Author's POV
Present Day

Mumbai, India

Rathore mansion was supposed to be filled with laughter today, the youngest son, Advik was turning 12 today. 

His mother, Priya Rathore, was the wife of the family head, Mr. Adhiraj Rathore. 

He had two sons, and two daughters,  Advik was the youngest and of course, everyone's favourite. 

Advik woke up, and came downstairs where everyone was waiting for him. 

"Good morning Birthday boy.", his sister Khushi almost ran towards him. 

"Good morning didi. Thank you.", Advik said sweetly. 

Vedik, who was 20 now, smiled at his little brother. 

"Here is your gift, kiddo.", Vedik said. 

"Thank you, bhaiya.", Advik took the gift and sat on the chair to have breakfast. 

Priya asked the house helps to serve the food, it was regal and huge. 

Varsha and Khushi too gave him a gift, and sat for the breakfast. 

And then entered someone, apparently his uncle, in a black suit, sunglasses on, and absolutely no smile on his face. 

Veeransh Rathore.

A ring in his finger, big, glowing, but old enough to claim a spot in the museum,

 "Good Morning Advik.", he said, taking out an envelope from his pocket. 

Advik smiled brightly, "Uncle...", he jumped out of his chair, and ran towards him. 

Veeransh offered him the envelope, "Your gift.", he said. 

"It has enough money right? I will buy a lot of gadgets with it.", Advik said almost snatching the envelope from his hands. 

"Yes. It has.", Veeransh said, short and crisp, "Spend wisely."

"Ugh, I am already twelve, chachu.", Advik said. 

Veeransh smiled a little, "That's why I said spend wisely.", Veeransh said, and patted on Advik's back. 

Adhiraj got up from his seat, "Please sit, Vee...Veeransh.", Adhiraj stuttered. 

"All of you have a seat please.", Veeransh said to everyone and sat. 

Vedik was quiet, he has not seen Veeransh age even a bit in these twenty years.

And today he was determined to ask his father regarding that. 

Veeransh stays in his own house, and sometimes visits the mansion, so today was that one day. 

And Vedik wanted to use this opportunity wisely. 

As the breakfast concluded, Adhiraj and Veeransh walked towards the study and locked the door behind them.

Adhiraj exhaled slowly.

"I think Vedik is beginning to suspect something, Veeransh ji," he said, lowering his voice.

Veeransh leaned back in his chair, surprisingly unfazed.

"Is he?" A faint smile touched his lips. "Then perhaps it's time."

Adhiraj stared at him.

"Time for what?"

"To tell him the truth."

"What?" Adhiraj almost whispered. "He's still a child."

Veeransh's gaze shifted towards the window.

"He's twenty."

"Twenty is still young."

A soft chuckle escaped Veeransh.

"Your father said the exact same thing when you were of that age, and I wanted him to tell you."

Adhiraj fell silent.

Veeransh continued,

"Every generation reaches this point eventually."

His voice was calm, almost thoughtful.

"You told Priya after your marriage. One day, Vedik will inherit this responsibility from you."

Adhiraj rubbed a hand over his face.

"And if he isn't ready?"

Veeransh looked at him then.

Four centuries of experience sat quietly behind those eyes.

"No one is ever ready, Adhiraj."

A brief silence settled between them.

Then Veeransh added,

"The difference is that Vedik has already started asking the right questions."

Adhiraj nodded, "Shayad...ab sach mein usey batane ka samay aa gaya hai lagta hai.", Adhiraj said.

Veeransh nodded, with a quiet smile, "After all it is our ancestral secret. Oh by the way...", he paused, "I have to talk business with you."

"Business? Kyun kya hua?", Adhiraj asked.

Veeransh's expression changed to something serious, almost something dark.

"There is a company from Bengal, in fact has their office in Mumbai too. It is a Unicorn.", Veeransh said.

"Name?", Adhiraj asked.

"Kali constructions under Mukherjee group of industries ", Veeransh said.

Adhiraj's eyes widened, "You mean Ishani Mukherjee's company? I know it. But what have they done?", Adhiraj asked.

Veeransh wanted to chuckle, but controlled himself, "Well she has stolen our deal."

"But that happens in business.", Adhiraj said.

Veeransh sat on a chair and leaned back.

"Because she undercut us by such a ridiculous margin that I am still trying to understand whether she wanted the contract..."

He paused.

"...or simply wanted to ensure we didn't get it."

"She's bold," Adhiraj said with a frown. "Very few companies challenge the Rathores this aggressively."

Veeransh stopped him showing his hand to speak further, "I will take care of it. You don't have to worry, Adhiraj."

Adhiraj smiled.

"Then I almost feel bad for her."

Veeransh raised an eyebrow.

"Do you?"

"A little.", Adhiraj chuckled.

"Schedule a meeting, with the team. I have to discuss a few things with them. I am going to office, you enjoy Advik's birthday.", Veeransh said, getting up from the chair, with hands in his pocket.

Adhiraj folded his hands, "Sure Veeransh ji. Bohot acha laga aap aaye.", he said.

Veeransh nodded and smiled faintly, then walked towards the exit.

Veeransh Rathore changes his identity every 30-40 years, rarely visits office publicly, and the family members take care of the public image. 

But something made him look into the business recently. 

A very smart woman, taking almost all the deals of the Rathore group. 

Ishani Mukherjee. 

And Veeransh was determined to study her business pattern now, because his experience said, this businesswoman was not treating her business as a child's play. 

Mumbai Star Apartment Penthouse

Thirty year old Ishani was working on her stocks trading, when her manager and younger brother, Parth came and sat across her, "Di...Rathore group toh darr gaya lagta hai, I thought they would retaliate.", he said. 

Ishani chuckled, "Parth, don't get over confident, we still have a long way to go.". Ishani said. 

"Arey but that Japan deal was so important for them, biggest rival hai abhi humari Rathore group, Di.", Parth said, leaning over the table, smiling widely. 

Ishani looked up at him, "As I said, we have a long way to go. Italian deal aa rahi hai next, they must NOT get it.", Ishani said, smirking. 

"Haan haan ok. But I am sure you will get through it.", Parth said, snapping his finger at her and smiling.

Ishani just shook her head, "Crazy guy."

"Why are you always so serious Di? Kabhi kabhi thodi masti bhi kia karo.", Parth said.

"Kaam ke time pe masti nahi, Parth. And masti ke time pe...kaam nahi.", Ishani said, smiling just a little.

"Uff...nobody can read you, I swear.", Parth said, twitching his mouth.

Ishani chuckled, "Don't even try, bro. Acha chal, I gotta go to office. Kuch kaam hai.", Ishani said, getting up from her chair.

Parth reluctantly just waved his hand, while he was fully focused on his phone.

"Wait...Di!", He called out loudly.

Ishani stopped walking, and turned around, "Haan?"

Parth showed his phome to her, his eyes widened, "I got a mail....Veeransh Rathore, wants to meet you. Like a meeting."

Ishani froze for a second, then she blinked.

"Are you serious? You better be not joking, Parth.", Ishani said.

Parth pointed towards his phone screen.

Ishani looked into it carefully, "Arey haan...oh my God. He really invited us for a meeting."

Parth smiled at her, "Di...I am so excited for this meeting."

Ishani looked at him with the corner of her eyes, "Not gonna lie...same here."

The meeting was going to change their lives, and both of them didn't know about it.