The engagement hall was abuzz with lights. The city's top businessmen, media, and wealthy individuals were present. Everyone was talking about the pairing of the city's most eligible bachelor," Ranveer, and "lucky Nandini.
Ranveer stood on the stage, his face filled with the same false smile that had killed Nandini in her previous life. His step-sister, Ananya, stood nearby, her eyes clearly ablaze with lust.
Just then, the hall doors opened.
Nandini entered. But this wasn't the same timid Nandini. She wore a deep red gown, her gait was strangely confident, and her eyes sparkled like a cold, icy glint.
Nandini! Why are you so late? Everyone is waiting for you," Ranveer approached and tried to take her hand.
Nandini jerked her hand back. Silence fell over the hall.
Stay away from me, Mr. Ranveer,"
Nandini's voice echoed. There was a tinge in her voice that could scare anyone.
Ranveer was taken aback, "Nandini, what's this joke? Today is our engagement."
Engagement?" Nandini laughed loudly, a laugh that made Ananya's hair stand on end.
Engagements are made with loved ones, not with snakes that live in your sleeves."
She took some papers from her purse and threw them in the air. They were the details of Ranveer's secret bank accounts, which he had created to steal money from Nandini's father's company.
This engagement will not happen, Ranveer. Your bad times begin today.
The silence in the hall was so deep that even the sound of a needle dropping could be heard. Ranveer's face had turned pale. The papers Nandini had thrown in the air were slowly falling at the guests' feet.
This...this is all a lie! Nandini, have you gone mad?" Ranveer shouted, trying to control the situation.
Nandini stared at him with cold eyes.
Lies? Ranveer, these papers have your signature. They contain the details of the shell company through which you stole my father's funds. Do you want me to call the police right here?
Ananya, who had been standing silently until now, stepped forward and pretended to cry.
Didi, what are you saying? Ranveer loves you so much. You've been misled."
Nandini took a step toward Ananya. Ananya took a step back in fear.
Love? Ananya, love isn't what you two do to each other in closed rooms while I'm sleeping.
Whispers broke out among the guests.
What? Are these two dating?"
What a huge betrayal Nandini has been subjected to!
Ranvir angrily grabbed Nandini's hand tightly. "Shut up! Enough of this drama. You're leaving here with me right now."
Let go of my hand." Nandini's voice was as hard as stone.
I won't let go! You're my fiancée!" Ranveer pressed her hand even tighter.
Just then, the heavy doors of the hall opened again. A tall, imposing figure entered. The sound of shoes (tuck-tuck) echoed throughout the hall.
The man was dressed in a black three-piece suit, his eyes filled with a strange, terrifying calm. He was none other than Aryan Malhotra, the city's richest and most mysterious businessman.
He said... let go." There was such weight in Aryan's voice that Ranveer's hand automatically loosened.
The moment Aryan Malhotra stepped into the hall, the atmosphere shifted. Ranveer, who had been acting like a lion until now, turned timid at the sight of Aryan. Aryan wasn't just a businessman, he was the "king without a crown" of this city.
Mr. Malhotra? You... you here?" Ranveer's voice faltered. He abruptly let go of Nandini's hand.
Aryan fixed his cold, sharp gaze on Ranveer.
I heard there was an 'engagement' taking place here. But all I see here is a farce.
Nandini took a deep breath. In her previous life, she had only heard about Aryan—that he was fearless and ruthless. But in this life, Aryan was going to be his biggest pawn.
Nandini stepped forward and, keeping her voice steady, said,
Mr. Malhotra, you've come at the right time. The engagement has been called off, but there's still a 'business deal' to be done."
The entire hall erupted in whispers again. Ananya's eyes flared with jealousy. She had thought Nandini would be out on the streets today, but the tables had turned.
Didi! What are you dealing with this stranger? Forget Ranveer, think about Papa!
Ananya pretended to cry and looked at Nandini's father, Mr. Khanna.
Mr. Khanna, who was still in shock, came to his daughter. "Nandini, what is all this? How do you know this man?
Nandini held her father's hand. His hands were trembling. She remembered how in his past life, Ranveer had killed her father by causing him to have a heart attack. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she resisted.
"Papa, just give me some time. I'll prove that Ranveer was eating away at our business like a termite.
She then looked at Aryan.
Mr. Malhotra, can we talk in private?"
Private Room Scene
Away from the noise of the hall, Nandini and Aryan were face to face in a quiet room.
"So..." Aryan took a cigar from his pocket but didn't light it. "You broke your engagement using my name. Do you think I'll help you for free?"
Nandini looked him in the eye and said,
I wouldn't even give my life away for free, Mr. Malhotra. I've come to give you what Ranveer was trying to snatch from you—the blueprints for 'Project Omega'.
Aryan's eyebrows furrowed. Project Omega was a multi-billion dollar government project. "How do you know about it?"
That's not important. What's important is that if you enter into a 'contract marriage' with me, the project will be yours. And in return, I just need your name so I can completely destroy Ranveer and Ananya.
Aryan slowly moved toward her. The room was dimly lit.
A little girl, taking such a huge gamble? Aren't you afraid of me?"
Nandini's smile was a mixture of pain and hatred.
I've seen death, Mr. Malhotra. I'm not afraid of the living anymore."
The echoes of the broken engagement had still not died down in the hall. The guests were about to leave when Aryan Malhotra took Nandini's hand and stood her in the center of the stage.
Ranvir, who had been about to flee, froze. His eyes were bloodshot. "Aryan, what are you doing with my fiancée?
Aryan took the microphone with a cold smile. His voice had the sternness that could shake even the biggest boardrooms.
Correct your mistake, Mr. Ranvir. Nandini was never yours. And you have lost the right to hold back what is not yours." Aryan announced amidst the flashlights of cameras,
"Today, from this stage, I declare that Nandini Khanna is now the new partner of the Malhotra Group and my future wife."
For a moment, it seemed as if time had stopped.
The media went crazy. The hall filled with the clicks of cameras. Ananya's glass of juice slipped from her hand. He had thought Nandini's career and reputation would be ruined today, but here she was, about to become the most powerful woman in the city.
Nandini slowly looked at Aryan. Although it was a 'contract,' the warmth of Aryan's hands brought her a strange sense of comfort. She thought to herself, 'Ranveer, you gave me death... Now I will give you the life you'll want to live every moment but can't.'
Next Scene: Ranveer's Frustration
As soon as the party ended, Ranveer found Nandini alone in the parking lot and cornered her.
"Nandini! What's this insolence? You went to that Aryan? Do you know how dangerous a man he is?"
Ranveer tried to grab her shoulder.
Nandini quickly shook off his hand and slapped him hard across the face. 'Slap!'
Ranveer was stunned.
"This slap is for the betrayal you tried to inflict on my father,"
Nandini hissed. "And remember, Ranveer, Aryan is dangerous, but I am your death. From today on, every business project, every deal, and every night of your sleep... will be mine."
She got into her luxury car and left Ranveer standing in the dust.