The Shahriar mansion looked peaceful from the outside.
But inside—
War had quietly begun.
Morning – Control
Afra adjusted the cuff of her blazer and looked at herself in the mirror.
No heavy makeup.
No bridal softness.
Just calm determination.
If she wanted access to Shahriar Group's internal records, she couldn't stay locked inside the east wing like a decorative wife.
She needed proximity.
She walked downstairs with steady steps.
Ridwan was finishing his coffee when she spoke.
"I'm coming to the office with you."
Silence.
His assistant froze.
Ridwan slowly placed his cup down.
"You're not."
Afra didn't blink.
"As your wife, attending company events is normal."
"You are not part of my company."
"Not yet."
That caught his attention.
Ridwan stood up, towering over her.
"This is not a playground, Afra. Shahriar Group destroys weak people."
"Good thing I'm not weak."
Their eyes locked again.
A power struggle without touch.
After a long pause, Ridwan spoke coldly—
"Fine. One day. You'll observe. You won't interfere."
Afra gave a small nod.
"That's all I need."
For now.
Shahriar Group Headquarters
The building scraped the sky.
Employees whispered the moment they saw them enter together.
Because Ridwan Shahriar never brought women to work.
Never.
Afra felt the weight of curious stares but didn't falter.
Inside the private elevator, silence pressed between them.
Then suddenly—
"Why business reports?" Ridwan asked without looking at her.
Afra's heart skipped for half a second.
"I like numbers."
"You were reading confidential data."
"I was reading what was left open."
He turned his head slightly.
"You're bold."
"And you're observant."
The elevator doors opened.
But neither moved for a second.
Something electric hung in the air.
Dangerous.
Inside His Office
Glass walls. City view. Absolute power.
Ridwan handed her a tablet.
"If you're so interested, review last quarter's public performance."
Public.
Meaning nothing important.
Afra sat gracefully on the sofa and began reading.
But her eyes weren't just scanning.
She was memorizing.
Patterns. Gaps. Timing.
And then she noticed it.
A missing transaction window — the exact same structure used to bankrupt her father's company.
Her pulse quickened.
So it was true.
But before she could think further—
The office door opened without knocking.
A woman walked in confidently.
Tall. Elegant. Familiar.
She stopped the moment she saw Afra.
"…You're married?"
Ridwan's expression didn't change.
"Yes."
The woman's jaw tightened slightly.
She walked closer.
"I'm Sara Malik. CFO of Shahriar Group."
Her smile toward Afra didn't reach her eyes.
"And you must be the sudden bride."
Afra stood calmly.
"Afra Shahriar."
She emphasized the last name.
Sara's gaze sharpened.
"Oh. So it's official."
Ridwan interrupted coldly.
"Sara, the board meeting?"
Sara looked between them once more before nodding.
"Ready."
But before leaving, she added softly—
"Be careful, Afra. This world eats outsiders alive."
Afra smiled faintly.
"I don't consider myself an outsider."
Later – Boardroom
From behind the glass, Afra watched the meeting.
And that's when she saw it.
Sara controlled most of the financial discussions.
Too much control.
Too much authority.
And when Ridwan questioned a report—
Sara smoothly redirected the numbers.
Clean. Polished.
But Afra had seen the gap earlier.
Someone inside the company was manipulating funds.
And Sara Malik had access to everything.
Night – Confrontation
Back at the mansion, tension felt thicker than before.
Ridwan loosened his tie.
"You were analyzing Sara."
It wasn't a question.
Afra didn't deny it.
"She's powerful."
"She's loyal."
"To you?" Afra asked softly.
His eyes narrowed.
"You're crossing lines."
"And you're ignoring them."
A step closer.
Ridwan's voice lowered.
"You think you can walk into my life and investigate my company?"
Afra's breathing remained steady.
"What if someone inside your company is stealing from you?"
He froze.
Just for a second.
"How would you know that?"
Afra met his gaze.
"Because I've seen this pattern before."
Silence.
Then—
"Where?" he demanded.
She didn't answer.
Because if she told him the truth…
Everything would explode.
Outside The Mansion
The same black car waited again.
This time, the man inside made a phone call.
"They're getting closer," he said calmly.
"Prepare phase two."