A Deal on the Edge

Ayush took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts.

This wasn’t just about numbers or profits. This was about proving himself.

Vikram Khanna sat across from him, watching with amusement, waiting for Ayush to slip up.

Aryan leaned back in his chair, twirling a fork between his fingers, uninterested in the tension crackling between them.

But Ayush?

He knew what was at stake.

"One wrong move, and Arnav will bury me alive."

He met Vikram’s sharp gaze. "This project isn't just another investment opportunity, Mr. Khanna. It's a game-changer."

Vikram smirked, sipping his whiskey. "I’ve heard that before. What makes this any different?"

Ayush tapped the file in front of him. "Because you’re not just investing in a company—you’re investing in an Oberoi project. And we don’t fail."

Vikram raised an eyebrow. "Your track record says otherwise."

Ayush’s jaw clenched.

He expected this. He deserved this.

For years, he had been the reckless Oberoi—the failure. But not today.

He forced himself to stay calm.

"The past doesn’t matter," Ayush said smoothly. "What matters is that this project will double your returns in two years. And I have the numbers to prove it."

Vikram studied him, tapping his fingers on the table.

Then he leaned back, smirking. "You remind me of your brother."

Ayush stiffened. "Which one?"

Vikram chuckled. "The dangerous one."

A strange chill ran through Ayush.

Did Vikram mean Arnav—or someone else?

A Shadow in the Past

As Ayush and Aryan walked out of the restaurant, Aryan nudged him. "Not bad, Mr. Businessman."

Ayush sighed, rubbing his temple. "It’s not over yet. Vikram is playing a game—I just don’t know what it is."

Aryan grinned. "Sounds like fun."

Ayush shook his head, but before he could reply, his phone buzzed.

A message from an unknown number.

"You have no idea what you just walked into. Be careful, Oberoi. Some shadows never fade."

Ayush’s blood ran cold.

"What the hell does that mean?"

He glanced at Aryan, but his younger brother was busy scrolling through his own phone.

Ayush swallowed hard, his grip tightening on his phone.

This deal was bigger than he thought.

And for the first time, he realized—Arnav wasn’t the only enemy he had to worry about.

To Be Continued…