As they ascended in the grand elevator, Priya hesitated, her eyes darting nervously toward Yuvika. It was clear she wanted to ask something, but she seemed unsure if it was appropriate. Finally, after a few moments of silence, she worked up the courage to speak.
"Yuvika," Priya began cautiously, "there's… something I've always been curious about. I've heard some things about your family's history—about your dad and your grandmother—rumors, really. But I didn't want to bring it up unless you were okay with it."
Yuvika glanced at her with a small, understanding smile. "Go ahead, Priya. If I can talk about it, I will."
Priya nodded, still hesitant, but she pressed on. "It's just… I heard that when your grandfather's plane crashed, your father was with him. But he wasn't found. And there was this rumor that your grandmother spent years searching for him—almost a decade. Then, when he finally came back… she didn't seem to care about him as much anymore. Is any of that true?"
The elevator stopped, and they stepped out into a private hallway leading to the executive offices. Yuvika paused, her heels clicking softly against the polished floors, before turning to face Priya.
"Yes," she said softly, her gaze distant. "It's true. My dad was on the flight with my grandfather. When the crash happened, everyone assumed they both died. But the rescue teams only found Grandpa's body. Dad wasn't there. Grandma refused to believe he was dead. She said she knew he was alive, somewhere out there. And so, for ten years, she searched for him."
Arjun, Karan, and Priya exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of shock and intrigue.
"She turned the company into a powerhouse during those years," Yuvika continued, "but she never stopped looking for him. She hired private investigators, contacted authorities in every country she could think of, and spent a fortune trying to find him. Then one day… she did. He was alive. He'd been living in a remote village, injured and with no memory of who he was for years. When she found him, he'd only just started to remember pieces of his past."
"That must've been a happy ending," Priya said quietly.
Yuvika's lips curved into a bitter smile. "You'd think so, wouldn't you? But when Dad came back, something between them was… broken. Maybe it was the years apart, or maybe Grandma felt like he wasn't the same person she'd been searching for. She brought him home, of course, but their relationship was never the same. They barely spoke, and Grandma threw herself even deeper into the business. She loved him, I know that. But it was like they were strangers."
The group fell silent as they processed this revelation. After a moment, Priya hesitated again before asking, "And… your mother?"
Yuvika's face softened, but a shadow crossed her eyes. "Mom was the only person who truly brought peace between Dad and Grandma. She was kind, gentle—everything Dad needed after coming back. But she was gone too soon. She died when I was just a baby. It broke Dad, I think. He remarried quickly—too quickly. And not just anyone. He married Mom's best friend."
Priya's eyes widened, and even Karan looked shocked. "Her best friend?" Priya repeated incredulously.
"Yes," Yuvika said simply. "It's a messy story. Grandma wasn't happy about it, but by then, she'd stopped interfering in Dad's life. She focused on me instead. I think I was her way of making up for everything she felt she lost."
Arjun finally spoke, his voice quiet. "You've been through so much, Yuvika. And yet, here you are—strong, determined, ready to take on the world. Your grandma must be so proud of you."
Yuvika smiled faintly, brushing away the heaviness of the conversation. "I hope so. She's the reason I'm standing here today. I owe it all to her."
The group nodded, silently admiring Yuvika's resilience as they continued toward the boardroom.
The grand lobby of the company was abuzz with excitement. As Yuvika entered, dressed in her tailored business suit with an air of confidence that belied her age, the staff lined up to welcome her. Applause echoed through the marble halls as she walked forward, her every step resonating on the polished floor. A path of red carpet led her toward the boardroom, where her grandmother's legacy awaited her.
Inside, the boardroom was nothing short of majestic. The space was enormous, with high ceilings adorned by a massive crystal chandelier that cast a warm glow over the room. The walls were lined with portraits of the company's founders and accolades, each a testament to her grandmother's achievements. A long, sleek mahogany table dominated the room, surrounded by high-backed leather chairs. At the far end of the table stood a podium, flanked by large windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline.
The directors and senior staff, all impeccably dressed, rose to their feet as Yuvika entered. Her grandmother's personal secretary, a sharp, efficient woman in her mid-fifties named Mrs. Mehra, stepped forward to greet her.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Mrs. Mehra announced, her voice ringing with authority, "I present to you Ms. Yuvika mehta, the new leader of this great enterprise."
The room broke into polite applause, but there was one notable exception. At the far end of the table sat Nikhil, his posture rigid and his arms crossed. His eyes burned with unmasked anger as they locked onto his daughter. Unlike the others, he neither clapped nor rose to greet her. Instead, his jaw tightened, and a sneer played at the corners of his mouth.
Yuvika noticed her father's cold reception but chose to ignore it. Her expression remained calm, poised, and unflinching. She had anticipated this hostility from him, and she was determined not to let it rattle her.
Mrs. Mehra gestured for Yuvika to take her place at the head of the table, a position that had once belonged to her grandmother. "Ms. mehta," she said warmly, "allow me to introduce you to the members of the board. Each of them has had the honor of working under your grandmother's visionary leadership, and they are eager to support you in continuing her legacy."
As introductions were made, Yuvika's presence commanded the room. Despite her young age, she exuded a confidence that silenced any doubts about her capabilities. She glanced around the table, taking in the faces of those who now stood as her allies—or adversaries.
Nikhil, however, didn't join the polite exchanges. He leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes fixed on Yuvika with thinly veiled resentment. Though he said nothing, the tension he exuded was palpable, like a storm cloud hovering at the edge of the otherwise warm atmosphere.
Yuvika met his gaze briefly, her expression unreadable. If he hoped to intimidate her, he would find no success. This was her moment, her rightful place, and she wouldn't let anyone—not even her father—undermine her resolve.