The incident at the college had spread far beyond the walls of the campus. Whispers of how Mukul defended the Raichand–Malhotra princesses reached every corner of the family's vast network.
The Elders' Acknowledgment
When the story reached the Raichand mansion, the elders were astonished.
Arjun Raichand, the Supreme Head, listened in silence, his sharp eyes softening with pride. "So the boy carries not only brilliance in his mind but fire in his heart. He is truly a Raichand."
Savitri Raichand, the Iron Lady of Europe, who rarely showed emotions, remarked, "Respect is not inherited—it is earned. Today, Mukul has claimed his place."
Devendra Malhotra, the legendary General, laughed heartily, his chest swelling. "Single-handed, he guarded the dignity of our daughters? That is the spirit of a commander!"
Kalyani Malhotra, the medical pioneer, embraced the news with tears. "For years Avni lived in pain, but this child is her light—her strength made flesh."
Even the great-grandparents, whose wisdom often kept them detached, blessed Mukul for restoring honor with both courage and restraint.
Respect Across the Generations
Uncles and aunts, cousins and siblings, all looked at Mukul differently now. He was no longer just the quiet prodigy who lived in shadows—he was a protector, a shield, and a rightful heir to the Raichand–Malhotra legacy.
His sisters, who already loved him deeply, now walked taller beside him. Their classmates called them "the untouchables," not out of arrogance, but because they had Mukul as their unseen guardian.
For the first time, Mukul felt the warmth of acceptance—not just as Avni's son, but as a Raichand and Malhotra by his own deeds.
The Global Challenge Emerges
But respect came with new responsibilities.
A week later, during a private family council, urgent reports arrived: a series of coordinated cyberattacks, financial manipulations, and weapon smuggling operations were destabilizing Europe and Asia. Unknown enemies were testing the very foundations of the Raichand Consortium and the Malhotra Defense Networks.
"This is no ordinary threat," said Kabir Raichand, his eyes narrowing. "Whoever is behind this wants to fracture our empire from within."
Though young, mukul had trained for years under masters who molded his talents into weapons sharper than steel.
"This is your time," said Aditya Malhotra, voice heavy with gravity. "Your training was not for theory. The world will test you now."
The Trial of Unity
Their mission was divided into three phases:
Infiltration – Mukul and Kiara would uncover the source of the cyberattacks by penetrating one of the world's most secure underground servers.
Interception – Vanya, Sakura, and Liya would track the smuggling routes spreading from Eastern Europe into Asia, dismantling the networks step by step.
Defense – Aarohi and Sirisha would protect critical diplomatic meetings from assassination attempts tied to the chaos.
Though each had their role, their true challenge was working as one, synchronizing intellect, combat, and trust.
Mukul's Silent Resolve
Before departure, Mukul stood alone by the Raichand mansion balcony, gazing at the night sky. The weight of respect, the trust of his family, and the hopes of his companions now rested on him.
He whispered softly, "For seventeen years, I carried my mother's name. Now I must carry the honor of my bloodline as well."
His eyes burned with determination. The boy who once lived in shadows was stepping into the world—not just as Mukul Raichand, but as the one destined to stand above challenges, the guardian of both family and future.