"Welcome, everyone."Thunderous applause erupted inside the grand ballroom of the Imperial Crown Hotel as Marcus Hale stepped onto the brightly lit stage. More than five hundred of the country's wealthiest investors, CEOs, politicians, and journalists filled the hall, their eyes fixed on the man many had begun calling the youngest financial genius of the decade.Towering LED screens behind him displayed the logo of Hale Capital, the investment empire Marcus had built from nothing in just six years. Business magazines called him a visionary. Television stations competed for interviews with him. At only twenty-nine, his net worth had already crossed two billion dollars.Tonight was supposed to be his greatest victory.Standing at the front row was the woman he planned to marry in exactly sixty-three days.Victoria Lane smiled proudly as she applauded him. Dressed in a shimmering silver gown, she looked every bit like the future wife of one of the country's richest men. Beside her stood

The rain came down harder as the glass doors of the Imperial Crown Hotel slid shut behind Marcus.For a long moment, he stood on the marble steps without moving. The cold drops soaked through his tailored suit, but he barely noticed. Less than an hour ago, dozens of powerful businessmen had been fighting for a chance to shake his hand. Now, the same people walked past him as though he were invisible.A black Rolls-Royce pulled up at the entrance.The valet hurried over and opened the rear door with a respectful smile."Congratulations, Mr. Cross."Damien stepped out of the hotel with Victoria on his arm, laughing as photographers surrounded them."Mr. Cross! How do you feel about becoming the new CEO of Hale Capital?""Is it true you've already secured new investors?""When is the wedding?"Damien adjusted his tie and smiled at the cameras."Tonight isn't about me. It's about restoring confidence in Hale Capital. The company has entered a new chapter, and I promise our investors they'

Marcus barely remembered how he made it through the rest of the night.By the time the first rays of sunlight crept over the city, he was sitting alone beneath a bus shelter, staring blankly at the business card Richard Lawson had given him. His clothes were still damp from the storm, his muscles ached from the lightning strike, and every time he closed his eyes, he saw the same scene.Skyline Microsystems.Shock merger.Shares up 247%.It wasn't fading.The vision was as clear now as it had been in the park.Marcus rubbed his temples and laughed bitterly."Either I've lost my mind...""...or fate finally decided to apologize."His stomach growled loudly enough to interrupt his thoughts.He reached into his pocket and counted what he had.Seven dollars and forty-three cents.The hundred-dollar bill Richard had forced him to accept.A total of one hundred and seven dollars and forty-three cents.It was laughable.Twenty-four hours ago, he could have spent that much without checking the

Every conversation on the trading floor came to an abrupt halt.Dozens of traders instinctively looked up as the financial news channel interrupted its regular programming. A bright red banner flashed across every television screen.BREAKING NEWS.The female anchor adjusted the earpiece in her ear before speaking in an unusually excited voice."Ladies and gentlemen, we are interrupting our scheduled broadcast to bring you a developing story. Skyline Microsystems has called an unexpected press conference. Analysts across Wall Street are scrambling to understand the reason behind this announcement."Richard glanced at Marcus."You knew."Marcus kept his eyes on the screen."Not yet."Richard frowned."What do you mean?""I'll know in a minute."He sounded calm, but inside, Marcus's heart was pounding. Everything depended on the next few minutes. If the vision failed, Richard would lose ten million dollars because of him. Worse, Marcus would lose the only person who had believed in him a

Marcus didn't leave Richard Lawson's office immediately.Instead, he stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the financial district. Hundreds of people hurried along the sidewalks below, each carrying a briefcase, checking stock prices, or rushing to another meeting. It was the same city he had ruled only two days ago, yet everything had changed.Or perhaps...Nothing had changed at all.The city had never loved Marcus Hale.It had only loved his success.Richard joined him by the window, slipping both hands into his pockets."You know what the market and the jungle have in common?"Marcus glanced at him.Richard answered his own question."They both respect only one thing.""Strength."Marcus smiled faintly."And weakness?"Richard's expression hardened."Weakness gets eaten."Silence settled between them for a moment before Richard spoke again."So, what now?"Marcus didn't answer immediately.Instead, he watched a group of reporters gathered outside Hale Capital's