Ishita's POV:

Three weeks have passed smoothly, Goel industries have invested their money as promised and I had brought the medicines and equipment to India soon they would be distributed. The campaign that Armaan asked me to design personally was also ready, I made it for female health awareness for breast cancer, birth control, and other camps for blood donation and free vaccination for HIV, malaria, and hepatitis. To avoid his presence around me I sent it to his office handing it to his PA, Yash Agnihotri.

I was in a meeting with Raj Kund's investors of the greenhouse plant and textile manufacturers who were complaining to me that his sudden uninterest in business affairs was causing losses. I nod to their words and listened silently without uttering a single word because they want to me to shut down the plant which I'm not going to do because who doesn't like extra income. My phone buzzed with my mother's name flashing, answering the call I excused myself.

"Ishita... are you busy will you be able to make it up to Oberoi Mansion? I don't want to go there alone..." she asked from the other side. "Sure mom, don't worry I don't have much work today. I will be there..." ending the call I continued the meeting. They informed me that Rajkund is on a vacation with Kashika while Vikram is handling the work in textile manufacturing. This is the opportunity to turn the tables and I won't let it slip through my hands.

"Gentlemen, I'm extremely sorry to hear my father's carelessness. You all are eminent investors and have been part of the Mehra Groups ever since my grandfather laid the foundation. In his obliviousness to your queries, he has committed a very shameful act, but as the elder daughter of the family, I am always available to help you. Unfortunately, my father hasn't given me control of greenhouse plants or textile industries so it won't be possible for me to give you better options. But if I would have been the CEO then you might have got an immense amount of profit like the investors of pharma and real estate are getting..." they looked at me and nodded.

"Arvind Ji... if I'm saying anything wrong you can point it out because you're one of the investors in real estate." He nodded. "You're right Ishita. I have received double the amount invested that's why I had a hope in the greenhouse plants as many great things can be done through it..." other men looked at him agreeing with him. "I can't do anything for it as I don't have control over it but..." they looked at me "... you guys can... by voting out Vikram Malhotra and Rajkund Mehra. And choose me as the next CEO of textile and greenhouse plant..." they gave me a knowing look.

"A servant does not become a master by sitting on the master's chair. Vikram Malhotra can only be an employee but you're the investors and controller. You can change the future of the Mehra Groups by investing money and choosing the rightful owner." They gave me an impressive look as I'm their first and last hope. Rajkund Mehra, soon you will be hanging on my mercy and that day I will tell you how my mother felt with two young girls and an unfaithful husband. She could have gotten a divorce and lived her life, but she chose to raise me and now I'll drown you in your own blood.

"We will make his termination plan and suggest you as the next CEO of greenhouse and talk with the board members of textile manufacturing as well... Thank you for listening to us" one of them spoke while the other agreed with him and thank me. I spoke a few more words in their favor then my good words ran out I still need some good words for Antara Oberoi.

Giving the rest of the instructions to Priya I drove back home and changed into the clothes my mother chose for me. It was a green salwar suit with embroidery which I matched with green jewelry and silver scandal. Walking downstairs I saw a trembling Esha rubbing her hands together nervously, touching her shoulder she flinched. "Is your mother-in-law a monster who will attack the moment we step into her house?" she shook her head, "No... she will swallow you later when no one's around..." rubbing her back I comforted her, "You have me... this marriage will happen either with Antara Oberoi or without her..." her pupils expand. "Shh... mom's there if she heard you planning to kill my mother-in-law for the sake of my marriage, she will have a heart attack thinking about your mother-in-law..." scrunching my nose I slapped her arm playfully.

Mom wore a Banarasisaree with a small purse to carry her phone, "Ishita, we shouldn't go empty-handed take some boxes of sweets together..." I nodded looking down at my phone checking the news and ordered the driver to get it from a sweet shop. While checking the news my eyes caught attention about Aadesh Goel, his news was trending which could be the reason Armaan didn't contact me after our last... Um... nothing... but I wasn't waiting for him to contact me or was I?

"Di, I also want to go... I just want to make sure that nothing goes wrong... please" Esha pleaded. I looked at Mom and she denied, "No beta it's for your good, Antara won't like a girl coming to see the boy. What will I say if she points it out?". Esha nodded her head understanding the situation I rubbed her back and kissed her cheek "Don't worry I'll handle it". She sighed, "That's why I'm worried..." she chuckled seeing my twisted face, "I'm kidding I know you will handle it...". Mom and I left for Oberoi Mansion.

In the corner of my heart, I don't want my sister to get married in a family where her mother-in-law would mentally torture her. But still, I respect her choice and would try my best to convince her and make her love Esha so the thing can go smoothly in her life. On the other hand, I don't know how Rajkund will react to it as we don't want another of his drama.

The car stopped in front of a mansion with many plants and shrubs around, gatekeeper opened the door after getting instructions. Our car moved inside the royal mansion and stopped in front of the entrance. A woman in her mid-40s was standing there, behind her was a young girl nearly of Esha's age. Opening the car door for my mother I helped her get out she handed them the sweet box and as usual, they said it wasn't needed but took it eventually.

Joining my hands I smiled at the woman, she hesitantly smiled back "You might be the famous Ishita Mehra...". I grinned widely "Indeed I am..." she nodded her head in response. This interaction was weird, the girl came forward and invited us inside. It had a very royal yet cozy interior, maids came forward taking the sweet boxes and our bag from us, and helped us get inside the living room.

"Girl's father didn't come or is he on the way?" Antara asked the first question and my mom stopped me from saying anything because she knows this will not go well if I opened my mouth. "We are sorry for it but his father is a busy man, he's out on a business trip. He wanted to come but at the last minute, plans changed." Mom replied in a calm voice, she has become the best in it after hearing nonsense from our fake relatives for years. Antara mocked amusingly, "Shaadi pe to aaege na..." (Will he come on marriage?). Mom smiled awkwardly and glimpsed at me sitting there with a stern look, Antara added "Kartik might be on his way... something came up to him as well... but he won't miss something this important in his life" she left a light laugh at her sarcasm. Am I the only one feeling that she's a bitch?

Mom smiled at her comment and they chatted for a while asking about where they are originally from and blah blah blah. It was so boring that I pulled out my phone to check on some work, a servant came and served some snacks and tea. I don't like heavy-fried snacks so I took plain banana chips and some tea. Kartik walked inside talking to someone on his phone wearing a blue three-piece suit with an expensive Rolex. He has smoky gunmetal eyes, jet black hair, a trimmed beard, and is nicely groomed. My sister does have a taste, he bent down touching his mother, my mother's feet and came forward to touch mine but I stopped him. "You're making me feel old..." I shook my hand with him. He smiled shyly and sits back next to his mother. Asking about the snack he asked to bring two black coffee and passed one to me as I didn't touch much of anything neither tea nor snacks.

This is surely my sister's learning as she knows I like black coffee or tea without sugar. It's not because I'm a sugar-conscious or diabetic patient it's because my insides are dark and bitter. Mom chatted with Kartik he replied single sentence answers keeping an eye on his mother. Antara turned to me, "Ishita, so you handle most of the business as I heard your father introduced a new guy in the business does he have any issues with you. I just asking as we are going to be a family and should know about each other..." I don't want to lie. Mom glimpsed at me but I did what I felt was right, "Yes... you're quite observative and that's right, the relationship between my father and I isn't good enough as we both have a different opinion on the business. My father still wants the business to be a man's world but I don't... as I believe in equality and new ideas for the business as the world is growing rapidly, we should adapt to the change..." I sort of hit her orthodox nature as well.

Antara smiled, "Well... your confidence is good but still somewhere girls need to step back to protect their character as people love to throw dirt. Once a girl loses her character there is no going back." I know what people say about me when I stepped into this world it was harsh to me as well but I never lowered my self-esteem. Antara added when I didn't say anything, "You're the eldest daughter right and Esha is two years younger than you. Shouldn't you be the one married first? Is there any complication with it? Kartik has a cousin brother who could be the best fit for you. He's a builder and has worked as a contractor for many big mansions one of Oberoi hotels is constructed by him. He's a sweet guy you should meet him if you're single..." My mom looked at me pleadingly, not wanting to ruin this so-called alliance. 

I left a small smile to cover my venom, "Men are assholes, only you got a nice well-mannered son who's sitting here for his mother's approval to marry one or other men of his age inform their family after getting their girlfriends pregnant so I prefer to be single and happy..." taking a big sip from my coffee it calmed my nerve. Antara was taken back she choked on her tea and faked a smile covering it up, "You're right... I do have got a well-mannered son... and you should marry whenever you want or after finding the right one." She caressed his son's cheeks. The rest of the meeting got well and Antara avoided me which made the interaction much better.

Getting back home an excited Esha jumped on us asking about everything but I was a little tired so I got into the shower and changed to my casual getting inside the bed. Shouldn't you be the one married first? Is there any complication with it? Antara wasn't wrong in her place. A girl is considered stable in life after getting married according to society which includes women like Antara. Even if she becomes the richest person without getting married, she is not considered stable. But no one talks about finance, dreams, or goals, after marriage life only roams around a man who is knotted with you as your husband. Closing my eyes, I calmed myself, I wish they keep my sister happy with love and care. She stayed away from family issues and didn't get along much but for me, she's my little sister who deserves every happiness in her life. 

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