The Warning

Ayush’s grip on his phone tightened as he reread the message.

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

A prank? A threat? Or something worse?

Aryan noticed his expression. "What’s wrong?"

Ayush hesitated. "Nothing."

No way he was dragging Aryan into this—not yet.

"Let’s go," he muttered, pushing the message to the back of his mind.

But the uneasy feeling in his chest didn’t fade.

Back at the Oberoi Mansion

Arnav was in his study when Ayush entered, tossing the signed contract onto his desk.

"Vikram Khanna is in," Ayush announced.

Arnav glanced at the file but didn’t react. "Took you long enough."

Ayush clenched his jaw. "I got the deal done, didn’t I?"

Arnav leaned back in his chair. "For now."

Ayush exhaled sharply. "You’re never going to give me any credit, are you?"

Arnav’s gaze darkened. "Earn it."

Silence stretched between them.

Then, Ayush pulled out his phone. "I got a message. Anonymous."

He showed it to Arnav, expecting him to brush it off.

Instead, Arnav’s eyes turned to ice.

Anirudh, who had just walked in, frowned. "What is it?"

Ayush handed him the phone. Anirudh read the message, then exchanged a look with Arnav.

A look that made Ayush’s stomach drop.

"You know something," Ayush accused.

Arnav stood up. "Stay out of it, Ayush."

Ayush’s temper flared. "No! This is my deal, my risk—if something’s going on, I need to know."

Arnav’s jaw clenched. Then, after a long pause, he said, "It’s about our father."

The room went silent.

Ayush’s breath caught. "What?"

Arnav didn’t blink. "This deal… it’s connected to his past. And now, someone wants to remind us of it."

Ayush’s heart pounded.

Their father.

A man none of them ever talked about.

A man whose secrets were still haunting them.

To Be Continued…