Chapter 11: A Slap Heard Again

The atmosphere inside La Fortuna’s VIP lounge buzzed with a mix of laughter and music. Glasses clinked, expensive perfumes lingered in the air, and conversations overlapped in a melody of the elite indulging in their luxuries.

But Siara had eyes only for one scene—the girl at the nearby table who had just lifted her cocktail to her lips, unaware of the powdery substance that had dissolved into the liquid seconds before.

Siara moved without hesitation.

She strode to the table, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor, snatched the cocktail glass from the girl’s hand, and before anyone could react—

She threw the remaining drink straight into the man’s face.

A gasp rippled through the people nearby as the man, his expensive suit now dripping with alcohol, recoiled in shock. But before he could process what had happened, Siara’s palm met his cheek in a sharp, resounding slap.

The entire lounge went silent.

The man stumbled slightly, his hand flying to his cheek. "What the—" he started, his voice thick with anger and confusion.

Siara’s eyes burned into him. "Himmat kaise hui tumhari?" (How dare you?)

The girl, still dazed, turned sharply. "What the hell is your problem?" she snapped, her voice laced with anger rather than gratitude.

Siara frowned. "Mera problem?" (My problem?)

The girl—tall, with sharp features and an unmistakable air of privilege—stepped forward, glaring. "Do you go around slapping powerful men just for attention? Or is it some hobby of yours?"

Siara’s brows knitted slightly. "Excuse me?"

The girl scoffed. "Oh, don’t act innocent. I know exactly who you are, Siara Rajawat. The same woman who slapped my brother, Ekansh Vardhan, in front of the whole world."

Ah. So that explained the outburst.

Siara kept her face unreadable as the girl—Kavya Vardhan, apparently—continued, her voice rising.

"When you apologized on national television, I actually believed you." Her tone was sharp, laced with disappointment. "I thought, okay, maybe it was just a misunderstanding. Maybe she’s not as arrogant and attention-seeking as people claim. But now? Now I see your real face."

Siara exhaled through her nose, her patience thinning. "If you’re done throwing baseless accusations, I suggest you actually look at what just happened."

Kavya folded her arms. "Oh, I saw what happened. You humiliated my friend for no reason! Just like you humiliated my brother."

Siara’s lips curved into a humorless smile. "So you’re Ekansh Vardhan’s sister?"

Kavya gave a mocking tilt of her head. "Oh, don’t pretend you didn’t know. I bet you planned this just to embarrass me and my friends."

Siara’s expression didn’t change, but there was a distinct sharpness in her gaze. "You really think I keep track of the entire Vardhan family tree? Hate to disappoint, but you're not that important to me."

Before Kavya could snap back, the man who had drugged her drink finally spoke up.

"Look, this is ridiculous. She’s framing me! Kavya, trust me—"

Siara didn’t let him finish. She turned to the nearest bouncer standing by the entrance.

"Is lounge ke cameras check karo," (Check the lounge’s security footage) she commanded.

The bouncer immediately nodded, heading toward the security team.

The man paled slightly but forced a chuckle. "You don’t know who you’re messing with, Siara Rajawat."

Siara’s eyes gleamed with something close to amusement. "Bohot log yahi keh chuke hain." (Many have said the same.)

The man stepped closer, trying to intimidate her. "You have no idea how powerful I am—"

Siara cut him off with a mocking smirk.

"Jab main tumhare dost ke bhai ko sirf ek misunderstanding pe thappad maar sakti hoon—" she tilted her head, voice dripping with sarcasm, "—unki position aur reputation jaante hue bhi— toh tum kya cheez ho?"

(When I could slap your friend’s brother over a mere misunderstanding—knowing his position and reputation—then what exactly are you?)

The man's jaw locked in anger.

"You bit—"

Siara lifted a hand, her voice calm but razor-sharp. "Careful. I slap for less."

"Kyunki main baat baat pe thappad maarne waali insaan hoon," she finished with a sweet yet deadly smile.

People around them muffled their laughter. Even some of the servers looked away, trying to hide their amusement.

At that moment, the bouncer returned, his face serious. He held out a tablet with the security footage.

He pressed play.

And there it was.

Crystal-clear footage of the man slipping something into Kavya’s drink.

Kavya stilled.

Her face drained of color as she turned to the man. "You... you actually—?"

SLAP!

This time, it wasn’t Siara.

Kavya’s hand connected with the man’s cheek so hard that he stumbled back.

A pin-drop silence followed.

Kavya’s hands shook with rage. "You disgusting—! You were supposed to be my friend!"

The man, still stunned, tried to salvage the situation. "Kavya, listen, she’s trying to twist things—"

Siara scoffed. "Yes, yes, I hacked into the security cameras and made this entirely fake video in the last ten minutes. Clearly, I have nothing better to do."

The bouncers grabbed the man’s arms, ready to drag him out.

Kavya, still breathing heavily, turned back to Siara.

For a moment, she struggled with her words. Then, in a voice quieter than before, she said, "I... I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that. I misjudged you, just like you misjudged my brother that day. I guess we’re equals now."

Siara gave a slight nod. "Forget it. We all make mistakes."

Kavya swayed slightly, pressing a hand to her forehead. "But why? Despite the rivalry between the Vardhans and the Rajawats, why did you save me?"

Siara’s expression softened, just a fraction. "Because it was the right thing to do. Business rivalries don’t define who we are as people. Even if we were rivals in person, I would’ve still helped you. I have a little sister too, and I’d want someone to do the same for her if she were in your place."

Kavya’s eyes widened, and for the first time, her guard seemed to drop completely. "I don’t have a big sister," she admitted quietly. "But tonight, I felt like I had one."

Siara’s lips twitched into a small smile. "Not to mention."

Kavya let out a weak laugh, her voice still shaky. "Thank you. Really. I don’t know what would’ve happened if you hadn’t stepped in."

Siara shrugged, her tone light but sincere. "Just promise me you’ll be more careful. Not everyone in these circles has good intentions."

Kavya nodded, her gratitude evident. "I will. And... I’m sorry again. For everything."

By now, Kavya’s friends had gathered around her, their earlier indifference replaced with genuine concern. One of them placed a comforting hand on Kavya’s shoulder, while another offered her a glass of water. Seeing the sincerity in their eyes, Siara felt reassured.

"Take care of her," Siara said to them, her tone firm but not unkind. "She’s had a rough night."

The friends nodded, their expressions earnest. "We will, Ms. Rajawat. Thank you for looking out for her."

As Siara turned to leave, Kavya called out softly, "Siara?"

Siara paused, glancing over her shoulder. "Yes?"

Kavya hesitated, then smiled faintly. "For what it’s worth... I’m glad it was you who stepped in."

Siara’s lips curved into a small, genuine smile. "Me too."

And with that, she walked out, leaving the buzz of the lounge behind her.