The world celebrated the Tulip–Saturs merger, but Jain sat alone in a private room of Tulip HQ — eyes half-closed, mind racing.
He wasn't tired.He was remembering.
Three years ago, he and Sian had created a private treaty — a document with enough power to topple empires. And now, Sian had opened it.
Jain could feel the shift in the air… like the calm before a storm he himself had summoned.
A knock echoed through the silent room.
The door opened, and Ohm Vital stepped inside.
Tall. Sharp. Untouchable.The kind of presence that made even billionaires straighten their posture.
Ohm's family controlled political pipelines, global oil routes, and half the media in the East.He wasn't just powerful — he was feared.
"Jain," Ohm said, voice low, steady, too calm for the chaos outside. "What have you done?"
Jain finally opened his eyes.
"Ohm."
Ohm took a slow step forward, his expression unreadable.
"The whole world thinks you just pulled the greatest corporate move of the decade," Ohm said. "But I know you. You don't look like a man who's won."
Jain sighed, rubbing his forehead.
"I need a moment."
"No," Ohm replied. "You need to tell me why Sian Justines is silent."
Jain froze.
Ohm picked up the remote and turned the TV on — a live news broadcast showing Justines Tower. No statements. No leaks.
"Silence is dangerous," Ohm muttered. "Especially from Sian."
Jain looked away.
"He's watching," Jain whispered.
"And after he watches?" Ohm pressed.
Jain swallowed.
"He destroys."
For the first time, even Ohm's expression hardened."Did you sign something with him?" he asked sharply. "A contract? A deal? A mistake?"
Jain didn't respond.
Ohm's jaw tightened. "Jain. Tell me."
Jain rose from his seat, walked to the window, and stared toward the distant black silhouette of the Justines Tower.
"He has something that can ruin us," Jain said quietly. "If he uses it… Tulip collapses. And maybe even Vital Industries collapses with it."
Ohm's eyes flared.
"You involved my family?"
Jain finally looked him in the eyes.
"I didn't mean to."
Ohm cursed under his breath — something he rarely did.
"Then we stop him before he uses it," Ohm said. "Whatever it is."
Jain shook his head.
"You don't understand," he whispered. "He already used it."
AT JUSTINES TOWER
Sian sat at his desk with the opened treaty in front of him — the same treaty Jain hoped he had forgotten.
A treaty that stated:
If Tulip entered any alliance with Saturs without Justines' approval,Justines would gain controlling voting power over Tulip.
It was legally unbreakable.Morally unforgivable.Strategically lethal.
Sian lifted his phone.
"Lara, prepare the injunction to freeze the merger completely."
Lara gasped. "Sir… this will paralyze the market."
"Good," Sian said coldly. "Maybe the world needs paralysis to pay attention."
"And the message to Jain?"
Sian nodded.
"Send it."
You declared war, Jain.Now watch how I win it.— Sian
BACK AT TULIP HQ — 4 Minutes Later
Jain's phone buzzed.
He checked the notification — and his entire world tilted.
Ohm watched Jain's expression shift from shock… to regret… to dread.
"What is it?" Ohm asked.
Jain didn't answer at first.
Then he turned the screen toward Ohm — just long enough for him to see the treaty header.
Ohm's face drained of color.
"You signed THIS?" Ohm whispered. "With Sian? Without telling me? Without telling ANYONE?"
Jain locked the phone.
"I made a mistake."
Ohm grabbed Jain by the arm.
"No. You made a war."
Jain didn't fight him.Didn't argue.Didn't defend himself.
"I have to face him," Jain said quietly.
Ohm stepped in front of him.
"You're not going alone," Ohm said, voice firm. "If Sian comes for Tulip… he comes for me too. For my family. For everything tied to you."
Jain looked at him, With his calm face.
"Ohm… this isn't your battle."
Ohm's lips curved into a mirthless smile.
"When you signed that treaty," he said, "you made it my battle."
He tightened his coat, straightened his cufflinks, and nodded once.
"Let's go. We face Sian together."