At Dhanpala's Mansion
A panicked servant runs in, breathless.
Servant (shouting):My Lord! My Lord! There's a crisis… our textile business… it's dropped by over 70%!
Dhanpala (shocked and furious):What?! How is that even possible?
Servant:Someone else has entered the clothing market.And their clothes… they're far better than ours.Worse—they're selling them at prices equal to or lower than ours!
Dhanpala (gritting his teeth):Who is it? Who dares challenge me?
Just then, a voice from the side responds.
Siyanam (calmly):This is the work of Utkarsh.
Dhanpala (recalling):Utkarsh… The same man who launched those fancy perfumes and cooling powders?
Siyanam:Yes. The very same.
Dhanpala (mocking):Has he lost his mind? Doesn't he value his livelihood?First, he ignored our warnings about perfumes…And now he dares to enter the textile industry?
(Darkly)If he keeps provoking us like this, we'll have no choice but to teach him a lesson.
(Pauses, eyes narrowing)Though… I must admit—I'm curious.What exactly has he made that shook my empire to this extent?
Dhanpala (commanding):Bring me samples of the clothes he's selling.
Some Time Later
Dhanpala sits with the new clothes spread before him, examining every detail.
Dhanpala (thinking):Hmm… Interesting.Now I see why my sales dropped by 70%...
(Eyes gleaming maliciously)He's smart. Clever. But now… the game changes.
Dhanpala (to his men):There's a change of plan.Bring Utkarsh to me.
At Utkarsh's Store
Utkarsh is discussing sales with Skand.
Utkarsh (pleased yet worried):Skand, our cloth sales have skyrocketed this week.
Skand (grinning):Then that's something to celebrate, isn't it?
Utkarsh (anxious):Yes, but… I can't stop thinking—our success must've caused a huge loss to Seth Dhanpala.And knowing him… that worries me.
Skand (serious, calm):Don't worry. I'm here. I'll handle whatever comes.
Suddenly, a group of stern-looking men enter the store.
One of the men:Who here is Utkarsh?
Utkarsh (confused):That would be me. What is this about?
Man:We are from the Merchant Guild.You'll have to come with us—immediately.
Utkarsh:Wait… where are we going? What is this about?
But the men say nothing more. Without giving a choice, they escort both Utkarsh and Skand out of the store... straight to the mansion of Seth Dhanpala.
To be continued…