"Ma please don't do this" Swara shook her head.
Sharmishtha pulled her in hug.
"Sharmishtha ji please. Don't cry. This is also your house.  And our Swara is very mature. She will always make decisions for the good of all of us. We have full confidence in her." Annapurna convinced, holding Sharmishtha inside embrace.
"Come Swara, let's go. You can come with us." Laksh was confident of Swara's support, looking at the scene in front of his eyes. He purposefully offered a ride to Swara to eliminate even a single chance of Sanskar persuading or influencing Swara's decision making power.
Sanskar shook his head, understanding his cousin's childish attempts.
"No, I will come with Sanskar." It was for the first time Swara spoke in front of family.
Within the next hour, everyone was settled in the boardroom of Maheshwari Incorporation. 
Durga Prasad was on the head chair being chairman of the company at the oval table whereas Ram was on his right side and Sanskar was on left. Besides Sanskar it was Swara and then a few more minority shareholders. On Ram's side it was Laksh and few more departmental heads to provide inputs which could be helpful for shareholders to make a final decision. 
The discussion was going on intensely, where department heads and minority shareholders were raising their concerns. Laksh and his partner were also in the meeting to give supporting arguments proving how upcoming expansion will result in future benefits. 
Sanskar was silent, he had already made his decision. He was acting as a silent listener much to the surprise of others in the meeting room. He could not miss the scrutinising eyes of his father and uncle. 
"Mrs. Maheshwari, do you have any questions?" Company secretary asked as per procedure, seeing her unsettling in her chair.
"Mr. Laksh, I had heard your previous investor back out because of non compliance of government licence and permissions. I believe those permissions are necessary for any construction company to start their work. Where do you think your partnership firm stands in this matter?" Sanskar looked at his wife with wide open eyes. She had carefully broached a very sensitive topic for discussion. Same was the condition with Ram. 
Swara's question turned an entire flow of discussion. Laksh was bombarded with questions for different members of the meeting.
"Yes, she is right, Mr. Laksh where are we with those permission?"
"What is an ETA to get those permissions?"
"What is your plan to get them ASAP?"
"What is your workback schedule if the permissions are delayed?"
"What is your plan B?"
And so on and on...
Laksh did his best to answer those questions but the experienced eyes of members could not miss his fumbling over. His forced struggle to fight the battle shook the confidence level of the other members of the meeting over the proposal.
It took two more hours of discussion before the company secretary announced to vote for the final decision.
"So ladies and gentleman, after four long hours of discussion, members over here think that they can make their final decision over proposed expansion plans. Those who are not in favour of this expansion, please raise your hands." 
Sanskar thought a bit but his corner eyes captured Swara raising her hand after quick 2 minutes of thought.
Laksh gaped like a fish when Swara openly declared her declination. His overconfidence crumbled under her feet.