her glass by reflex instantly. A look of utter menace racked through her face as she looked at him sharply. Even Srinivas's hands fisted. But it was all gone in a split second.

But it still did not escape Naren's eyes. His lips even twitched slightly seeing Shreya's red eyes. He smirked and said proudly, "It was nothing personal. Just business.." After all, it was very clear from her reaction that she knows. There was no point in hiding. Rather, he could torment her by saying like this. After all, she can't really do anything to him here..

Shreya composed herself and let out a dark chuckle that felt as if she was beckoning your soul.

"Seems like you have matured a lot since I last saw you. You have learned to start using your tongue instead of fists. Very impressive.." She smirked taking another slow sip on her drink.

Naren smiled pridefully and stayed quiet for a while. But then after a while, he changed the topic and asked, "I heard you made quite an entrance," A car he thought was destroyed in the accident coming back to life.. it can't get more eye-catching than that.

And that car had been the subject of envy of almost all rich people for almost a decade now. So, word travels faster regarding such things.

Shreya let out a small chuckle and asked in a teasing tone, "Why? Are you jealous that I took your spotlight as the birthday boy?"

Naren let out a chuckle but did not really reply. He just ordered himself another drink to his preference. But his silence was also his default agreement to her statement. But more than jealous, he was furious. He had long gotten used to being treated like a King on this day.. being the center of attention for this party. But today, it was stolen by a girl who was too scared to show her face to the public for years now. How can he tolerate such insult? But then again, he can't do anything to her in public now. So, all he could do was swallow his anger and act mature and composed.

She could see right through him. Unlike Naren, she was not someone who is pretending to be mature and composed. Shreya's lips twitched. But this time there was a sense of darkness in them.

"You don't have to worry. You will be the one in the spotlight all day tomorrow.. It will be absolutely memorable for you. I promise.." Shreya said with a sweet adorable smile dancing on her face. If only her eyes were not mocking at him, Naren would have actually thought she said it with good intentions.

But her eyes.. they told him otherwise. Thus the hand he had extended to take his drink froze in place as he turned and asked.

"What do you mean, Shreya? What did you do?" Naren's voice just went up by an octave without him realizing it. His composure was dangling down by a thin thread with just the slightest nudge from Shreya. He was not a coward but he hated himself for being anxious.

Shreya just grinned as she leaned back on her chair and said, "I can't come to a birthday party empty-handed now, can I? So, I just prepared a gift for you.. a ticket straight to hell! An hell I designed just for you. With very special regards from my parents... But I can't really say that you will come to like it though! You might even end up brawling like a little kid when I am done with you.."

"What did you do Shreya.. I am asking you last time!" Naren asked in a frustrated voice. One thing he absolutely hated was people disrespecting him. Shreya knew that and was purposely pushing his buttons. But even after knowing that, Naren couldn't control his anger.

Shreya did not answer. She just arrogantly sipped on her drink while watching like an idiot unbothered.

Naren being the hot-headed person he was, stood up abruptly. His hands fisted. Her silence was frustrating. Even if he took Shreya for an idiot- which he doubted is the case.. after all, he had known her fairly well when they went out and she was no idiot but even if she was just a pawn used by someone like her uncle or someone after Adithya's passing.. even then, Naren cannot really take her for granted. Even if by name, she still owned Sri corp. And Sri corp. is one giant mountain they couldn't cross even when the whole company was pushed to an abyss after Adithya's passing.

Even when they had so many illegal means.. they couldn't crush Sri corp. Naren should give Adithya credit for that.. even if he can be called gullible, Adithya sure knew how to make and run a self-sustainable company.

So, even if he was not scared of Shreya, he cannot take Sri corp. lightly.

And moreover, in recent days, his own company had been having problems. Things just did not feel right somehow.

"Well, that's the Naren I know.. Only knows how to use his fists and not his brains! Immature.. You are no better even now, after all." Shreya mocked him openly pissing him off more.

"Don't be a wuss and pull back your punches now. I will be very disappointed in you.." Shreya continued berating him until Naren actually lost it and pulled Shreya by her collars and his fist landed on her jaws.. or at least he tried to.

But Shreya dodged it in just the last second.

When Naren realized what he had done, it was already too late. Everyone around was looking at them with frozen faces and open mouths. He let go of Shreya shocked. This was not the first time something like this had happened with Naren.. but then none of them he beat up was The Shreya Srivastav.

"I told you right, I wouldn't steal your spotlight. Happy birthday, Mr. Naren. Good luck. You are going to need it hereafter.." Shreya mocked whispering against his ears.