Afra barely slept.
Not because she was nervous.
But because she was calculating.
At exactly 6:30 a.m., she closed her laptop. The Shahriar Group's financial structure was more complicated than she expected. Layers within layers. Shell companies. Hidden transfers.
Whoever destroyed her father's company had planned it carefully.
And Ridwan Shahriar sat at the top of that empire.
Was he the mastermind…
or just another player?
Morning
The dining hall was massive, sunlight pouring through the tall glass walls.
Ridwan was already seated at the head of the table, reading financial reports on his tablet. His presence alone made the air feel heavy.
Afra walked in calmly.
She didn't look like a new bride.
She looked composed. Controlled.
She took a seat across from him.
For a moment, silence.
Then—
"You wake up early," Ridwan said without looking at her.
"So do you."
A pause.
"I work," he replied flatly. "You don't have to."
Afra picked up her coffee.
"Who said I don't work?"
Now he looked at her.
Sharp. Curious.
"My wife doesn't need to."
"I didn't marry you to live off your money."
The words were steady. Not emotional. Not defensive.
Ridwan leaned back slightly.
"Then why did you marry me, Miss Khan?"
There it was.
The question.
Afra held his gaze.
"Ask your grandfather."
Something dark flickered in his eyes.
"My grandfather believed you were 'different.'"
His voice lowered.
"I don't."
Afra gave a small, unreadable smile.
"Then you should observe better."
Later That Day
Ridwan left for the office.
But before entering his car, he gave a quiet order to his assistant.
"Dig into Afra Khan's background. Every detail. I want nothing hidden."
Because something about her was wrong.
Too prepared.
Too calm.
No bride behaves like this.
Afternoon – Afra's Room
Afra received a message on her secure phone.
Unknown Number:
"Phase one complete. You're inside."
Her fingers tightened around the device.
She typed back:
"I need access to internal board records. Fast."
A reply came instantly.
"Be careful. Shahriar is not a fool."
Afra looked toward the large window overlooking the garden.
"I know," she whispered.
Evening
Ridwan returned earlier than expected.
As he walked past the hallway, he noticed something.
Afra's room door was slightly open.
Inside, she wasn't relaxing.
She was studying printed financial charts.
His company's charts.
He stepped inside silently.
"And what exactly are you doing?"
Afra didn't jump.
She slowly closed the file.
"Learning about my husband's empire."
His jaw tightened.
"You don't need to understand my business."
"Maybe I want to."
Their eyes locked.
Tension filled the room.
"You're not like the women I've met," Ridwan said quietly.
"And you're not as untouchable as you think," Afra replied.
Silence.
Dangerous silence.
Then he stepped closer.
Close enough that she could feel his presence.
"If you're playing a game, Afra…"
His voice dropped lower.
"Make sure you're ready to lose."
Afra didn't move back.
"Who said I plan to lose?"