Chapter- 26

The air inside the Sehgal Empire shifted instantly. The murmured conversations died down as words spread quickly across the floor the moment Ekansh and Eshita stepped into the company building together. Chairs scraped against the floor almost in unison. Every employee present on the floor rose to their feet automatically. That was the authority the siblings carried without even demanding it.

The stance of the duo radiated quiet power and control, their mere presence enough to silence the entire office.

A few employees who had been working there for decades recognized Ekansh instantly. Years ago, he had worked under Virendra himself and their boss’s son. Back then, no one in the office was allowed to order Ekansh around, not a senior from another department, not even the board members themselves, except for his father.

And the same went for Eshita. She listened, worked, and reported only to one man: the CEO of the company and her father.

Seeing the siblings together after years surprised many. Some exchanged shocked glances at Ekansh’s unexpected arrival, while others simply stood confused, unable to understand what exactly was happening.

“Who is he?” one of the interns whispered quietly to the employee beside him, clearly unaware of the tension filling the atmosphere.

The senior employee looked at him, “You joined recently, didn’t you?” he muttered.

The intern nodded hesitantly.

The older employee lowered his voice immediately, careful enough that it wouldn’t travel far. “That’s Ekansh Sehgal. Boss’s son.”

The intern’s eyes widened slightly. “The same Ekansh Sehgal?”

“What do you mean?” the other employee frowned in confusion.

“It’s just… there are words going around that Ekansh Sehgal was disowned by his own father.”

“Isliye toh Mr. Sehgal ne Ms. Eshita ko apna heir announce kiya tha kuch mahine pehle.” Another chimed in, “He isn’t deserving enough to carry the Sehgal legacy.”

Eshita stopped dead in her tracks. The last words fell in her ears, making her blood boil. Her brother wasn’t looking for a grand introduction. He had already asked her before stepping down from the car that they would straight go to their father’s cabin for work. She didn’t like the idea but understood her bhaiya’s view. He was walking back into a place where he had left behind too many memories; he needed time to gather himself before facing everything again, yet the whispers followed him even here.

She spun on her heels. Silence enveloped the entire floor. Everyone straightened up instantly. Eshita Sehgal was known to be sharp-tongued, blunt, and brutally straightforward. The girl was just eighteen, but the authority she carried in her presence alone was enough to silence an entire room.

“Kya hua?” Ekansh looked up startled as he almost collided with Eshita, busy going through his phone.

He heard every single word, but nothing touched him anymore. He was used to being judged, misunderstood, and talked about behind his back. Today also, he was fine. He couldn’t waste his energy going around shutting every mouth.

Those who knew him already greeted him with warm looks on their faces, and he was content with that. If there was one thing he had earned on his own, it was the support of the office employees. No matter how cold or distant he was toward them, they made sure to respect him and stand by him, not because he was the son of a man who signed their paychecks, but because of who he was as an individual, and that was enough for him.

Eshita quietly reached for Ekansh’s hand, guiding him to the center of the room. “Jitna main samajh pa rahi hoon, aap sabhi jaante hai yeh kaun hai.” Her voice echoed calmly through the silent office floor.

“But for those who don’t know…” Her gaze landed on the ones who were commenting earlier. “He is Ekansh Virendra Sehgal. My elder brother.” Her voice was sharp with authority.

Her gaze swept across everyone. “From now on, he will be taking care of office matters jab tak dad wapas nahi aa jaate. You all will report to him directly, and make sure to spread this news on each floor immediately. Clear?”

The team nodded instantly, not daring to question her tone.

Eshita turned to leave but stopped, looking back at the intern. “We don’t pay here for gossip or unnecessary commentary. Work properly, or I won’t mind personally reviewing your reports.”

Ekansh sighed, guiding his sister toward the elevator. There wasn’t much changed in the interior within these five years. The walls were the same, so were the familiar corridors carrying memories he never truly left behind.

He punched the button for the last floor and looked at Eshita. “Satisfied?”

Eshita shot him a sharp look. “You should have told her something. I know you heard it, yet you ignored it.”

Ekansh shook his head. “Jab main new tha yaha, working as dad’s PA, I heard many voices too. Some called it privilege, some favoritism, some even questioned my capabilities. I was angry. I was ready to fight each one of them, but dad only said one thing.”

A faint smile tugged at his lips. “A person who keeps stopping to answer every barking voice never reaches his destination. We prove ourselves through work, not arguments.”

Eshita sighed. She had heard the same before, but back then her father’s words, any word of wisdom, only fueled her anger. She ignored them all, only to realize now that he had given her the same lessons he taught her bhaiya… just in different ways.

“The floors changed or what?” Ekansh asked as they stepped out of the elevator.

“HR department is on the third floor, the finance one is on the fifth,” Eshita recited like a cassette player, “legal department on the seventh and the board meeting halls along with dad’s personal conference cabin are on the top floor.”

Ekansh blinked, startled, taking in her words. “Did you mug everything up like a parrot?”

Eshita shrugged, pushing the door of her father’s cabin open. “I didn’t have much of a choice. Har ek floor par dus dus baar gayi hu seedhiyon se. Bhoolne ka koi chance hi nhi hai.”

Ekansh stiffened each time he heard one of the struggles his sister had gone through. He didn’t know what to make out of it. He had gone through the same more times than he could count on his fingers. His father was ruthless in his business mode. He preferred perfection and professionalism. If the expectations from employees were a hundred percent, then from his son they were far beyond that. But the age difference and choices mattered.

He looked on as Eshita sat on the couch with their father’s laptop. He settled down beside her quietly. For years he had yearned to see his child grow up, wondering how she was living, was she happy, did she miss him, did she stop getting into trouble at school, was her temper still the same or had it lessened as she grew up… so many questions, so many lost moments.

But now, sitting there in a formal suit with her hair falling over her shoulders, her brows furrowed in concentration, completely focused on her work, after everything he was seeing, Ekansh didn’t know what he should actually feel.

His sister had grown up in ways much harsher than he had imagined. Before leaving the house, he had teased her that she would create chaos, but this side of Eshita came as a complete surprise to him. He wasn’t prepared to see that businesswoman in action.

He was proud of what she had become despite the forced responsibilities she chose to carry silently, but even his pride tangled itself with guilt because she never wanted this life in the first place.

“Here is the presentation of the new startup collaboration proposal.” Eshita’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

He leaned forward, going through the screen. “What’s the issue here exactly?”

Eshita sighed, rubbing her forehead lightly. “They want us to do all the manufacturing, packaging, marketing, and distribution while paying them an extra percentage over the agreed amount. The product cost itself is low, so is the making cost.”

“We will be at a loss that way,” Ekansh concluded. “Why are we even working with this company? What’s their history?”

Eshita leaned back on the couch. “A few months back, Mr. Kashyap and Dad opened a new investment branch where they offer funds to small startup companies that have creative ideas and potential but lack manufacturing and financial support. We handle the production and business side while they focus on innovation. We gain profits and they get a platform.”

Ekansh still looked clueless. “Now what does it have to do with Mr. whoever Kashyap is?”

Eshita rolled her eyes slightly. “Dad and Mr. Kashyap signed deals with a few startup companies, but this one…” She pointed at the screen. “Was brought in personally by Kashyap. He wanted to help his old school friend and that’s how this whole mess began. In the beginning everything was perfect as per the contract, the profit margin, timelines, even the responsibilities were clearly divided. But now…” She gestured toward the screen. “You can see yourself. They want more money without contributing anything extra.”

“In short, greed ruined professionalism,” Ekansh muttered.

Eshita nodded. “I made changes a few months back, and I think they responded, but we were busy with our lives. So… now we have a meeting with them. They want to find a middle ground.”

Ekansh went through the presentation and the pros and cons carefully, trying to understand every detail before reaching any conclusion.

“Are they an asset for our company or a liability?” He asked, closing the file.

Eshita contemplated for a moment. “I guess both. Latter one more, because Kashyap Industries were drowning in their own losses a year back before dad helped them despite not being on good terms. Six months back the company reached new heights, new investors, extra profits, and they started showing their true colors. Dad chahte toh pehle hi contract se alag ho jaate, par kaafi paise bhi lage hai, reputation too. The ATV launch that happened in dad’s absence… the man took every credit for it. I worked on the presentation dad made and even handled the technical modifications, but he was the one who bragged about it like he built the whole project from scratch. Yet we can’t do anything under the legal contract.”

Ekansh exhaled sharply. That was one thing he hated about business partnerships, you couldn’t simply walk away, neither could you destroy someone without destroying yourself in the process.

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After a while, the siblings stepped into the conference room where Avinash and two more men were waiting. As the duo walked in, rather than Virendra Sehgal himself, they exchanged glances filled with visible dissatisfaction.

Ekansh and Eshita avoided the head chair, settling down side by side right across from them.

Eshita quietly attached the laptop to the big screen beside her, which lit up with the new presentation she and Ekansh had worked on an hour ago before coming there. She didn’t believe in handshakes or fake introductions when people had already decided to underestimate you the moment you walked in.

“So let’s start the meeting, gentlemen.” Her tone was calm and professional. “We have...”

“Where is Mr. Sehgal?” Avinash Kashyap cut in casually. “We were supposed to have a meeting with him. Not you… or an outsider.” He emphasized the last words while looking at Ekansh. “Who is he?”

Eshita glared at the old hag, ready to spit out something harsh, but Ekansh held her wrist under the table, stopping her at the last moment.

“Who I am and what my relation is with this company, we can keep the introductions for later, Mr. Kashyap.” Ekansh’s firm tone sliced through the air, gaining each of their attention.

“For now, let’s focus on what we are here for.”

“We don’t do business with children.” Another man scoffed. He turned to Avinash. “Yeh kya hai Kashyap sahab? Aapne toh kaha tha Mr. Sehgal se mulakat hogi. Yaha toh yeh bacche itni badi meeting mein hai. Mr. Sehgal ko apni company ki padi nahi hai kya?”

“Was that a threat I heard, Mr. Maheshwari?” Eshita asked sharply. “Or are you trying to insult my father?”

The man glared at her. “We are here to talk to the man who will actually handle the deal, not a college-going child who is yet to understand how the real world works.”

Ekansh leaned back in the chair coolly. “Well, you don’t have a choice in that, Mr. Maheshwari. Unfortunately, you willl have to see for yourself what experience a child going to university has unlike the grown men whose fragile ego can’t deal with a woman talking logically.”

He could recognize a bully the moment he saw one because he had dealt with enough of them in life, and Rajesh Maheshwari was clearly one. His tone gave away that he could handle the deal being presented by his father, but not by Eshita. That rubbed him the wrong way. They were living in the twenty-first century, not some fucking backward era.

Before Rajesh could utter another word, Eshita rose to her feet. She stared at Avinash, in the eye.

“If your partner has a problem with me leading this meeting, then we have to end this all here, Mr. Kashyap.” Her tone firmed. “I am here representing Seghal Empires, and this gentleman here…” She pointed at Ekansh, “Is my elder brother. We both are here filling in for our father who couldn’t attend the meeting due to some personal reasons. So… you don’t have a choice but to go through the process.”

“We suggested the merger a few months back. You responded to the proposal yourselves, and that’s how we are all here today. You can walk out if you want, but after this we will meet in court. As legally, we abided by the rules attending the meeting for the better continuation of the partnership, but…” She glanced at Rajesh with a sweet smile, “Someone has to throw tantrums like a toddler. Not our fault. Is it now?”

Avinash raised his palm, stopping Rajesh who tried to speak. He knew speaking to Eshita was a waste of time. The girl was the youngest person he had come across in all the decades he had spent building his own company, yet Eshita was someone who could corner people with her firm stance and unwavering confidence without giving them a chance to recover.

He knew he didn’t have much of a choice except to go with the flow. The man sitting beside her was unknown to him, but the news spreading around that Virendra Sehgal’s son was back in business had already reached his ears. He had ignored it earlier, but he couldn’t ignore Eshita’s words now. He didn’t wish to mess with Virendra Sehgal’s children.

“Continue with what you were saying,” He said begrudgingly.

Eshita nodded and sat back, turning toward the screen. “So as we were speaking…” Words tumbled out of her smoothly, each precise detail and calculation presented with complete clarity.

Ekansh sat back, letting his sister take over, only adding his views when needed and giving her time to breathe whenever she paused. None of the three interrupted, listening to everything quietly with full concentration because the confidence Eshita carried mixing with Ekansh’s support left no room for carelessness.

“We can divide the investment percentage while balancing the production responsibilities equally.” Eshita concluded, looking at them, “This way our companies will gain profit and so will the workers. But you can’t rely on Sehgal Empires completely to pay for all the costs while your side simply supervises the outcome.”

“We don’t want the company to pay completely.” The man with Rajesh spoke up hesitantly, “We will pay the company, but after the six months of product launch and market performance.”

Eshita shook her head. “We can’t go with that either. The factory workers need to be paid on time, so do the raw material suppliers. Campaign and ads you will do later, but what is the guarantee that your product will sell well enough? What if what we pay for making the product is less than the losses we end up carrying? There are risks involved.”

“Risks are a part of business.” Rajesh mocked. “I think that’s the basic business principle you should be aware of.”

“Risks taken from both sides are called business.” Ekansh said sharply. “Only a fool will think one side should carry the entire burden.”

Rajesh glared at Ekansh. “So you think we will run away after taking your company’s investment? We will be bound in a legal contract still your company is doubting us?”

“Legal documentation doesn’t give blind trust,” Eshita chimed in calmly. “Legal contracts are for the safety of business, not for emotional reassurance.”

“I understand, Eshita.” Avinash spoke diplomatically, “But you see, I am working with your father’s company for years now. A little bit of flexibility can strengthen business relations. It’s just my friend here wants a chance. I don’t think you want to disappoint your father’s old friend.”

Ekansh rose to his feet, startling them all. He buttoned his coat and stared at Avinash. “Business and personal relationships are two different things, Mr. Kashyap. My father won’t accept us agreeing to something that will cost our company unnecessary losses. The final decision is made. Like my sister said, either we divide the investment percent or the deal is off. The choice is yours. You can answer us through mail.”

“I will drag you to court.” Rajesh fumed. He had come hoping to gain easy benefits all because Avinash told him Virendra Sehgal was his friend. And he pounced on the opportunity as his own company was on the edge of collapsing, but here everything flipped against him instead.

He glared at Eshita. “I have enough dirt on your father to dig up and destroy his reputation. Then we will see...”

“Before that think what I will do with you.” Ekansh’s voice boomed through the room. His eyes blazed with fury as he stood before Eshita protectively, blocking Rajesh completely. ”You want to drag my father? Threaten my sister?”

He rounded the table. Each step echoed with controlled fury, like a predatory beast slowly closing in on its prey. Rajesh rose to his feet, flinching slightly at the unexpected venom in Ekansh’s voice and presence.

Ekansh picked up the contract papers, tearing them apart right before Rajesh’s face. “The deal is off… permanently.” He stepped closer. “Let’s see what dirt I find on you and how many years it will take for you to clean it. Maybe then you will curse yourself for threatening my sister in front of me.”

Avinash rose to his feet. The rage in Ekansh, his cold dominating demeanor, everything made them deeply uncomfortable. It was the first time they were meeting, Ekansh, first time witnessing the real Ekansh Sehgal behind the composed businessman mask he was displaying earlier and already hoped it was the last time. He didn’t need to shout to make his displeasure know. His aura, few choosen words dipped in warning were enough to make a statement.

Eshita picked up the laptop hurriedly before rushing to Ekansh’s side. Her brother was too close to punching the daylight out of the man if he dared utter a single word wrong. Even though the fear in their eyes gave away that they wouldn’t dare provoke him further, still she refused to take risks.

She had seen that side of her bhaiya before; it was nothing new to her. But it would be a lie if she said it didn’t scare her. Even if that anger, that venom, was reserved for the outer world who wronged his loved ones, she still feared the destruction he could unleash once he truly lost control. She thanked her stars that Ekansh had held back for so long. He was pissed the moment Rajesh opened his mouth, yet he controlled himself, giving him a calm yet cutting reply. But she knew this much, that was all he could hold in.

“Bhaiya…” She reached for his arm, standing beside him.

Ekansh stepped back. He glanced at Avinash. ”You have my father’s number. Make sure to tell him what occurred here. I would really like to know if he still wants to be your friend or business partner anymore, or if he would rather continue entertaining people like him.”

Turning on his heels, he walked out of the room followed by Eshita. He had planned to let everything slide calmly and stay as professional as possible, but some people simply didn’t deserve calmness. He did what he was supposed to do. He didn’t regret anything.

Eshita dialed the intercom, ordering coffee. She looked at her brother. “Barf laau aapke liye? Aapka dimaag thanda karne ke liye.”

Ekansh ignored her words, slumping down on the couch. He glanced at his watch. “Ekta ko school se lene jaana hai. What meetings do we have now?”

Eshita shook her head. “Abhi ke liye kuch nahi hai. Shaam mein hai. I will come with you.”

Ekansh raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”

She had asked him so many questions, how Ekta was, her mood, whether she was happy, and countless other things, but she herself refused to approach Ekta directly. He gave her every tiny detail, even about what happened with the sacred thread, because he could never hide anything from his sister. He didn’t know what changed that she suddenly wanted to go along to pick Ekta up.

“You scared the shit out of them,” Eshita murmured, changing the topic. She was doing it simply.... because she wanted to. There was no explanation beyond that.

Ekansh let her be. “They deserved that. How did you even handle those jerks alone?”

Eshita frowned. “Who said I dealt with them alone? Dad humesha saath hote the. Presentation main deti thi ya unke saath rehti thi, but no one dared question me or cross me in dad’s presence. Kis ki himmat hogi dad ke samne muh kholne ki aur...” She trailed off as realization slammed against her heart wildly.

Just like her bhaiya was there with her today, her father too had always been there for her. There was not a single meeting she attended without his presence, and when he was busy, he asked the manager to handle things rather than letting her go alone despite her knowing everything about the project.

Ekansh rose to his feet, walking up to her. He didn’t like tears in her eyes. “Kya hua?”

Eshita wrapped her arms around him. “Dad humesha mere saath hi the.”

Her anger toward her father never let her see his positive side. She focused on finding flaws in him because he was never emotionally present when she needed him, always so cold and distant. So the best way to protect herself was to think he was selfish, heartless, and every other negative word present in the vocabulary. Now the realization she felt today spread a strange warmth through her chest, melting the walls around her heart a little bit.

Ekansh kissed her crown tenderly. “Dad ne kabhi nahi kaha hoga. But main keh raha hoon. He is proud of you, Esha. So am I… I am proud of my sister.” His words were laced with sincerity and admiration.

Every fiber of his being knew that if he had been in her place, he would have rebelled and done everything wrong just to make a point rather than growing up so maturely like his sister did. He was genuinely proud of her.

Tears overflowed as Eshita let herself relax in her bhaiya’s embrace. Until she heard those words, she herself hadn’t realized how deeply she yearned to hear them, craving for that quiet acknowledgment and unconditional pride from the people she loved the most.

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What are your thoughts on the Sehgal siblings and Ekansh’s intense protective side?

Do you remember who Avinash Kashyap is?

Any scene you wish to read(If it goes with the upcoming Chapters I will add them accordingly.)

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Like I said, the story will move on at a slow pace. I have a lot to add here; it’s like I just don’t want to end the Seghal Siblings Saga so easily. Or I can just come to the main twist, but it will end up messing with my plans, disconnecting the emotional flow. I will go at the pace I find fit. I just hope I don’t bore you.

Please do share your views!

Next Update: Wednesday!

Thanks for reading!!!

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