Veins Of Obsession

CH - 27 ( New Entry )

Ishaan sat alone in his study, a storm brewing in his mind. His belief, his hate, all of it was built on the betrayal he thought Mehra's had caused-the reason he felt compelled to destroy Saanvi's family. But now, as he replayed her words, a sliver of doubt began to grow. Her confidence, her unwavering belief in Mehra's innocence... it gnawed at him.

Grabbing his phone, he dialed his assistant, voice sharp. "Raj, I need every scrap of information you can find on the Mehta downfall and the Naira incident. Nothing overlooked, no detail too small. Get the files from my private archives. Double-check everything."

"Understood, sir," Raj replied, his tone is professional yet wary of the intensity in Ishaan's voice.
___

Meanwhile, in her own office, Saanvi stood with her back straight, eyes fixed on a large board filled with photos, documents, and connections she had mapped out. She knew the Mehra family was innocent; she just needed the final proof to put this vendetta to rest. Her assistant, Ankit, and manager, Kavya, were hard at work, cross-referencing dates and records.

"Ankit, have you found anything that ties this unknown figure back to the Mehta family? Anything at all?" she asked, her voice calm but steely.

"We've managed to gather some pieces," Ankit replied, eyes on his laptop, "but whoever this is, they've kept their tracks covered. They have connections to both the Mehra and Mehta families, but it's... indirect."

Saanvi narrowed her eyes, frustration evident. "Indirect doesn't work for me, Ankit. Find me names, connections, whatever it takes. I want this person uncovered."
___
Later, Ishaan's manager, Arjun, arrived with a stack of files. "Mr. Mehta, here's the research you requested. I had the team dig into archives and verify everything we could find about the Mehra downfall and Naira's incident."

Ishaan flipped through the documents, a frown deepening on his face. The details, the timing, something was off. He called Arjun back, his voice dark. "Go deeper. I don't care how long it takes, Arjun. I want every hidden truth, every lie that's been covered up."

Simultaneously, Saanvi's investigator, Priya, stepped into her office with a folder. "Ma'am, we found a trail-a possible connection. But there's a problem. This person has ties deep within both families, and they've been keeping close watch on you... even during the honeymoon."

Saanvi's gaze hardened. "I don't want possibilities, Priya. I want proof. If they're connected to Mehta's and have betrayed my family, I'll make sure they face consequences."

In their separate spaces, both Ishaan and Saanvi were relentless, pushing their teams harder, digging deeper into a past that was only now beginning to unravel fully. And as each uncovered more, the real enemy's face grew clearer-an enemy neither Mehta nor Mehra expected, tied inextricably to both families' darkest secrets.
___

NEW ENTRY

The atmosphere shifted the moment Arjun Singh Oberoi stepped into the room. Tall, with an air of mystery around him, his sharp gaze swept over the familiar faces before finally landing on Saanvi. Seven years had passed, but their friendship had stood the test of time, even if they hadn't seen each other in so long.

Saanvi's face softened just a bit when she saw him, a rare sight for anyone who knew her as the fierce mafia queen. "Arjun," she greeted, her voice warm but edged with curiosity. "It's been too long."

"Too long indeed, Saanvi," he replied smoothly, a hint of a smirk tugging at his lips as he looked her over. "You've been busy, I hear. And I see you've acquired a husband," he added, throwing a quick, almost mocking glance in Ishaan's direction, who watched the exchange with a growing wariness.

Arjun was here as a business partner of the Mehtas, but his loyalty lay elsewhere-with his secrets, his hidden agendas, and his quiet investigation into the mysterious death of his father. That death, which had always felt suspicious, was something he never spoke about. But Saanvi, his closest friend, knew he hadn't let it go.

As the two shared a few words, Anaya, trying to keep her composure, felt her cheeks grow warm. She had always had a small crush on Arjun, the mysterious Oberoi heir. And watching him now-so charismatic, so full of hidden intensity-it was impossible not to feel that spark.

"Oh, so the great Arjun Oberoi finally decided to grace us with his presence," Ishaan remarked dryly, crossing his arms. His tone was polite, but there was an underlying tension. This man, who was Saanvi's closest friend and a business ally, was a wild card he couldn't fully trust.

Arjun flashed Ishaan a polite smile. "I've heard a lot about you, Mr. Mehta. But it seems you're still getting to know your wife," he remarked, his tone laced with subtle implication.

As Saanvi and Arjun continued their conversation, laughter and warmth enveloped them, creating a stark contrast to the tension that had been brewing between Saanvi and Ishaan ever since their fight. Saanvi's eyes sparkled with the joy of reconnecting with her best friend after so long.

"Can you believe it's been seven years?" Saanvi said, a smile breaking across her face. "We were so young back then!"

Arjun chuckled, leaning against the wall casually. "And yet, here we are, still the same at heart-just a bit more jaded, I suppose." His gaze flickered to Ishaan, who had just emerged from his study. The tension in the air thickened as Ishaan's eyes darkened with jealousy.

"So, what brings you back to the lion's den, Arjun?" Ishaan asked, his tone sharp and cold, masking the underlying irritation simmering just beneath the surface.

Saanvi, noticing Ishaan's demeanor, felt a flicker of defiance within her. "He's here to catch up with old friends, Ishaan. Not everything has to revolve around you," she replied, a hint of sass in her voice.

Arjun raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained by the undercurrent of hostility. "I came to see Saanvi, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious about the legendary Ishaan Mehta as well," he said, a teasing lilt to his words.

Ishaan stepped closer, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "Oh? Legend, huh? Just remember, every legend has a dark side." His gaze was fixed on Saanvi, challenging her to react.

Saanvi rolled her eyes, frustration bubbling beneath her calm exterior. "You know, if you put as much energy into being supportive as you do into being jealous, maybe we wouldn't have had that fight," she shot back, crossing her arms defiantly.

Arjun interjected, sensing the tension escalating. "How about we all take a step back? Saanvi, I'm glad to see you thriving. And Ishaan, well... I can see why Saanvi has a soft spot for you, despite your attitude."

Ishaan's expression shifted momentarily, a mix of pride and irritation. "It's not just attitude, Arjun. I have my reasons for being protective." His eyes narrowed, directed at Saanvi. "And I'm not the one who decided to move into a different room, am I?"

Saanvi's cheeks flushed with irritation. "You don't get to dictate my choices, Ishaan. I'm not here to play your games," she snapped, her voice rising slightly.

"Games? Is that what you think this is?" Ishaan challenged, stepping closer. "You know, I thought we were building something real."

Saanvi's expression softened for just a moment before she hardened again. "Real? You mean your obsession with revenge? That's not something I want to be a part of anymore." She turned back to Arjun, seeking refuge in their camaraderie. "So, what's new in your life, Arjun? How's business?"

Ishaan clenched his jaw, watching as Saanvi easily slipped back into her playful banter with Arjun. The jealousy clawed at him, but he pushed it down, determined to not show weakness.

"Business is good. But honestly, Saanvi, I'm more interested in what's happening with you," Arjun replied, a genuine smile gracing his face.

"You wouldn't believe the chaos," Saanvi said, her tone lighter now. "I mean, I'm married to a man who thinks revenge is a love language."

Ishaan's brow furrowed, a mix of frustration and realization washing over him. He had to get through to her, to remind her of what they shared, but every time he opened his mouth, it felt like he was digging himself deeper into the hole between them.

As the conversation continued, Ishaan felt more like a spectator in his own life, the heat of jealousy mingling with the growing desperation to reclaim what was slipping away. He turned away, deciding he needed a moment to collect himself, but the echoes of Saanvi's laughter with Arjun lingered in his mind, igniting a fire within him that he could no longer ignore.

Someone was happy seeing the fight between Ishaan and saanvi the plan's were going as they needed...