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Shaurya blinked, recalling that he had, indeed, called them. But it seemed that instead of heading to Villa No. 11, they had directly landed at Raichand’s place, probably because the real problem stood on their side of the property.

Now, it all made sense.

“Yes, I called them,” he replied, exhaling sharply.

Grandpa looked ready to explode.

Shaurya continued casually, “It’s been days since you said you’d trim those branches, but you haven’t done a thing. So, I took matters into my own hands.”

Grandpa’s face turned an alarming shade of red. “How dare you?”

Before the argument could escalate, Nandini’s voice cut through the tension.

“Daadu! What’s going on?”

Shaurya turned his head just in time to see Nandini running toward them. Her damp hair was still wrapped in a towel, loose strands peeking from beneath it. She was dressed in asoft, pastel-coloured salwar suit, the fabric billowing effortlessly around her. Shaurya’s steps faltered for just a fraction of a second. He had never seen her in a salwar suit before.

It was… different.Cute.

Gone was the feisty woman in shorts and oversized T-shirts, the one who stormed around like she owned the world. Instead, she looked homely, delicate even… but no less striking. Almost… too pretty.

And he hated that he noticed, especially now, amidst the present tension. So, he forced his gaze back up before his thoughts could wander into dangerous territory.

She stopped beside her grandfather, slightly breathless. “Daadu, breathe, please.”

“Breathe?” Grandpa scoffed. “Do you know what he’s done? He sent his men to cut down our tree!”

Shaurya rubbed the back of his neck and let out a frustrated sigh.

“Correction—not the tree, just a few branches.”

Nandini’s gaze snapped to him, her honey-brown eyes narrowing with distrust.

“Oh, it’s one and the same. How could you do this without our permission?”

He exhaled, already regretting this conversation.

“It’s your tree, sure,” he said, “but if it’syourtree, then maybe try to keep it within your boundary instead of making it rain leaves and fruits into my pool!”

“Have you ever studied anything about nature at all?” she scoffed. “Do you even know how trees work? We can’t dictate when or where they drop their leaves and fruits. That’s like blaming the wind for blowing in the wrong direction!”

“It’s not about nature but about property lines, responsibility, and basic decency. Why shouldIbe the one suffering because ofyoursacred tree?” he argued.

“Suffering?” she echoed in disbelief. “Oh yes, what a tragedy! BREAKING NEWS! The mighty Shaurya Ahuja, billionaire tycoon, a victim of a few fallen mango leaves!”

Shaurya fisted his hands and took a step closer, his towering presence more intimidating than she’d care to admit.

“You’re missing the point entirely,” he angrily muttered. “This is my home. My property. Why should I have to deal with your mess every day? I bought this villa to get some peace, not to constantly argue over a tree that isn’t even mine!”

Nandini crossed her arms. “And I suppose peace means cutting down everything that mildly inconveniences you?”

She took a bold step toward him, closing the space between them.

“You should’ve bought a house in a high-rise penthouse, far away from actual living, breathing things like trees.”

His gaze darkened. “Trust me, if I knew my neighbour would bethisimpossible, I would have.”

“Good,” she shot back. “I’ll start looking at one for you, to help you relocate. Happy?”