Om and Harsh had already entered the Joshi mansion. A man dressed in a black suit led them straight into a massive hall, where, right in the center on a large circular sofa, sat Indrajeet Joshi in a plain kurta-pajama, leaning silently on his walking stick. Around him sat Viraj and Sanaya in their night clothes, both unusually quiet.
Sanaya was already beautiful, but tonight, dressed in a wine-red satin night suit, she looked dangerously stunning. Even the bodyguards standing there to protect her couldn't stop stealing glances at her again and again. One of them, hiding behind his black sunglasses, had been shamelessly trying to stare at her chest without getting caught.
And in the middle of all this silent tension, the man in black finally brought Om and Harsh into the room.
The moment Mr. Joshi saw Om, he stood up with a smile.
"Welcome, Mr. Om. Thank you for coming this late at night on my request."
Viraj and Sanaya also stood up after seeing their grandfather rise. Viraj greeted Om politely, but Sanaya ignored him out of pure arrogance. Though secretly, her eyes kept drifting back toward Om's face again and again.
Seeing everyone stand, Om spoke calmly and respectfully,
"Hello, Uncle Joshi. It's alright. If you called me this late, then it must be something important. Hello Viraj... Miss Joshi... good evening. And this is my brother, Harsh."
Om introduced Harsh, and Harsh smiled nervously and greeted everyone back. After that, Mr. Joshi asked both of them to sit.
The moment Om and Harsh settled down, tea and snacks were served before them. Without wasting time, Mr. Joshi leaned forward and spoke seriously.
"Well, Om... today I received a call from Delhi's Z Market. Three days from now, a massive Z Auction is going to take place there. According to secret information, only top-grade Z stones will be available this time."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"People from across the country and even overseas will be attending. And obviously, everyone will try their luck. You already know... Z is nothing less than gambling these days. If luck favors you and you find the right stone, even your next seven generations will live like royalty. But if fate turns against you, then seven generations' worth of wealth can disappear while chasing it."
The room had gone silent.
"That's why a competition is also being held during the auction. Whoever discovers the finest quality Z could change their destiny overnight. Personally, I don't care about the competition itself… I'm only interested in the Z."
The moment Mr. Joshi stopped speaking, Om calmly completed the sentence for him in a heavy, emotionless voice.
"You simply want to show all those rich and powerful people their place. And for that, you want me to participate on behalf of your family and find the highest-grade Z for you. Am I right?"
The second Om said that, Viraj, Indrajeet, and Sanaya were all stunned.
It felt as if Om had looked straight into their minds.
Om continued calmly,
"Don't you think this is selfish, Uncle? And why exactly do you think I would participate under your name… when I can enter that competition myself and win both the prize and the Z?"
The moment Om said that, Sanaya instantly stood up in anger.
"Watch your tongue, Mister! You should consider yourself lucky that you're even getting a chance to represent the great Joshi Industries! People beg for opportunities like this!"
Her voice grew sharper with every word.
"Who do you think you are? Some kind of hero? That we'll sing praises for you and welcome you with respect? Just quietly agree to my grandfather's offer, take your reward, and leave. Otherwise... your aunt, who never steps outside the kitchen and house, might have to start praying for your safety."
The second those words left her mouth, Harsh froze in fear and quickly looked toward Om.
But Om…
Om was still sitting there calmly.
No anger.
No reaction.
No expression at all.
His face looked like a blank sheet of paper as he silently stared at Mr. Joshi and Viraj.
Yet Sanaya, blinded by arrogance, refused to stop.
"Maybe now you understand that we're keeping an eye on you. And remember something—we are the Joshis, the richest family in this city! Kids like you lick my grandfather's shoes every single day. So it's better for you to accept this offer quietly… otherwise—"
"OTHERWISE…?"
The thunderous roar shook the entire hall.
It wasn't just a voice.
It was Om.
He hadn't even moved from his seat, yet the terrifying force behind his words sent chills through every person standing there. For one brief second, everyone in that room felt fear crawl down their spine.
Om slowly lifted his eyes toward Sanaya.
"So what exactly will you do?"
The entire hall had fallen silent.
Everyone stared at Om in shock.
But Sanaya…
The moment she heard that roar, her body went numb. It felt as though her soul itself had trembled.
Om finally stood up.
Till now, he had tolerated Sanaya's behavior for only one reason—he wanted to see whether Viraj and Mr. Joshi would stop their spoiled daughter.
But the moment she dragged his aunt into the conversation, and even then neither Viraj nor Mr. Joshi said a word…
Om understood everything.
They had no intention of stopping her.
And that was enough.
Looking at all three of them with cold fury in his eyes, Om spoke,
"Stop keeping tabs on me… and first learn how to control your filthy bodyguards. I'm afraid someday they might take advantage of you instead."
The bodyguard behind Sanaya instantly stiffened in fear.
"And as for the work… maybe I would've agreed if you people had shown basic respect. But now that threats and arrogance are involved, forget it. That competition? You can erase it from your dreams."
Then Om slowly stepped toward Sanaya.
His eyes locked onto hers like a predator staring at prey.
"And Miss Joshi… calm yourself. If you've really been watching me, then you should already know what I do to people who drag my family into things."
His voice dropped lower.
"So for your sake… and mine… never involve my family again."
A dangerous silence followed.
"Because I'm not as decent a person as you think."
By now, Sanaya was genuinely terrified.
Not only because of Om's anger…
But because her own secrets had just been exposed in front of everyone.
Even the bodyguard behind her was sweating nervously.
Trying to hide her fear behind anger, Sanaya suddenly screamed,
"Bodyguards! Throw this man out right now! Beat him and drag him outside!"
Within seconds, every bodyguard in the Joshi mansion surrounded Om.
Black suits.
Loaded guns.
Cold eyes.
All aimed directly at him.
Harsh's face had gone pale with fear.
But Om…
Om simply stood there without a single expression, staring silently at Sanaya.
And Sanaya, now feeling protected behind her men, slowly relaxed.
A proud, arrogant smile returned to her face as she looked back at Om.