The echoes of celebration still lingered in the Raichand–Malhotra estate when the elders convened an emergency council. The joy of victory was real—but so was the weight of consequence.
The Council of Elders
Inside the mahogany-lined war room, Avni Raichand sat at the head of the long table, her eyes sharper than ever. Around her were the family heads—Karan Malhotra, Rishabh Raichand, and others—each with faces etched with caution.
Avni broke the silence first:"They will not remain quiet. If Mukul's team destroyed one network, the enemies will come for us harder and faster. We must prepare—not just for defense, but to strike back."
The decision was unanimous: the next generation would not only be trained but fortified with the family's full resources.
Training Intensifies
Within days, the estate transformed into a fortress of preparation:
Mukul oversaw new strategy drills, teaching cousins and fiancés to adapt under pressure. His sessions were relentless—mock ambushes, midnight alarms, simulations of betrayal.
Arav, Riaan, Reyansh, and Varun handled intelligence divisions, gathering every scrap of information about enemy movements.
Anaya, still adjusting to her return, showed surprising sharpness in analysis, earning Avni's proud smile.
The Malhotra cousins worked on advanced weapons training, while the Raichands fortified digital and business defenses.
Every corridor of the estate echoed with shouts, clashing practice weapons, and the hum of encrypted servers.
Strengthening the Circle
But preparation wasn't only about combat. Mukul made sure his cousins were prepared for leadership:
Those who had completed their master's programs were given resources to begin their own ventures, diversifying the family's empire.
The younger ones were paired with mentors to ensure no talent was wasted.
His fiancés began their own specialized units, blending their unique skills into the larger strategy.
"An empire cannot be defended by swords alone," Mukul reminded them, his tone steady. "It must be built so strong that no enemy can break its roots."
Avni's Silent Vow
Late that night, Avni stood alone before the family shrine, the flickering lamp casting shadows on her face. Her hands trembled as she whispered a vow:
"They took my children once. They will not take them again. Even if it costs me everything, I will shield Mukul and the rest from the storm to come."
The Storm Gathering
Unseen by them all, reports from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East filtered in: enemy networks regrouping, old alliances rekindling, whispers of assassins for hire.
The Raichand–Malhotra estate was no longer just a home.It had become a fortress.And soon, it would become a battlefield.