𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 - 𝟑 (𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚)

𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕 :-

The Sidhvani Enterprises headquarters loomed over Mumbai's skyline, a testament to wealth and power. Inside, the atmosphere was just as imposing-employees moved with silent urgency, ensuring everything ran with precision. The fear of making mistakes under Rudra Sidhvani's leadership kept them alert.

In the center of this empire sat Rudra himself, in his expansive corner office. The floor-to-ceiling windows behind him framed the city, but he barely spared the view a glance. He was a man who had built his empire from sheer will and strategy, and nothing distracted him once his mind was set on something.

At thirty-three, Rudra carried an air of dominance that was impossible to ignore. He was tall, over six feet, with a broad, muscular build, exuding raw strength beneath his finely tailored three-piece suit. His sharp jawline, slightly stubbled face, and piercing dark eyes held an intensity that made people uncomfortable under his gaze. His thick jet-black hair, always styled with effortless perfection, only added to his striking presence. He rarely smiled, and when he did, it was never soft-always calculated, always controlled.

Unlike men who flaunted their wealth, Rudra's power came from something far more intimidating-his silence, his unreadable expressions, and the way he commanded a room without raising his voice. He wasn't just feared; he was respected, and he never allowed emotions to interfere with business.

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𝐑𝐮𝐝𝐫𝐚'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕 :-

I leaned back in my chair, loosening my tie slightly. Work never stopped. Every deal, every negotiation, every number mattered. There was no space for distractions, no room for mistakes. I didn't tolerate them-from myself or anyone else.

A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.

"Come in," I said, my voice steady, controlled.

Jatin, my secretary, entered with a file in hand. He was efficient, never wasting time with unnecessary words. That's why I kept him around.

"Sir," he began, placing the file on my desk. "There's an issue with the Singhania Corp. deal. Arsh Verma is making a move."

I picked up the file, skimming through the details. Arsh Verma. I barely acknowledged his existence before now. A small-time businessman, hungry for power, reckless enough to challenge me. A desperate man.

"He's offering them a better profit margin," Jatin continued. "If he pulls it off, we might lose the deal."

I let out a slow exhale, tapping my fingers against the polished wood of my desk. Interesting.

"Desperate men make mistakes," I muttered.

Jatin hesitated. "Should I arrange a meeting with him?"

A smirk ghosted my lips. Let's see what kind of player he really is.

"Do it."

Jatin nodded and left the room, leaving me with my thoughts.

Business was just a game-one I never lost. But Arsh Verma didn't know that yet.

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𝐄𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐤𝐚'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕:-

I sank into the plush chair in my office, my fingers tracing the rim of my coffee cup as my mind drifted. The morning conversation with my parents still lingered in my thoughts, their words playing on a loop.

"Are you sure, Ekanshika? It's too early to make such a big decision."

I had expected them to be surprised, maybe even cautious. But the way Papa and Dadu had reacted-it wasn't just concern. There was something deeper, something unsettling in the way they spoke about Arsh.

A part of me wanted to dismiss it. They don't know him like I do. They hadn't seen the way he looked at me, the way he cared. Hadn't he always encouraged my dreams? Supported my ambitions?

But then... there were moments, fleeting but real, where I wondered-was I seeing Arsh for who he truly was, or just the version I wanted to believe in?

I shook my head. No. Arsh loves me. That's what matters.

Needing reassurance, I grabbed my phone and dialed his number.

It rang a few times before a female voice answered, smooth and professional. "Mr. Verma's office. How may I assist you?"

I frowned slightly. His secretary?

"It's me, Ekanshika. Can you pass the phone to Arsh?"

"I'm sorry, ma'am," she replied. "Sir is in a very important meeting at the moment. Would you like to leave a message?"

I exhaled, relaxing. Of course, he's in a meeting. He's working hard, just like I am.

A small smile tugged at my lips. "No, it's alright. Just let him know I called."

"Of course, ma'am."

As the call ended, I placed my phone down, feeling a little foolish for even questioning him. This is what I want. Arsh is the right choice.

(Little did she know, the truth was far from what she believed)

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𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕 :-

Arsh's Office

Inside his dimly lit private office, Arsh leaned back on his couch, his arms lazily wrapped around his secretary's waist. The woman, a sleek and polished brunette, ran a teasing hand down his chest.

"You should get back to work," she murmured, a smirk playing on her lips.

Arsh chuckled, pulling her closer. "Work can wait. This is more interesting."

His phone, lying on the glass table beside him, lit up with a missed call notification from Ekanshika. He didn't bother checking.

Right now, his priorities were elsewhere.

Unbeknownst to him, his games were about to come crashing down sooner than he expected.

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𝐓𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐄𝐃...