"Very well," Don Veneziale remarked, his voice laced with a mix of satisfaction and suspicion. He paused briefly, contemplating what Aryan might have omitted before pressing further. "Who are you working for?"
Aryan found himself torn, grappling with the decision of whether to speak the truth. Benjamin Prescott, an influential figure, held a stranglehold on various industries within the country. He controlled almost 50% of the essential goods production, including food and everyday necessities. Additionally, he held an 80% share in the most prosperous convenience store chain, leaving the people with no alternative options. Even the realms of internet and communication were subject to his monopolistic influence. Benjamin Prescott's power extended far beyond what the government possessed.
"Don't want to talk? Fine, it's time for a lifetime free diving trip then," Don Veneziale stated coldly. Without hesitation, he pushed the remote button of the crane in his hand, causing it to move and slowly lower Aryan towards the dark water outside the boat.
Dangling upside down, bound by the rope suspended from the crane, Aryan felt the biting night breeze against his skin. This situation far surpassed any thrilling or nerve-wracking experience he had ever encountered before. Skiing trips and adrenaline-fueled adventures paled in comparison. A sense of despair overwhelmed him, and his plea burst forth uncontrollably.
"Nooo!!! No, no, please! I'll tell you! I'll tell you! Please…" Sharma's voice cracked with desperation as snot ran down his nose and tears streamed down his face. In that moment, he had shed every semblance of the confident and intelligent businessman he once portrayed.
Click...
The sound of a button being pressed resonated like a heavenly voice, and the crane abruptly halted, leaving Aryan's head merely a foot above the water's surface.
"Spill it. Tell me everything," Don Veneziale demanded, his voice icy and devoid of tolerance for any nonsense or diversion from the truth.
In response to the question, Aryan wasted no time in divulging every detail to Don Veneziale. He revealed who had sent him on this mission, the identity of the person he was working for, and the intricacies of their plan. He even exposed the weaknesses and vulnerabilities within their scheme, providing every ounce of information that he believed could potentially secure his life back from the clutches of Don Veneziale.
"Prescott!? You're saying it was Prescott? That despicable swine!" Don Veneziale repeated the name of Aryan's employer after Aryan had divulged everything to him.
"Yes... yes..." Aryan nodded repeatedly, confirming the Don's inquiry.
Don Veneziale exchanged glances with his men and tossed the crane remote control to one of them. The man pushed the button, bringing Aryan back onto the boat, still hanging upside down.
"Now... What to do with you? I can't simply let you go after this, can I? Hmmm..." Don Veneziale pondered, considering the fate of Aryan. Aryan had already witnessed the Don's actions and knew the danger he was in.
Just then, one of the Don's subordinates emerged from the boat cabin and handed him a tablet.
Don Veneziale checked the contents of the tablet, which contained information about Aryan Sharma. It verified what Aryan had shared about himself and revealed even more. The Don discovered that the man dangling from the rope in front of him was a business genius, but his tumultuous personal life and familial conflicts had forced him to associate with people like Prescott.
A brilliant idea struck the Don as he playfully slapped Aryan's cheek a few times, a smile creeping onto his face as if he had stumbled upon a precious gem. He nodded at his men, and one of them swiftly cut Aryan down and untied him.
"Boy... you've come at the right time... Are you interested in changing your employer?" the Don asked, his smile concealing an ulterior motive.
"What... what?" Aryan managed to utter in confusion before a sack was swiftly placed over his head, filled with the aroma of a fast-acting sleep-inducing drug. His consciousness faded once again.
— Morning - Friday - 8:00 AM —
In the early morning, the sun began to rise, casting a warm glow upon the futuristic headquarters of Astral Tech Corporation. The building stood as a symbol of innovation and progress, with its sleek metallic exterior and towering glass windows.
As the clock struck 8:00 AM, the bustling scene unfolded before the entrance of the building. Office workers, dressed in professional attire, filled the sidewalks, eager to begin their day. The air was filled with a mix of anticipation and a hint of relaxation, knowing that the upcoming weekend would grant them a four-day break due to the upcoming national day on Monday and Tuesday.
Amidst the crowd, a sense of excitement and a touch of laziness lingered. Conversations buzzed with weekend plans and holiday getaways, blending with the sound of footsteps echoing on the pavement. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted from nearby cafes, enticing passersby with its rich fragrance.
In this vibrant morning atmosphere, a black armored limousine, marked with the presence of Don Veneziale, pulled up to the VIP parking lot reserved for distinguished guests. The vehicle's polished exterior reflected the surrounding scenery, standing out amidst the sleek architecture of the building.
As the limousine came to a stop, the tinted windows shielded the enigmatic figure inside, adding an air of intrigue and mystery. Office workers, curious and intrigued, stole glances at the imposing vehicle, their imaginations running wild with speculations about its occupant and the purpose of their visit.
The Don gracefully stepped out of the car, and his driver promptly opened the door for him. Another man emerged from the backseat, none other than Aryan Sharma, who had struck a deal with the Don.
— The previous night… —
Aryan regained consciousness an hour later, finding himself in what appeared to be a guest bedroom. Don Veneziale and his two bodyguards were present, their gaze fixed upon him.
"It's already 3 AM, Mr. Sharma, long past my usual sleeping time. Let's make this quick so I can finally get some rest. Yaw-n," Don Veneziale said, a hint of impatience in his voice, punctuated by a yawn at the end of his sentence.
Aryan listened attentively as Don Veneziale continued. "My boss, Mr. Daniel Emberweave, has established the greatest tech company in human history. He requires someone to oversee the company's business matters as CEO, enabling him to focus on creating new innovations. Based on your biography, you seem perfect for the job. But there is a catch." Don Veneziale's eyes sharpened as he locked his gaze on Aryan.
"Mr. Emberweave and I demand your unwavering loyalty. If you stumble upon something groundbreaking or an opportunity to achieve personal gain, I assure you that sleeping with the fishes would seem like a pleasant nap compared to what I have in store for you if you dare to betray him. Capiche?" Don Veneziale's words dripped with a threatening tone.
Upon hearing about the deal, a glimmer of hope sparked in Aryan's eyes. This was his chance to regain his life and freedom. While he could work for Daniel Emberweave as CEO, Aryan still yearned for greater wealth and prestige. That's why he had decided to collaborate with Prescott as his chief business strategist, despite their mutual animosity. Working together didn't require personal affinity; it was all about getting the job done and seeing the world for what it truly was.
For Aryan Sharma, the qualification for working under someone else was their ability to provide him with wealth and prestige in the business world. He cared little for fame or superficial beauty; those things held no value in his moral compass. Aryan was content to work with individuals who could achieve results and perceive the world realistically.
Aryan then starts to renegotiate with a fearful voice.
"Er… Excuse me Don Veneziale, if… If er… Mr. Emberweave doesn't approve of me or if I predict potential backlash or lack of success in his business, can I serve as his CEO for only eight years? After that, may I return to India and establish my own company?" Aryan inquired, indicating his complete disassociation from Prescott as he had already planned to sever ties and create his own business, distancing himself from the main Sharma household in India. This opportunity represented an early retirement from the Prescott group.
In response, instead of anger, Don Veneziale burst into laughter. "What in the world are you thinking, boy? Do you honestly believe that Mr.Emberweave products won't sell and make a splash on the global technology market? Are you out of your mind? Or did a donkey kick you in the head?" Don Veneziale laughed heartily, joined by his two bodyguards, thoroughly amused by Aryan's audacious suggestion.
"Fine then! I'll even dare to bet and give you four years. If you're not impressed by Mr. Emberweave's achievements and don't feel compelled to work for him wholeheartedly, I'll gift you 100 million US dollars to open your own company," the Don declared, his confidence evident in his smile. He was even willing to place a bet with Aryan.
"Deal!" Aryan immediately accepted the bet without hesitation. There was no way Mr. Emberweave's business would succeed. Yes, he acknowledged that Mr. Emberweave's technologies were remarkable, but this country was plagued with parasites and corrupt businessmen who would stop at nothing to steal or bring down Mr. Emberweave.
Even with Don Veneziale watching over him in the underworld, Aryan knew that Prescott had connections reaching as high as the royal family and the Supreme General of the country. He doubted that Don Veneziale could protect Mr. Emberweave from such formidable threats.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freewe(b)nov𝒆l