Inside Regal Club's private room, Neelima Menon sat across from Robin Seth, her face still clear from his massage but her eyes sharp with skepticism. "You didn't investigate me," she said, her voice a low challenge. "How did you know I was poisoned?" Robin leaned forward, his gaze steady. "My time in Hyderabad's underworld taught me to spot herbal poisons," he said. "When I took your hair, I confirmed Sanjay Hooda's concoction was tainting you."
Neelima's hands clenched, her voice trembling with disbelief. "Sanjay? I lifted him from nothing," she said, her eyes flashing. "He's family—why would he betray me? Show me proof." Her demand was a whip, her trust in her cousin warring with Robin's accusation.
Robin's voice was calm but cutting. "Sanjay's herbal skills are rudimentary, a pawn's work," he said. "Someone's pulling his strings, aiming to seize Global Exports." His words hinted at a mastermind, shaking Neelima's confidence, her gaze flickering with doubt as she recalled Sanjay's daily tea.
Neelima's eyes narrowed, her tone sharp. "Why should I trust you, Seth?" she snapped. "You're a nobody." Robin's lips curled, his voice unshaken. "Because your poison's killing you, and I'm your only shot at a cure." His bluntness silenced her, her desperation outweighing her pride.
Robin leaned closer, his voice bold. "I'll cure your poison in seven treatments," he said, his eyes intense. "In return, you obey 10 of my orders—unconditionally." Neelima gasped, stunned by his audacity. "You dare demand that of me?" she hissed, her power as Hyderabad's liquor queen bristling.
Neelima rose, her lehenga shimmering as she stepped closer, her voice softening, seductive. "Maybe we can negotiate differently," she purred, her fingers brushing his arm, her charm a calculated move to regain control. Robin's gaze stayed firm, acknowledging her allure but unmoved. "I'm here for business, not games," he said, his focus unwavering, keeping the negotiation in his grip.
Her seduction rebuffed, Neelima's anger flared. "I'll find another cure," she snapped, her voice a whip. "Or force you to treat me." Robin's smile was confident, his tone steady. "No one in Hyderabad can match my skill with poisons," he said. "You know it's true." His certainty shook her, her options dwindling.
Robin softened his tone, reassuring her. "My demands won't be extreme," he said. "If you find another cure, I'll cancel our deal." His flexibility eased her tension, but his eyes gleamed with purpose. "As a bonus, I'll handle Sanjay and unmask the mastermind behind him. I don't tolerate poisoners."
Neelima's pride battled her desperation, her mind racing. Robin's promise to deal with Sanjay and expose the larger scheme aligned with his vow to crush those who wielded such toxins.
Neelima sat, her voice low but resolute. "I'll decide soon," she said, her eyes locked on Robin's. His calculated move to expose Sanjay's betrayal positioned him to secure Global Exports' liquor supply, a critical step for Regal Club's revival and his escalating rivalry with Aisha Seth's non-tech ventures. The room hummed with tension, Neelima's choice poised to shift Hyderabad's power dynamics.