18-05-2026, 11:31 PM
Chapter 144 - Parallel Paths
The morning breakfast was simple but warm. Idlis, chutney, and hot filter coffee filled the table. Gowtham, as usual, leaned in and kissed Sneha on the lips before leaving — a quick but possessive kiss right in the kitchen.
Suresh only let out a soft laugh, shaking his head as he looked at Sneha’s slightly flushed face from his dining table, when her eyes locked him..
After he left, The couple mocked each other as something like a casual play.
“Goodbye,” Suresh said casually.
“Today the Hands have a special meeting. We’re going there.”
“Good luck,” Sneha replied with a small smile.
At Gowtham’s Office
When Gowtham stepped into the company compound, the entire senior staff — including Prakash and Varsha — was already gathered in the parking lot. They were preparing to receive the new HR.
Gowtham raised an eyebrow. “Sir, the one coming as HR is just a staff member, right? Why are we welcoming them like this?”
Prakash shook his head. “No, they are not just staff. They are kind of higher-ups already. They are planning to hold a share in our company to run it smoother, so they are stepping in with this role temporarily.”
“Share?” Gowtham asked, surprised.
“Yes. The tender didn’t go well. Rahul crossed another line behind our back. They are stepping in to fund us. They know the reason is Rahul, so to watch operations closer. Instead of carrying an additional role like CFO or something, they graciously pitched to take the HR role. So we are here to welcome them.”
Prakash turned. “Varsha, where is the bouquet?”
That’s when Gowtham noticed her. Varsha’s face looked dull. She met his eyes a few times, her gaze asking him to speak with her. She looked like she was yearning for him.
Gowtham felt a strange pull but avoided her gaze and moved a step back.
Then a horn sounded. A sleek black Thar Jeep entered the company gate. As it reached the entrance, the door opened.
Prakash walked forward first, asking Varsha to follow with the bouquet.
“Welcome, Madam,” Prakash said warmly. “It’s an honor to work with you. I read about your electronics world success… I could not believe you wanted to work here and hold a share.”
Varsha handed over the bouquet. The lady took it gracefully.
“Ma’am, come, let’s go to the conference room.”
Prakash quickly added, “Hello Sir, please welcome the man who drove the Thar.”
They all moved toward the conference room.
After pleasantries, Prakash stood on the mic.
“My dear staff and families, let me introduce our new HR — also a shareholder, Mrs. Mirna Vikram…”
The staffs clapped welcoming her.
Same Time at V-Activate Group Headquarters
Aditya welcomed the 9 present Hands into the meeting room.
Along with his core team and Vinodhini, there were a total of 15 people, including Viraj.
Aditya began the meeting.
“Let me introduce Suresh. He is one of us from now on.”
He looked around the room and said, but the meetings not for introducing, this is something more serious and important.
“I never conducted this meeting before, but the past few days the industry has been shifting rapidly. I fear we should not just aim at survival. Instead, we should lead the game.”
Aditya leaned forward.
“The main matter is — in the past 3 years we have only brought in 15 talents and 28 unique products. Nothing seems interesting anymore. Where are we losing out? I want to hear from the Hands’ perspective because you are working closest to your potential. I want to hear from you people.”
The meeting started. Everyone gave opinions and new methods, but nothing sounded convincing. One Hand even suggested, “We should give talent a 50% share so they will find even more new findings and share with us.”
Everything sounded absurd. Aditya felt frustrated, like he had ended up recruiting outdated thinkers. The technology they were suggesting seemed outdated too.
That’s when he noticed Suresh — quietly immersed in deep thought.
Aditya stopped the annoying speaker and called out, “Suresh, you are too lost in some thought. Are you thinking about anything useful for us?”
Suresh hesitated, then started speaking.
Yes sir, I have one.. But
Go ahead, Aditya stressed.
“I’m new. I don’t know if what I’m telling you will work, as I have not yet started my work fully as a Hand. I have not trailed anyone. So ignore if my suggestion is bad — credit it to my lack of experience.”
Aditya nodded. “Go ahead. I would appreciate it if you really have something…it is always better than nothing.”
Suresh began.
“The entire approach looks absurd and it won’t give results.”
Everyone in the room was stunned. Vinodhini even came near Suresh and whispered, “You can stop here. This is Aditya’s plan. How could it be absurd?”
Aditya stopped her and said, “Let him speak.”
Suresh continued confidently.
“I’m a marketing person. I’m telling this from that experience. When people ask me to sell their products, I don’t just display it — no one would buy it. Instead, I mislead them. I make them believe they are buying something, but I earn from something else.”
Aditya leaned forward, intrigued. “Can you elaborate?”
Suresh nodded.
“For example, I will say a shampoo — you buy it, I will give a detergent bar free for a combined price of 40 rupees. In reality, the detergent bar costs 10 rupees, shampoo 35 rupees. The customer thinks he’s getting both at an offer price, but in reality, I’m selling out my old stock. The detergent was stocked for a long time and nearing expiry, so I reduced my margin… but I sell both at a profit. For me, instead of returning the product, selling it out is my need.”
Aditya asked, “How do you compare this here and what measure are you suggesting?”
Suresh explained further.
“Take this room. We all know each other, except the new Hands. Let’s assume I know Vinodhini is talented. You know Vinodhini is talented. Let’s say this office boss is Viraj. Based on rating, Viraj suggests her to you and you ask me to befriend her and brainwash her to make a fresh start and get her funded by you. That’s how it works, right?”
Aditya nodded. “Yes.”
Suresh continued, “How do you know 9 of the Hands don’t have that talent? Just because we are not vocal and expressive like Vinodhini, do you think we don’t have talents? My point is we are overlooking people by only focusing on expressive employees who show off their talents and performance. We are ignoring people who are not expressive or don’t show out.”
Aditya asked, “How will you find them? If you are complaining, you should have a solution too. Can I hear that?”
“Yes,” he said. “That’s where the marketing stuff I mentioned connects.”
Aditya raised his hand. “Stop. It’s confusing for me right now.”
He leaned forward, genuinely intrigued.
“The first part — you said it’s about clearing old stock by using a misleading method. Fine, I understand the combo offer trick.
The second part — you said we are only choosing expressive people and might be missing real talent.
The third is a question: What if there is real talent that remains unexplored? How are you connecting all these?”
Suresh nodded respectfully.
“It’s different, but interconnected. Misleading is not just for sale. It’s for my hidden intent — to clear stock. The combo offer is a fake front for my real goal.
The intention of a Hand is actually to find talent without exposing our connection. We have three things to combine: Get real talent, especially those who cannot express themselves, without us directly asking — hiding our intent.
To make it possible, we need a combo offer.”
Aditya’s eyes narrowed with interest. “What was it?”
Suresh leaned forward slightly.
“Let’s give a circular to all the companies we fund. Tell the bosses to conduct an internal exam related to their work. Whoever passes it will get a bonus and salary hike as part of the company’s 45th anniversary celebration. This is the combo offer — something attractive and normal.
Now here is where I bring the hidden intent. Among 10-15 questions, we add one ‘Fun Question’: If you have a plan or idea to do something crazy that sounds like a real invention, what would it be? And lets say it has 10 Marks. The high mark, bonus, offer will intrigue them to write an honest answer. They wont realise its a trick of us to ask them directly do you have any invention ideas?!
The man with real vision will write his idea. The unexpressive one too will write. When it turns into words, it’s easy to spot the person with real intent. This way, hidden talents who are not expressive can be found without us revealing who we are.”
The room went silent.
Aditya stared at Suresh for a long moment… then a slow, dangerous smile spread across his face.
“You badass,” he said, almost laughing. “How did I miss you all these days?”
Vinodhini, Viraj, and the other senior members looked stunned.
Even they hadn’t expected such a simple yet brilliant idea.
Aditya clapped once, loud and sharp.
“Vinodhini, get ready with the circulars. All the Hands — I hope you all have a hectic schedule after the interviews.”
He turned to Suresh, eyes gleaming with approval.
“Suresh, stay in the chair. We are going out. You are joining me for lunch.”
The morning breakfast was simple but warm. Idlis, chutney, and hot filter coffee filled the table. Gowtham, as usual, leaned in and kissed Sneha on the lips before leaving — a quick but possessive kiss right in the kitchen.
Suresh only let out a soft laugh, shaking his head as he looked at Sneha’s slightly flushed face from his dining table, when her eyes locked him..
After he left, The couple mocked each other as something like a casual play.
“Goodbye,” Suresh said casually.
“Today the Hands have a special meeting. We’re going there.”
“Good luck,” Sneha replied with a small smile.
At Gowtham’s Office
When Gowtham stepped into the company compound, the entire senior staff — including Prakash and Varsha — was already gathered in the parking lot. They were preparing to receive the new HR.
Gowtham raised an eyebrow. “Sir, the one coming as HR is just a staff member, right? Why are we welcoming them like this?”
Prakash shook his head. “No, they are not just staff. They are kind of higher-ups already. They are planning to hold a share in our company to run it smoother, so they are stepping in with this role temporarily.”
“Share?” Gowtham asked, surprised.
“Yes. The tender didn’t go well. Rahul crossed another line behind our back. They are stepping in to fund us. They know the reason is Rahul, so to watch operations closer. Instead of carrying an additional role like CFO or something, they graciously pitched to take the HR role. So we are here to welcome them.”
Prakash turned. “Varsha, where is the bouquet?”
That’s when Gowtham noticed her. Varsha’s face looked dull. She met his eyes a few times, her gaze asking him to speak with her. She looked like she was yearning for him.
Gowtham felt a strange pull but avoided her gaze and moved a step back.
Then a horn sounded. A sleek black Thar Jeep entered the company gate. As it reached the entrance, the door opened.
Prakash walked forward first, asking Varsha to follow with the bouquet.
“Welcome, Madam,” Prakash said warmly. “It’s an honor to work with you. I read about your electronics world success… I could not believe you wanted to work here and hold a share.”
Varsha handed over the bouquet. The lady took it gracefully.
“Ma’am, come, let’s go to the conference room.”
Prakash quickly added, “Hello Sir, please welcome the man who drove the Thar.”
They all moved toward the conference room.
After pleasantries, Prakash stood on the mic.
“My dear staff and families, let me introduce our new HR — also a shareholder, Mrs. Mirna Vikram…”
The staffs clapped welcoming her.
Same Time at V-Activate Group Headquarters
Aditya welcomed the 9 present Hands into the meeting room.
Along with his core team and Vinodhini, there were a total of 15 people, including Viraj.
Aditya began the meeting.
“Let me introduce Suresh. He is one of us from now on.”
He looked around the room and said, but the meetings not for introducing, this is something more serious and important.
“I never conducted this meeting before, but the past few days the industry has been shifting rapidly. I fear we should not just aim at survival. Instead, we should lead the game.”
Aditya leaned forward.
“The main matter is — in the past 3 years we have only brought in 15 talents and 28 unique products. Nothing seems interesting anymore. Where are we losing out? I want to hear from the Hands’ perspective because you are working closest to your potential. I want to hear from you people.”
The meeting started. Everyone gave opinions and new methods, but nothing sounded convincing. One Hand even suggested, “We should give talent a 50% share so they will find even more new findings and share with us.”
Everything sounded absurd. Aditya felt frustrated, like he had ended up recruiting outdated thinkers. The technology they were suggesting seemed outdated too.
That’s when he noticed Suresh — quietly immersed in deep thought.
Aditya stopped the annoying speaker and called out, “Suresh, you are too lost in some thought. Are you thinking about anything useful for us?”
Suresh hesitated, then started speaking.
Yes sir, I have one.. But
Go ahead, Aditya stressed.
“I’m new. I don’t know if what I’m telling you will work, as I have not yet started my work fully as a Hand. I have not trailed anyone. So ignore if my suggestion is bad — credit it to my lack of experience.”
Aditya nodded. “Go ahead. I would appreciate it if you really have something…it is always better than nothing.”
Suresh began.
“The entire approach looks absurd and it won’t give results.”
Everyone in the room was stunned. Vinodhini even came near Suresh and whispered, “You can stop here. This is Aditya’s plan. How could it be absurd?”
Aditya stopped her and said, “Let him speak.”
Suresh continued confidently.
“I’m a marketing person. I’m telling this from that experience. When people ask me to sell their products, I don’t just display it — no one would buy it. Instead, I mislead them. I make them believe they are buying something, but I earn from something else.”
Aditya leaned forward, intrigued. “Can you elaborate?”
Suresh nodded.
“For example, I will say a shampoo — you buy it, I will give a detergent bar free for a combined price of 40 rupees. In reality, the detergent bar costs 10 rupees, shampoo 35 rupees. The customer thinks he’s getting both at an offer price, but in reality, I’m selling out my old stock. The detergent was stocked for a long time and nearing expiry, so I reduced my margin… but I sell both at a profit. For me, instead of returning the product, selling it out is my need.”
Aditya asked, “How do you compare this here and what measure are you suggesting?”
Suresh explained further.
“Take this room. We all know each other, except the new Hands. Let’s assume I know Vinodhini is talented. You know Vinodhini is talented. Let’s say this office boss is Viraj. Based on rating, Viraj suggests her to you and you ask me to befriend her and brainwash her to make a fresh start and get her funded by you. That’s how it works, right?”
Aditya nodded. “Yes.”
Suresh continued, “How do you know 9 of the Hands don’t have that talent? Just because we are not vocal and expressive like Vinodhini, do you think we don’t have talents? My point is we are overlooking people by only focusing on expressive employees who show off their talents and performance. We are ignoring people who are not expressive or don’t show out.”
Aditya asked, “How will you find them? If you are complaining, you should have a solution too. Can I hear that?”
“Yes,” he said. “That’s where the marketing stuff I mentioned connects.”
Aditya raised his hand. “Stop. It’s confusing for me right now.”
He leaned forward, genuinely intrigued.
“The first part — you said it’s about clearing old stock by using a misleading method. Fine, I understand the combo offer trick.
The second part — you said we are only choosing expressive people and might be missing real talent.
The third is a question: What if there is real talent that remains unexplored? How are you connecting all these?”
Suresh nodded respectfully.
“It’s different, but interconnected. Misleading is not just for sale. It’s for my hidden intent — to clear stock. The combo offer is a fake front for my real goal.
The intention of a Hand is actually to find talent without exposing our connection. We have three things to combine: Get real talent, especially those who cannot express themselves, without us directly asking — hiding our intent.
To make it possible, we need a combo offer.”
Aditya’s eyes narrowed with interest. “What was it?”
Suresh leaned forward slightly.
“Let’s give a circular to all the companies we fund. Tell the bosses to conduct an internal exam related to their work. Whoever passes it will get a bonus and salary hike as part of the company’s 45th anniversary celebration. This is the combo offer — something attractive and normal.
Now here is where I bring the hidden intent. Among 10-15 questions, we add one ‘Fun Question’: If you have a plan or idea to do something crazy that sounds like a real invention, what would it be? And lets say it has 10 Marks. The high mark, bonus, offer will intrigue them to write an honest answer. They wont realise its a trick of us to ask them directly do you have any invention ideas?!
The man with real vision will write his idea. The unexpressive one too will write. When it turns into words, it’s easy to spot the person with real intent. This way, hidden talents who are not expressive can be found without us revealing who we are.”
The room went silent.
Aditya stared at Suresh for a long moment… then a slow, dangerous smile spread across his face.
“You badass,” he said, almost laughing. “How did I miss you all these days?”
Vinodhini, Viraj, and the other senior members looked stunned.
Even they hadn’t expected such a simple yet brilliant idea.
Aditya clapped once, loud and sharp.
“Vinodhini, get ready with the circulars. All the Hands — I hope you all have a hectic schedule after the interviews.”
He turned to Suresh, eyes gleaming with approval.
“Suresh, stay in the chair. We are going out. You are joining me for lunch.”
![[+]](https://xossipy.com/themes/sharepoint/collapse_collapsed.png)