Mishti stared at Karan in horror. The man she loved was about to bring her brother’s destruction, and she still didn’t know why.
“And this is not where it ends,” Karan continued. “The impact to Trinity will directly affect your other business as well. DG Group.”
Daksh seethed.
“After all,” Karan added, “the real funding that kept DG Group running smoothly so far came from Trinity, didn’t it?”
Daksh’s fists clenched so hard his knuckles turned white. Karan took a slow step forward.
“You were never a good businessman, Daksh,” he said without hesitation. “I did not have to put in much effort. Your own poor decisions, your lack of foresight, and your inability to adapt have all brought you here.Youdestroyed yourself long beforeIstepped in.”
Then his tone turned to casually cruel.
“But I must say,” he continued, “there is one thing I genuinely appreciate in all of this.”
His eyes moved to Mishti.
“Your sister,” he corrected deliberately. “I mean…your half-sister.”
Mishti flinched.
“Her intelligence. Her dedication,” Karan clapped slowly for the effect. “She outdid herself on her very first project for my company. Every report she submitted was thorough and flawless.”
His lips curved into a slow smile.
“I am damn proud of my wife.”
The words no longer meant anything to Mishti. In fact, it felt like an accusation. Tears streamed down her face, and her body trembled as she understood Karan’s intentions. Every moment she believed she was proving herself had all been part of his bigger plans.
Daksh snapped, finally. He lunged toward Mishti and grabbed her arms roughly, his fingers digging into her skin.
“You did this.” His voice shook with rage as he shouted at her. “You destroyed everything.”
Mishti sobbed, shaking her head frantically. “Bhai, I did not know. Please believe me. I swear I had no idea.”
Daksh laughed bitterly. “Of course you did not,” he spat. “But what else could I expect from you? From a half-sister? Ever since you and your mother came into my life, you’ve been pricking me. And now that wasn’t just enough that you joined hands with Karan to ruin me forever?”
Mishti broke down completely.
Karan, on the other hand, was darkly satisfied by Daksh’s collapse. This was the consequence he had planned so carefully. Yet when Mishti pleaded with Daksh to trust her, something shifted in his chest, seeing her so heartbroken and in tears.
“Trust?” Daksh’s grip on her arms tightened. “On you? Never, Mishti.” His fury reached a breaking point, and in the heat of the argument, his hand lifted.
Mishti froze, horrified. But before the slap could land, Karan caught Daksh’s wrist mid-air.
“Don’t even dare to do that,” Karan scoffed, pushing his hand away from Mishti and dragged her closer.
Daksh stared at him in shock.
“If you ever lay a hand on my wife again, I’ll make sure you lose far more than your company. I will strip you of every last thing you think defines you, Daksh Goel.”
The room fell silent. This was the first time he had said it aloud. The first time he had claimed Mishti so openly.
Mishti stared at him, stunned, through her tears. The man who had told her he hated her, the man who had used her as a pawn in his business war, now stood between her and her brother, protecting her dignity like he owned it.
She did not understand him anymore. What exactly did Karan want? Did he want to destroy her world or to save her from it?
Daksh completely lost control. His hand shot out and fisted the front of Karan’s collar, dragging him forward in rage.
