Ricky, now using the name "Dev," a spiritual-but-calculating "wellness fund manager," took the bait within 48 hours. He saw the vulnerability. He smelled the twelve crores.
The three ladies never spoke again. Not officially. But Paro sends Ishita a photo of every new necklace she designs. Ishita tags Tara in every post about her gym's success. And Tara, sometimes, when she passes a five-star hotel, smiles.
Paro, clutching a chai that had gone cold, whispered, "He told me I was talented."
