Scene: Singhania Group – Main Boardroom
The room buzzes with soft murmurs. Senior executives, stakeholders, and department heads take their seats. The Singhania crest glows behind the central seat—now occupied by Arjun Rajveer Singhania, the current CEO. To his right sits Aarav, Head of Global Strategy. On the left, Elara settles into her Executive Director seat with silent poise.
Devraj, a few seats down, hides his restlessness behind a practiced smile. Mahira and Shaurya Oberoi observe closely, seated further back—present only as family shareholders.
Arjun opening firmly "Let's begin. We'll first review the quarterly international performance. Aarav?"
Aarav calmly presenting Asia-Pacific expansion has exceeded projected benchmarks. However, there are operational delays in our Florence and Marseille units. Elara's proposal outlines a cost-effective recovery strategy.
All eyes shift to Elara as she switches to the next slide.
Elara clear and confident By outsourcing architectural drafting to our Indian subsidiary for now, we reduce costs by 18%. Simultaneously, we retain our Italian artisans for core execution. We're not compromising quality—we're sharpening our edge.
A few nods. Someone claps softly. Then—
Devraj light sarcasm Creative Though I wonder if those savings justify risking control over Italian standards?"
Elara smiling politely If you'd reviewed the attached appendix, Devraj, you'd see the quality control is managed by a panel led by Lorenzo Rossi—our Florence partner for the last decade. Still worried?"
Muted chuckles. Devraj stiffens.*
Aarav firmly Elara's model was reviewed by the finance and operations heads. It's sound. Let's stay on track."
Arjun final word "Approved. We implement this immediately. Good work, Elara."
Elara nods, exchanging a quick glance with Aarav—a silent high five in sibling language.
Meanwhile, Mahira's narrowed gaze lingers on Elara's composed expression. The seed of envy grows deeper.
Car Ride – Elara & Arav (Post-Board Meeting)
The black luxury car cruised through the city streets, tinted windows shielding them from the world outside.
Elara sat quietly, her eyes on the skyline, still replaying the board meeting in her mind.
Arav glanced at her from the driver's seat, sensing her silence.
Arav ,You handled yourself well in there."
Elara: (half-smiling)
"Thanks… but I saw Mahira Kaki's face. I think she was ready to set me on fire."
Arav: (chuckling softly)
"She's been like that since the day Dad announced your position. Don't let it get to you."
Elara: (sighs)
"It's not that. Sometimes I feel like I'm walking into a war I didn't start."
Arav: (serious now)
"Then win it, Elu. You weren't raised to sit back. You were raised to lead. And if she plays games, we play smarter. Got it?"
Elara: (nodding slowly, with emotion)
"Got it, Bhai."
Arav: (smirking)
"Besides… you've got me. And that's already an unfair advantage."
Scene: Oberoi Residence – Master Study Room (Dim Lighting, Late Evening)
Mahira stood by the window, arms folded, staring out at the night. The glass of wine in her hand remained untouched.
Shaurya Oberoi entered the room silently, removing his cufflinks.
"You didn't say a word at the meeting today," he said, settling on the couch.
Mahira: (voice cool, firm)
"I was watching."
Shaurya: (sighs)
"Watching what? Arjun bask in his legacy? Or Aditya polishing his public image?"
She turned slowly, her gaze sharp.
Mahira:
"They sit on thrones built by my father. My blood runs through those halls too, Shaurya. Yet we're treated like guests… like shadows."
Shaurya:
"You married out, Mahira. The board sees you as an Oberoi now."
Mahira: (stepping forward)
"And that's exactly why I need Devraj to sit in that CEO chair one day. Not Arav. Not Advik. My son. He deserves everything they've stolen in silence."
Shaurya: (cautious)
"You're talking about going against your own brothers... your family."
Mahira: (darkly)
"I'm not going against anyone. I'm just claiming what was always mine. Devraj will marry Elara. And when he does, all essential rights—ownership, shares, voting power—will pass down. One move, Shaurya. Just one."
Shaurya: (nods slowly)
"And what about Elara? She's not blind."
Mahira: (with a cold smile)
"She's emotional. Loyal. She won't see the knife until it's already in her back."
This keeps Mahira's greed, bitterness, and ambition crystal clear—while showing Shaurya as supportive, yet slightly hesitant. It also sets up Devraj as a pawn in a bigger game.
Mahira Oberoi – Motivation & Backstory:
Once the cherished daughter of Tanaji Raj Singhania, Mahira had a bright, ambitious streak. But after her marriage into the Oberoi family — especially to Shaurya Oberoi, a man of wealth but not much professional power — Mahira slowly began to feel like a forgotten branch of the Singhania legacy.
Her brothers Arjun Rajveer and Aditya Narayan flourished in leadership roles within the family empire. Their children — Arav and Advik — were trained early, placed high, and respected deeply.
Meanwhile, Devraj Oberoi, her son, though charming and capable, was never seen as the heir to anything truly powerful. His position in the company was minor. He was treated as "the cousin," not "the next in line." And Mahira noticed — every passing board meeting, every event — the distance between her bloodline and the Singhania throne.
That turned something bitter inside her.
Step-by-Step Hidden Agenda
1. The Facade of Family
Mahira outwardly plays the role of the caring aunt and peaceful daughter of the house.
But deep down, she holds resentment — believing her side of the family was always treated like "outsiders" after Tanaji's death.
She raises Devraj with a motive: "You don't just belong to this empire… you must rule it."
2. Using Elara as the Key
Devraj, though indifferent to Elara at heart, is taught to act charming and romantic.
The engagement is fast-tracked under the pretense of love, but it's a strategic trap.
Once married, Devraj would gain insider power over family shares, trust inheritance rights, and possible board influence.
3. Silent Takeover Strategy
Mahira plans to:
Control Elara emotionally, isolating her subtly from the rest of the family.
Create false scenarios where Elara appears incompetent in company matters.
Use Shaurya's political ties to manipulate legalities and delay investigations when needed.
Behind-the-Scenes Moves
Mahira's legal advisor is secretly preparing will claims and trust loopholes.
Devraj and Shourya is in touch with a corrupt board member, hoping to sway votes once he gets engaged to Elara.
They delay the signing of major documents, waiting until Elara is legally tied to them.
Great! Here's a warm, emotional follow-up scene to balance the tension from the boardroom and Mahira's cold ambition:
Scene 3: Singhania Mansion – Elara (Her Grandmother)
The evening sky cast a soft lavender hue as Elara stepped into the serene courtyard of the Singhania Mansion. The gentle scent of jasmine lingered in the air. She paused for a moment, exhaling deeply.
Inside, Meera Singhania—graceful, poised, and still radiating strength in her late sixties—sat by the window, knitting slowly. She looked up the moment Elara entered.
Meera ,Long day, beti?"
Elara: (smiling tiredly as she walked over and sat by her feet)
"Exhausting. The board meeting felt more like a battlefield."
Meera: (setting her knitting down, gently brushing Elara's hair from her face)
"That means you were strong enough to stand on the battlefield. And return."
Elara: (resting her head on her grandmother's lap)
"I wish Dadu was here. He always made the politics of power seem like a game of chess."
Meera: (softly)
"He left the queen on the board, my child. You. And queens don't need permission to win."
Elara: (with a faint smile and teary eyes)
"You really think I can do this?"
Meera: (firmly, her eyes holding a quiet fire)
"I don't think, Elara. I know. You are your father's strength and your grandfather's legacy. Let no one—not even family—make you question that."
Elara closed her eyes, comforted by her grandmother's voice. For a moment, the weight of expectations didn't feel so heavy.