A/N: A slightly longer wait for this chapter, but I'm very sure you'll enjoy it.

***

The car ride to the office was silent. When Rohit had settled the business with the tapes, Shreya was already at in driver's seat waiting for him. He couldn't help but notice the puffy eyes and the fact that she had touched up her makeup. Shreya had been crying. Rohit was more convinced that he should have murdered Deepak there and then on Saturday. It would have saved them the hassle of going through this.

"Turn into the lobby," Rohit told Shreya. "The valet will park your car."

Shreya did as she was told and handed the valet the keys. Shreya was a bit confused when Rohit led her into his office rather than the meeting room. When she got there, he pulled out two cup noodles from his drawer. She couldn't help but laugh.

"Is the owner of THE Sehgal Group too poor to get takeout?" Shreya joked.

Rohit had to laugh along. He was so glad she wasn't feeling sad anymore.

"Don't judge," he retorted. "There are days when I miss my instant noodles, ok?"

Rohit got up and prepared the noodles. As they waited for the noodles, Rohit showed her around. What struck Shreya the most was the lack of personal touch. There wasn't an inch of the office that didn't scream "luxurious modern deco". He was right when he said he wanted her to do his office. It was just so impersonal.

Yet, when they dug into their noodles, Rohit felt at home with her. A sense of protectiveness overwhelmed him, he was going to make sure no one hurt Shreya again.

***

When she arrived, Tania was surprised to find a different car parked in Rohit's spot. Curiosity got the best out of her and she had to ask the valet.

"Mr. Sehgal arrived with Miss Kapoor," the valet informed.

So, Shreya was sitting in on this meeting. This was going to be interesting.

Tania had been around enough times to know where the meeting room is. When she found it empty, she figured Rohit was still in his office. She took a look at her watch and realized she was still a bit early. So, instead of waiting alone in the meeting room, she walked over to Rohit's office.

Tania was aware of Shreya's presence but she had never expected the view that greeted her. Rohit was absentmindedly holding a cup noodle in his hand while hoovering over Shreya who had her laptop out. At one point, she swore Rohit had rested his chin on top of Shreya's head. Deciding she has had enough, she moved back to the empty meeting room.

She had sat in silence for almost a full 10 minutes when the door opened. Expecting it to be the couple, her eyes widen at the sight of Deepak.

"Why are you here?" Tania spat at him, offering no formalities.

"Hello to you too," he mocked.

"This is the Sehgal Group's HQ," she continued. "You're not supposed to be here."

"Really?" Deepak chuckled."Because your boyfriend was the one who invited me. Wait, let me rephrase that. It's because your boyfriend's new girlfriend asked for me and so your boyfriend invited me."

That wasn't right? Rohit invited him?

Tania had known both the men since they were kids. Although her family was hardly as prestigious as theirs, they ran in similar circles. Tania was sure that with their given histories, Rohit would never in a million years invite anyone from the Arora family into any property he owned.

Maybe Shreya was right? Had Rohit really changed?

Her answer would have to wait as Rohit and Shreya finally made their way into the meeting room.

Rohit had ushered Shreya into a seat next to him which meant Tania had to sit opposite him, next to Deepak.

Deepak shot Shreya a friendly smile but was met by a cold, icy look instead. That look didn't slide by Tania and she was now very curious about the agenda.

***

Word had gotten back to Nandini Sehgal that Deepak Arora was in the Sehgal Group's HQ. Although she had stepped back from her duties, she still held a substantial power.

What in the world was Rohit thinking?

The Aroras and the Sehgals had been rivals for a very long time, had Rohit forgotten the and animosity between their families? What if Deepak had stumbled upon some trade secret or did something that will harm the corporation?

She had given her word to Rohit that she would look after her granddaughter and she would. Nandini instructed her driver to get the car ready while she got the girl.

Nandini Sehgal was going to get to the bottom of this and sort this mess out.

***

When Rohit noticed the cold exchange between Shreya and Deepak, he couldn't help but feel slightly victorious.

"Thank you for coming at such a short notice," he spoke. "It's a school night and I saw Aarav waiting outside so I'm going to make this very quick."

Rohit pulled out his laptop, plugged in the USB from the security firm and played the video. He flipped it around for Tania and Deepak.

Tania was confused but the other three people in the room knew exactly what happened. Upon closer inspection, she recognized the car to be the same one parked in Rohit's spot. That was Shreya's car. She then took a look at the time stamp. This was on the day of the fashion show. Suddenly, all the pieces came together.

"You tricked me!" Tania snapped at Deepak. "I can't believe this!"

Deepak's jaw tensed, he had been overconfident with his plan and had underestimated Rohit's abilities. He should have made that recording disappeared while he could.

"What's done is done," Rohit said to Tania in an attempt to calm her down. "There's nothing else you can do."

Adversely, that caused Tania to storm out of the room.

"From now on," Shreya spoke, her voice was emotionless. "I'm terminating your legal services. I understand Kavya and Aarav are friends and I won't stop them. But if you so much as think about hurting Kavya, you're going to have hell to pay."

"You don't have to worry about that," Deepak informed Shreya. "I'm a parent too, I understand."

This nice guy play wasn't going to work for Shreya but for her daughter's sake she accepted it.

Suddenly, the meeting door burst open.

"Yeh kya ho raha hai (What's going on?)"

Nandini Sehgal in her regality stood at threshold of the meeting room.

"Ma," Rohit greeted while Shreya respectfully addressed her with a "ma'am".

Deepak was the only one who stood there unaffected and honestly, not in the mood for pleasantries.

"Rohit?" Nandini questioned. "What is the meaning of this?"

"We're just sorting out some personal business," he answered.

Deepak wanted to laugh at the scene in front of him. Rohit, despite being the 'ruthless businessman' he's known as, is actually terrified of his mother. A smug scoff escaped his lips.

Nandini's attention then shifted to him.

"Deepak Arora," Nandini inspected. "I haven't seen you in awhile. Didn't your father teach you basic manners to be respectful when your elders are speaking? How do you expect to teach your son that way?"

"I only respect those who respect others or have self respect," Deepak rebutted. "And you, Nandini Sehgal, have none."

In a flash, Rohit had crossed the room and pinned Deepak against the wall.

"I dare you to say that again," Rohit barked.

In defense, Deepak pushed back, pinning Rohit to the adjacent wall.

"If you knew half of what your mother did," Deepak revealed. "You wouldn't be defending her. Should we start with the fact she and my father had an illicit relationship and had you? Or that she was the one behind the recording during the custody court case? Or perhaps after your car crash, she fed you lies and threatened Shreya into leaving you?"

"What?"

A young, soft voice broke the intense silence. Just beyond the threshold, standing behind Nandini was Kavya and Aarav.

***

A/N: Kitty pushes the cup off the table, it crashes into the floor, the cup shatters and MAJOR TEA BEEN SPILT!

Let me know if you're happy with that revelation while this author attempts to clean up the mess. Thanks kitty. 🤣🤣🤣