"Sir… sir… Joseph sir!"
The short man shook Joseph nervously.
"What is it? Why are you shouting?"
Joseph snapped in irritation—
But then he followed the man's gaze.
And froze.
The Mayor… and Anshika… were standing right there.
Joseph's face drained of color.
Because he knew—
If the Mayor saw what was happening here…
His entire career could collapse.
Without wasting another second—
Both Joseph and his man silently decided—
to leave. Immediately.
"Uncle… why are so many people gathered here?"
Anshika asked, confused, stepping forward.
"I don't know, beta,"
the Mayor replied seriously.
"Only Om can answer that. Let's go see."
They moved ahead—
But just then—
Their eyes fell on Joseph and his man trying to sneak away.
"Dr. Joseph… you?"
That voice—
Stopped him dead.
Joseph slowly turned around.
Forcing a smile.
"G-Greetings, Mayor sir… what a pleasant surprise."
"Pleasant?"
the Mayor said sharply.
"That can wait. What are you doing here at Dr. Om's clinic?"
His gaze swept across the crowd.
"And what is all this?"
Joseph tried to speak—
"Sir… I was just—"
But the Mayor cut him off.
"Don't lie. Is all this because of you?"
Joseph froze.
He had no answer.
And before he could think of one—
The clinic door opened.
The same man—
Who was moments away from death—
Walked out.
Alive.
Steady.
His young son beside him—
Tears in his eyes.
"My father is fine now!"
the boy cried out.
"The doctor saved him! He performed a miracle!"
The entire crowd went silent.
Shock spread like wildfire.
Joseph's body stiffened.
His mind went blank.
This was impossible.
This… was not supposed to happen.
Now he stood trapped—
Between Om… and the Mayor.
No escape.
No excuse.
Om stepped out of the clinic.
Calm.
Composed.
As always.
But to Joseph—
He looked like doom itself.
The moment Anshika saw Om—
Her expression softened.
A faint blush appeared on her face.
Memories of their earlier encounter flashed in her mind.
She couldn't even meet his eyes.
"Om, beta… what is going on here?"
the Mayor asked seriously.
"Why is there a crowd outside your clinic? And what is Dr. Joseph doing here?"
Om had already understood everything.
Even Joseph's intentions.
A slight, playful smile appeared on his face.
"Mayor sir… Dr. Joseph brought all these people here."
A pause.
"He had doubts about my capability."
"So… he decided to test me."
That was enough.
Joseph's heart sank.
The Mayor understood everything instantly.
His face turned red with anger.
"Joseph!"
the Mayor's voice thundered.
"Shame on you!"
"You call yourself a doctor?"
His anger rose with every word.
"I will personally recommend to higher authorities that your medical license be permanently revoked!"
Joseph trembled.
"Get out of here. Right now."
"And listen carefully—"
His voice turned cold.
"From today onward, you will not even look in Om's direction."
"Or the consequences will not be something you can handle."
"Now leave!"
That was it.
Joseph and his man—
Defeated.
Humiliated.
Burning with anger—
But helpless—
Left immediately.
As he walked away—
Joseph muttered under his breath:
"I won't spare you…"
"Mayor… I'll tear you apart myself…"
His hatred had just begun.
The crowd slowly dispersed.
The tension faded.
The Mayor turned toward Om—
Now with concern.
"Are you alright, beta? These kinds of doctors… they neither work properly themselves nor let others work."
Om smiled slightly.
"I'm fine, sir. I can handle people like them."
Then he glanced at Anshika.
"But… what brings you here?"
The Mayor laughed lightly.
"What? Can't I come check on my son?"
Om smiled awkwardly.
"Of course, sir… you can."
Anshika still stood quietly—
Avoiding eye contact.
All three went inside.
The atmosphere shifted.
Calmer.
But something big was about to happen.
The Mayor looked around the clinic—
Observing everything carefully.
Then—
He turned serious.
"Well… I didn't just come here casually."
A pause.
"I won't go around in circles, so I'll come straight to the point."
He looked directly at Om.
"I want to do business with you."
Om blinked.
Surprised.
"Business…? Sir, I don't understand."