As Jyotsana entered the garden, she saw Meenakshi standing with her back towards her. "It's been a while," Meenakshi said, her voice dripping with familiarity. Jyotsana halted, her heart racing with a mix of emotions. Meenakshi turned towards her, a smirk playing on her lips.
"I hope you haven't forgotten me," she said, her eyes glinting with amusement. Jyotsana's response was direct. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice firm.
Meenakshi's smile faltered for a moment before she regained her composure. "Is this how you greet a family member after so long?" she asked, her tone laced with sarcasm. She walked towards Jyotsana, her movements confident.
"Forget it. How is Shruti doing?" Meenakshi added, her eyes sparkling with interest. Jyotsana stiffened at the mention of Shruti's name, her expression guarded. "Just what do you want?" she asked, her voice cold.
Meenakshi leaned in close, her voice barely above a whisper. "Exactly what I wanted twenty-three years ago." Jyotsana's response was swift. "You won't get that, just like twenty-three years ago," she said, her voice firm.
Meenakshi's smile returned, and she stepped back. "We will see after today's board meeting," she said, her eyes glinting with anticipation. Jyotsana's eyes widened in surprise. "How do you know about the meeting?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.
"Vikram told me," Meenakshi replied, her smile growing wider. Jyotsana's surprise turned to shock at the mention of Vikram's name. She was taken aback by the revelation, wondering how Vikram was connected to Meenakshi.
Before Jyotsana could ask any further questions, Meenakshi turned and left. "See you then. Have a nice day, Jyotsana," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. With a smirk, Meenakshi walked away, leaving Jyotsana with more questions than answers.
Jyotsana stumbled, her legs weakening beneath her as the weight of the conversation with Meenakshi bore down on her. But before she could fall, she felt a gentle yet firm grip on her arm. She looked up to see her daughter, Shruti, concern etched on her face.
"Mom! Are you okay?!" Shruti exclaimed, her voice filled with worry. Jyotsana's breathing was labored, and she struggled to compose herself. "I...I'm okay," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Shruti guided her mother to sit down on a nearby bench, her arm still wrapped around her waist. "Who was she?" Shruti asked, her eyes filled with curiosity and concern.
Jyotsana looked up at her daughter, her expression grave. She took a deep breath and began to recount the events of twenty-three years ago, and the return of Meenakshi and her connection to Vikram. As she spoke, Shruti's expression darkened, her jaw clenched in anger.
"Shruti, they're planning something," Jyotsana said, her voice laced with foreboding. "I can sense it." Shruti's grip on her mother's shoulder tightened, her eyes blazing with determination.
"Don't worry, Mom," she said, her voice firm. "I won't let them do anything." Her words were a promise, a vow to protect her mother and herself from the impending threat. As she spoke, her mind was already racing with strategies and countermeasures, her resolve strengthened by the revelation of their past.
PRESENT
As Shruti finished recounting the events, Manish let out a deep sigh. "She didn't learned a lesson even after spending twenty years behind bars," he said, his voice laced with disappointment. Shruti's expression was stoic.
"Some people have this in their blood," she said, her voice matter-of-fact. Manish nodded in agreement. "Yes, like Vikram. Your father thought sending him abroad would save him from her mother's negativity, but he is her son after all," he said, his words dripping with insight.
Shruti stood up and walked towards the large windows of the conference room, her gaze drifting out to the cityscape below. "Don't worry, Uncle," she said, her voice firm and resolute. "I won't let them succeed." Manish stood up and followed her, his eyes filled with concern.
"But you have to be careful," he cautioned. "They are very dangerous." Shruti nodded, her expression determined. Manish's expression softened, and he added, "Now go home and take a rest. You must be tired."
"See you tomorrow, Uncle," Shruti said, her voice polite. With a nod, she turned and left the conference room, leaving Manish to wonder what the future held for her and the company.
A few months had passed since Shruti took over the chairperson's position, and she had been handling company affairs with finesse, leveraging her knowledge and expertise with the guidance of Manish. Meanwhile, Vikram continued to plot against her, determined to undermine her authority and make her look inferior.
In the six months since Shruti's appointment, Vikram had been working tirelessly to build alliances with the board members, whispering in their ears and fueling their doubts about Shruti's capabilities. But Shruti remained focused on her goals, and today she stood confidently in front of the projector in the board meeting room of Sunrise Tower.
"Good morning, board members," she began, her voice clear and assertive. "Today, I called this meeting to present a proposal that I believe has the potential to take our company to the next level." With a click, she turned on the projector, and a short video began to play, showcasing her vision for a strategic partnership with a pharmaceutical company.
The video highlighted the benefits of the collaboration, from expanding their market share to enhancing their research and development capabilities. When the video ended, Shruti turned to the board members, her eyes expectant. "So, as you can see, a collaboration with a pharmaceutical company 'PharmaCorp' presents a significant opportunity to expand our market share, enhance our R&D capabilities, and ultimately, boost profitability for our cosmetic line. They have the resources and expertise we need to truly innovate. I believe this partnership is essential for our long-term growth. Any questions?"
A few board members nodded in agreement, murmuring words of affirmation. But Vikram, seated at the far end of the table, slowly raised his hand, a smirk spreading across his face. "That was...a decent idea," he said, his tone dripping with condescension. "But I do have a few questions."
Shruti's eyes narrowed slightly as she tried to compose herself, struggling to control her growing frustration. She had expected Vikram to try and undermine her, but she was determined to remain professional and composed. "Please, go ahead, Vikram," she said, her voice neutral.
"First, I would like to point out that our company has no experience in the pharmaceutical industry," Vikram said, his tone skeptical. "How do you propose we navigate this unfamiliar territory?" Shruti forced a smile, her patience wearing thin.
"That's a valid concern, Vikram," she replied, her voice measured. "However, I have done my due diligence and have consulted with industry experts. Our team will receive comprehensive training and support from our potential partners to ensure a smooth transition."
Vikram's questions continued, each one designed to poke holes in Shruti's proposal. "And what about the financial risks involved? Our company's resources would be stretched thin, and we could potentially be taking on more than we can handle."
Shruti's responses were calm and confident. "I understand your concerns, but I have carefully analyzed the financials, and I believe the rewards outweigh the risks. Our partners are willing to provide us with favorable terms, and we can gradually increase our investment as we become more comfortable with the partnership."
But Vikram remained unconvinced. "I'm afraid I still need some convincing," he said, his voice dripping with doubt. "This proposal seems risky and could potentially damage our company's reputation if we're not careful."
Shruti's frustration grew, but she took a deep breath and composed herself. "I understand where you're coming from, Vikram, but I believe this collaboration is an excellent opportunity for our company to grow and expand. I have taken every precaution to ensure that this partnership will be beneficial for us, and I am confident that we can make it work."
Vikram's expression remained skeptical. "I'll have to think about it some more, Shruti. I'm not convinced that this is the right move for our company at this time." He glanced at the other board members, and Shruti noticed that they were starting to waver, their initial agreement giving way to doubt.
Shruti's frustration simmered just below the surface, but she maintained her composure. "I understand, Vikram. I welcome any further questions or concerns you may have, and I am open to discussing this proposal in more detail. But I urge you all to consider the potential benefits of this collaboration and the opportunities it could bring to our company. Thank you. The meeting is adjourned." With that, she ended the meeting, her eyes locked on Vikram's smug expression.
As the board room emptied, Shruti turned to Vikram, her frustration and annoyance evident on her face. Vikram, sensing her emotions, smiled wickedly and said, "What happened, my dear sister? Already feeling tired? You can hand over the position to me anytime." His tone was laced with condescension and mockery.
Shruti's eyes flashed with anger, but she refused to give Vikram the satisfaction of seeing her lose her composure. "In your dreams," she said curtly, her voice dripping with disdain. With that, she turned and walked out of the room, leaving Vikram standing alone.
Vikram's smile never wavered. As he watched Shruti leave, he murmured to himself, "I'll make this dream come true." His voice was barely audible, but the determination in his eyes spoke volumes. He was resolute in his pursuit of power, and he would stop at nothing to achieve his goal.
A few days after the meeting, Vikram was sitting in his office, engrossed in his work, when he heard a knock on the door. He looked up to see Shruti standing in the doorway, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. He stood up, his expression transforming into a mixture of surprise and curiosity.
"My, my. What pleasure do I have? Welcome, my dear sister," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. Shruti walked into the office, her confidence and poise evident in every step. She sat down in the chair opposite Vikram's desk, crossing her legs in a fluid motion.
She pulled out a file from her bag and tossed it onto Vikram's desk, a smirk still playing on her lips. "A surprise for you," she said, her eyes glinting with amusement. Vikram's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he picked up the file and opened it. His eyes widened as he scanned the contents.
"I got the board members' approval for the collaboration with PharmaCorp," Shruti said, her voice triumphant. Vikram's expression darkened, frustration and anger simmering beneath the surface. He looked up at Shruti, his eyes flashing with annoyance.
"What happened, my dear brother? Feeling exhausted? You can leave the company and rest at home anytime you want," Shruti said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. She stood up, her movements fluid and confident. "Your dirty tricks won't work on me," she said, her eyes locked on Vikram's.
"Have a nice day, brother," she said, winking at him before turning and walking out of the office. Vikram was left sitting alone. He slammed his fist on the desk, the sound echoing through the office.
Vikram's anger and frustration boiled over as he pulled out his phone and dialed a number. Someone picked up on the other end, and Vikram's tone turned cold and menacing.
"How the hell did she get the approval?!" Vikram demanded, his voice low and furious. The voice on the other end hesitated before responding, "Sir, the board members were not ready, but Manish Basu talked to them about something, and after the meeting with him, they all approved Miss Singh's proposal."
Vikram's face twisted in anger as he listened to the explanation. He abruptly cut the call, the sound of the disconnect harsh in the silence of his office. "Damn this Basu!" he muttered to himself, his anger and frustration simmering just below the surface.
After a few days, Shruti called a board meeting, following the successful signing of the deal with PharmaCorp. The board room was filled with anticipation as everyone took their seats, including Rishi, the manager of PharmaCorp. Vikram sat opposite Rishi, beside Shruti's chair, his face a mask of expressionlessness as he struggled to conceal the frustration and anger simmering within him.
"Good morning, everyone," Shruti began, her voice warm and confident. "Thank you for gathering today. As you know, we've been working on a collaboration with PharmaCorp. The company's general manager, Mr. Rishi Agarwal, is here with us." She gestured towards Rishi, who nodded in greeting.
"Nice to meet you all," Rishi said, his smile professional.
"I had an appointment with the CEO of PharmaCorp, Mr. Suryavanshi, but unfortunately, he couldn't show up as he had some business to attend to." She said and looked at Rishi.
Rishi nodded "But Miss Singh and I talked about everything regarding the new project, and Miss Singh's idea is very promising." He said.
Shruti nodded, turning on the projector as the room's attention shifted to the screen. She launched into a detailed explanation of her new idea, centered around organic skincare products. The room was captivated by her presentation, and when she finished, the board members were impressed.
"Well, Miss Singh, we must say your idea is indeed promising," one of the members commented, and the others nodded in agreement. Vikram, however, rolled his eyes, his expression a mixture of disdain and skepticism.
Shruti smiled, undeterred. "Thank you very much, everyone. I have one more thing to discuss with everyone regarding the new project," she said, her eyes scanning the room. "Go ahead," the members encouraged her.
"I want to personally supervise this new project," Shruti announced, her voice firm and resolute. The room fell silent, with Vikram's eyes narrowing in response.
"But Miss Singh, this project falls under our cosmetic company, Aurora," a board member pointed out. "And Mr. Vikram is currently the CEO of Aurora."
Shruti's expression remained determined."I understand what you're saying, but this is my first-ever project," she said, her voice firm. "And looking at the situation of our company, I really insist you let me handle the project this time." The board members exchanged uncertain glances, weighing the pros and cons.
"Shruti," Vikram called out, standing up from his chair. "Like you said, this is your first-ever project. I don't think it's right to let you handle the project alone." His tone was condescending, implying that Shruti was inexperienced and incapable.
But before Vikram could continue, Rishi intervened. "I think Miss Singh can handle it without any problem," he said, his voice calm and confident. "And our best employees will help her with this project." Vikram's eyes snapped to Rishi, his gaze menacing, as if warning him to remain silent.
"Mr. Agarwal, as far as I know, this decision is not up to you but the CEO," Vikram said, his tone cold and dismissive. He turned to the board members, his expression turning persuasive. "Respected board members, I don't think we should let her handle the situation alone. She is not capable right now. She is too young."
The board members nodded, considering Vikram's statement. Vikram smirked at Shruti, his eyes gleaming with triumph. Shruti's fist tightened into a ball.
"I think she is capable," a voice cut through the board room, silencing the murmurs and debates. Everyone turned to the door, their eyes following the sound to a tall figure who had just stepped inside. He was dressed in a crisp charcoal suit, his dark hair perfectly styled, and his handsome face chiseled with sharp features.
The air seemed to still as he walked towards the front of the room, his presence commanding attention. His confident stride and authoritative demeanor drew everyone's gaze, and the room fell silent, awaiting his next words. Vikram's smirk faltered, and Shruti's eyes widened slightly, her expression a mix of surprise and curiosity.
Rishi stood up in a hurry and walked towards the man, a look of respect on his face. "Good morning, sir," he said, his voice deferential. Rishi turned to everyone and said, "Let me introduce you all to the CEO of PharmaCorp, Mr. Vihan Suryavanshi."
The room fell silent as everyone's eyes widened in surprise and respect. The board members stood up, nodding in respect, their faces reflecting their admiration for the CEO. Vihan's presence commanded authority, and his reputation preceded him.
Vihan turned to Vikram,"Mr. Vikram ." his eyes meeting his, and for a moment, Vikram's confidence wavered. A shiver ran down his spine as he felt the weight of Vihan's gaze. "As the CEO of PharmaCorp, I want Miss Singh to handle this project," Vihan said, his voice firm and decisive.
He turned to the board members, his eyes scanning the room. "I hope nobody has any objection," he asked, his tone leaving no room for argument. The board members nodded in agreement, their faces reflecting their willingness to comply with Vihan's wishes.
"Very well," Vihan said, his voice final. "The meeting is adjourned." With that, the meeting came to a close, and the board members began to file out of the room, their faces filled with a mix of respect and curiosity about the new development. Vikram's face, on the other hand, darkened with anger and frustration.
