Anshika's POV

The sun peeked through the curtains, casting a warm, gentle glow that slowly brought me out of sleep. Today was the day we'd been waiting for—the beginning of the 15-day business event, something that could be a game-changer for everyone attending. I could feel the rush of anticipation building up inside me as I rolled out of bed, my feet hitting the cold floor.

I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for what was to come. Today was going to be crucial, and I needed to stay sharp. After getting dressed in a simple yet elegant outfit, I headed downstairs to the dining area. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, and I could see my family already gathered around the table, discussing the event.

Arjun looked up from his cup of coffee as I approached. "Morning, sis," he said, flashing a grin. "Are you ready for the big day?"

I smirked, grabbing a piece of toast. "As ready as I'll ever be. I'm sure there are plenty of people eager to see how this plays out."

Arjun chuckled. "I heard it's not just business this time—there are going to be all sorts of activities, maybe even challenges. It's like they're testing us in every possible way."

I raised an eyebrow. "Sounds intriguing, but also exhausting."

Arjun shrugged, taking a sip of his coffee. "Well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see. By the way, I'll be there too."

I almost choked on my toast. "Wait, what? Weren't you joking yesterday?"

"Nah," he said casually, as if it were no big deal. "Apparently, they invited a few younger siblings to participate. I got the email this morning. Guess I'm in it now too."

I blinked, taking a moment to process what he'd said. "Well, that's... unexpected." I sighed, realising this event was going to be more complex than I initially thought. "Guess I'll have to keep an eye on you, then."

Arjun laughed. "Or maybe I'll keep an eye on you."

Aman's POV

The morning had been a whirlwind of final checks and preparations. I wanted everything to be perfect because I knew this event wasn't just a simple gathering—it was a battleground. I finished buttoning up my shirt, grabbed my blazer, and stepped out of my room. The mansion was buzzing with energy, but my mind was on one thing: winning.

As I walked down the hallway, I saw Riya pacing near the staircase, her phone in hand, texting rapidly. When she noticed me, she put her phone away and gave me a smile. "Morning, big brother. Are you ready to take on the world?"

I smirked. "Always am. What about you? You seem more excited than usual."

"Well, of course! I'm coming with you," she said, grinning widely. "They invited me as part of the younger sibling contingent. Can you believe that?"

I raised an eyebrow, surprised but also slightly amused. "Oh? Didn't expect that I thought you were lying the previous day. Guess it's going to be an interesting couple of weeks."

Riya laughed. "Oh C'mon You bet. I can't wait to see what kind of tasks they throw at us. Maybe I'll end up showing you how it's done."

I rolled my eyes, but there was a hint of a smile on my lips. "We'll see about that. Just try not to embarrass me."

Evening - The Gathering

The event was held at an expansive mansion on the outskirts of the city, far from the bustling urban landscape. It was a towering, grandiose structure with intricate architecture that seemed to have a life of its own. The mansion had an eerie, gothic charm, as if it were pulled straight out of an old, forgotten tale. The entrance was framed by stone pillars, and dim lanterns cast flickering shadows that danced across the pathway, giving the place a slightly ominous yet elegant feel.

The driveway was packed with sleek cars, each more luxurious than the last, signaling the arrival of some of the most powerful young business minds. The air was thick with a sense of competition, as everyone sized up their potential rivals for the next two weeks.

I walked in with Riya by my side, her hand tucked into the crook of my arm. We strode through the entrance, the double doors opening to reveal a grand hallway lit with chandeliers, the dim lighting casting shadows that added to the mysterious atmosphere. The walls were lined with portraits, eyes seeming to follow us as we walked past.

Inside, there were clusters of people, mingling and exchanging polite conversation. Waiters in black suits moved around, serving drinks on silver trays. I could hear snippets of conversations about upcoming projects, recent successes, and subtle jabs at competitors. It was clear that even though this was a social event, everyone had their game face on.

We made our way towards the centre of the room, and as I scanned the crowd, my eyes landed on her—Anshika. She was standing by the far side of the room, dressed in a striking outfit that made her look both formidable and elegant. Her brother, Arjun, was beside her, and as if on cue, she looked up and met my gaze.

For a moment, the room seemed to quiet down, the two of us locked in a silent, unspoken challenge. She raised an eyebrow, a subtle, confident smirk playing on her lips. I could feel Riya squeeze my arm slightly, as if to remind me to keep my composure. I responded with a slight nod, maintaining my stoic expression. This was going to be interesting.

Anshika's POV

The mansion was as grand and imposing as I had expected, if not more. As soon as Arjun and I stepped inside, I could feel the chill in the air, a stark contrast to the warm evening outside. The dimly lit chandeliers cast long shadows that stretched across the marble floors, giving the place a haunted, gothic feel. The decor was dark yet elegant, almost theatrical, as if setting the stage for the next two weeks of chaos.

I walked in, my arm linked with Arjun's. He was excited, though I could tell he was trying to keep it cool. "This place is massive," he whispered. "I feel like I'm in some old, haunted castle."

"Focus, Arjun," I muttered, my eyes scanning the room. "We're here for business, not sightseeing."

But as much as I tried to focus, it was hard not to notice the grandeur of the place, the subtle whispers of old money and power that lingered in the air. And then I saw him—Aman, standing at the other end of the room, his eyes fixed on me. He was walking in with his sister, Riya, who looked just as confident as he did.

Our eyes met, and for a split second, I forgot to breathe. It was like a silent dare, a promise that whatever happened next, neither of us was backing down. I straightened my posture, lifting my chin slightly, and returned his stare with equal intensity. This was not just a social gathering; this was a battleground, and I wasn't about to lose.

The room eventually fell silent as Meera Desai, one of the organisers, took the stage. She was an elegant woman, with a graceful presence that commanded attention. Beside her stood a man, sharply dressed, his demeanour calm yet authoritative. Meera cleared her throat, and her voice echoed through the hall.

"Good evening, everyone," she began, her smile warm but her eyes sharp. "Thank you all for joining us for this exclusive event. Over the next 15 days, we will not only explore new business opportunities but also push the limits of your endurance, creativity, and teamwork."

The man next to her stepped forward. "My name is Karan Malhotra," he introduced himself, his voice deep and resonant. "And I will be co-hosting this event with Meera. We have arranged a series of tasks and challenges that will test not just your business acumen but your ability to adapt, collaborate, and lead under pressure."

I exchanged a quick glance with Arjun, who was now listening intently. This was going to be more than just business; this was a chance to prove ourselves.

Meera continued, "The tasks will require you to work in teams of two. The pairs will be announced shortly, and these will be your partners for the entirety of the event. You will travel to various locations—mountains, hills, and more—facing unique challenges at each stop. So, make sure you have comfortable clothing and are prepared for a bit of adventure."

The room buzzed with whispers, and I could see the excitement and anxiety in the eyes of everyone around me. My mind was already racing, wondering who I'd be paired with.

"And now," Karan raised his glass, a smile spreading across his face, "let's toast to the beginning of what will be a memorable 15 days. May the best teams emerge victorious, and may you all have a time you'll never forget. Cheers!"

"Cheers!" The room echoed, and I lifted my glass, my gaze meeting Aman once more across the room.

The formalities were finally done, and I could sense the atmosphere in the mansion slowly shifting. The air that was once heavy with anticipation started to lighten as the guests began mingling, the sound of laughter and conversations filling the grand hall. The dim lighting, coupled with the dark, rich hues of the decor, still gave the place a mysterious vibe, but it felt more like a playground now—a playground for the elite, where alliances could be formed or shattered, all depending on how the night unfolded.

I spotted a group gathered around the large fireplace, animatedly discussing business deals, and another near the bar, raising their glasses and toasting to the event. I could see familiar faces from the industry, some of whom I had shared a stage with during past galas, others whom I had only heard stories about. Each one of them was here for the same reason—to make their presence known, to show their worth, and to keep an eye on their competitors.

I exchanged polite smiles and nods as I walked around, grabbing a glass of sparkling wine from a passing waiter. I could feel eyes on me, some curious, some challenging, but I had gotten used to that. It came with the territory. I glanced over at Arjun, who had found his way to a small group of young entrepreneurs, casually engaging in conversation. His relaxed posture contrasted sharply with the high stakes of the evening, but that was Arjun—cool, calm, and collected, no matter the situation.

I knew I had to make the rounds, greet a few key figures, but for now, I just wanted to enjoy the ambiance. The soft hum of jazz music played in the background, blending seamlessly with the chatter, and I took a moment to let it all sink in. This was just the beginning of what promised to be an intense couple of weeks, and I needed to be prepared for whatever came my way.

As I moved through the room, my eyes caught a flash of red, and I turned to see Isha approaching, a bright smile on her face. She was dressed in a stunning crimson dress that hugged her curves perfectly, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders. She looked like she belonged here, in the midst of all this opulence, and her confidence was infectious.

"There you are!" she exclaimed, wrapping me in a quick hug. "I've been looking all over for you. How's the evening treating you?"

I smiled, glad to see her. "So far, so good. You know how these things are—politics, alliances, and a lot of subtle stares. But it's going to be an interesting few days, that's for sure."

Isha's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh, I can't wait! I mean, who would've thought we'd be stuck in a mansion with some of the biggest names in the business world, forced to work together? This is like reality TV, but with million-dollar stakes!"

I laughed. "Yeah, something like that. I just hope I don't get paired with a total nightmare."

"Speaking of nightmares," Isha said, lowering her voice, "have you seen him yet?"

I didn't need to ask who she was referring to. My eyes automatically flicked over to where Aman was standing, his posture casual yet commanding, as if he owned the room. He was surrounded by a few other business figures, a glass of wine in his hand, his expression unreadable. Riya stood beside him, chatting animatedly, and for a moment, he looked down at her and smiled—a rare, genuine smile that I hadn't seen often.

"Yes, I saw him," I said, keeping my tone light. "And I'm not going to let him get under my skin tonight."

"That's my girl," Isha said, nudging me playfully. "Now, let's get another drink and enjoy the night

Aman's POV

The moment the formalities ended, the party kicked into high gear. The grand hall was suddenly alive with energy, the faint strains of jazz mingling with the laughter and chatter that echoed through the room. It was like a switch had been flipped, turning the evening from a serious gathering into a night of revelry. And I was going to make sure I enjoyed every moment of it.

I made my way to the bar, still holding Riya's hand, and ordered a drink for both of us. I could see that she was excited, her eyes twinkling as she took in the grandeur of the room. For Riya, this was more than just a business event—it was a chance to be part of something bigger, to see how the top players operated, and to learn from them. I admire that about her. She always looked for ways to grow, even when it was outside her comfort zone.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" I asked, leaning in so she could hear me over the noise.

She nodded, her smile wide. "This is amazing, Rudra. I mean, I knew it would be grand, but this..." She gestured around the room, her eyes wide with wonder. "It's like a movie."

I chuckled. "Yeah, it has that feel, doesn't it? Just remember, we're not here to play around. Keep your ears open and your guard up."

She gave me a mock salute. "Yes, sir!"

I couldn't help but grin at her enthusiasm. "Alright, I'm going to make the rounds. You good?"

She nodded. "Go. I'll be fine."

As I turned to leave, I caught sight of Anshika on the other side of the room. She was talking to a few people, her expression poised and confident, a glass of wine in her hand. Even from this distance, I could see that she was playing her role perfectly—charming, collected, and utterly focused. I felt a flicker of annoyance. She was too good at this, too smooth. It made it harder to predict her next move, and I didn't like that.

I shook off the thought and headed towards a group of investors I had been meaning to speak to.