The news broke at 8:00 AM.
"Zaid Voss to Marry Aansi Singh in Strategic Alliance."
Business channels exploded.
Social media dissected her name.
Old photos surfaced.
Her background analyzed.
"Who is Aansi Singh?"
"Rajput lineage?"
"Small-town connection?"
"Financial scandal linked?"
Every headline attached her to him.
Not as a person.
As an acquisition.
Inside Ignite headquarters, executives whispered.
"She doesn't fit."
*She's dark skin toned!*
"He could've married anyone."
*But he was racist! wasn't he?!*
"This must be political."
Zaid walked through the lobby as screens displayed their engagement photo — a staged image taken hours earlier.
He didn't look at it.
He didn't need to.
Control wasn't emotional.
It was strategic.
Upstairs, Aansi sat in a media training room.
Stylists adjusted her saree.
PR managers corrected her posture.
"Smile less."
"Speak carefully."
"Don't contradict him."
She felt like a sculpture being polished for display.
Zaid entered the room.
Everyone stood.
He glanced at her once.
Measured.
Appraising.
"Be ready by Friday," he said.
"For what?" she asked.
"Engagement announcement. Live broadcast."
He turned to leave.
"Your past is being cleaned," he added. "Don't interfere.
Cleaned.
As if her life was a stain.
