The Game is Far From Over
Vardhan Enterprises – Ekansh’s Office
Ekansh leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping against the desk in a slow, measured rhythm. His dark eyes remained fixed on the screen in front of him, where Siara Rajawat’s press conference played on repeat. Every word, every calculated pause, every shift in her tone—it was all deliberate.
She was sharp. Too sharp.
His jaw tightened as the memory of last night resurfaced—the way her wrist had fit in his grip, the defiance in her eyes when she had looked at him. Even now, he could almost feel the warmth of her skin against his palm.
She wasn't afraid of him.
And that, more than anything else, was what intrigued him.
He picked up his phone, dialing a number. Within seconds, Kabir’s voice came through the receiver. “Yes, sir?”
“I want a full report on Siara Rajawat.” Ekansh’s voice was calm, calculated. “Everything. Personal, professional. I don’t care how you get it, but I want it on my desk within an hour.”
There was a slight pause before Kabir responded. “Noted, sir.”
The call ended.
Kushal, who had been watching silently until now, finally spoke up. “Bhai, is this really necessary?”
Ekansh raised an eyebrow, finally looking at him. “You think it’s not?”
Kushal scoffed, shaking his head. “She apologized. Twice. Publicly and privately. You won. Why does this still bother you?”
Ekansh leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, his smirk sharp but devoid of warmth. “She didn’t apologize because she was afraid, Kushal. She apologized because she wanted to control the narrative. Tell me, when was the last time someone turned a scandal into a statement of power within hours?”
Kushal had no answer.
Ekansh let out a quiet chuckle. “She’s a Rajawat. She plays the long game. And if she thinks that one press conference makes us even, she’s more naive than I thought.”
Kushal exhaled. "Bhai, rivalry ek taraf, lekin yeh jo ho raha hai, yeh sirf business nahi lag raha.” (Bhai, rivalry is one thing, but whatever this is, it doesn’t seem like just business.)
Ekansh’s smirk didn’t waver. "Wahi toh maza hai." (That’s what makes it fun.)
Siara’s Office – Rajawat Industries
Siara sat at the head of the long glass conference table, her sharp gaze scanning the faces of the board members seated before her. The large conference room, adorned with modern yet regal interiors, bore the legacy of the Rajawat name—one built by her great-grandfather, expanded by her grandfather, and fortified by her father. Now, it was her turn to reshape it.
In front of her lay a detailed proposal—one that would mark a significant shift in Rajawat Industries' trajectory.
Technology.
For decades, the Rajawats had dominated the real estate and luxury sectors, but Siara had bigger plans. The future was in tech—AI, cybersecurity, fintech. She wasn’t just looking to expand; she was looking to revolutionize.
She folded her hands on the table, her voice crisp as she addressed the room. “We need to step into the technology sector.”
A hushed murmur spread through the boardroom, skepticism evident on some faces.
“Real estate and luxury will always be our foundation,” she continued, unwavering, “but the world is changing. If we don’t evolve, we’ll be left behind.”
One of the older board members, Mahesh Thakur, cleared his throat. “Siara, tech is an entirely different ball game. We have no prior expertise in this sector. Diving into it blindly could be a risky move.”
Siara’s lips twitched into a faint, knowing smile. “Neither did we have expertise in luxury when my great-grandfather started, yet we built an empire. If we had stuck to comfort, we wouldn’t be sitting in this room today, discussing a company worth billions.”
Mahesh hesitated. Another board member, Vikram Ahuja, leaned forward. “Risk is inevitable in any expansion, but we need a solid foundation before making such a drastic move. How do you propose we bridge the knowledge gap?”
Siara didn’t hesitate. “We’re not starting from scratch. We acquire, we collaborate, we innovate.”
She glanced at Ayesha, her assistant, who immediately placed a few folders in front of the board members. “I have already shortlisted three companies for potential acquisition. All three are on the verge of breakthroughs in AI-driven real estate analysis, cybersecurity for high-value assets, and fintech solutions for luxury investments. If we act fast, we can secure these deals before our competitors even catch wind of them.”
Ayesha, always efficient, added, “The reports outline their financial health, market position, and potential ROI. I have also included risk assessments and projected growth rates.”
A few of the board members flipped through the reports, eyebrows raising as they skimmed the details.
Mahesh let out a thoughtful sigh. “These companies do seem promising. But let’s be realistic—what if the shift doesn’t pay off?”
Siara leaned back in her chair, exuding quiet confidence. “Then we pivot, adapt, and try again. But if we don’t take this step, we’ve already failed.”
The room fell into a contemplative silence.
Her father’s old business partner, Mr. Shekhawat, tapped his fingers against the table. “You’re asking us to trust your vision, Siara. It’s a bold one.”
Siara met his gaze, unflinching. “I’m not asking. I’m leading. And if we want Rajawat Industries to not just survive but dominate in the next decade, this is the way forward.”
Another beat of silence.
Then, the chairman finally spoke. “Alright, prepare a detailed strategy report. If your proposal holds up in the deeper analysis, we will move forward with the acquisitions.”
A small flicker of satisfaction passed through Siara’s eyes, but she kept her expression measured. “You’ll have the full report by the end of the week.”
Ayesha nodded, already making notes.
As the meeting concluded and the board members began filing out, Ayesha turned to Siara. “That went better than expected.”
Siara exhaled, a small smirk forming. “I don’t deal in expectations, Ayesha. I deal in results.”
Ayesha chuckled. “And what’s next?”
Siara picked up her phone, scanning through her notifications. “Next, we execute. Get a meeting scheduled with our legal team. I want to start negotiations with the first company within seventy-two hours.”
Ayesha gave a sharp nod before stepping out.
Siara exhaled, her fingers drumming lightly against the table.
The future was hers to carve.
But little did she know—her biggest opponent was already watching her moves closely.