MADHAVAN GROUP – CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT FLOOR – DAY
Aakash's new desk is smaller than expected, placed subtly away from natural light. Despite the title, his arrival is met with cold stares from certain mid-level managers and polite indifference from others. Only a few smile.
COLLEAGUE 1 (whispers): "That's the new guy Riyansh Sir promoted in four days?"
COLLEAGUE 2 (dryly): "He must have brought more than just numbers to the table."
Aakash hears it. Doesn't react. He sets up quietly.
RIYANSH'S OFFICE – DAY TIME
Riyansh (reading a file): "The City J acquisition is politically sensitive. Family-run, bleeding capital, but with a loyal customer base. Think you're ready for that?"
Aakash (nodding): "Yes, sir. I've already begun mapping out regional valuation and media perception metrics."
Riyansh (with a faint smile): "You really don't sleep, do you?"
Aakash (softly): "Sleep doesn't build futures."
A DARKER CORNER OF THE COMPANY – IT SERVER ROOM – NIGHT
Pankaj leans against a column, whispering to a young, frustrated tech employee named Prashant, who's been overlooked for promotion multiple times.
Pankaj (quietly): "You see what they did to me, right Replaced merit with showmanship. But you—you're sharp. You know the system."
Prashant (hesitant): "What are you saying?"
Pankaj: "Small push. Aakash gets blamed for data breach. Riyansh won't wait for a trial."
Prashant (nervous): "That's... serious, sir."
Pankaj (smiling thinly): "It's corporate strategy, son. The same one they used on me."
CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT FLOOR – THREE DAYS LATER
Aakash is in a meeting with senior analysts when a security officer enters the room.
SECURITY HEAD (flatly): "Mr. Aakash Mital, we need a moment of your time."
Aakash (confused): "Yes?"
Security head: "There's been a breach in your system credentials. Unauthorized access to due diligence data from the City J file."
Aakash's heart skips a beat. The room goes silent.
RIYANSH'S OFFICE – MOMENTS LATER
Aakash sits across from Riyansh again. The room feels colder this time.
Riyansh (calm but serious): "You understand the gravity of the situation?"
Aakash (firmly): "I didn't share access. I've only used my laptop, and it never leaves the premises."
Riyansh: "I believe you. But the board will demand answers."
Aakash (breathes deeply): "Let me investigate, sir. If this is my mistake, I'll resign. But if it's not, I'll prove it."
AT NIGHT, Aakash stays late with two junior IT associates who believe in him. They trace the breach, analyze the digital fingerprint, and find the ID match: it's Prashant's system.
Junior Tech: "But why would he use your login?"
Aakash (quietly): "He was manipulated... or bribed."
They keep digging. An auto-sync backup from Prashant's PC includes a voice note sent by Pankaj—proof of conspiracy.
BOARDROOM – THE FOLLOWING MORNING
Aakash stands in front of the board, composed, flanked by the Head of IT and Riyansh.
BOARD MEMBER: This is highly irregular. A security breach from a new analyst—"
RIYANSH (interrupting): "—Was staged."
Aakash (clearly): "Here's the log record from our servers. And here's the backup voice message recovered from Prashant's system."
(He plays the audio: Pankaj's voice.)
PANKAJ (voice note): "Just patch it through his ID. Nobody questions a golden boy."
Gasps echo through the room. The legal officer nods at Riyansh, who speaks firmly.
Riyansh: An FIR has already been filed. Pankaj is in custody. Prashant has been suspended pending internal review."
PARKING LOT – POLICE VAN – DAY
Pankaj, wrists bound tightly by metal cuffs, is roughly pushed into the confines of the waiting police van. The back doors clang shut, echoing the finality of the situation.
His fellow employees, a mixture of shock and morbid curiosity etched on their faces, watch from the building's entrance, whispering amongst themselves.
Their hushed tones are a stark contrast to the commotion moments before.
Pankaj, his face a mask of anger and resentment, leans towards the grated window of the van, his eyes fixed on Aakash.
Aakash stands motionless on the steps of the company building, his expression unreadable, a silent observer to Pankaj's forced departure.
The scene is tense, the air thick with unspoken words and simmering resentment.
Pankaj, his voice raw with furious indignation and desperate frustration, shouted at Aakash, "You think this is the end, Aakash? You're profoundly mistaken! This is far from over.
This isn't a minor disagreement; this is a declaration of war! This company, this monstrous entity we've dedicated our lives to, operates with ruthless, predatory efficiency. It chews people up, grinds them down, and spits them out.
It devours its own, consuming the very people who built it and sacrificed everything for its success.
Aakash, you're next. You think you're safe on your pedestal of power, but you're not.
You're another cog in the machine, waiting to be fed into the grinder. Just wait and see, Aakash.
Your time will come.
The wheel of fortune always turns, and when it does, you'll get yours. You'll experience the same pain, betrayal, and crushing disappointment you've inflicted on others.
You'll see! You'll see the truth when it's too late. You'll see!". Much to learn," Aakash replied.
"True," Riyansh acknowledged, "but they now understand your capabilities. Every subsequent step is yours to define."
RIYANSH'S OFFICE – MADHAVAN CAPITAL – DAY
A sleek office with panoramic views of city D skyline. Akash stood near the table with Riyansh secratary.
Across from him, Riyansh Madhvan sat quietly—no files, no screen, just a faded receipt from TK Jewellers, dated 1996.
Riyansh (quietly): She held on to this longer than she held on to most people."
Aakash, seated across from him, looked up.
Aakash: TK Jewellers?"
Riyansh: She used to say — when they made jewellery, they didn't just sell gold. They sold identity. Strength. Beauty. I want to buy her a part of that strength."
Aakash nodded, understanding immediately.
STRATEGY ROOM – WEEK LATER
Aakash stood before the whiteboard, suit jacket off, sleeves rolled up.
Aakash: "Here's the plan. We route the 12% acquisition of Tk jewellers. All handled through layered buyout over 3 weeks.
Riyansh: "Once it's done, transfer it to her name.
AAKASH (smiles): "Done. She'll be a legacy shareholder by Diwali.