Location: Madhvan Mansion, City D | Two Days Before the Engagement
The grand corridors of the Madhvan Mansion buzzed with whispers. Murmurs of unease curled through antique chandeliers and across marbled floors. The truth had arrived like a thunderclap: Ira Neel was back. And she had met Anupam Bansal.
In the east wing study, Vasundhara Madhvan stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, her manicured fingers clutching a pearl-encrusted teacup.
Vasundhara (coldly): "That girl... Ira. Her reappearance now is no coincidence."
Behind her, Mahesh Madhvan leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowed, a smirk playing on his lips.
Mahesh: "Coincidence? No. But irrelevant. Whatever Ira intends, it won't derail what I've built for Rajat."
Vasundhara (sharply): "You saw the report from TK's legal team. There are whispers about Rajat's offshore expansions. Unauthorized. Risky."
Mahesh rose and walked over to her, placing his hand on her shoulder.
Mahesh: "Vasu, listen to me. The engagement goes forward. Anupam Bansal wants it done quietly, successfully. And when Saanvi becomes our daughter-in-law, Ira's crusade will be nothing but background noise."
Vasundhara turned slowly, uncertainty flickering in her eyes.
Location: Bansal Estate, City D | Same Day
A sprawling colonial villa where legacy draped every frame. In his private lounge, Anupam Bansal poured two glasses of Glenfiddich and handed one to Mahesh Madhvan.
Anupam: "You don't need to worry, Mahesh. I will handle Ira. But this engagement... it must happen. No leaks. No scandals."
Mahesh (toasting): "We have the same priority."
City D | Engagement of Rajat Madhvan & Saanvi Bansal
The grand chandelier sparkled like a thousand whispered secrets. Imperial Royale was dressed in gold and peacock blue — rich brocade drapes, live sitar and jazz fusion, servers moving like clockwork with champagne flutes and caviar tartlets.
A voice from the live emcee carried over the crowd: "Tonight, we witness the union of two legacies — the Madhvans and the Bansals — in what promises to be a new chapter of Country I."
Saanvi Bansal stood like ice-sculpted perfection. Her gown was a hand-embroidered, understated but lethal — just like her. Beside her, Rajat Madhvan offered a confident smirk.
Arvind Oberoi arrived first with his wife Devika, who floated in wearing a handwoven Kanjeevaram paired with Van Cleef diamonds. The Oberois were royalty — even in a crowd of royals.
Devika (whispering to Arvind): "They've overdone the roses. Saanvi's trying too hard to prove she's irreplaceable."
Arvind (calmly): "The more noise they make, the more afraid they are of silence."
Aditya Oberoi walked in seconds later, alone, charming the photographers. His brother Ishaan was away at the Tuscany vineyard.
Rhea Oberoi made heads turn in her minimal white saree — locking eyes briefly with Ananya Madhvan, her silent professional rival.
Rhea (to herself, smirking): "Brand strategist?
Suhani Singhania glided in with her mother Vasudha, commanding attention. Suhani had come not just for social ties — but to assess Rajat as a possible board ally for a media crossover deal with the Singhanias.
Vikram Singhania, the media mogul and serial heartbreaker, was seen sipping whisky at the back, already texting gossip columnists.
From the Upadhyay family, only Rishika Upadhyay had made it, in a sleek emerald green lehenga, flanked by her brother Veer. Rishika scanned the room, sharp eyes missing nothing.
Just as the press began flashing cameras at the couple holding hands under the ceremonial arch, a hush spread across the ballroom.
A woman stepped in — dressed in deep charcoal silk, her presence sharp as a blade.
Ira Neel.
Not Bansal. Not Rao. Just Neel.
The air shifted. Ravina Bansal's glass nearly slipped. Anupam's smile froze.
She walked slowly, deliberately — like a storm wearing heels.
Guest (whispering): "Who is that?"
Other Guest: "Ira Neel. She's Anupam and Neelima Kapoor's daughter."
Rishika Upadhyay (softly to Veer): "Things just got interesting."
Ira walked past the couple on stage, her eyes not even pausing on Saanvi or Rajat. She moved toward Ravina, who met her with a frozen smile.
Ravina (icy): "Quite the entrance, darling. But you weren't on the guest list."
Ira (smiling without warmth): "Neither was the truth. Yet here I am."
Ravina (hissing): "This is not the time or place."
Ira: "Oh, I think it's the perfect time. You always did love drama, Mrs. Bansal. I'm simply returning the favor."
Ravina: "Whatever fantasy you've conjured about your place in this family — it's over."
Ira (stepping closer): "Over? It hasn't even begun. I'm not here for your approval. I'm here for my legacy — and her justice."
The crowd around them stilled. Even the Oberois paused mid-champagne.
Saanvi watched from the dais, eyes flicking between her father and Ira. Her expression unreadable — but her fingers were digging into her lehenga folds.
Saanvi (cold): "Worry less about Ira… and more about the press you bribed. One leak, and you'll be wearing orange instead of ivory."
Aditya Oberoi sends a discreet text: "Get background on Ira Neel. Potential investor?"
Riyansh Madhvan, watching from a distance, turns to Kavya: "She's made her move. We move tomorrow."
Gayatri Devi, in a quiet corner, smiles softly: "The girl has fire."
And in the center of it all, Anupam Bansal lifts a glass once more for the photographers — but his hand shakes… just slightly.
After the exchange of rings, amidst applause and camera flashes, Rajat slipped into a quiet lounge at the back.
Ira was already there—waiting.
Rajat (quietly): "I didn't know you were that Ira Bansal. I thought you were... an intern. An idealist."
Ira (cold): "That's the point. No one was supposed to know.
Rajat (sitting) "How did you convince your father to let you come?"
Ira: "Convince? You misunderstand. That man's not my father. He's a headline artist. And I'm not in his story."
Rajat (raising an eyebrow): "Well, biologically, facts don't change."
Ira (leaning in, voice frosted): "Facts change when they're rewritten. And trust me, Rajat—after tonight, everyone will want a new version."
Rajat (defensive): "You think this wedding was designed to crush you? I didn't even know you were related."
Ira (quiet laugh): "Of course you didn't. You only care for strategy. Not casualties."
She stood, paused at the door.
Ira: "Congratulations, Rajat. You just tied the knot on your own noose."
She left, as a single bead of sweat rolled down Rajat's temple.
Location: City D– Madhvan Residence, Late Night
Vasundhara Madhvan stood in her private study, flanked by her trusted PR aide and her executive assistant from Madhvan Capital. The fire in her eyes wasn't rage — it was control being threatened.
Vasundhara (calmly, yet steel beneath): "I want every photo of Ira Bansal wiped off media platforms by morning."
PR Aide: "Ma'am, she wasn't even part of the guest list. This must've been accidental."
Vasundhara: "Accidents like these rewrite headlines. I want the news cycle redirected. Run a story about the Saanvi–Rajat business merger. Push the stock valuation angle."
Her expression hardened.
Vasundhara: "By tomorrow, no one remembers Ira Bansal."
Location: City D– Rajat's Study, Same Night
The house was quiet. Everyone had retired, but Rajat poured himself a drink, staring at a dimmed photo on his tablet. Ira, just before she turned and walked out of the engagement venue.
He remembered the conversation.
Flashback – Hours Earlier, Just Outside the Ballroom
Rajat (lowering his voice): "I didn't know… you were his daughter."
Ira (dryly): "No one knows. That's the whole point."
Rajat (mocking): "Well, after today… the world knows. How'd you convince your father to show up? Some last-minute sentiment?"
Ira (coldly): "What father? He's not my father."
Rajat (smirking): "Legally, biologically, emotionally—you pick. But Anupam Bansal is your blood. No one can change facts."
(Ira's silence was the kind that cut. Her presence was a challenge, her eyes a rebellion.)
Rajat (leaning in): "But if you don't want to tell me why you're really here, that's alright. I'm sure you'll make the next headline too."
Ira (straightening):"You know what everyone believes now? That after this marriage, the Bansals and the Madhvans joined hands... to destroy me."
Rajat (taken aback, but feigning ignorance): "I don't know anything about that."
Ira (quiet, stepping back): "No one ever does. Let's see what tomorrow brings. Congratulations, by the way. For marrying into a war."
And then she had vanished.