Sanju bathed and came downstairs, slowly making her way to the dining table. She looked visibly pale and drained as she sat for breakfast.
Kowsalya noticed immediately and asked with concern, “Sanju, is everything okay? You look exhausted, dear.”
“There’s a lot of work at the office,” Sanju replied weakly. “I haven’t had time to relax at all.”
“Okay,” Kowsalya nodded, her voice softening. “Sir has instructed that you should eat a lot of vegetables and soup too. So complete your food and take some rest.”
Sanju managed to eat a little before returning to her room. She lay down and soon drifted back to sleep, her body demanding the rest she had been denying it.
At the ARC office, Aryan wrapped up a few important calls and reviewed some documents. Once done, he left for the tender meet along with Ranjith. This project was massive worth 100 crores and several companies had turned up with hopes of winning it. The client was planning to build multiple colleges across the state, making this deal highly competitive.
As Aryan entered the hall minutes before the results were to be announced, he noticed Chandrasekar already present, seated with Nanda. Aryan greeted them politely.
“Good morning, Sir,” Aryan said.
Chandrasekar gave a brief nod in return.
Just then, Maya appeared, walking confidently towards them. She threw her arms around her father in a side hug, then turned toward Aryan with a smirk.
“So, Mr. Aryan,” she said smugly. “Why waste your time here? This project is going to be DC Group’s for sure.”
Aryan raised an eyebrow. “So confident, Ms. Maya?”
“Yes,” she replied, crossing her arms. “Better you leave now. I still don’t want to see your sad face.”
Aryan smiled calmly. “You don’t have to worry. Business is not new to me. ARC doesn’t rely on any single project. Anyway, all the best.”
“Thank you,” she said with sarcasm. “I wish I could return the regards, but… why disappoint you?”
“Maya, let’s go take our seats and wait for the results,” Chandrasekar said, trying to end the conversation.
Everyone settled down. Moments later, the customer and his team walked onto the stage.
“Thank you all for being here,” the customer began. “We’ll now begin opening the bids. As stated, the lowest quote will win the project.”
His assistant began unsealing the quotation envelopes, calling out each figure to the crowd. The anticipation in the room was thick.
“Next quotation is from DC Groups of Companies,” the assistant announced. “The quoted amount is 102.50 crores.”
Chandrasekar turned abruptly to Nanda, shocked.
“Nanda, this was not the amount we quoted! What nonsense is this?”
“That was the revised quote done by Maya madam,” Nanda answered nervously.
Chandrasekar looked at Maya in disbelief. “Maya, why did you do this?”
“I know exactly what I did,” Maya replied confidently. “Just watch we’re going to seal this project.”
The assistant continued, “Next and final quotation is from ARC. The quoted amount is 101 crores.”
Maya’s smirk vanished. She turned to Aryan, whose expression remained composed.
“Congratulations, Mr. Aryan,” the customer declared. “We’re happy to collaborate with ARC for this project.”
Aryan stood up, went to the podium, and shook hands with the customer. After signing the tender documents, he returned to Chandrasekar and Maya.
“Congrats, Mr. Aryan,” Chandrasekar said, attempting to remain cordial.
“Thank you, sir,” Aryan replied. “I think you should teach your daughter a bit more about business. I could take legal action against DC Group for hacking into my network. In fact, I could also recommend the chairperson, Sanjana Aryan, to take legal steps against DC for violating security guidelines. But I won’t.”
He turned to Maya. “Ms. Maya, aren’t you surprised? Don’t you want to know how this happened?”
“What do you mean, Aryan?” Chandrasekar asked, confused.
“It’s simple,” Aryan said coolly. “Your daughter used her hacker, Dinesh, to access our quote details and then adjusted your bid accordingly. Unfortunately for her, we already knew about Dinesh. The quote he accessed was fake planted deliberately to mislead you.”
Maya clenched her jaw, her face pale with anger and embarrassment. Chandrasekar exhaled deeply, frustration evident in his expression.
“Sorry, Aryan,” he said quietly.
“No need to be sorry, sir,” Aryan said. “But next time, I’ll remain purely professional—and so will Sanjana. I’ll take my leave now.”
With that, Aryan and Ranjith exited the hall, leaving behind a humiliated Maya and a furious Chandrasekar.
“Maya,” Chandrasekar snapped, “for God’s sake, don’t bring personal vengeance into business. It’s not going to help you in any way. Let this be the last time. No more personal agendas in our company.”
Maya just nodded silently and walked out, heading back to the office.
Back at ARC, the entire office was buzzing with joy over the tender win. Employees congratulated each other, and the air was filled with celebration.
Meanwhile, Maya had barely stepped into her cabin Pradeep followed her.
“We’re firing Dinesh,” Pradeep said firmly. “We have every legal right to cancel the partnership, but Sanjana wants to give you a chance since this is your first major project. I hope you understand. You can find someone else to replace Dinesh.”
“Remember, I gave my shares to you to work for me,” Maya said coldly.
“I do remember,” Pradeep replied. “But I think you forgot what I told you. I asked you to be open about whatever you plan against Aryan and Sanjana. You didn’t. So how do you expect me to support you?”
He took a step closer, lowering his voice. “In fact, Sanjana can cancel your partnership and claim 100 crores in compensation. But I spoke to her and convinced her to ignore it this one time.”
“Get out, Pradeep,” Maya snapped.
“You’re losing your business over personal revenge,” he said softly.
“Stop your shit and get out!” she yelled.
Without another word, Pradeep walked out. Moments later, Dinesh received his termination letter.
Maya sank into her chair, her face hardening with fresh determination. “I need to plan something out of the office, she thought grimly “
Keerthy, Pavi, and Pradeep walked into Aryan’s cabin, their faces glowing with excitement after hearing the news about the tender.
“Sir, congratulations on the tender win!” Pavi grinned.
“Yes, Aryan Bro! That’s amazing!” Keerthy added.
“Thank you all,” Aryan smiled, closing the file in front of him.
“Sir, why hasn’t Sanju shown up at the office today?”
“I called her but she didn’t answer,” Keerthy said, concern lining her voice.
Aryan leaned back in his chair. “Actually, she’s been looking really tired these past couple of days. Even this morning, she didn’t seem well. She was fast asleep when I left, so I asked her to rest. I also put her phone on silent… so she probably didn’t see your calls.”
Pavi frowned. “Is her stress coming back again?”
“Not exactly,” Aryan replied. “But she’s been working a lot lately. I think it’s just exhaustion.”
“Shall I come over this evening to check on her?” Keerthy asked.
Aryan shook his head gently. “No, Keerthy. Let her rest today. Maybe you girls can plan something—take her out for a break. Just inform Ranjith about your plans, he’ll make the arrangements.”
Keerthy lit up. “That sounds good! What do you say, Pavi?”
“Amazing idea. Let’s all relax for a day!” Pavi clapped her hands.
“You can go to our beach house,” Aryan offered. “She loves that place. You’ll enjoy it too.”
“Thank you, bro!” Keerthy beamed. “Then it’s settled—beach house it is!”
Aryan turned to Ranjith. “Make the arrangements for them.”
“Sure, sir,” Ranjith nodded.
Pradeep crossed his arms with a mock frown. “What about us then, Aryan? Relaxation only for the girls?”
Aryan smirked. “Come home. We’ll relax with a game of snooker. You and Ranjith can have your drinks, and I’ll enjoy my juice.”
Pradeep laughed. “Great, then. Count me in.”
“Alright,” Aryan stood up, grabbing his keys. “I’ll head home now.”
When Aryan reached home, he found Kowsalya arranging dishes in the dining area.
“Kowsalya mom, did Sanju have her food properly?” he asked.
“No sir,” she replied, concern evident in her voice. “She ate only a little and then went to the garden.”
“Okay, please get her a milkshake to the garden,” he said, walking outside.
In the garden, Sanju was sitting on a bench, watching birds flutter around as she scattered grains with Bala.
“Sanju…” Aryan called out softly.
Bala noticed him and greeted respectfully before quietly walking away.
Sanju turned with a smile. “Aryan! What happened with the tender?”
“We won it,” he said, walking closer.
“Wow! Congrats!” she beamed.
“But tell me, how are you feeling now?”
“I’m perfectly alright. Slept the whole day,” she said, stretching a little.
“And why didn’t you eat properly?”
“I did eat… enough,” she said, avoiding his eyes. “So… treat me for winning the tender?”
“What do you want?”
“Pizza?”
“Done. For dinner, okay?”
“I love you,” she whispered, her head resting lightly on his shoulder.
They sat down on the garden bench together as Kowsalya arrived with a drink.
“Mom, why are you bringing this now?” Sanju asked with a small frown.
“Sanju, I asked her to bring it,” Aryan said firmly. “Now finish it.”
“Aryan… please…” she whined.
“No please. Finish it—only then you’re getting pizza,” he grinned.
With a dramatic sigh, she drank it, glaring at him playfully. “You’re so mean.”
Aryan chuckled at her expression. As they relaxed, he told her everything that had happened at the tender meet—how Dinesh had hacked into their network, how he fed Maya a fake quotation, and how Dinesh was finally fired.
Sanju’s expression darkened. “How long do we need to tolerate her? She’s stooping so low.”
“I told her father. Hopefully, he’ll keep her in check.”
“I doubt she’ll remain quiet,” Sanju muttered.
“Seri, leave that. Come inside, it’s getting cold.”
That evening, they shared pizza for dinner, laughing and cuddling before drifting off to sleep in each other’s arms.
At DC Residence, Maya was on a conference call with her friends, her voice tight despite the forced smile she wore.
“Maya, you’ve been too busy ever since you took up the business,” Lekha teased.
“Yes, a little, Lekha,” Maya replied, leaning back on her chair.
“How about a party this week?” Riya suggested.
“Where?” Maya asked flatly.
“This time, let’s chill outside the city,” Riya said. “How about Ooty?”
“Fine. Let’s go,” Maya agreed.
“Great! We’ll start Friday night then,” Lekha chirped.
“I’ll come over to your place, Lekha, and we’ll go from there,” Maya confirmed.
After the call, Maya leaned back with a bitter smile, thoughts swirling.
“I need a terrible break… to think clearly. First, I have to find a way to pull out of this partnership. And then… I’ll deal with Sanjana.”
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