The Oberoi mansion stood tall and imposing, much like the man who ruled over it. Arnav Oberoi, the eldest of five siblings, was not just a businessman—he was a force of nature. Every decision in the house, every rule, every expectation was set by him. His word was law, and no one dared challenge it.

As the clock struck seven, the household moved with precision. The maids hurried to set the dining table, the security guards stood at their posts, and the air inside the house carried an unspoken tension. At the head of the long dining table, Arnav sat, his sharp eyes scanning the room.

"Where is Ayush?" His voice was calm, yet it carried a weight that made the servants shiver.

Anirudh, sitting to his right, adjusted his tie. "Probably out wasting time as usual," he said, his voice laced with irritation.

Arnav exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable. "He knows breakfast is at seven sharp."

Just then, Ayush strolled in, yawning, his shirt untucked, and a smirk on his face. "Relax, big bro. I was up late—"

"Sit," Arnav commanded, cutting him off. Ayush rolled his eyes but obeyed.

Aryan, the youngest brother, chuckled at the tension, while Avni, their 15-year-old sister, scrolled through her phone, uninterested in the morning drama.

Arnav glanced at her. "Avni, phone away when you're at the table."

She didn't even look up. "I'll eat later."

Before she could stand, Arnav's tone turned cold. "Sit down."

There was no need to raise his voice—his authority alone was enough. Reluctantly, Avni dropped back into her chair, glaring at him.

Arnav turned his gaze to Ayush. "You were out drinking last night, weren’t you?"

Ayush smirked. "What if I was? I’m an adult. You don’t control me."

The air in the room thickened. Anirudh clenched his jaw, while Aryan watched in amusement. Avni, however, enjoyed every second of Ayush’s defiance—someone standing up to Arnav was always entertaining.

Arnav placed his cup of coffee down, his expression unreadable. "You live under my roof, you follow my rules."

Ayush scoffed. "Then maybe I should just leave."

A heavy silence fell. Even Aryan stopped smiling. Anirudh shook his head, knowing exactly where this would lead.

Arnav leaned back, his gaze sharp. "If that’s what you want, go ahead. But don’t come back when you realize the world doesn’t tolerate undisciplined fools."

Ayush’s jaw tightened, but he had no response. He wasn’t ready to leave—he just wanted to push Arnav’s buttons.

Arnav stood up. "Breakfast is over." Without another word, he walked away, leaving behind the suffocating weight of his presence.

As soon as he was out of sight, Ayush muttered under his breath, "Dictator."

Anirudh sighed. "He’s right, you know. You're reckless."

Ayush shot him a glare. "Shut up, Anirudh. Just because you're his puppet doesn’t mean we all have to be."

Anirudh’s fists clenched, but he stayed silent. He had learned long ago that no matter what he did, his siblings would always resent him.

Avni smirked. "Well, that was fun. Can’t wait for round two."

Aryan chuckled. "Oh, there will be. With Arnav, there always is."

And just like that, the morning routine ended—another battle lost, another storm waiting to come.

To Be Continued...