Nestled among Mumbai’s towering skyscrapers, the gleaming city lights possessed the power to entrance anyone ,yet inside that luxury boardroom, the atmosphere was colder and more terrifying than a graveyard.
A crisp white formal shirt, a wrinkle-free three-piece tuxedo, a two-lakh vintage watch on his wrist, and a smoldering cigar between his fingers. His thick black hair was slicked back, and his dark, icy eyes held a ruthless, savage demeanor capable of sending a chill straight through anyone’s soul. Advait Raichand was no ordinary business tycoon; he was the corporate world’s ultimate villain—one who won deals not through compassion, but through his own unyielding terms and sheer terror. Humanity was a word absent from his business dictionary; his sole agenda was one thing and one thing only:
Pure, unadulterated profit.
Seated directly across the table from him was Mrs. Vandana Malhotra, the MD of 'Malhotra Groups'.
Advait exhaled a stream of cigar smoke, letting it drift lazily toward Vandana’s face. Using just two fingers, he nudged the 500-crore deal file resting on the table toward her, speaking in a deep, echoing baritone
"Deal rejected, Mrs. Malhotra."
Vandana’s face turned instantly pale. Her eyes widened in utter disbelief. "W-What?! But Mr. Raichand... this deal guarantees you a direct 40% profit! How can you reject it without even reading it?!"
Advait leaned back into his leather chair, a lethal, disdainful smirk gracing his lips.
"A 40% profit is peanuts for Raichand Industries."
He flicked his wrist to check the time. "I don’t just want profit; I demand 100% market control. And your company simply doesn't cut it. This meeting is over."
Vandana sank into deep panic. Her entire empire hung on this deal, and one decision from Advait Raichand could instantly put her on the street.
---
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city in a middle-class home, the atmosphere was entirely different.
Pakhi Sharma stood before the mirror in her bedroom. Her fair complexion radiant in a red kurta, defined dark eyeliner framing her eyes, and an unfiltered, bold attitude on her lips. Pakhi was not a girl to bow down to anyone's threats or wealth; she was a fearless, self-respecting woman who roared like a lioness.
As Pakhi left her room and headed toward the main exit, her stepmother (Sushma), stepbrother (Vicky), and stepsister (Riya)—who were sitting in the living room—blocked her path. Her father stood silently in the corner, lacking the courage to utter a word against his second wife.
"Where are you strutting off to, my dear queen?" Sushma taunted in a bitter voice. "House chores are lying undone, and look at her! All dressed up like royalty, ready to wander around."
Riya rolled her eyes and added, "Mom, why would she care? She’s just desperate to run off and meet her penniless boyfriend, Armaan."
Pakhi’s stride didn't falter for even a second. She glanced at her wristwatch and locked her sharp, unwavering gaze onto her stepmother’s face.
"If there are chores left to do, Mother, what good is your beloved daughter Riya? Aside from freeloading, she hasn't learned to do a single thing," Pakhi retorted, drenched in confidence. Turning to her father, she added, "And as for you, your spine seems completely broken, unable to speak up even a single word for your own daughter."
She then turned back to Sushma and Riya. "And for your kind information, I earn my own keep. I don't share your taste for living off free handouts."
"You... how dare you!" Vicky lunged forward in anger.
"Take one more step, Vicky," Pakhi raised her finger, her voice packed with such power that Vicky froze dead in his tracks, "and I'll break your hand and shove it in your pocket. Save your bravado for somewhere else."
Ignoring them completely, Pakhi opened the door and walked out with a snap. She couldn't care less about her toxic family's words.
Sushma gritted her teeth. "This girl has grown wings... it's time to clip them."
---
Pakhi headed straight to a quiet cafe, where Armaan was already waiting for her.
Armaan was a composed, simple, and pure-hearted guy. A man who loved Pakhi unconditionally—a true 'green flag'.
Pakhi rushed over with a smile and gave him a warm hug, asking playfully, "How are you?"
Armaan smiled, gently placing his hand on her cheek. "I'm good... even better now that I'm seeing you. How are you?"
Pakhi struck a humorous, thoughtful pose and said, "Same to same!" as both of them burst into laughter.
Armaan took Pakhi by the hand, helped her sit down, and took his seat across from her.
Pakhi let out a tired, deep sigh.
---
On the other side of town,
Vandana Malhotra took a deep breath and announced, "Guys, the meeting will resume in a short while."
Glancing at Advait with narrowed eyes, she added, "I need a word with Mr. Raichand in private."
A few moments later...
The boardroom was cleared.
Vandana subtly adjusted her dress, walking over to Advait with deliberate grace.
She stepped right up close to him and, without an ounce of hesitation, sat straight onto Advait’s lap.
She traced her fingers lightly along the collar of his shirt, gazing into his eyes with a devastating smile.
Advait's face remained impassive. He neither stopped her nor reacted. Calmly, he raised his hand and began gently stroking Vandana’s cheek, his fingers casually tracing the color of her face.
Thinking her trick had worked, Vandana closed her eyes.
Just then, Advait leaned in, whispering into her ear in his icy, chilling voice qq 1
"Do you honestly believe... that by putting your body and beauty on display, you can wrest a 500-crore deal out of Advait Raichand?"
Before Vandana could comprehend his words, a look of sheer malice and disgust flooded Advait’s eyes.
With a sudden, violent motion, Advait gripped Vandana’s neck tightly and slammed her out of his lap straight onto the hard marble floor!
"Aahh!" Vandana shrieked, gasping in pain on the floor.
Advait stood up from his chair. Pulling a silk handkerchief from his pocket, he wiped his fingers as if he had touched something filthy. He tossed the handkerchief right onto Vandana’s face as she lay sprawled on the ground.
"What do women like you think of yourselves?!" Advait’s voice dripped with absolute disdain. "You think you can throw a piece of your body around and a man will fall at your feet? Disgusting! You women forget your place the moment you think you can rule the world using your looks!"
Advait used the tip of his dress shoe to press lightly against Vandana's fingers, uttering in a bone-chilling tone, "Mind it, Miss Malhotra... Advait Raichand cannot be bought. And the next time you come before me, leave this cheap lust of yours at home."
Without casting a single glance back, Advait walked out with heavy, measured steps.
Waiting downstairs was his gleaming black Mercedes. The driver immediately held the door open. Advait took his seat in the back and lit another cigar.
Gazing out at the city lights, a dark, sinister air settled over his features. He took a long drag of smoke and muttered under his breath:
"All women are the same... deceitful, selfish, and ready to bargain their bodies for their own gain!"
---
Meanwhile at the cafe, Pakhi gritted her teeth in frustration.
"All men are the same... slaves to their lust!" Pakhi slammed her bag onto the table. "Look at my so-called father—he remarried while my mother was still alive. My mother lost her life solely because of him. I just hate all men!"
Armaan smiled, sliding a glass of water toward her, and rested his chin in his hand with an innocent look.
"Ma'am... keep it down a little! You're forgetting the guy sitting right in front of you—your husband-to-be—is also a man."
The sharp edge in Pakhi’s eyes instantly softened into sweetness. She wrapped both of her hands around Armaan's and quickly corrected herself:
"Why are you taking it personally, sweetie? You're different, which is why I love you so deeply and am going to marry you."
Gazing tenderly into Armaan’s eyes, Pakhi said softly, "You've never even tried to cross a line with me because you know I don't believe in physical intimacy before marriage. That respect, that quality of yours sets you apart from every other man in the world, Armaan. And nothing could make me happier than that. I love you."
Armaan caressed Pakhi’s hands softly and replied, "Love you too, baby!"
Pakhi let out a breath of relief and added, "Once our court marriage is done, it's goodbye to that toxic family!"
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