The atmosphere in the Oberoi mansion was suffocating.

Ayush sat in the study, his fingers drumming against the desk. The letter from Devraj Malhotra still lay in front of them—a silent threat.

Arnav stood near the window, his sharp gaze fixed outside, as if expecting trouble to walk through the gates at any moment.

Anirudh was pacing. "We need to find out exactly what Devraj wants. He wouldn’t come after us after all these years without a reason."

Ayush exhaled. "We already know what he wants—power. Control over everything Dad built."

Arnav turned around, his expression cold. "Then he’s a fool. Because he’s not getting it."

Ayush scoffed. "You think we can just shut him down? This man made our father disappear. What makes you think we can handle him?"

Silence.

For the first time, Ayush saw something flicker in Arnav’s eyes. Doubt.

Then, Aryan’s phone buzzed.

He glanced at it—and his face paled.

The First Attack

Without a word, Aryan turned the screen toward them.

It was a news article.

"MYSTERIOUS FIRE AT OBEROI INDUSTRIES’ NEW PROJECT SITE—LOSS ESTIMATED IN CRORES!"

Ayush’s stomach dropped. "What the hell?"

Anirudh grabbed his phone, reading quickly. "The media is saying it’s an accident, but—"

"It’s not," Arnav said darkly.

They all looked at him.

"This is a warning," Arnav continued. "Devraj just made his first move."

Ayush clenched his fists. "Then what’s our next move?"

Arnav’s voice was like steel.

"We fight back."

Meanwhile…

Devraj Malhotra watched the news with a satisfied smirk.

He picked up his glass of whiskey, taking a slow sip.

"Your turn, Oberois."

The game had just begun.

To Be Continued…