Everyone went silent.

Sometime later the manager went back to the lobby alongside the female staff. Once more they were before Vikrant bowed heads—yet their looks were not so composed.

The manager came forward and, with respectful demeanor, replied, "Sir, any of them do not bear marks or scars on their backs."

Vikrant's face turned cold. Vyansh looked at him, and looked at the male manager and said,

And is this all, or is there one wanting?

The manager glimpsed into the group and told him, Sir, two employees are missing.

Vyansh asked calmly, "Names?"

The manager prostrated himself a little and replied, "Sir, staff female-- Eeshani, and staff male-- Tushar.

"Call them here at once," said Vyansh.

The manager hesitated. "Sir... Tushar has resigned this morning, you see.

Not a hint was shown on the face Vikrant displayed, although it was obvious that his mind was in rapid motion.

Vyansh asked, "Why did he quit?"

The manager, who appeared rather nervous, responded, I do not know, sir. It was sudden. He made a call a little time ago and told me he would go. I attempted to inquire of him the reason, but he hung up. I made a few additional calls, but his phone is disabled.

Vikrant's eyes narrowed. His face did not show as he drew another drag of his cigarette—but his silence was oppressive, threatening.

Vyansh approached the manager and requested him to call Eeshani immediately. And tell her to come to me now.

The manager nodded and withdrew to make his call.

Vyansh now turned to Vikrant and told him, What of Tushar? Should we try to find him?"

Devoid of feeling, Vikrant said, "I want to examine all the CCTV tapes in the hotel—at this moment."

With that command from Vikrant, Vyansh stared at the head of hotel security, who was among the male employees. The security manager at once came forward and told him respectfully,

Sir, I was going to send you the recent CCTV footage of last night, but would you rather go to the monitoring rooms and view it?

Vyansh turned towards Vikrant, who was standing mute. Vikrant had not even moved forward when the hotel manager rushed up, bowed his head, and said, "Sir, we are not able to contact Ishani."

Vyansh replied furiously, "You can do nothing to contact her? Then continue trying! Are you standing here to make excuses? Is this how you work?"

The manager, who was shaking, responded, "I am sorry, sir. I will call Ishani at once and take her here.

Vikrant said, and stayed him, Cold, there is no need to call her here.

Then, without any reply, he began to walk up to the monitoring room.

Vyansh came behind him and told him, "Why did you stop the manager?" Vikrant, do you not want Ishani checking as well? She happens to be a member of this hotel staff as well. You already gave the check to everybody else.

Vikrant walked on as his face showed no feeling. She is a cowardly and foolish girl with no brains. She is unable to do something of the sort. This sort of thing takes guts, and this mouse lacks any.