MaNan FF : Blame Game

part 4

Niyonika stroked her cheek lovingly.

"He must have troubled you again," she murmured, her voice low, knowing.

Neelima's eyes searched her daughter's face, softer, more worried. "Tell me honestly, beti... how is he with you now?"

Nandini swallowed, forcing a lightness into her tone, though her chest tightened. She managed a faint, crooked smile.

"Same old, same old"

Both women exchanged a look, one that mirrored the same sadness - two helpless mothers, unable to help their child..

"Don't worry nandini.. I'll talk to manik" said niyonika..

"Don't do anything like that." she said quickly.

"Talking to him don't do any good.. In fact, things turn more bad. Besides that, I've learned how to handle him on my own way" said nandini with a wink..both smiled at her, still unsure..

She reached out, holding both their hands, squeezing them reassuringly. "Tonight is about you and dad. You deserve happiness, not my worries. So-" she lifted their glasses from the counter and handed them over, "drink and enjoy the night, okay mother-in-law?"

For a moment, the three of them stood together in that corner of glittering lights and whispered music, a small island of tenderness amidst the chaos of grandeur.

And Nandini, though smiling, silently prayed that one day Manik's coldness wouldn't always be the shadow trailing her brightest moments.

___________________________________________

Mr. Murthy introduced Manik to a circle of businessmen. Champagne flutes clinked, cigar smoke curled faintly in the air, and deals seemed to float on every conversation.

"Gentlemen," Mr. Murthy's voice carried with ease, his smile as sharp as a blade wrapped in velvet

"my son-in-law, Manik Malhotra. already a name feared in the boardroom. So young yet so brilliant..he just became CEO of the year."

A chorus of approving chuckles followed, hands extended, praises exchanged.

Manik shook hands firmly, his expression schooled, but his dark eyes never stopped observing.

It didn't take long before Mr. Murthy steered the conversation, like a seasoned chess player moving his pawns.

"You see, gentlemen," he began,

"business is about vision. And vision is not distracted by emotions. Workers, unions, these... petty concerns are only obstacles if we allow them to be."

The men nodded in agreement, murmuring their approval.

But Manik's jaw tightened. He spoke slowly, carefully, his voice calm but edged with steel.

"With all due respect, sir... workers aren't obstacles. They're the backbone. If they're unhappy, if they're overworked, the empire won't last long, no matter how sharp the vision."

The air shifted. A few of the men looked uneasy, their glasses suddenly too interesting.

Raj Malhotra stood silent observing the tension between manik and Raghav murthy.. Even thought Raj understand and respects Manik's perspective and work ethics, his ideology match with his business partner and friend raghav murthy more..

Also he don't like when manik offend raghav and give him cold solder,Something that hurt Nandini..

Mr. Raghav Murthy, however, only laughed lightly, patting Manik's shoulder with an almost patronizing fondness.