**Chapter 1: The Betrayal**
Ark stood at the top of Oriem’s tallest skyscraper, the sun setting behind him. The world he had built sprawled beneath his feet—a vast empire of investments, innovation, and influence. His company, Ark Investments, had risen to become the third-largest firm on the planet, rivaling even the titans Vanguard and BlackRock. People often called him a genius, a visionary, but Ark preferred a simpler title: a man with a plan. He turned from the view and walked into his private office, where his closest allies waited. Manish, his best friend since college, leaned casually against the desk, a smug grin on his face. Riya, his business partner, sat poised, her calculating eyes scanning every detail of the room. “I called this meeting because we’re on the verge of something monumental,” Ark began, his voice steady and confident. “The new merger will place us leagues ahead of the competition. We’ll dominate the global markets.” Manish clapped his hands, his smile widening. “...
