Chapter -3
The Agnihotri estate was bathed in golden light as the evening settled in. A soft breeze fluttered the curtains in Tanisha's massive bedroom, but her eyes were locked on her laptop screen.
The security footage played back in slow motion—Sinnea's reflection, smirking in the mirror as the maid "accidentally" spilled the irritant on the dress.
Tanisha's lips curled into a cold smirk. So, she wanted to play games? Fine. Let's play.
Before she could plan her next move, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in."
The door opened, and Meera walked in, carrying a velvet box. "Tanisha, my love, are you settling in well?"
Tanisha's expression softened slightly. Despite her calculating nature, she couldn't deny that Meera's love felt... real.
"Yes, Mother. Everything is fine."
Meera sat beside her, opening the velvet box to reveal a breathtaking diamond-studded bracelet. "This was mine when I was younger. I want you to have it."
Tanisha glanced at the bracelet before looking at Meera. Genuine affection.
She carefully took the bracelet and slipped it onto her wrist. "Thank you."
Meera cupped her face. "If you ever feel uneasy about anything, tell me. Your father and I will always protect you."
Tanisha noted the concern in her mother's voice. Did she suspect Sinnea?
She would find out soon enough.
---
The next morning, the family gathered in the private dining hall for breakfast.
Sinnea sat beside Lucas, effortlessly slipping into conversation with him, laughing at his jokes, and presenting herself as the dutiful niece.
Tanisha, however, remained silent, watching.
When Lucas turned to Tanisha, he smiled. "I have something for you."
A servant stepped forward, revealing a black card—an unlimited credit card under Tanisha's name.
"This is yours, sweetheart. Buy whatever you like."
Tanisha took the card without hesitation, twirling it between her fingers. A limitless weapon in a different kind of battlefield.
Sinnea's fingers tightened around her fork, though her expression remained pleasant. So, she thought money would make Tanisha reckless? Foolish.
Still, she smiled sweetly. "Oh, Tanisha, you must let me take you shopping! I know all the best places."
Tanisha sipped her coffee, her icy gaze unwavering. "That won't be necessary."
A small flicker of irritation crossed Sinnea's face before she covered it up with a laugh. "Oh, come now. You've lived so simply all these years. Let me help you adjust."
Lucas nodded. "That's not a bad idea. You girls should spend time together."
Tanisha tilted her head slightly. Sinnea was trying to force proximity.
Interesting.
"Alright, let's go shopping."
Sinnea's lips curled in satisfaction. She thought she had won this round.
Tanisha, however, had already planned her next move.
---
At the most exclusive luxury boutique in the city, Sinnea walked ahead, pulling out designer outfits, speaking about the latest trends.
Tanisha followed in silence, allowing her to think she was being influenced.
Sinnea handed her a dress, a white silk gown with intricate gold embroidery.
"Try this one. It'll look perfect on you."
Tanisha took it and entered the dressing room.
Inside, she examined it closely. A tiny, nearly invisible pin was embedded in the neckline.
A pin dipped in mild itching powder.
Enough to make her uncomfortable. Enough to embarrass her in front of everyone when she walked out wearing it.
Tanisha chuckled softly. How amateurish.
Instead of removing the pin, she carefully slid it into another dress Sinnea had chosen for herself.
Then, she walked out, wearing a different gown.
Sinnea blinked. "You didn't try the one I gave you?"
Tanisha shrugged. "Didn't feel like it."
A flicker of irritation crossed Sinnea's eyes, but she didn't push. Instead, she took her own dress and went to change.
When she emerged—her expression twisted slightly.
The irritation had begun.
Within minutes, Sinnea subtly tried to scratch at her collarbone, then her arms.
Tanisha merely smiled, sipping her iced coffee. "Something wrong?"
Sinnea clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.
She had been played at her own game.
And this was just the beginning.
---
As they left the boutique, a black Rolls-Royce pulled up beside them.
The back door opened.
And out stepped Adrian Blackwood.
Tall. Imposing. The richest and most feared man in the world.
Tanisha stood still as the black Rolls-Royce came to a stop.
The moment Adrian Blackwood stepped out, the air shifted.
Power. Authority. Danger.
He was dressed in a tailored black suit, his sharp features unreadable. A predator surveying his prey.
But Tanisha was no prey.
Their eyes met.
His world tilted.
For the first time in his life, Adrian Blackwood felt an emotion he couldn't define—a burning need.
Sinnea, oblivious to the tension, smiled sweetly. "Adrian! What a surprise."
Tanisha didn't break eye contact. She could see it. That raw, intense focus in his gaze.
Adrian wasn't just looking at her.
He was memorizing her.
---
Adrian's lips curved into the slightest smirk. "Tanisha Agnihotri."
His deep voice sent a shiver through the air.
Tanisha remained composed. "And you are?"
A flicker of amusement crossed his face. She doesn't know me?
Sinnea quickly jumped in. "Oh, Tanisha, this is Adrian Blackwood. The most powerful man in the world."
Adrian's eyes never left Tanisha. "Power is just a tool."
Tanisha arched a brow. "And what do you use yours for?"
A dangerous smile. "To get what I want."
Sinnea giggled. "Adrian and I have been friends for years."
Tanisha tilted her head slightly. Lies.
Adrian glanced at Sinnea but dismissed her presence entirely.
His focus remained on Tanisha.
She knew that look. Possessive. Intense. Certain.
Men like Adrian didn't pursue.
They took.
But Tanisha was no ordinary girl.
She took a step forward, her voice steady. "Nice meeting you, Mr. Blackwood. If you'll excuse us, we have things to do."
And then, she walked away.
For the first time in his life, someone had turned their back on Adrian Blackwood.
And he liked it.
---
Sinnea was fuming.
Adrian had completely ignored her. Worse—he was interested in Tanisha.
She clenched her fists as she followed Tanisha into the next store.
Sinnea forced a smile. "Adrian seemed interested in you."
Tanisha hummed, uninterested. "Did he?"
Sinnea forced a laugh. "Don't be fooled by him. He's ruthless. He destroys people."
Tanisha turned slightly, her expression unreadable. "And what makes you think I'm so easily destroyed?"
Sinnea's smile faltered.
For the first time, she felt it.
Tanisha wasn't just someone to get rid of.
She was someone to fear.
---
That night, in his penthouse, Adrian Blackwood leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping against his whiskey glass.
His assistant hesitated. "Sir, the background check on Miss Agnihotri…"
Adrian's cold gaze snapped up. "And?"
The assistant swallowed. "There's… nothing."
Adrian smirked. "A ghost, huh?"
His phone vibrated.
A single message from an unknown number.
"Stop looking into me, Mr. Blackwood. It's a waste of time."
His smirk widened.
Tanisha Agnihotri… you just became my greatest obsession.
--
The next day, at an elite gala, Tanisha walks in—and Adrian is already waiting.
This time, he won't let her escape.