Thrown into the Fire

Ayush sat in his office, staring at the 50-crore project file in front of him. The numbers blurred together, his mind racing.

"Arnav isn’t giving me an opportunity—he’s setting me up to fail."

He knew it. Arnav didn’t trust him. Not yet.

If he messed up, it wouldn’t just be his loss—it would be a stain on the Oberoi name.

Ayush exhaled sharply. No mistakes. No excuses.

He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

"Aryan, I need your help."

Meanwhile… Arnav Watches

From his glass office, Arnav observed Ayush making calls, flipping through documents, scribbling notes.

Anirudh stood beside him, arms crossed. "You’re testing him."

Arnav’s expression was unreadable. "I’m giving him a chance."

Anirudh scoffed. "A rigged chance. You know this deal isn’t easy."

"If he can’t handle it," Arnav said coldly, "he doesn’t deserve it."

Anirudh sighed. "And if he does?"

For a brief moment, Arnav’s gaze softened—just enough for Anirudh to see it.

"Then maybe," Arnav murmured, "he’s finally ready."

A Dangerous Meeting

That evening, Ayush and Aryan arrived at an upscale restaurant. The client, Vikram Khanna, was a shark in the business world—ruthless, calculating, and unpredictable.

Ayush straightened his suit and whispered, "Let me do the talking."

Aryan smirked. "No promises."

They entered the private lounge. Vikram sat at the head of the table, his sharp eyes scanning them.

"You’re an Oberoi," he said, tapping his glass. "But not the one I usually deal with."

Ayush forced a confident smile. "I’m handling this project personally. I assure you, my brother and I share the same vision."

Vikram chuckled. "That’s funny, considering the world thinks you two barely speak."

Ayush’s jaw tightened. He’s testing me.

"Business is business," Ayush replied smoothly. "What matters is profit. And I can guarantee—this deal will benefit both of us."

Vikram leaned forward. "Convince me."

Ayush took a deep breath—and began.

For the first time, he wasn’t just Arnav’s rebellious younger brother.

He was an Oberoi.

And he was ready to prove it.

To Be Continued…

Will Ayush succeed—or is he walking into another trap?