The First Crack in Arnav’s Wall

The morning after their conversation, something strange happened.

Arnav didn't yell. He didn't criticize. He didn’t even give Ayush his usual soul-crushing workload.

Instead, he simply placed a single file on the desk and said, "Do it right."

Ayush stared at him, waiting for some sarcastic remark, some impossible demand. But Arnav just walked away.

No insults. No threats. Just trust.

It wasn’t much. But coming from Arnav, it was as close to an apology as Ayush would ever get.

Anirudh’s Warning

Later that evening, Ayush found Anirudh in the study, flipping through case files.

"Hey," Ayush said, leaning against the doorframe.

Anirudh glanced up. "You look confused."

"Yeah, because Arnav is acting weird."

Anirudh smirked. "Weird how?"

Ayush sat across from him. "He gave me work without making me feel like a worthless idiot. He didn’t yell. Didn’t criticize. He just… trusted me."

Anirudh’s smirk faded. "Be careful, Ayush."

Ayush frowned. "What does that mean?"

Anirudh closed his file and met his gaze. "Arnav doesn’t trust easily. If he’s giving you responsibility, it’s not because he’s getting soft—it’s because he’s testing you. And if you fail him now…"

Ayush swallowed. "Then what?"

Anirudh’s eyes darkened. "Then he’ll never trust you again."

A heavy silence filled the room.

Ayush exhaled. "Damn… no pressure, right?"

Anirudh chuckled. "Welcome to my world."

Avni’s Rebellion

Meanwhile, in another part of the Oberoi mansion, Avni was plotting.

She had always hated Anirudh’s discipline, but now Ayush was following Arnav’s rules too? Unacceptable.

She stormed into Aryan’s room. "This has to stop."

Aryan, lying on his bed scrolling through his phone, barely looked up. "What has to stop?"

"Arnav brainwashing Ayush!" she snapped. "First, Anirudh became his puppet, and now Ayush? What next, you?"

Aryan snorted. "Hell no."

Avni crossed her arms. "We have to do something."

Aryan smirked. "And what exactly do you wanna do? Challenge Arnav? You do remember he’s a literal dictator, right?"

Avni’s eyes gleamed. "Then it’s time someone reminded him he’s not invincible."

Aryan sat up. "Oh, this is gonna be fun."

To Be Continued…