The flight to Goa was short—barely an hour—but the tension made it feel eternal. Vikram had booked the entire villa for the “team-building off-site” under the guise of “pre-pitch bonding.” No one questioned it. The Series B deck was polished; investors were flying in next week. Everyone needed a break.

The villa was obscene luxury: infinity pool overlooking the Arabian Sea, open-air bar, four bedrooms with king beds, and a private beach access that screamed NDAs and discretion. They arrived Friday evening, sun dipping low, air thick with salt and promise.