Nandini came downstairs after completing her morning routine and noticed Rahul waiting for Sanskar.

"Good morning, ma'am," Rahul greeted her politely.

However, Nandini headed to the kitchen, seemingly ignoring his presence.

Rahul looked up and muttered under his breath, "One strict boss isn't enough; now they send me another one."

Sanskar walked in, phone still pressed to his ear. "Yes, Mr. Alex, we'll be waiting for your arrival." He ended the call and turned to Rahul.

"Rahul, Mr. Alex will be arriving soon to finalize the deal. This is the biggest collaboration our company has ever seen, and I want everything to be perfect." His voice was firm, with a hint of urgency. "Make sure the conference room is set up exactly as we discussed, and have all the necessary documents ready."

Rahul nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.

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As Nandini entered the kitchen, Gopi, the elder woman who managed the household staff and oversaw the cooking, looked up and greeted her warmly. "Ma'am, do you need anything?" she asked politely.

Nandini smiled and gently reminded her, "Aunty, I told you yesterday, just call me Nandini."

Gopi's expression softened, and she asked, "Okay, then may I call you Nandini beta?"

Nandini's smile broadened, and she replied, "That would be lovely. I was wondering if I could get some hot water," Nandini said,
"I've gotten into the habit of drinking it as soon as I wake up."

Gopi nodded thoughtfully and made a mental note. "Sure, beta. From tomorrow, I'll have some hot water sent to your room."

But Nandini's face lit up with a mischievous grin as she said, "No, Aunty, could I borrow a kettle instead? If Mumma finds out, she'll chase me with a broom!"

Gopi couldn't help but chuckle at Nandini's playful warning. "Alright, beta. I'll give you the kettle"

"Aww, thank you so much! You're really sweet," Nandini said with a warm smile. "Unlike Mr. Maheshwari, he's always so controlling and intimidating." She frowned slightly, her tone turning slightly bitter. "I just can't stand his attitude. Don't know how you are are tolerating him"

"Beta, Sir is not that bad as you are thinking" Gopi tried to justify Sanskar but Nandini left from there not wanting to hear about him.

As Sanskar spotted Nandini heading to her room, he called out, "Choti, get ready! I've spoken with the dean about your admission to Excellent Academy. It's a prestigious college,"

Nandini turned around, a hint of confidence in her voice. "Actually, Mr Maheshwari, I've already spoken with the dean of Delhi College, and I just received my confirmation mail. I've worked hard and secured a full scholarship and they have transferred me to same Excellent college" She looked at Sanskar with a determined gaze. "To achieve my dreams, I don't need your money or your help."

Sanskar watched Nandini walk away, a proud smile spreading across his face. "Rahul, my choti is just like me – hardworking and determined," he said, his voice filled with admiration and pride.

Rahul gazed at his boss, Sanskar, a hint of surprise in his expression "and seeing you smiling is treat to watch sir, don't know when ma'am and Swara will see your other side a soft side" he thought.

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Sanskar instructed Rahul, "Tell Gopi to send the file to the office. I'm in a hurry, and I think I left it on the study table." He added, "And tell her to be careful, it's very confidential."

Rahul nodded and dialed Gopi's number. "Aunty, please send a file – it's blue – and have Nandini ma'am bring it. It's confidential." After hanging up, Rahul couldn't help but think to himself, "sorry sir, but by your this attitude I don't think nandini ma'am or you will come close so I have to thinking only"

"Nandini beta, can you help me by giving this file to sir?" Gopi requested

Nandini looked at Gopi with a hint of amusement. "Aunty, what's going on?"

Gopi explained, "Beta, Sir has ordered me to send the file, but I'm feeling a bit anxious. If the file doesn't reach him on time, he'll be furious. It's a very important file, and I don't want to risk getting in trouble. That's why I'm asking you to take it to him."

Nandini raised an eyebrow, "Okay, fine. Give me the file. I'll take it to him."

"Thank you beta and driver will drop you there in office" Gopi said.

She was already dressed in a crisp white kurta and baby pink leggings, with a shawl wrapped elegantly around her neck. A touch of lip gloss was all she needed to look put together. As she stepped out of the car in front of the tall building, she exuded confidence. Upon entering the lobby, she noticed a mix of people – some waiting, others working on their laptops. She made her way to the reception desk, file in hand, ready to deliver it to Sanskar.

The receptionist greeted Nandini with a professional smile. "How can I help you, ma'am?"

Nandini replied, "I'm here to meet Mr. Maheshwari."

The receptionist's tone remained polite but firm. "Do you have an appointment, ma'am?"

Nandini shook her head. "No, I don't have one. Could you please inform him that Nandini is here to meet him?"

The receptionist's expression turned apologetic. "Sorry, ma'am. Without an appointment, Sir doesn't meet anyone. Please have a seat, and I'll inform Rahul sir about your visit." She gestured towards the waiting area.

Rahul hurried over to Nandini, looking frazzled. "Ma'am, you're here? Please come inside, or the boss will kill me!" he exclaimed, clearly intimidated by Sanskar's authority.

Nandini smiled and handed him the file. "I came to deliver this. Gopi Aunty wasn't feeling well, so I brought it instead."

Rahul took the file and then asked, "Please, ma'am, would you like a tour of the office?"

Nandini was about to decline, but Rahul's pleading expression softened her. "Okay, fine," she agreed, and Rahul's face lit up with relief and excitement.

Rahul complimented her, "You're not as strict as your brother."

Nandini's expression turned stern. "He's not my brother," she corrected firmly. "A heartless person like him can't be my brother."

Rahul fell silent, unsure of how to respond. He cleared his throat and continued the tour, "This is Sir's cabin. He's currently in a meeting."

He pointed out the direction. As Nandini looked around, she took in the sleek black walls and the expansive window that offered a breathtaking view of Mumbai. The office was tastefully designed, with comfortable and ergonomic chairs that seemed to support good posture. The lighting was well-balanced, combining natural and artificial light to create a pleasant atmosphere. The cabin was spacious, with ample room to move around, contributing to a sense of openness and productivity.

Nandini's eyes widened in appreciation as she took in the design of Sanskar's cabin. His cabin is classy and elegantly designed, very brilliantly done, she observed, noticing the attention to detail in the decor and layout. The combination of modern elements and sophisticated taste reflected Sanskar's professional demeanor.

Sanskar walked into the cabin, his eyes locking onto Nandini. "How is the office?" he asked, his tone neutral.

Nandini glanced around before responding, "It's nice. I should probably leave now."

She began to make her way towards the door. Just then, Swara entered the cabin, her gaze meeting Nandini's.

Swara's eyes narrowed slightly, her brow furrowing in curiosity. "Who is she?" Swara wondered to herself.

Sanskar had never allowed any woman into his private cabin before except her, and Swara's instincts sparked a pang of unease at the sight of Nandini standing there.

Sanskar smirk seeing Swara "nice timing my Jungli billi" he thought.

Nandini smiled and about leave when Sanskar called her "Nandini, meet Swara, she works in auditing department" he introduced.

Swara's eyes flashed with irritation, her mind racing with thoughts of who this woman was and why she was in Sanskar's cabin. She felt a pang of jealousy, wondering why Sanskar hadn't introduced her as his fiancée. "Couldn't he just introduce me as his fiancée?" she thought, her imagination running wild with scenarios where she mentally killed him a hundred times.

Just as Sanskar was about to introduce Nandini, she cut him off. "I'm Rahul's sister Nandini, just came to give a file," she said, her introduction sending a shockwave through Rahul, who was standing nearby.

Sanskar's face remained impassive, but his heart sank at her words, he didn't let show in his face. His face was emotionless but his heart bleed.

Swara forced a smile and extended her hand to Nandini, her handshake firm. As she turned to Sanskar, her expression transformed into a tight-lipped smile, revealing a hint of tension. "Sir, I need your signature here," she said, handing him a file.

Sanskar took the file and signed it without reading, which made Swara's eyes widen slightly in concern, as he usually reviewed documents carefully before signing.

"Are you alright? Is anything bothering you?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.

Nandini's gaze flickered towards Sanskar for a brief moment, and he thought he saw a flash of concern in her eyes, but her face remained neutral. "Just a headache," Sanskar replied, his tone flat and emotionless.

"I should take my leave," Nandini said, turning to walk away from Sanskar.

However, as she stepped forward, her leg caught on something, and she stumbled, losing her balance. Before she could fall to the floor, Sanskar swiftly stepped forward and grasped her arms, steadying her.

"Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern. As he held her, he couldn't help but scold her gently, "Can't you see and walk carefully?" His hands moved over her arms and shoulders, checking for any injuries, his touch gentle but firm.

Swara's eyes narrowed as she watched Sanskar's concerned expression and gentle touch on Nandini's arms. A spark of jealousy ignited within her, fueled by the stark contrast between Sanskar's usual aloofness and his solicitous behavior towards Nandini. She had been worried about Nandini's well-being when she saw her fall, but what stung was Sanskar's reaction – he had never shown such concern for anyone before, let alone her. The sight of him being so gentle and caring towards Nandini made Swara's heart burn with envy.

Rahul who was watching everything couldn't hold himself from smirking " oh ho aag dono taraf hai"

Swara stepped forward, her expression a mask of concern, and gently parted Sanskar and Nandini. "Nandini, are you hurt anywhere?" she asked, her voice sweet but laced with an undercurrent of tension.

Nandini shook her head, feeling a bit awkward under the intense gazes. "No, I'm alright. I should leave now. I need to go to college to submit some documents," she said, trying to extricate herself from the situation.

Sanskar's response was immediate. "David will drop you," he ordered, his tone firm.

Nandini hesitated, not wanting to be beholden to him. "No need, I'll go myself," she said firmly and turned to leave, eager to escape the awkwardness.

After Nandini left, Swara's expression turned stern as she turned to Sanskar. "Who is she?" she demanded, her eyes narrowing.

Sanskar's smirk hid the pain he felt, and he replied nonchalantly, "Didn't she say she's Rahul's sister?"

Swara's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "So she's that special person?" she questioned, her tone laced with possessiveness.

Sanskar's mood lightened, sensing the jealousy in her voice. "Yes, she is," he confirmed, his eyes locking onto hers.

Swara's face drew closer to his, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You, Sanskar Maheshwari, if you're trying to betray me, keep this in mind," she warned, her eyes blazing with intensity. "I won't sit quietly. I'll rip you off."

Swara turned sharply to her left, her heels deliberately stomping on Sanskar's foot as she walked away. The action was a clear expression of her anger and jealousy, the sharp movement and pressure of her heels a physical manifestation of the emotional turmoil brewing inside her. The stomp was a warning, a signal that she wouldn't be ignored or taken lightly.

Sanskar winced in pain, clenching his fist as Swara's heel dug into his foot. Rahul, who had been watching the exchange, couldn't help but giggle at Sanskar's misfortune. However, his amusement was short-lived, as he quickly sensed Sanskar's icy glare and his grin faltered. Rahul's eyes widened, and he swallowed hard, trying to compose himself as Sanskar's piercing stare made him feel like he was about to face the wrath of the boss.

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