Inside the sleek glass elevator of Raichand Industries Riddhima didn't even blink when Madhav brought up the trending metrics.

"That isn't a novelty, Madhav.

Mr.Singhaniya dominates the algorithms every time he restructures a policy or signs a global acquisition."

"No, Ma'am," Madhav muttered, his fingers tightly gripping the edge of his tablet as he turned to face her. "This has nothing to do with corporate metrics. Look."

He held out the screen. Riddhima took the tablet, her manicured thumb lazily scrolling through the feed. But within three seconds, her casual demeanor dissolved. The headlines weren't about business they were sharp, predatory, and targeting the Singhania name with malicious intent. Her eyes turned into chips of ice.

The elevator chimed, the doors sliding open to the executive floor, but Riddhima didn't walk toward her office. She spun on her heel, heading straight back out.

"Ma'am! Where are you going?" Madhav called out, scrambling to follow her.

"To the source,"

Riddhima threw over her shoulder, her voice dropping into a lethal, quiet register. "To where it all started."

Madhav rushed to open her car door, assuming he was coming along, but she raised a single, commanding hand. "Stay here. Handle the meetings.

She tore out of the parking garage alone, her sports car roaring down the streets toward Singhania Industries.

The atmosphere inside the high-security boardroom of Singhania Industries was suffocating. A tight circle of elite investors sat around the mahogany table, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife as they discussed the digital firestorm threatening their shares.

Then, the heavy double doors swung open.

The entire room fell into a stunned, breathless silence. Vansh, who had been listening to a financial advisor with a dark, brooding scowl, snapped his head up. The moment his dark eyes collided with her, his train of thought was completely derailed.

Riddhima didn't wear her usual razor-sharp corporate armor today. She was a vision in blood-red-a breathtaking, heavily embroidered traditional Anarkali suit that hugged her curves flawlessly before flowing down with regal grace. Her thick, dark hair was styled in soft, loose braid cascading over her shoulders. A classic gold watch gleamed on her wrist, and long, intricate earrings brushed against her neck with every step she took.

Vansh was utterly mesmerized. Since their wedding night, he had grown accustomed to the fierce, rigid businesswoman who wore sharp blazers like battle gear. But seeing her like this-steeped in rich tradition, radiating an ethereal, soft, and unrepentantly feminine beauty-made his heart thud violently against his ribs. She looked breathtaking. She looked dangerous.

Pranav, standing near the head of the table, cleared his throat, breaking the collective trance of the room. "Ma'am you're here? Unannounced?"

Hearing the question, a brilliant, blinding smile lit up Riddhima's face-a smile so perfectly warm it could deceive a saint.

She bypassed the security detail and glided straight down the length of the boardroom. Vansh remained seated in his high-backed leather chair, his dark gaze tracking her every movement like a predator unsure of next move.

Riddhima didn't hesitate. She stepped right into his personal space, leaning down beside his chair. In front of the entire panel of stunned multi-billionaires, she draped her slender, gold-adorned arm elegantly around Vansh's neck, pulling herself close enough for him to catch the intoxicating scent of her perfume.

She looked up at the room, her voice a smooth, purring silk that completely redefined the narrative.

"Why can't I meet my husband?"

Pranav cleared his throat, his posture stiffening as he tried to maintain his professional composure. "Of course, you can come, Ma'am. This is your office

Around the mahogany table, the stiff-necked investors smiled because it was completely picture-perfect couple

But beneath the forced grins, Vansh sat entirely rigid. As her warm, gold-clad arm tightened around his shoulders, he leaned in marginally, his jaw clenching so hard a muscle ticked.

"The viper's wrapped itself around my neck today. She's definitely not leaving without striking"

he muttered under his breath.

Instead of flinching, Riddhima's smile only widened, dripping with dangerous sweetness. Sliding her fingers up, she placed both his palms softly over her eyes Leaning down, she pressed a slow, deliberate kiss against his palm

"You won't believe it," she addressed the room, her voice sounding like a proud, lovesick wife,

"but I consider myself the luckiest woman alive to have a husband like mr.Singhaniya. I thank God every single day for him. And I thank my parents too-for dragging me into this corporate world, because if they hadn't, I would have never met the man of my dreams."

Standing in the corner, Pranav's eyes nearly popped out of his skull. He subtly stepped back, murmuring to himself in sheer terror, "That's it. He pushed him to the edge. Even God can't save him from her.

Vansh remained absolutely blank, staring straight ahead as she pulled her hands away. His dark eyes were a vortex of controlled fury, waiting for the inevitable explosion. He didn't blink. He didn't breathe.

"The meeting is adjourned," Vansh's voice boomed, cutting through the thick tension like a guillotine. "We will resume later. Right now, I need to speak with my wife.

Nobody hesitated. The investors scrambled out of their chairs, practically running for the exit. Within seconds, the heavy double doors clicked shut.

Vansh stood up slowly from his high-backed leather chair. He unbuttoned his suit jacket, shoved his hands deep into his trouser pockets, and turned to face her. The mesmerizing softness he had felt looking at her red Anarkali suit completely vanished, replaced by the cold, calculating eyes

"Come on," Vansh said, his voice dropping into a dangerous, low growl. "Don't waste any more time, Pranpriye Let's start the show. Tell me what you're here for."

"Of course," Riddhima replied.

In a fraction of a second, the sweet, doting wife evaporated. Her posture went rigid, her jaw locked, and her eyes turned into absolute chips of emerald ice.

"You know you're trending on social media, don't you?" she asked, her voice dripping with venom.

"Yes, of course you know," "Because this is exactly what you wanted, right? It was all your meticulous little plan."

Vansh didn't answer. Instead, she snatched Madhav's tablet from the console and unlocked it, aggressively pulling up the viral feeds. She forced the screen right in front of his face, scrolling through a relentless barrage of edits, photos, and high-definition videos from their wedding day and reception.

The screen flashed with clips of Vansh looking like an absolute god in his wedding attire, commanding the room during his reception speech. The internet was losing its mind.

The captions and comments screamed across the screen

"Look at them, they are such a hot power couple!"

"Man, just look at him... he's so handsome, fine, oh my God, he's so hot and a total gentleman."He is green flag

"Bro, Riddhima Raichand is so lucky she got him. She's truly blessed. He is the absolute best. I want a husband like him."

"If they ever break up, it's literally her fault. He loves her so much, just look at how he looks at her eyes!"He is raising our standards

"I even hear she's so arrogant, egoistic, and way too bossy.

"She doesn't deserve him. Look at her face, she's so cold."

Riddhima's breathing hitched as she read the words aloud, her voice growing sharper, more frantic, and laced with an untamed rage. The humiliation, the manipulation, the absolute audacity of the public dissecting her life it snapped something deep inside her.

In the middle of a sentence, her grip tightened on the tablet until her knuckles turned white. With a sudden, violent screech of pure fury, she whipped her arm back and launched the tablet across the room.

CRASH!

The heavy tablet collided violently with the floor-to-ceiling glass window, shattering into a million jagged pieces before raining down onto the polished floor.

Riddhima stood panting, her chest heaving underneath the red silk of her suit, her eyes blazing as she glared at the man who had turned her into a public spectacle.

Yet, Vansh didn't even flinch. He stood perfectly rooted to his spot, his hands still casually tucked inside his pockets, his dark eyes watching her erratic breathing with the cold detachment of a spectator watching a tragic play.

Riddhima's chest heavily heaved under the blood-red silk of her suit. She took a predatory step toward him, her voice escalating into a raw, furious yell.

"So this is your masterstroke, isn't it?! This is why you staged that entire, pathetic drama at the wedding and the reception! You built this flawless, saintly illusion because you knew exactly what comes next. Tomorrow, when we will take divorce.

the entire world will point fingers at me. The blame will fall squarely on my shoulders, and you-you get to walk away with your pristine, immaculate victim image!"

She let out a harsh, mocking laugh, her eyes flashing with a dangerous, unstable fire. "But you know what, Mr.Vansh Rai Singhaniya? You miscalculated. I don't give a single damn about my public image. The world can call me a monster for all I care. But I will admit one thing. I truly didn't see this coming. You were a brilliant, calculated genius this time."

Vansh slowly pulled his hands from his pockets. A dark, infuriatingly smooth smirk played on his lips as he casually picked up a leather-bound file from his desk.

"Well," Vansh murmured, his voice a low, deep vibration that completely dismissed her rage. "It is what it is. I'll take the compliment. Thank you, Pran-priye"

Without offering her another glance, he turned on his heel and began walking toward the heavy mahogany exit doors with absolute, terrifying calm.

"Mr. Singhania! Mr. Singhania!" Riddhima screamed after him, her authority completely fracturing under his nonchalance.

Vansh paused right at the threshold. He didn't turn his entire body around he merely glanced back over his shoulder, his eyes glinting with a wicked, teasing malice that made her blood boil.

"Pran-priye, please stop screaming," he whispered smoothly, his smirk widening as his fingers rested on the door handle.

"If the sound leaks out of this office, our dear staff will think we're doing something Ahm. Ahm. You know what I am talking well I don't have any problem but I think Vansh will suits good on your tounge and It will give me more energy

Hearing his nonsense Riddhima grabbed the wooden frame from his desk and pointed towards him

Easy woman easy "Now, if you're going to come in front of me looking this beautiful, then it's only natural for my resolve to waver. So tell me, my pranpriye how am I supposed to fight with you?"

He winked at her before casually walking out of the cabin.

Riddhima stood there, completely frozen, replaying his words in her mind.

Did he really just flirt with me?

Just when her phone buzzed and it was Nitya's she answered the call and left from his cabin

And now it was evening time and Vansh got the call from that she is hosting dinner and he is invited

As Vansh grabbed his blazer, the door to his office swung open. Kartik walked in,

("Aapki biwi ne mehfil bulayi h self defence me kya kya lekar chalna h "

"Your wife just doing this little gathering," Kartik said, leaning against the doorframe. "what exactly do I need to pack for self-defense? )

Vansh tightened his cuffs, his face a grim mask. "Just get sulfas for me , Kartik

Kartik let out a nervous chuckle. "I don't think you need to prepare for your funeral just yet. Consider me and Shaili the designated rescue team. We're only invited to pull your body out of the wreckage."

"Shut up," Vansh growled, brushing past him. "And let's go."

The private dining hall was buzzing when Vansh and Kartik arrived. Shaili , Riddhima, and Vihaan were already seated around the lavish table.

Kartik and Shaili exchanged a swift, confusing glance, Vihaan, however, sat completely unbothered. He either knew exactly what was coming, or he simply didn't care enough to flinch.

Riddhima was sitting near the head of the table, with Vihaan occupying the seat right beside her.

Vansh glided into the room, his dark eyes locking onto the arrangement. He stepped up to the table, towering over Vihaan with a dangerous, calculated politeness. "Vihaan, do you mind shifting next to Shaili I'd prefer to sit with my beautiful wife tonight."

Vihaan raised his hands surrender, as he stood up. "My bad. Apologies, Mr. Singhania."

The moment Vansh slid into the vacant chair next to Riddhima, her spine went rigid. Without turning her head, she whispered through her teeth, "Aren't you exhausted by your own pathetic drama yet, prannath

Vansh leaned in slightly, his shoulder brushing against her red silk Anarkali. "Did you not get enough of a lecture this morning? Now you've dragged an entire audience here just to watch your night show?"

Before Riddhima could retort, the sharp, crystal clink of silver platters echoed through the room. A line of servers stepped forward, placing elegant, gold-trimmed bowls of traditional sweets in front of every guest.

Shaili arched an eyebrow, looking at the decadent display. "What's all this, tai? You ordered sweets? You look terrifyingly happy tonight."

Riddhima's lips curved into a brilliant, blinding smile.

"It is incredible news, Shaili. But please, everyone, have some sweets first. Let's sweeten the palate before the announcement."

She personally gestured for everyone to partake. One by one, the guests took a piece. Kartik reached out, lifting a sweet to his lips, his mind entirely off guard.

Just as Kartik was about to take a bite, Riddhima leaned forward, her voice ringing out with sweet, venomous perfection.

"I am absolutely thrilled to announce I'm going to be an aunt! Nitya is finally two months pregnant!"

The words hung in the air like a guillotine.

Instantly, Kartik's hand froze mid-air. The color drained from his face so fast it left him looking like a ghost. He felt the entire foundation of the room collapse beneath his feet, swallowing him whole. Every ounce of life, humor, and blood evaporated from his features, leaving behind a cold, hollow mask of pure agony.

Shaili and Vihaan immediately erupted into cheers, They were thrilled, laughing and raising their glasses.

But Vansh wasn't looking at them. His eyes were glued to Kartik. He watched as Kartik's entire universe shattered in a single second. Slowly, Vansh reached out, leaning his head marginally toward Kartik's shoulder a silent, heavy gesture of solidarity for a man who had just been publicly executed.

Tricking his own muscles into moving, Kartik forced his frozen hand down. He looked across the table at Riddhima, his lips trembling as he manufactured the most painful, heartbreaking smile of his life.

"Congrats, Riddhima," Kartik choked out, his voice sounding as if it were scraping against glass. "And many congratulations to Nitya. From my side."

Kartik didn't wait for the plates to be cleared. He stood up abruptly, the forced smile vanishing from his face as he adjusted his jacket with trembling fingers. "That's it," he said, his voice flat and devoid of life. "I'm leaving. I'm not starving. I only dropped by to join the gathering for a moment."

He turned on his heel, ready to flee the suffocating room. But before he could take a step, Vansh's hand shot out, gripping his wrist in an iron hold.

"I'm coming with you," Vansh commanded, his dark eyes fixed on his friend with fierce, protective urgency. "I'm not letting you walk out of here alone."

Kartik didn't look back. He slowly but firmly pried Vansh's fingers off his wrist, shaking his head. "No. You're not coming with me. I'm fine, Vansh. I'm just going home. Stay here. Be with Riddhima in her happiness

"Are you sure?" Vansh pressed, his voice dropping into a low, anxious frequency.

"I am one hundred percent sure," Kartik whispered. And with that, he vanished.

The remaining guests finished their meals in chattering and laughing . Vihaan,droped shaili home. Riddhima and Vansh had some pending corporate files to review.

By the time the final contracts were tucked into her leather briefcase, the clock had slipped past midnight.

The ride back to the Singhania Palace was a bizarre shift in gravity. By the time the tires crunched against the gravel of the palace driveway, they were trading sharp, dry barbs teasing each other with a wicked, fluid banter that soon dissolved into rare, genuine laughter.

Up on the darkened balcony overlooking the foyer, Ishita stood completely hidden in the shadows. Her fingers gripped the stone balustrade so tightly her knuckles turned a stark, bloodless white. Her eyes, burning with a toxic, green envy, tracked every single smile, every lingering glance, and every soft laugh shared between Vansh and Riddhima.

The sight of their happiness felt like acid dripping directly onto her soul.

"You both are having so much fun, aren't you?" Ishita muttered to herself, her voice a poisonous hiss that died in the empty corridor. A cruel, twisted smirk slowly distorted her face as she leaned over the edge, watching them walk side by side.

"Enjoy it while it lasts. Let me see how long you keep those pretty smiles on your faces "

───•~❉᯽❉~•───

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