The tension in the conference room was thick enough to choke on.

Every executive kept stealing glances between Ishani and Sarthak—unsure of who to read, who to fear more.

Sarthak sat beside her, relaxed, composed, his dark eyes holding something unreadable. Curiosity. Challenge. Amusement.

Ishani didn't care.

This wasn't about him.

This was her moment.

She opened her file calmly, flipping through the neatly arranged documents before placing them on the table. Her movements were unhurried. Confident.

"I've reviewed the financial reports," she said smoothly. "There are several unnecessary investments draining company profits."

A ripple of unease moved through the room.

Mr. Khanna cleared his throat. "With all due respect, ma'am, our investments are carefully planned—"

"Really?" Ishani interrupted gently.

She slid a file across the table toward him.

"Then explain why we've been funding a failing construction project in Pune for the last six months—despite zero returns."

Khanna froze.

Caught.

Sarthak leaned back in his chair, eyebrow lifting slightly. Interested now.

Another executive spoke, hesitant. "That project was recommended by—"

"—Mr. Khanna," Ishani finished for him, her voice calm, lethal. "Who also happens to have personal stakes in the contracting firm we hired."

Silence.

Heavy. Suffocating.

Khanna's face drained of color.

Sarthak's lips curved into a slow smirk.

"I—I can explain—" Khanna stammered.

"No need," Ishani said softly, almost kindly. "I've already spoken to the legal team. They'll be auditing all your financial dealings by the end of today."

The room held its breath.

Sarthak let out a low chuckle. "You've done your homework."

Ishani turned to him, her expression unreadable. "I told you, Sarthak. I don't intend to sit quietly."

Their eyes locked.

Something shifted in his gaze—dark, sharp, intrigued.

He stood.

"Khanna," he said casually, "you're fired. Effective immediately."

Murmurs erupted as security stepped in, escorting Khanna out.

Ishani didn't look away.

She simply smiled.

Sarthak glanced at her once more, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Welcome to the family business, wife."

Her fingers tightened around her file.

She had won this round.

But the real game?

It was only beginning.

The conference room slowly emptied.

Voices faded. Footsteps disappeared. The glass walls reflected only two people now.

Ishani and Sarthak.

She gathered her files calmly, sliding them into her folder, when she felt it.

His gaze.

Not mocking. Not amused.

Sharp. Measuring.

"You came prepared," Sarthak said quietly.

Ishani didn't look up immediately. "I don't like wasting time."

He stepped closer, stopping just beside her chair. Too close. She could feel his presence like heat against her skin.

"You knew Khanna was dirty," he continued. "You didn't guess. You were sure."

She finally looked at him. "If I'm going to sit at this table, I won't sit blind."

For a moment, he didn't speak.

Then he smiled — slowly.

"That confidence," he murmured, "gets people killed in my world."

Ishani held his gaze, her pulse steady. "Then your world should get used to me."

Something dark flickered in his eyes.
Approval? Challenge? Suspicion?

Before he could say more, a knock interrupted them.

One of his men stepped in, lowering his voice. "Sir... we found something."

Sarthak's expression hardened instantly. "What?"

"The audit trail you asked for. It wasn't just Khanna."

Ishani's fingers tightened around her file.

Sarthak glanced at her. "Stay."

She didn't argue.

The man hesitated, then continued, "Someone has been moving funds quietly. Very carefully. Old accounts. Clean records. Almost invisible."

Sarthak's jaw clenched. "Names?"

"That's the problem," the man said. "Whoever it is... knows the system better than we do."

Silence fell.

Ishani felt it then — not fear, but awareness.

There was another player on the board.

Sarthak dismissed the man with a sharp nod. When the door closed, he turned back to her, his eyes searching her face.

"You didn't mention this," he said.

"Because I didn't know," Ishani replied truthfully. "And if I did—" she paused, then added softly, "—I would've told you."

He studied her. Long. Hard.

For the first time, she wondered if he was trying to decide whether she was an ally...

Or a threat.

"Interesting," he said finally. "Someone inside my empire is moving without my permission."

His gaze dropped to her face again. "And today, you walked in and shook everything."

She smiled faintly. "Coincidence."

He didn't smile back.

"Nothing in my life is coincidence, Ishani."

The way he said her name sent a slow chill down her spine.

As she walked out of the building moments later, surrounded by his men, the city stretching before her, one thought echoed clearly in her mind:

The game had officially begun.

And this time—

She wasn't the only one hiding secrets.

Hope you liked the chapter
Please vote...