The silence that followed Mrs. Sen's request was heavy, but Divya broke it with a sharp, decisive nod. "We will make it happen," she stated, her voice projecting a confidence she didn't entirely feel. "A celebration of this magnitude deserves no delay. We agree to the engagement tomorrow."
The tension in the hall evaporated, replaced by a sudden, frantic energy. Servants were already being summoned in the background, and the air buzzed with the thrill of a royal-scale event being organized in less than a day.
But as the families began to finalize the evening, Dev leaned back, a playful yet piercing look in his eyes. "Since it's such a grand occasion," he said smoothly, "I hope your guest will be joining us for the event."
Divya's brow arched slightly. "Guest?"
Raghav's jaw tightened. He felt the blood drain from his face, his mind racing to contain the mess he had seen in the corridor.
"Yes, Meira," Dev continued, his tone casual but his eyes fixed on Divya. "I ran into her while I was getting a tour of the mansion. Charming girl."
The name hit the hall like a thunderclap. Yamini's hands curled into fists in her lap, and Vivek looked toward the floor. The "outsider" who was supposed to be erased in forty-eight hours had just been pulled into the centre of the spotlight by the son of a billionaire.
Raghav jumped in before the silence could turn suspicious, his voice forced and tight. "Yes... Meira. She's a friend of Taniya's. I suppose she'll be there." He threw a quick, desperate glance at Divya, pleading for her to play along.
Divya didn't blink. She turned her gaze to Dev and gave a thin, elegant smile. "Yes, of course."
"Why wasn't she here tonight, then?" Mrs. Sen asked with genuine kindness. "Taniya would surely have enjoyed her company during such a nervous time."
"Actually," Divya lied, her voice as smooth as silk, "her health hasn't been good today. She insisted on resting so she could be at her best for the festivities later."
Once the guests were escorted out and the heavy oak doors were finally shut, the mask of hospitality crumbled instantly. Divya, Yamini, and Shekar remained in the hall, the atmosphere turning toxic.
"This girl!" Yamini hissed, her voice trembling with rage. "I can't believe it. In such a small amount of time, she's already played her trick on the guests. She's a virus!"
"And now?" Shekar asked, looking at Divya. "The tycoon's son has asked for her by name. You can't hide her tomorrow."
"Now?" Divya snapped, her eyes flashing with a cold fire. "Now I will speak to that girl. She needs to know exactly what role she is playing."
Yamini stepped toward her sister-in-law, her voice desperate. "So you'll let her stay? What about my daughter's life, Divya? If Meira causes a scene tomorrow, Taniya's future is ruined!"
Divya turned on her, her gaze freezing Yamini in place. "I will handle Meira. But Yamini, you need to handle yourself. I've seen the way you look at Dev. I see your 'interest' in his status for this family, but don't let your greed blind you to the fact that Taniya is the one getting engaged tomorrow. Don't ruin one alliance while hunting for another."
(Sen's Residency)
Back at the Sens' residency, the atmosphere was far more relaxed but equally charged with anticipation. Dev stood behind Aditya, helping him adjust the heavy collar of his formal attire for the next day's ceremony. The room was quiet, save for the rustle of silk, until Aditya broke the silence with a knowing look.
"I guess you've developed an interest," Aditya remarked, his reflection in the mirror catching Dev's eye.
Dev paused, his fingers lingering on the fabric. "Interest?"
"Yes," Aditya teased. "Meira."
"Oh, that," Dev replied, a slow, enigmatic smile spreading across his face.
Aditya chuckled, seeing right through his cousin's casual front. "Yes, you seem pretty interested for someone who just went for a 'walk' in a corridor."
Dev's smile remained, but his mind drifted back to the messy room and the girl with the blue-stained face. More specifically, he visualized the faint, dark marks he had seen on her neck—the bruising she had tried to hide under her hair and robe. He hadn't said a word about it to Raghav or the elders, but the sight had sparked a thousand questions he couldn't yet answer. Why was a "friend" of the family covered in bruises and hidden away like a shameful secret?
"Aah... hmm... yes," Dev finally admitted, his voice dropping to a thoughtful tone. "Now, let's see where this interest takes me."
Aditya smiled with genuine excitement, glad to see his usually detached cousin finally intrigued by something—or someone—in Mumbai.