Payal with a smirk on her face moved closer to Shyam and slapped him so hard that even her hand started burning.

Shyam yelped in pain with tears cascading down his cheeks.

"Payalji.....Why are you doing this ? " Shyam cried like a baby.

"Why!? ....... You ask..... Then listen. " Payal gritted the words through her teeth and pulled Shyam's hair. "You deceived by family...... Harassed my baby sister and even when she is now married you are still stalking her......... This and more torture to come is you punishment for your deceit and you will wish you were dead." Payal concluded and let go off his hair.

A confused Shyam looked up at Payal.

"Why do you care what I do with Khushi?....... Didn't you betray her? " Shyam uttered in curiosity and fear seeing this devilish side of Payal.

"I betrayed and lied about you to protect her and execute my plans...... And don't ask me what it is because you will still find out soon or not because I can decide to kill you today and no one will care....... So you better be a good boy or I will order them to kill you. " Payal said and walked away after asking her men to give himself some more special treatment.

RM.

Payal entered together with Natasha while holding a lot of shopping bags and laughing at something.

Mami, Anjali and Nani were sitting in the hall having tea when Payal and Natasha entered with the shopping bags and gave it to Hari Prakash to place it in their respective rooms.

Anjali was burning in jealousy and envy at how freely Payal went shopping when her accounts and credit cards has been blocked as a punishment because of the argument she had with Payal.

She wanted to go shopping for tomorrow's fashion and flaunt to her friends but lo and behold she had to do with her old clothes and was lucky to find one she hadn't worn before.

Nani was also furious when Akash cut her off and just like Anjali, her cards and accounts had been blocked.

She hated the way Payal had Akash wrapped around her fingers and was beginning to miss Arnav  who never questioned her and Anjali's ridiculous sending habits but with Akash he was stingy and always made them feel like they were free loaders.

Mami who didn't want to be in the bad books of Payal kept quiet and silently watched as Payal walked past them with a victorious smile on her face and her head held high. She knew messing with Payal will be the end of her getting money from Akash.

"If I had know she would have been this cunning and manipulative then I wouldn't have agree to this marriage....... She hasn't even been married for a month and she is now dictating for Akash and like a fool in love he doesn't care about cutting us off financially just to please her. " Nani said in anger and disgust and Anjali nodded.

"You are absolutely right Nani...... She is a gold digger in disguise like her sister Khushi...... I miss my chote..... At least he will never allow me wear and old outfit to such prestigious gathering. " Anjali complained.

"Hello hi bye bye...... You better lower your voice of else if she hears you then she will tell Akash and you will be kicked out..... I better leave before you two drag me into this. " Mami said and walked briskly to her room leaving Nani and Anjali behind.

Both stood up to leave when they turned only to find Payal with her arms crossed and Natasha standing behind her looking at them and they both panicked and run away from there.

Both laughed seeing their scared expression.

"You are very good Payal..... See how scared they are of you. " Natasha laughed.

"They thought I will be the silent in law who will endure their stupid whims and abuse and not stand up for myself........ This is just the beginning or their humiliation." Payal said in anger and walked away with Natasha to the kitchen.

Arshi's House.

Khushi and Arnav were cuddled with each other and eating popcorn  whilst watching money heist when the door bell rang.

Both looked at each other confused because Mr Roy and Aman will never ring the bell since they were now leaving with them had their own spare keys.

"Arnavji....... Are you expecting someone? " Khushi asked and Arnav shook his head no and stood up and move to the door as Khushi waited in the hall and was about to pop a couple of popcorn in her mouth when she heard Arnav bellow in anger making her flinch and she rushed to the door only to find Arnav fuming in anger and followed his gaze only to find NK and Manohar with their head bowed.

"What the hell are you to doing here? " Arnav asked in anger.

"Nannav..... Please don't be angry we just wanted to talk to you and Khushiji. " Nk replied in a hurt voice because this is the first time Arnav had spoken to him in such manner.

"I want nothing to do with you people so please leave. " Arnav bellowed making all of them flinch and that was when Nk and Manohar realised their silence has done a bigger damage in the trust Arnav had in them than they thought before.

Manohar looked up to find Khushi behind Arnav.

"Khushi bitiya...... Please listen to us. " Manohar begged and that was when Arnav realised her presence.

"Am sorry Mr Raizada...... I and my husband have nothing to listen from you and your nephew here...... You made you choice when you stood in silence as your son snatched my husband's hard work and my so called best friend doubted me and even questioned me...... I stand by my husband....... And I think it better for the two of you to leave. " Khushi said shocking all especially Arnav who thought Khushi's selflessness will make him give in to Manohar and Nk's demand.

Nk was hurt that Khushi was asking them to leave and so was Manohar who thought Khushi will make Arnav let them in and they can do what the came here to do.

Manohar sighed in defeat but was happy Khushi was standing by her husband.

"Am sorry if I disturbed the two of you...... I just wanted to apologize for my silence that day........ It wasn't because I sided with Akash........ I was just in shock at the allegations on Khushi and Akash and the family's betrayal....... I never chose Akash over you Arnav...... Just because he is my son doesn't mean I will stand by his wrongdoings....... Am sorry if I disappointed you in anyway. " Manohar said with is voice laced with pain and regret.

"Am also sorry Nannav, Khushiji...... It's just that I couldn't believe Shyam was capable of lying especially when everything made sense and even Payal and your mother and aunt supported him...... I was just so confused...... But after a lot of thinking I realised Shyam was a fraud and your family probably agreed with him to save Payal's marriage....... Am sorry if I hurt you both..... " Nk apologized and he walked out of the house with Manohar to their car and drove off.

Arnav closed the door after they disappeared and turned and hugged Khushi.

"I don't trust them Khushi..... What if they are in cahoots with Akash? " Arnav said as he broke the hug.

"Even I don't trust them but they sounded honest about it...... And I think I kind of went too far. " Khushi voiced out her regret of being harsh on them.

"Don't feel bad that you were harsh on them..... They deserved it and until I am absolutely sure I can trust them...... We must not let them closer to us........." Arnav said and Khushi nodded "When are you meeting Payal?" Arnav asked.

"After the fashion show...... And she has to also know about her step mother's crimes before the arrests are made. " Khushi replied and both went back to the hall and continued with their series.

RM.

Manohar and Nk got home only to find the entire family having their dinner and they looked at them in disgust.

This didn't go unnoticed by all as Manohar and Nk sat down to have their dinner.

Akash cleared his throat gaining everyone's attention.

"Well as you all know..... Tomorrow is the fashion show which will put my enemies and critics to shame when they see my designs and when I win the competition...... I want all of you to dress your best because all eyes will be on us..... Tomorrow I prove to the world that I am better than Arnav. " Akash boasted and Payal cringed inward but put on a smile and Nk and Manohar rolled their eyes at his statement.

Nani, Anjali and Mami were happy about how they are going to flaunt tomorrow.

" Akash......Don't count you eggs until they hatch ....... Your designs maybe good but don't forget about Antar........ I know they will leave no stone unturned to be the best because they are the best after Arnav and not you. " Manohar said and Akash fumed in anger and stood up from the table and left.

"Hello hi bye bye....... Is Arnav your son or Akash...... I believe in my son and that all that matters. " Mami said annoyed.

" Manohar......Stop supporting Arnav because he is not worth it..... He betrayed us for that whore..... He don't deserve your love...... Instead of supporting Akash you are against him. " Nani said in anger and disappointment.

"And because he is my son that why am not in support of his wrong doings...... This Akash is not my son but he is someone else....... A hypocrite who cleverly deceived us all with his quiet nature...... I don't know him...... You better let him know that Karma is real and what goes around comes around....... His critics are waiting to bounce on him if he doesn't win and I know he won't win....... Stop giving him false hope...... He is digging his grave without even knowing. " Manohar yelled and stood up and left having enough of their stupidity.

"You know something...... I believe Khushi is innocent and Shyam is the fraud...... Where is he now? ....... Let me guess on one of his so called trips or in bed with one of his numerous lovers. " Nk said and Anjali fumed in anger.

"Enough Nk..... I won't let you disrespect my husband..... He is working hard for me and here you are doubting him. " Anjali yelled and Payal scoffed turning everyone's attention on her.

"Really..... He is working hard and yet leeching off my husband's money...... Anjali fumed hearing her taunt and was about to retort. " And before you dare insult me remember I can kick you on the streets in a blink of an eye...... So don't try. " Turning to Natasha. "Come on Natasha...... We had to prepare for tomorrow. " She concluded and walked out with Natasha trailing behind and Nk followed next.

"Did you see that Nani...... She dare threaten me...... I will make her pay dearly for this. " Anjali said in anger and limped away to her room leaving Nani and Mami behind.

They both finished their dinner in silence and walked to their respective room waiting for tomorrow.

The Next Day.

The entire Raizada family, Garima and Madhumati got to the fashion show and sat down as the show began. The entire media houses in India were there and so was top investor, celebrities and politicians and well known people  in attendance.

Every fashion house present there were busy getting their models ready.

All eyes was on Akash who was basking in his new found fame and attention as the media took pictures of him but he was sad Payal refused to be by his side because he wanted to finally use this opportunity to introduce her to the world but Payal refused and almost suffered an anxiety attack which caused Akash to face the media alone not knowing to was the beginning of his downfall.

While Akash was loving the media attention he was getting, a black Escalade pulled up at the venue and out of it emerged ASR himself in all his glory looking dashingly handsome in his tuxedo.

The media immediately shifted their attention to Arnav who smirked seeing Akash fuming in anger and walked pass him and took his seat ignoring questions from the media about his life after leaving AR and Khushi's absence.

The emcee of the fashion show took the stage with his microphone in his hand making everyone silent.

"Ladies and Gentlemen...... I welcome all of you to India Fashion Show Competition where the best fashion houses are chosen to compete for the ultimate prize of the best fashion house award...... Will AR win again like it has in the last five consecutive years under ASR or loss miserably under it new boss Akash Singh Raizada ........ We will all see soon...... So let the show begin. " The emcee concluded and Akash fumed in anger as the DJ started the music and the fashion houses started showcasing their designs.

After five fashion houses showcased their designs it was Akash's turn and to tell you the truth it was very beautiful and good.

And finally Natasha's showstopper.

Akash smiled seeing the judges nodded at his designs and was sure he will surely win.

It was finally the turn of Antar Designs and out came it flawless designs which awed not only the judges but the audience and even Akash. Who began sweating seeing the beautiful and designs showcased by Antar.

He immediately knew he wasn't going to win against such extraordinary and gorgeous designs but his ego won't accept defeat easily.

After Antar was done and a few minutes of deliberation among the judges, the emcee took the stage with results in his hand.

"This fashion competition since it began has been the most difficult to judge because of the good designs showcased here today...... But after much deliberation....... We finally have a winner........ At third place is Tanya Malhotra Fashion House. " The emcee announced and Tanya came on stage and accepted her trophy with bride and honor. "At second place is Ashish Bhanot Fashion House. " And Mr Bhonot came on stage and accepted his trophy. " Now we are down to three fashion houses...... AR fashion house, Antar Fashion House and Rawat Fashion House....... Who will the winner be....... " The emcee paused and everyone was biting their nails waiting for the winner to be announced.

Akash stood up with pride and was about to move to the stage when what the emcee said next stopped him in his track.

"The winner is Antar Fashion House. " The emcee yelled with joy and confetti flew in the air. " Please let's welcome the owner of Antar fashion House....... Mrs Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizadaaaaaa. " He announced shocking Akash and the entire Raizada and Gupta family.

And they all looked up on the stage to see Khushi looking drop dead gorgeous in her outfit.

To be continued.

Here is another update.
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