The morning sun filtered through the large windows of the Oberoi Mansion as the house bustled with its usual activities. **Pinky** and **Jhanvi** stood at the family temple, their faces serene as they performed the **arti**, continuing the tradition passed down by their mother-in-law, the late **Dadi Kalyani Singh Oberoi**. The scent of incense filled the air, but beneath the peaceful rituals, a sense of tension lurked just beneath the surface.

Pinky, never one to stay silent for long, broke the tranquility. **“Oh My Mata, Jethani ji! Ab tak bacche uthe nahi. Sab late ho rahe hai!”**

Jhanvi, more calm, gave a soft sigh. **“Uth gaye Pinky, aur jaldi bhi chale gaye. Lekin jo baccha excitement ke saath puja mein hamesha part leta tha, usko tumne—”**

Pinky stiffened at the memory Jhanvi was about to bring up. She shook her head and tried to wave it away. **“Bas, Jethani ji. Jo usne kiya, woh ussi ke layak tha.”** She left the temple abruptly, leaving Jhanvi to reflect on how the once chubby little boy had been treated.

---

### Scene: Shivay’s Study

In his study, **Shivay Singh Oberoi** sat behind his massive mahogany desk, listening to his assistant **Khanna** with a hard expression.

**Khanna**: “Sir, the boarding school has completed the academic year, and they’ve transferred him to the Mumbai branch via scholarship. The boy’s arriving today.”

Shivay’s jaw clenched, his face cold. **“I told you, Khanna, no updates about him. I don’t care.”**

At that moment, **Om** walked in, sensing the tension in the room. **“Shivay, don’t be so harsh. Baccha hai woh, yahan nahi toh kaha jayega? Anika ke baare mein socho.”**

Before Shivay could respond, his father, **Tej**, entered with an air of authority. **“I don’t care about your personal life, Shivay. But if that boy causes any damage to our shares or the company’s reputation, you know you’ll have to answer for it. Support him till he’s 18, or the media and the child welfare association will be all over us.”**

Shivay's face hardened further. **“Khanna, escort him to Oberoi Mansion.”**

**Advaan**, who had been listening from the doorway, stormed in. **“Dad, why are you bringing him back? Why now?”**

Shivay rubbed his temples, clearly agitated. **“Adu, yeh mere haath mein nahi hai. Tumhe lagta hai mujhe yeh karna pasand hai? Main toh uska saya bhi hamare ghar pe padne nahi deta agar meri majboori nahi hoti.”**

**Advaan**: “Majboori? Kya majboori, Dad?”

Shivay sighed deeply, looking at his son with tired eyes. **“He carries the Oberoi surname. Dadi’s will has a clause that says every heir must be present for the succession to take place. Whether I like it or not, he’s legally a part of this family.”**

From the corner, **Adira** spoke up, her voice cold. **“Dad, aapko sirf apne shares ki padi hai. Did you even ask how we feel about this? Did our consent matter at all?”**

Without waiting for a response, she stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

**Shivay**: “Ira, wait! Princess—”

Advaan stepped in, placing a hand on his father’s shoulder. **“Let her go, Dad. I’ll talk to her. But promise me, you’ll send him away as soon as possible. I don’t care about the company, but I can’t live with him here for long.”**

Shivay could only nod, his heart heavy with the weight of the family’s fractured dynamics.

---

At the entrance of the mansion, **Ahaan** stood tall, his backpack slung over his shoulder. The boy who had left years ago was no longer chubby or awkward. He had grown into a handsome, confident young man, his face unreadable as he looked up at the grand house that was supposed to be his home.

The only person happy to see him was **Khanna**, who rushed to hug him. **“Happy birthday, chote sahab!”**

Ahaan pulled away slightly, rolling his eyes. **“What’s happy about this birthday, Khanna uncle? And stop calling me ‘chote sahab.’ It gives me the creeps. I’m almost your son’s age.”**

Khanna chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. **“Alright, kiddo. But show some enthusiasm—you’re 15 today!”**

Ahaan made a face. **“Big deal, uncle. It’s just another day.”**

As he stood at the mansion’s entrance, two figures caught his eye. **Abhi** and **Rishi** stood in the hallway, waiting for him.

When they saw him, Abhi’s eyes widened in shock. **“Woh motu… ab yeh toh… French fry ban gaya!”**

**Rishi**: “Yeh ladka toh pura badal gaya. Lekin dekhte hain Oberoi Mansion mein kitna tikta hai.”

They watched as Ahaan stepped over the threshold, unaware of the storm brewing inside.

---
Shivaya study

**Ahaan** entered the study, his face emotionless, almost bored. Shivay didn’t even bother with pleasantries. His voice was cold as he addressed the boy.

**Shivay**: “I want to make myself clear. Your presence here is unwanted, but circumstances have forced us to tolerate you. If you’re going to stay, there are rules you’ll follow, and you—”

Ahaan wasn’t paying attention. He had his earphones in, clearly uninterested in whatever Shivay was saying. His casual demeanor irritated Shivay beyond words.

**Shivay**: (snapping) “Are you even listening to me, you insolent brat?”

Ahaan slowly pulled out his earphones and faced Shivay, his voice calm but sharp. **“Mr. Oberoi, I heard everything you said. And trust me, the feeling is mutual. I didn’t ask to come here. Just sign whatever guardianship papers you need to, and I’ll find a lodge or something. No need to cage me in this golden prison.”**

Shivay’s anger flared. **“If it were up to me, you’d be out of this house already. But you’re my legal responsibility until you turn 18. After that, you’re free to go, and believe me, I’ll be glad to see the back of you.”**

Ahaan smirked, his eyes gleaming with defiance. **“I wouldn’t expect anything else. And don’t think I’m here to build any relationships. I’ll mind my business, and you mind yours.”**

Shivay scoffed. **“This little boy thinks he can play games with me? I’ve dealt with bigger sharks in business, kid.”**

Without another word, Ahaan turned and walked out, his head held high, leaving Shivay seething.

---

Outside the study, **Abhi** and **Rishi** had been eavesdropping, their jaws dropped.

**Abhi**: “Did you see that? He gave it back to Bade Papa! No one talks to him like that!”

**Rishi**: “Forget it, Abhi. We’ll deal with him in college. Let’s see how long he lasts.”

The brothers exchanged looks, a plan forming in their minds. But little did they know, Ahaan wasn’t the same kid they remembered.

Whether Ahaan would bring chaos or peace to the Oberoi Mansion, only time would tell.

---

The Oberoi Mansion was about to experience a storm—one that had been brewing for years.