The sprawling Rathore mansion buzzed with a quiet energy as Shivangi Rathore, head of the Rathore Family prepared for the day. She adjusted her silk dupatta carefully in front of the mirror, her elegant presence radiating authority. Today was a significant step in her carefully laid plan to secure the futures of her grandsons, starting with Reyansh.

"Sunita, are you ready?" Shivangi called out as she entered the living room.

Sunita Rathore, Aarav's mother, appeared moments later, her warm smile offsetting her simple yet graceful attire. "I'm ready, Maa. I spoke to Aadhya earlier; she's nervous but said she's looking forward to meeting us."

"Good," Shivangi said with a nod. "We'll make her comfortable. This is her first step into our family, and I want it to go smoothly."

The two women left for Aadhya Verma's modest home. Aadhya was waiting for them at the gate, wearing a pastel salwar suit that reflected her understated beauty. Her hair was neatly tied back, her face glowing with both anticipation and nerves.

"Namaste, Dadi," Aadhya greeted Shivangi respectfully, her tone soft.

"Namaste, beta," Shivangi replied, her voice warm as she took Aadhya's hands. "Come, we have a lot to do today."

..

The shopping mall was a world of shimmering displays and luxury boutiques. Shivangi led the trio through the store, her discerning eye picking out sarees, jewelry, and accessories with the ease of someone accustomed to the best.

"This one," Shivangi said, holding up a red and gold saree, its intricate embroidery catching the light. "It will look perfect on you."

"Dadi, isn't this... too expensive?" Aadhya asked hesitantly, her fingers brushing the fabric.

"Beta, you're going to be the bride of the Rathore family," Shivangi said gently. "Nothing is too expensive for you."

Sunita, standing beside Aadhya, offered an encouraging smile. "She's right, Aadhya. You deserve this."

Aadhya tried to relax, though the weight of their words pressed heavily on her. She had agreed to this marriage for her sister Anya's future, but the grandeur of the Rathore's world still felt overwhelming.

As they finalized their purchases, Shivangi turned to Aadhya. "We'll drop you near Rathore Industries on the way back. Spend some time with Reyansh; it's important that you both get to know each other before the wedding."

Aadhya's heart sank. She wasn't ready for this, but arguing with Shivangi wasn't an option.

----

The courtroom buzzed with tension as Devansh Rathore paced before the judge, his voice measured yet commanding. The case was a complicated one—a high-profile corporate fraud involving a rival of Rathore Industries. Devansh, as always, was relentless in his arguments.

"My lord," he began, addressing the judge, "the evidence presented by the defense does not absolve the accused of their responsibility. What it does is create a smokescreen—a desperate attempt to evade accountability."

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle over the courtroom. The opposing counsel, an older man with a sharp intellect, attempted to interject, but Devansh's voice cut through like steel.

"With all due respect, Mr. Mehta," Devansh said, turning toward the defense table, "if your client were truly innocent, we wouldn't be here today. Shall I remind the court of Exhibit C, which clearly shows—"

The judge raised a hand. "That's enough for today, Mr. Rathore. We'll resume tomorrow."

Devansh nodded, gathering his papers. As the courtroom began to empty, he felt a familiar tap on his shoulder.

"Devansh, another knockout performance," said Rakesh, his junior associate, with an admiring grin.

"Thanks," Devansh replied, his tone polite but distant.

"Let me guess—heading straight to the office?" Rakesh asked, chuckling.

"Not today," Devansh said, surprising even himself. He glanced at his phone, where a message from his grandmother awaited:

"Come home tonight. We need to discuss your future."

The words sat heavily in his mind. His grandmother's tone, even through text, had a way of making him take notice.

----

Back at Rathore Industries, Aarav Rathore was holding a meeting with his tech division team. His usual humor had taken a backseat to a rare seriousness as he discussed an upcoming product launch.

"We need those updates finalized by Friday," Aarav said, his tone unusually firm. "No excuses."

Riya, one of his senior developers and friend, nodded but couldn't resist commenting. "You're scaring us today, Aarav. What happened to the guy who bribed us with donuts?"

Aarav smirked faintly. "Deadlines happened. Don't worry; I'll bring the donuts tomorrow. For now, get back to work."

As the team dispersed, Aarav leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. His phone buzzed with a call from Sunita.

"Ma," Aarav said, answering quickly.

"I wanted to remind you about dinner tonight," Sunita said. "Dadi has something important to talk about."

"I'll be there," Aarav replied, his tone softening.

----

At the café where Kiara Malhotra and Ishita Sharma often met after work, the two best friends sat discussing their latest challenges.

"So, the app's beta testing went well, but I need investors to scale it," Ishita said, sipping her latte.

"Let me guess—your parents have ten opinions on how you should do that," Kiara quipped.

"Of course," Ishita replied dryly. "They're Sharma parents. Opinions are their currency."

Kiara laughed, then leaned forward conspiratorially. "On my side, I've got a juicy lead on Rathore Industries. I'm telling you, Ishita, they're hiding something. No one's that perfect."

Ishita raised an eyebrow. "Be careful, Kiara. Poking at powerful people rarely ends well."

"That's half the fun," Kiara said, grinning.

----

The sleek black car pulled up outside Rathore Industries, its mirrored glass reflecting the bustling energy of the corporate world. Aadhya stepped out hesitantly, clutching her purse. Shivangi lowered the car window and smiled.

"Don't be nervous, beta. Reyansh may seem tough, but he has a good heart," Shivangi said reassuringly.

Aadhya nodded, though her stomach churned with anxiety. As the car drove away, she took a deep breath and entered the building.

The reception area was a modern masterpiece—polished marble floors, towering glass walls, and a sleek black desk where a smartly dressed receptionist greeted her with a polite smile.

"I'm here to meet Mr. Reyansh Rathore," Aadhya said softly.

The receptionist checked the schedule but hesitated. "Mr. Rathore has back-to-back appointments today. Do you have an appointment?"

"Shivangi Rathore sent me," Aadhya said, her voice firmer this time.

The receptionist's demeanor shifted immediately. "Of course, ma'am. Please, go ahead."

Aadhya made her way to the elevator, her heartbeat quickening with each floor she ascended. When she reached Reyansh's office, she paused to collect herself before knocking.

"Come in," came a deep, commanding voice from inside.

She pushed the door open and stepped into the office. The room was striking—floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the city, and the furniture was a blend of sleek modern lines and luxurious materials. Aadhya found herself momentarily mesmerized by the space.

Reyansh was on the phone, standing near his desk with his back to her. His tall, broad-shouldered figure exuded authority, and his deep voice carried an edge of impatience as he gave instructions.

"Handle it and call me back," he said curtly before hanging up.

When he turned around, his sharp gaze immediately locked onto Aadhya. His brow furrowed. "What are you doing here?"

"I... your grandmother asked me to come," Aadhya replied, her voice steady despite the tension in the air.

Reyansh's jaw tightened. "And you thought it was a good idea to walk into my office uninvited?"

Aadhya straightened her posture, meeting his gaze. "I didn't come here on my own. Your Dadi insisted that we spend time together. I didn't have a choice."

Reyansh's eyes narrowed, his tone turning colder. "Let me make one thing clear—I don't want this marriage, and I certainly don't want to spend time playing house with you."

The sting of his words hit Aadhya, but she kept her composure. "For your information, Mr. Rathore, I don't want this marriage either. I'm only here because your Dadi's proposal offers my sister a better life."

Reyansh crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "If you don't want this, then why are you obeying her words like a puppet?"

Aadhya's voice grew firmer. "Because I don't have the luxury of saying no. My sister deserves everything I couldn't have, and if this marriage can give her that, then so be it."

Reyansh's gaze softened, though his tone remained sharp. "If it's about your sister, I can take care of that. I'll ensure she has everything she needs. But for that, you need to end this marriage proposal."

Aadhya shook her head. "I can't do that. Your Dadi would never forgive me."

Their argument was interrupted by the shrill ring of Reyansh's phone. He answered it briskly, his demeanor shifting as the voice on the other end spoke.

"What happened?" Reyansh demanded, his voice suddenly tense. He listened intently before hanging up and striding toward the door.

"Something urgent has come up. I don't have time for this," he said, not sparing her another glance as he left the office in a rush.

Aadhya stood there, feeling both relieved and rattled. She had expected tension but hadn't anticipated the storm she had walked into.

As Reyansh disappeared down the hallway, Aadhya looked out the massive windows, wondering if stepping into the Rathore's' world was a mistake—or a chance to finally rewrite her destiny.

To be continued...

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