Om had already set off in the car with Manoj Uncle and his family, heading toward Vijay Uncle's house. He was the one driving. Harsh had been stubbornly insisting on taking the wheel, and Om was just about to give in—but before he could, Savita snapped at Harsh and ordered him to sit in the front seat beside Om.
And because Harsh was a complete mama's boy, the moment his mother spoke, his stubbornness melted away. Without another word, he quietly took the seat next to Om.
But inside Savita's mind, a storm was already brewing.
She knew this was not the time to entertain her son's whims. They had come here for a reason, and she wasn't going to let anything distract them. Sure, she could've convinced Om to hand over the car for a while—but she also knew what awaited them ahead.
They were going to face Vijay.
And Vijay was nothing like Vipul Bhaiya… someone who would just let things slide.
No.
Vijay was the kind of man who didn't hesitate—man or woman, it didn't matter—he would say the harshest truth straight to your face without blinking.
Yet one question kept stabbing at her mind again and again—
How could a man who hated her brother and his family so much… allow Om to live under his roof?
Something didn't add up.
Savita had a thousand questions about Om, but she held them back. This wasn't the right time to dig up old graves.
Just then, Manoj gently spoke up, his voice warm with affection—
"Om, son… tell me, how have you been? What have you been doing all these years? And tell me honestly… did you ever miss us?"
Om kept his eyes on the road, a faint smile forming on his lips.
"Of course, Uncle… there wasn't a single day when I didn't think about you. I'm not lying—you can even ask Vijay Uncle. The first thing I asked him when I met him was about you."
He paused for a second, then added softly,
"The only problem was… neither of us had any way to contact you."
Then he glanced briefly in the rear-view mirror.
"But tell me… how are all of you?"
Manoj was about to respond, but Savita cut in before he could speak, her tone smooth yet sharp beneath the surface—
"So, Om… I heard you're one of the shareholders in Kathwani Company. That's impressive. It's good to see you reaching such heights in life."
Om simply nodded.
"Thank you."
And returned his focus to the road.
But his mind wasn't as calm as his face.
Something about the atmosphere in Manoj's family felt… off.
Too off.
He noticed how Manoj's children were glued to their phones, completely disconnected. Harsh seemed obsessed with brands and luxury. Manoj himself looked happy on the surface—but there was a strange nervousness hiding behind his smile.
And Savita…
Her face carried tension… but behind that tension, Om could clearly see something else.
Greed.
Faint, but unmistakable.
Still, Om chose silence. This wasn't the moment to ask questions.
So he kept driving.
Meanwhile… at Singhania's Office
On the other side of the city, Bali had arrived at Singhania's office.
The moment he stepped in, the entire atmosphere shifted.
Singhania—the same man known as one of the most powerful figures in Pratapgarh—was now personally attending to Bali like a servant.
Sweat dripped down his face.
Fear had made a home in his eyes.
As Bali finished the drink Singhania had offered him, he slowly turned his gaze toward him… a gaze so cold it could freeze blood.
"Singhania…" he said quietly, "why has your business gone weak in Pratapgarh these days?"
Singhania swallowed hard.
"Bali Bhai… there's this one man… he's been causing me a lot of trouble. Because of him, things haven't been running smoothly."
The moment those words left his mouth—
Bali's hand shot forward.
He grabbed Singhania's face tightly, his fingers digging into his flesh.
"Do you even remember," Bali growled, his voice low but deadly, "that this empire of yours is built on piles of dead bodies?"
His grip tightened.
"And you're telling me… one man is enough to shake you?"
Singhania winced in pain, his breath turning uneven.
"Has money made you lazy? Huh?"
Bali's eyes burned into his.
"The Singhania I knew… was a hungry wolf. A man who crushed every obstacle in his path without mercy."
He leaned closer.
"But the man standing in front of me right now… can't even handle one ordinary person?"
A pause.
"Or… is he not ordinary?"
Singhania forced himself to speak despite the fear choking him.
"No, Bhai… he's not special. Just an ordinary man. But don't worry… you trusted me, and I won't disappoint you. You'll see the old Singhania again. I promise."
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Then Bali released him.
Singhania stumbled back, gasping for air.
Bali's expression turned serious again.
"Good. I know you'll handle it."
He stepped aside, his voice lowering.
"But that's not why I'm here."
Singhania looked up, confused.
"I'm looking for someone," Bali said.
"And I've heard… that person is in this city right now."
The fear in Singhania's eyes was quickly replaced by curiosity.
"Who is it, Bhai?" he asked eagerly. "Just give me the name… I'll find him even if he's hiding in hell and bring him to your feet."
Back at Vijay Uncle's House
At the same time, Om had reached Vijay Uncle's house with Manoj's family.
As soon as the car stopped and everyone stepped out, Harsh's eyes fell on the parking area—
And in the next second, they lit up like fireworks.
There were already three cars parked there.
One of them… was a Jaguar.
Harsh practically shouted, unable to control his excitement—
"Oh damn! That's a Jaguar Pro V101! Boss, this car isn't a car—it's a freaking airplane! This is insane… two luxury cars in one house? Seriously… this has to be Vijay Uncle's. That's just too cool!"
Savita and Isha were equally stunned.
Savita knew Om and Vijay were well-off…
But this wealthy?
She had never imagined it.
And slowly… something ugly began to rise inside her.
Jealousy.
The dreams she had carried all her life…
Om and Vijay were living them.
The kind of life she had always wanted—
Was now being lived by Sharda… her quiet, selfless sister-in-law who had spent her life worrying about others.
And Savita couldn't accept that.
Not at all.
Just then—
A voice came from behind them.
Calm. Firm.
"That car… belongs to Om as well."
Harsh didn't even bother turning around. Still staring at the Jaguar, he laughed and said—
"Damn, Om… you really are crazy about cars! Two luxury cars? That's just awesome, man!"
But the others…
They had already turned.
And the moment their eyes fell on the man standing there—
They froze.
Standing before them, hands tucked into his pockets, face calm but heavy with seriousness…
Was Vijay Ahuja.
And his eyes—
Were locked directly on Manoj.