The grand ballroom of the Mehra estate glittered beneath crystal chandeliers, filled with politicians, celebrities, and business tycoons from across the world.

Tonight marked House of Mehra’s newest global luxury partnership launch, and as expected, every influential figure wanted an invitation.

Among them stood the powerful Laurent family.

Rajiv Mehra raised his glass while speaking to several investors, but Damien Laurent’s attention was elsewhere.

It was fixed on Shravan Mehra.

Across the hall, Shravan moved gracefully through the crowd in a black tailored suit adorned with a diamond brooch. He smiled effortlessly as he spoke with foreign investors, his beauty alone enough to make people stare longer than necessary.

But Damien noticed something beyond his appearance.

A foreign investor had begun criticizing one of Mehra’s upcoming expansion projects.

Before Rajiv could intervene, Shravan stepped forward with a soft smile.

"Then perhaps your company should reconsider partnering with us."

The investor stiffened.

Shravan continued calmly.

"After all, House of Mehra generated enough profit this quarter alone to survive without your involvement. But I doubt your shareholders would appreciate missing this opportunity."

Silence fell.

Moments later, the investor awkwardly laughed and apologized.

Shravan simply smiled and walked away as if nothing happened.

Damien let out a quiet chuckle.

"Interesting."

Rajiv smirked beside him.

"He tends to surprise people."

Damien’s gaze remained on Shravan.

"Your son is beautiful enough to ruin men..." he murmured.

Then his eyes sharpened.

"And intelligent enough to ruin industries."

Rajiv laughed lightly.

"What exactly are you implying?"

Damien turned toward him.

"Walk with me."

The two men stepped onto the private balcony away from the party noise.

Damien calmly adjusted his cufflinks.

"The Laurent and Mehra families have worked together for nearly twenty years."

Rajiv nodded.

"And?"

Damien looked directly at him.

"Temporary partnerships are fragile."

Rajiv narrowed his eyes.

"Speak clearly."

Damien’s voice remained calm.

"I want our families permanently tied together."

Rajiv froze slightly.

"Through marriage?"

"Yes."

"Between who?"

Damien answered without hesitation.

"My son Adrian Laurent."

He paused.

"And Shravan Mehra."

Rajiv stared at him.

Then slowly smiled.

"You want my son as your son-in-law?"

Damien’s expression remained unreadable.

"I want someone worthy enough to stand beside my son. Tonight, Shravan proved he is more than worthy."

Rajiv glanced through the glass doors where Shravan laughed beautifully among guests.

"And if Shravan refuses?"

Damien smirked faintly.

"From what I’ve heard... your son loves power as much as beauty."

Rajiv laughed.

"That, he certainly does."

Damien extended his hand.

"Then shall we discuss wedding arrangements?"

Rajiv stared at the hand before shaking it.

"Let’s see if our sons are as obedient as we hope."

Inside the ballroom, Shravan returned to entertaining guests as if he hadn’t unknowingly become the subject of a marriage negotiation.

As he reached for a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, nearby voices caught his attention.

“…heard the Voss family acquired another company overnight.”

Shravan’s hand paused slightly.

Another guest scoffed quietly.

"Acquired?"

"Destroyed is a better word."

A woman lowered her voice.

“They say Kaesar Voss personally stepped in this time.”

Someone visibly shivered.

“That man is terrifying.”

“I heard even ministers wait weeks for his approval.”

“And he’s absurdly handsome.”

“That makes him worse.”

Shravan lazily sipped his champagne.

Kaesar Voss?

The name sounded familiar.

Before he could think further, another guest pulled him into conversation.

“Mr. Mehra, may I have your attention?”

Shravan smiled effortlessly.

“Of course.”

And just like that, the name disappeared from his thoughts as quickly as it came.

Inside the ballroom, Shravan unknowingly smiled at another guest—

completely unaware his marriage had just been decided.

Inside the ballroom, Shravan unknowingly smiled at another guest—

completely unaware his marriage had just been decided.

The next morning, the Mehra family gathered around the breakfast table like they always did.

Sunlight poured through the massive windows as servants arranged breakfast across the table.

Devika (Lady of House Mehra) elegantly sipped her tea.

Ayaan sat beside her, lazily scrolling through his phone.

Shravan walked in wearing expensive silk sleepwear, his hair slightly messy from sleep, yet somehow still looking annoyingly beautiful.

He dropped into his chair dramatically.

“Why does breakfast happen so early? We’re rich. This feels unnecessary.”

Devika laughed.

Rajiv folded his newspaper.

“I need to discuss something important.”

Shravan immediately groaned.

“Father, every time you say that, my peace disappears.”

Rajiv ignored him.

“Last night, Damien Laurent proposed a marriage alliance between our families.”

The table fell silent.

Rajiv calmly added,

“He wants you to marry Adrian Laurent.”

Shravan froze mid-bite.

“…what?”

“The Laurent family wants you as their son-in-law.”

Shravan dramatically dropped his fork.

“Father…”

He leaned back and whined cutely,

“Aww… why did you decide this? I mean ahhhhh.”

He turned toward Devika.

“Mother, tell father.”

Devika tried not to laugh.

Rajiv raised an eyebrow.

“It’s your choice, son.”

Shravan immediately stopped complaining.

“…my choice?”

“Yes.”

“If you refuse, I’ll reject it.”

Shravan leaned back and began thinking seriously.

“Hmmm…”

Then a slow smile spread across his face.

“Well…”

He casually grabbed another piece of toast.

“I can do it for business…”

He took a bite.

“And shiny things.😋"

Devika sighed.

“Of course.”

Shravan continued shamelessly,

“But I do have one condition.”

Rajiv narrowed his eyes.

“And that is?”

Shravan smirked.

“He has to be my type.”

Devika nearly choked on her tea.

Rajiv pinched the bridge of his nose.

Shravan proudly continued,

“Figure?”

He gestured dramatically.

“Excellent.”

“Face?”

He touched his own face.

“Must be worthy.”

“Character?”

He shrugged lazily.

“I can control that.😏"

Devika covered her face.

“Sheesh…”

She looked at Rajiv.

“Look at this guy. Oh my gosh.”

Before anyone else could respond—

Ayaan finally spoke.

“Father… are you sure this is wise?”

Rajiv looked toward Ayaan.

“And why wouldn’t it be?”

Ayaan hesitated before speaking, carefully masking his jealousy behind concern.

“It’s not that I doubt brother.”

He glanced at Shravan, who was happily eating strawberries like this conversation had nothing to do with him.

“But everyone knows how brother behaves.”

Devika frowned.

“Ayaan—”

He quickly continued.

“That’s not what I meant, mother.”

He sighed softly.

“Brother is… beautiful.”

Shravan dramatically placed a hand over his chest.

“Thank you.”

Ayaan ignored him.

“People are constantly drawn to him. Men, women… it doesn’t matter.”

He looked at Rajiv.

“And brother enjoys entertaining that attention.”

Shravan casually nodded.

“Also true.”

Ayaan’s fingers tightened around his glass.

“He flirts without realizing how people interpret it.”

Devika looked unconvinced now.

Ayaan lowered his voice like he was genuinely worried.

“And brother is free-spirited. He hates being tied down.”

He looked at Shravan.

“What if the Laurent family hears how people talk about you?”

“What if they misunderstand you?”

“What if they start resenting you after marriage?”

Rajiv’s expression hardened.

“Ayaan—”

But Shravan interrupted first.

He slowly wiped his lips with a napkin before smiling sweetly at his brother.

“Oh come on.”

He tilted his head.

“Everything in our world is business anyway.”

His smile widened.

“And the way people view me, as my lovely brother described…”

He shrugged elegantly.

“…isn’t entirely wrong.”

Ayaan’s jaw tightened.

Shravan leaned forward.

“Yes, I enjoy attention.”

“Yes, people flirt with me.”

“Yes, I flirt back when I’m bored.”

He popped a grape into his mouth.

“And?”

He smiled innocently.

“I’m sure the Laurent family will survive such devastating information.”

Devika laughed into her tea.

Shravan looked at Ayaan warmly.

“And my brother is absolutely right.”

“I am free-spirited.”

He picked up a sandwich and placed it onto Ayaan’s plate.

“But my way happens to involve business.”

He pushed the plate closer.

“And diamonds.”

Another sandwich.

“And luxury brands.”

Another.

“And billion-dollar mergers.”

Ayaan stared at his growing plate in disbelief.

Shravan beamed.

“So please don’t stress yourself worrying about me.”

He gently patted Ayaan’s shoulder.

“Eat more, brother. You look tense.”

Devika melted instantly.

“Oh my god.”

She grabbed Rajiv’s arm.

“Look at them.”

“Our sons are adorable.”

Rajiv stared at both of them before sighing.

“You’re right, Devika.”

Ayaan forced a smile while silently glaring at the sandwich on his plate.

The breakfast table slowly returned to normal conversation, with Devika discussing an upcoming charity gala while Rajiv checked a few messages.

As if Shravan’s future hadn’t just been decided over breakfast.

Shravan lazily leaned back in his chair before suddenly looking at his father.

“Oh, and father?”

Rajiv looked up.

“Yes?”

Shravan smiled innocently.

“Set a meeting date with my fiancé.”

Ayaan’s hand froze.

Devika blinked.

Rajiv raised an eyebrow.

“You want to meet him?”

Shravan shrugged.

“Well obviously.”

He smirked.

“I need to see if he’s actually worth marrying.”

Then he casually added,

“Maybe next month.”

Rajiv stared at his son before letting out a quiet sigh.

“Very well.”

Shravan smiled and continued eating like he hadn’t just dropped another bombshell.

Soon, breakfast came to an end, and everyone returned to their usual routines.

Rajiv Mehra left for House of Mehra headquarters.

Shravan followed shortly after. Though he was the future heir, he had chosen to start from the creative side of the company after completing his studies in fashion design. He currently worked as a designer under House of Mehra, where he spent most of his time creating luxury collections while occasionally involving himself in business matters.

Meanwhile, Ayaan, who was one year younger than Shravan, left for the final year of his master’s degree in business.

By noon, Shravan had already grown bored of reviewing design sketches and sitting through meetings.

The moment his lunch break started, he walked straight toward the private employee café inside House of Mehra headquarters.

Keerthi was already there, scrolling through her phone while drinking iced coffee.

His childhood best friend.

His assistant.

And unfortunately, one of the most dramatic people he knew.

The moment she saw him, she waved excitedly.

“Sugarr!”

Shravan dropped into the seat across from her.

“Oyi… Kiki.”

Keerthi narrowed her eyes.

“You look suspicious.”

Shravan leaned back dramatically.

“I have something important to tell you.”

Her eyes widened.

“Oh my god.”

She gasped.

“You hit someone?”

Shravan stared at her.

“…No.”

Keerthi leaned closer.

“Ohhhh.”

“Did you sleep with some ridiculously hot guy?”

Shravan nearly choked on his drink.

“No, you pervert.”

He sighed.

“My marriage got fixed.”

Keerthi froze.

“…what got fixed?”

Shravan blinked.

“My marriage "

Keerthi slammed her drink on the table.

“WHAT?!”

Several employees turned to look.

Shravan calmly continued eating dessert.

“Please lower your voice.”

Keerthi looked horrified.

“My sugar is getting married?”

Shravan deadpanned.

“You’re reacting like I’ve been diagnosed with something.”

Keerthi ignored him.

“Is he hot?”

Shravan shrugged.

“I don’t know.”

“What do you mean you don’t know?”

“It’s a business marriage.”

She blinked.

“…what?”

“He’s Adrian Laurent.”

Keerthi nearly stood up.

“The Laurent family?”

Shravan nodded.

“They have insane business influence.”

Keerthi stared at him.

“I thought you said you’d only marry someone you actually wanted.”

Shravan lazily stirred his drink.

“I did.”

He smiled faintly.

“But my ideal man probably doesn’t exist.”

Then he casually grabbed her fries.

“So I’ll settle for business.”

Keerthi looked personally offended.

“You’re insane.”

Shravan grinned.

“I know.”

Keerthi narrowed her eyes at him before suddenly leaning across the table.

“Actually…”

Shravan raised an eyebrow.

“I do think a man like your ideal type exists.”

Shravan looked unimpressed.

“Oh?”

Keerthi lowered her voice dramatically.

“I heard there’s a man called Kaesar Voss.”

Shravan paused mid-bite.

Keerthi continued excitedly,

“When people describe him, I always think—damn…”

She pointed at him.

“Isn’t that literally Sugar’s type?”

Shravan immediately spat out his coffee.

“Girl—”

He grabbed a napkin.

“Do you even know who the Voss family is?”

Keerthi blinked.

“Obviously?”

Shravan leaned forward.

“They’re not just some powerful business family.”

He lowered his voice.

“They’re literally the unannounced rulers of the world.”

Keerthi stared.

Shravan continued dramatically,

“My family is influential.”

“The Laurent family is influential.”

“But this is Voss.”

He leaned back.

“That family could probably destroy entire industries for fun.”

Keerthi dramatically whispered,

“That makes him hotter.”

Shravan immediately pointed at her.

“Exactly.”

He leaned back in his chair with zero shame.

“Sure, fuck it does.”

Keerthi burst into laughter.

Shravan casually sipped his coffee.

“I love men who make people submissive.”

He sighed dramatically.

“Unfortunately, not many people have actually seen him.”

Keerthi shook her head.

“Your taste in men concerns me.”

Shravan smiled proudly.

“My taste is elite.”

Keerthi rolled her eyes before leaning forward again.

“Okay, forget your fantasy Man.”

She narrowed her eyes.

“What about your fiancé?”

Shravan hummed thoughtfully.

“Adrian…”

He tapped his fingers against the table.

“Hmmm… he’s not bad.”

Keerthi raised an eyebrow.

“Oh?”

Shravan shrugged casually.

“I mean… he’s definitely hot.”

Keerthi gasped dramatically.

“That’s all?”

Shravan continued sipping his coffee.

“And I heard he’s good at business.”

He smirked.

“So I’d say he’s worthy.”

Keerthi leaned closer.

“I heard he sleeps around.”

Shravan lazily twirled his spoon.

“I heard that rumor too.”

Keerthi frowned.

“And you’re okay with that?”

Shravan leaned back.

“Think about it.”

“If we marry, my business influence grows even more.”

He smiled lazily.

“I don’t need help…”

He paused dramatically.

“But why would I let go of such a golden opportunity?”

Keerthi stared at him.

“You sound terrifying.”

He stood up after glancing at the time.

“And about his nasty habit…”

His smile turned slightly dangerous.

“I’ll have a talk with him.”

He picked up his files.

“Oh.”

“And lunch break is over.”

“Let’s go work.”

Keerthi looked personally offended.

“Hmmm…”

“Ahhh…”

“WORK?”

She slowly stood up.

“Yeah… let’s work.”

Shravan giggled.

“Heheh.”

At the headquarters of Obsidian Crown Enterprises, Adrian Laurent stood outside the private office of Kaesar Voss.

For the first time in his life—

he was nervous.

Adrian had heard countless rumors about Kaesar.

A man powerful enough to control governments.

A man feared by billionaires.

A man who destroyed companies overnight.

And now—

Adrian had to meet him personally regarding an upcoming business partnership.

He adjusted his suit before the large doors slowly opened.

The moment he stepped inside, a chill ran down his spine.

The office was dark.

Cold.

Silent.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city, yet the room somehow felt suffocating.

And seated at the center of it all was Kaesar Voss.

His sharp features looked even more intimidating in person.

He didn’t even bother looking up immediately.

Then his deep rough voice cut through the silence.

“Sit.”

Adrian immediately obeyed.

The meeting began.

Kaesar was direct.

Cold.

Efficient.

No unnecessary words.

By the time the discussion ended, Adrian felt mentally exhausted.

But he didn’t want to leave yet.

Getting close to Kaesar Voss would be a massive advantage.

Adrian forced a smile.

“I recently got engaged.”

Kaesar showed no reaction.

“Hm.”

Adrian awkwardly laughed.

“You might know him.”

That finally made Kaesar glance at him.

“The person famous for his beauty…”

Adrian smirked slightly.

“Shravan Mehra.”

For the first time—

Kaesar showed visible interest.

“Shravan…”

Adrian smiled.

“Yes.”

“From the Mehra family in India.”

“They’re hoping to expand further into England.”

He chuckled lightly.

“And now that I think about it…”

“I heard Mrs. Voss was originally from India as well.”

Silence.

The temperature in the room somehow felt even colder.

Adrian’s smile slowly disappeared.

Kaesar’s gaze turned terrifyingly sharp.

When he finally spoke—

his voice was calm.

Which made it even worse.

“Do not use my family…”

He slowly stood.

“…as a conversation tool for your personal benefit.”

Adrian’s face paled.

Kaesar stepped closer.

“And don’t mistake basic professionalism…”

His eyes darkened.

“…for friendship.”

Adrian froze.

Kaesar’s final words shattered whatever confidence Adrian had left.

“Know your place, Mr. Laurent.”

Adrian left that office questioning every life decision he had ever made.

Later that night, Adrian sat inside a private VIP section of an upscale bar with a group of close friends.

Alcohol flowed freely as loud music echoed around them.

One of his friends leaned forward excitedly.

“So?”

“How was it?”

Adrian lazily drank his whiskey.

“What?”

“The meeting.”

His friend lowered his voice dramatically.

“With Kaesar Voss.”

The table immediately grew curious.

Another friend leaned in.

“Yeah.”

“Is he really as terrifying as people say?”

Adrian scoffed loudly.

“Terrifying?”

He rolled his eyes.

“My foot.”

He poured himself another drink.

“My dad is scarier than that guy.”

His friends burst into laughter.

Adrian smirked, trying to look completely unfazed despite the fact that Kaesar had nearly made him piss himself earlier.

One of his friends suddenly changed the topic.

“Forget Voss.”

He grinned wickedly.

“You’re the real lucky one here.”

Adrian raised an eyebrow.

“Oh?”

“Shravan Mehra.”

The group immediately started laughing.

“Damn.”

“That face…”

“That body…”

“You seriously hit the jackpot.”

Another friend leaned closer.

“Don’t forget your brothers once you marry him.”

He smirked shamelessly.

“Let us enjoy the view too.”

The group burst into hysterical laughter.

Adrian smirked arrogantly.

“Relax.”

He swirled his drink.

“After I get my first taste…”

His grin widened.

“You all can admire him too.”

The group erupted into louder laughter—

completely unaware someone nearby had heard everything.

Later that night, Ayaan was in his room preparing notes when his phone buzzed.

It was a message from his friend studying in England.

Rohan:

Bro… isn’t this your brother’s fiancé?

Ayaan frowned and opened the attached video.

The footage was shaky, clearly recorded inside a crowded bar.

And then he saw Adrian.

Laughing with his friends.

Ayaan’s expression slowly darkened as he listened.

“Shravan Mehra.”

“Damn… you got lucky.”

“That face…”

“That body…”

“Don’t forget your friends after marriage.”

Then Adrian laughed.

“Relax.”

He raised his drink.

“After I get my first taste…”

His smirk widened.

“You all can admire him too.”

The group burst into laughter.

The video ended.

Silence filled Ayaan’s room.

For a moment—

he felt furious.

How dare Adrian disrespect Shravan like that?

But then another thought entered his mind.

A much darker one.

Ayaan stared at Shravan’s contact name on his phone.

Then at the video again.

Shravan always had everything.

The family’s love.

The title of heir.

The beauty everyone admired.

And now—

even this marriage alliance.

Ayaan replayed Adrian’s words again.

Slowly…

a smile appeared on his face.

This video could ruin everything.

And for the first time—

Ayaan didn’t know whether he wanted to protect Shravan…

or destroy what Shravan had.