Read Online The Indian Tycoon's Marriage Deal by Adite Banerjie - Free Book Online Page A

I would be little more than a puppet on a string.’
    â€˜So if you’re not interested in heading the DGE empire, wouldn’t it be best for all if you simply walked away?’
    A nerve throbbed in his jaw. ‘Let’s just say it’s complicated. And leave it at that.’
    The adamant set of his jaw, the dark look in his eyes, telegraphed a stay-away-from-this-subject message. She was more than happy not to interfere in father-son issues. The less involved she got, the better for her. She was not here to stay, despite signing his marriage contract—and maintaining her distance would be the wisest thing to do.
    They passed a curving driveway with perfectly manicured lawns on both sides. Up ahead was an opulent stone-façade farmhouse—no, scratch that—a palatial mansion. Right adjacent to it stood a smaller bungalow built in the British Raj style. Krish waved at the mansion as he drove past. ‘That’s the main house—my father lives there, and that’s where all the entertaining is done. The bungalow is his office.’
    â€˜But I thought the DGE headquarters were located in Connaught Place,’ she said, bemused.
    â€˜Yes, this is more of a home-office. For the times when KD doesn’t want to make the trip into Delhi. Besides, the horticulture business is handled out of this office.’
    Krish kept driving further away from the mansion and turned on to a narrow tree-lined path. ‘When I came back to India after finishing my studies, I had no intention of living anywhere close to my father. After squabbling over it for months, we finally came to a compromise. I would have my own private quarters within the complex and we would meet each other only when we needed to.’ What Krish didn’t tell Maya was that KD was wont to forget his promise. Recently, he had become more demanding and had begun to seek his son’s direct involvement in DGE. Then came the pressure to tie the knot and the endless arguments about the duties and responsibilities of the ‘heir to the Dev empire’. But at the heart of these tussles was just one issue. His father would do anything to ensure that he stayed in control but Krish was damned if he would give up his independence. And now he had finally outmanoeuvred his father—and reclaimed his life. He couldn’t wait to see his reaction when he walked into his mansion this evening with Maya by his side.
    Krish took a turn and, as the car crunched the gravel underneath, Maya saw nestled among the greenery a compact little cottage. The stone exterior was covered in green ivy. It was something straight out of a homes and gardens magazine. Elegant and yet homely, with none of the ostentatious architecture of the main mansion. Its striking simplicity made it look more like a cosy holiday hideaway. She couldn’t help but gasp in admiration at the perfectly serene surroundings. She stepped out of the car and took in the fragrance of the bougainvillea, climbing in a profusion of pink and white flowers over the awning on the front porch.
    An enigmatic smile played on his handsome face. ‘I would love to say “welcome home”. But I guess it’s too early for you to consider it home.’
    â€˜It’s…beautiful,’ she whispered as she looked around.
    Suddenly there was a rustle of leaves as something came hurtling through the greenery at them.
    â€˜Uh-oh. I should have warned you…’ But, before he could finish his sentence, a huge ball of slobbering red hair, flapping ears and sparkling eyes hurled itself at Krish. For a split second, Maya was taken aback at the sudden assault but soon recovered when she realised that the huge dog was trying to bark, dance, slobber and pant all at the same time.
    â€˜Baloo! Come here, boy!’ Krish called out, laughing, as he wrestled playfully with the ecstatic dog. ‘Oh, I have missed you too!’
    Krish struggled to bring the