Sidharth was quiet for a long moment, his gaze fixed on Advika. She met his eyes steadily, waiting.
"Do it," he finally said. "Arjun, compile everything we have on their laundering operations. Rishabh, find our intermediaries—people with no ties to us who can pass the information to the banking regulators. And someone start planting rumors about an informant in the Khanna organization."
Orders given, the meeting dissolved into planning. But Sidharth's hand found Advika's under the table, squeezing once.
Impressive,his eyes said.You're incredible.
Two Weeks Later
The plan worked even better than expected.
International banking regulators descended on the Khanna operations like locusts. Assets worth millions were frozen. Arrests were made. And as the investigation widened, it became clear the Khannas had been even more reckless than anticipated—their money laundering extended to terrorist financing, human trafficking proceeds, cartel connections.
Their allied families distanced themselves immediately. No one wanted to be associated with that level of heat.
And in the chaos, as the Khannas scrambled to save themselves, the Singhanias quietly absorbed their territory. Clubs, restaurants, shipping routes—all transferred to Singhania control through legitimate channels, bought from desperate men trying to raise legal fees.
Nitin Khanna was arrested trying to flee the country. His sons turned on each other, each claiming the other was the informant.
It was devastatingly effective. And completely bloodless.
"A masterclass in strategy," one of the other family heads commented at a meeting of the council—the informal group of major players who kept the city's underworld running. "The Singhanias have gotten creative."
Sidharth smiled, his arm around Advika's waist. "My wife's idea, actually. She has quite the mind for this."
Every eye in the room turned to her. Advika met their gazes calmly, refusing to be intimidated.
"Mrs. Singhania," the Mehta family head said slowly. "I must admit, I underestimated you."
"Most people do," she replied evenly. "It works to my advantage."
A ripple of laughter went through the room. Approval, grudging but real.
"A toast," Rishabh called, raising his glass. "To Advika Singhania. Brilliant strategist, formidable force, and the best thing that ever happened to this family."
"To Advika," the room echoed.
She felt Sidharth's pride in the way he held her, the way his thumb traced circles on her hip. When she looked up at him, his eyes were warm with love and respect.
"My brilliant wife," he murmured, just for her.
"Your brilliant partner," she corrected.
"Partner," he agreed, pressing a kiss to her temple. "In everything."
That night, in their bedroom, Sidharth couldn't keep his hands off her.
"You were magnificent today," he said, backing her toward the bed. "Watching you command that room, watching them realize you're a force to be reckoned with—"
"You're turned on by my strategic planning?" she teased.
"I'm turned on by your brilliance. Your strength. The way you made grown men sit up and take notice." He pulled her flush against him. "You're incredible, and I want to show you exactly how much."
"Show me," she breathed.
He did, thoroughly and repeatedly, until they were both exhausted and satisfied, tangled together in the sheets.
"I'm proud of you," he said later, in the quiet darkness. "Not just for today, but for everything. For who you've become."
