A warm welcome to you, my roses, here is the first chapter of my book and thank you for choosing my book and giving it a chance. Hope you like this and find it different.

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Author's POV

Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh

5:35 AM
The air is cold, and a soft breeze blew gently across the land, carrying the freshness of last evening's rain. Birds chirped melodiously, filling the peaceful morning with their sweet songs.

Amidst the dense forest, there was a breathtaking hill—a hidden gem. A few benches were placed for visitors to sit, surrounded by fragrant flowers of various kinds. Vibrant butterflies fluttered around, their delicate wings dancing in the air. The leaves of the trees swayed gently with the breeze, while small birds hopped from one branch to another, filling the space with life.

This place offered the most mesmerizing view of both sunrise and sunset. Not many people knew about it, but those who did could never stay away. There was something in the air—peace, serenity, a quiet sense of comfort that had the power to calm even the most restless souls. No matter how troubled or burdened one felt, this place embraced them, offering solace—even if only for a short while.

Just a few steps before the edge of the cliff, a girl sat quietly on a bench, lost in her thoughts. For the past thirty minutes, she had been staring at the endless view ahead.

Her face was flawless, smooth like porcelain, and her long, silky hair floated gently in the breeze, cascading down to her waist. Her soft, heart-shaped lips slightly parted as she took in the fresh morning air. The delicate glow of the pre-sunrise light kissed her skin, making her look even more ethereal. But her hazel-brown eyes told a different story—a story of pain, silent suffering, and endless battles fought within.

This was the only place where she allowed her emotions to surface. Here, there was no one to judge her, no eyes watching, only nature and its comforting presence. The silence embraced her like a comforting melody, giving her the warmth and strength she needed to face the daily challenges that came her way. The peaceful surroundings wrapped around her like a warm hug, holding her close and soothing her as she let go of her emotions.

Today was just another day of missing her father.

This place held the most precious memories of the time she had spent with her family—especially with her Dad. Those moments, though bittersweet now, still felt fresh in her mind. Coming here had become a part of her daily routine, a necessity to calm her restless mind, which was constantly drowned in overthinking and negativity.

But it wasn’t her fault. Society had made her this way.

The pressure to be perfect had stolen her confidence, forcing her into a race where she could never afford to make a mistake. And in that race, she had lost herself completely.

She had mastered the art of hiding her emotions, bottling up every feeling deep inside. She didn’t want to be a burden to her family. They had already suffered enough. She had to be strong—for them. And so, she never let anyone see her break.

But this place had seen it all—her laughter, her silent tears, her moments of strength, and her moments of weakness.

A trembling whisper broke the silence.

"I miss you, Dad. I miss you so much… We all do."

A lone tear escaped her eyes as she looked up at the sky, where the first golden rays of the sun began to spread across the horizon. It was still early—the sunrise had yet to fully arrive.

"I’m sorry for disappointing you again... I can’t even lie and say I’m fine, Dad."

A weak chuckle escaped her lips, even as her tears continued to fall.

"I know you're watching over us... Are you okay? Did you make new friends up there? I know you must have."

She smiled through her tears.

"Be happy, Dad. Don’t worry about us. I promise I’ll be better... I’m trying to heal. But I still can’t accept that you’re not here. It’s hard to believe. And I know Mom tries to be strong, but I’ve heard her cry at night sometimes. Sahana... she misses you too. But I should say, she’s stronger than us—our little princess."

She paused, inhaling shakily before whispering, "I promise I will be free one day. Until then I’m sorry. I couldn’t live up to your dreams for me. Please forgive me."

Tears fell freely now, and for a few precious moments, she let herself break.

After some time, she wiped her face, composing herself. A quick glance at her watch—6:25 AM. She had stayed longer than usual. Today, she had to face her grandmother in the courtroom of her questions. A small chuckle left her lips as she sighed. Straightening up, she inhaled deeply, taking in the last bit of peace from her surroundings before hurrying home.

**************   **************  ***************

As soon as she reached in front of her house, she heard a loud yell followed by running footsteps.

"kutte ke pille, aaj ta main tenu chhadna nai ther ja tu"  Sahana yelled at the top of her lungs. She quickly covered her ears to prevent them from bursting.

("You little brat, today I won’t spare you! Stop right there!")

" AAAAAAAAAA....... koi bachao mujhe iss chudail se iske andar buri saya aa gayi hai maaaaa mummaa choti ma koi hai Ahhhhhhh...."

("AAAAAAAAA... Someone save me from this witch! She's possessed! Maaa! Mumma! Choti Maa! Someone, Ahhhhhhh...!")

She tightly closed her eyes due to the yell as she heard Kiaan screaming while running around the hall, with Sahana chasing him, a broom in her hand and her face twisted in anger. A low chuckle escaped her lips, and she shook her head—this was an everyday scene in their house.

"What is going on here? What is all this noise?"

A sharp, stern voice echoed in the hall. They both stopped in their tracks and turned toward the voice.

There stood a stunning woman, her aura exuding dominance. Even in her early fifties, she looked so elegant and naturally beautiful. Her eyes were as sharp as a knife, and her well maintained figure made it hard for anyone to guess her age at first glance. She stepped out of the kitchen, walking toward them in a beautiful saree.

Sahana stomped toward her, complaining, "Choti Maa, you know I have a very important interview tomorrow, and I need to leave today for that. I was going to wear that dress for my interview tomorrow, and now what am I supposed to do?" She said in an irritated tone, her fists clenched as she controlled the urge to punch him.

Kiaan’s eyes widened, and he immediately started speaking.

"Choti Maa, yeh chudail hi mujhe boli thi iske kapde press karne ko warna main kyu jaunga iske kaam karne khud se pucho isse pucho"  He raised his eyebrows, a small, instant smirk curling on his lips before he quickly put on an innocent expression.

(this witch herself told me to press her clothes. Otherwise, why would I do her work? Ask her yourself, ask her!")

Sahana glared at him, her tone serious. "Yes, I told you to press the dress, not burn it! Maa, do you know when I came back to my room after freshening up, this idiot had placed the iron directly on my dress and was standing beside it, scrolling through reels on his phone!"

She fumed, glaring at him, while he stood there, completely unbothered, a bored expression on his face. He rolled his eyes before responding.

"So what? That dress was boring and had such a dull color, so I thought I’d make it more interesting! I saw a hack in a reel yesterday, so I was just trying it out to see if it worked or not. But how was I supposed to know that the dress would turn out to be such cheap quality?"

He defended himself, as if the problem was with the dress and not his actions.

Her mouth hung open in disbelief, her frustration evident as her expression screamed, Are you even serious?!

She screamed, "YOU! Out of all the clothes, you only found my dress to try your useless hack on?! And that too the dress I bought to wear for my interview?! Tell me!"

And with that, she started chasing him again while he ran to save himself.

The lady stood there frozen. Everything had happened so fast that she didn’t even get the time to process it. Before she could scold them or do anything, they had already resumed their Tom and Jerry chase.

"STOP, YOU BOTH! IF YOU DON’T END THIS TOM AND JERRY CHASE. GAME RIGHT NOW, I’LL BEAT YOU BOTH WITH MY CHAPPAL!"

Ragini finally lost her last shred of patience and shouted at them. They immediately stopped, gulping nervously before turning toward her, standing like innocent puppies.

She got closer, placing her hands on her hips, looking extremely mad she said "What is this, Kiaan? Why did you ruin her dress? If you didn't want to help her properly, then why did you even agree in the first place? Huh?" she said to Kiaan in a strict and stern voice, looking at him keenly with her dangerous eyes, appearing like fire, ready to burn everything in flames.

"Sorry, Choti Ma, it happened by mistake," he apologized instead of facing his Choti Ma’s wrath, knowing he had no other option left.

"Sorry? What will she do with your sorry now? Playing pranks in everything is not good, Kiaan. Now tell me, what will she wear?" she said seriously, making it clear to him that this wasn't a small mistake or a joke. He needed to understand the situation before doing silly things and start behaving properly.

The hall was completely silent. Kiaan lowered his head while Sahana was practically drilling holes into him with her glares, and Ragini continued scolding him.

While this whole scene was unfolding, she still stood near the entrance. Finally, she decided to intervene.

"Choti Ma, don't scold him now. He has already had enough. Yukti has already prepared a formal dress for Sahana, which she will wear for the interview."

Everyone turned their attention toward her, while Kiaan practically ran to her and hugged her, thanking her for saving him from Ragini’s further scolding. She hugged him back and patted his back, knowing that if he had to listen to two more minutes of scolding, he would definitely start crying. She then pulled away from the hug.

"Ahana, when did you come? And how long have you been standing outside?" Ragini asked with concern.

"Choti Ma, we can talk about that later. First, let's address this girl, who deliberately got Kiaan scolded. Yukti gave her a new dress two days ago, which she was going to wear for the interview. It was even ironed and prepared already," Ahana said while giving Sahana a deadly look.

Ragini turned her focus to Sahana, giving her a knowing look, realizing that this was just another one of her pranks to get Kiaan scolded.

Just then, a loud crying sound echoed through the hall.

"Aaaaaaa... Huuu... Huuu... Aaaaaa! I knew it, Choti Ma! You don’t trust me, and you don’t love me either! That’s why you immediately believed this witch instead of me! Aaaaa... Huuu..." He dramatically started crying, making himself appear innocent. He covered his face with his palms.

"Only Ahana Di loves me, my Bhaiyu, and Mumma!" he continued his overacting, side-hugging Ahana and resting his face on her shoulder with a pout.

"Stop your overacting! You both start this every day. And Sahana, why did you do this? Is this the time for your Tom-and-Jerry fights? Don’t you have to get ready to leave for Delhi?" she scolded Sahana for her childish behavior so early in the morning. Well, it was routine—Sahana and Kiaan’s mornings didn’t start without them pranking each other, and yet the family still fell for their tricks.

As the situation lightened and the topic changed, Ahana thought of quietly sneaking away to her room. But just then, a soft yet firm voice reached her ears, making her stop in her tracks.

"Ahana, where do you think you’re running off to? Huh? Didn’t I tell you not to go there today? Why don’t you listen to us for once?"

A lady, probably in her mid seventies, came down the stairs. She had a fit body and was still beautiful, even at her age. Her tone was strict, but the concern in her voice was evident. She frowned, waiting for Ahana’s response.

"Daddu, you know that I don’t feel good even for a single day if I don’t go there. I’m sorry," Ahana expressed her love and attachment to that place with extra sweetness in her tone, blinking her eyes innocently, trying to make her daddu forgive her.

But her daddu stood blankly in front of her, still angry, turning her face away.

"So, does that mean you don’t care about your health either? You had a fever last night, yet you still went there. Do our words not matter to you at all?" Pritha said, entering the house and slightly scolding her.

A lady in her late fifties, with a soft and graceful face, she had a fine look. Being a classical dance teacher, she had maintained her figure well.

"Badi Ma, it's not like that. I was feeling better in the morning, so I went there. My fever is gone now, you can check," Ahana said softly, trying to assure her that she was really fine and that’s why she had gone there in the cold weather.

But Pritha didn’t reply and instead walked toward Yashoda. Bending down, she touched her feet, taking her blessings. Since Pritha had returned from the temple, she gave prasad to Yashoda. Then Pritha moved to Ragini, then to Kiaan and Sahana, who both touched her feet for blessings.

Finally, she turned towards Ahana with a stoic face, gave her the prasad, and Ahana touched her feet, as well as Ragini’s and Yashoda’s. They gave her blessings but didn’t say anything.

Sahana and Kiaan resumed their whispering and bickering. Ahana looked at the three ladies, who were still angry with her for not listening to them. She made an extremely cute face, held her ears, and blinked her eyes while saying sorry. Then she hugged them all together, and they melted, hugging her back and forgiving her.

"This is the last time we are forgiving you. After this, don’t think of doing it again, understand?" Ragini warned her, holding her ear.

"Okay, okay, Choti Ma! Please let go of my ear!" she fake-hissed in pain. Ragini finally let go and flicked her forehead lightly.

"Where is everyone?" Ahana asked her daddu, noticing some family members were missing.

"Sanchita Di and Vrinda received an emergency call from the hospital last night and left immediately. Since the case is serious, they’ll be there all day. Yukti received a call from her assistant and went to the garden to take it. And the ‘cool members’ of this family are still not back from the Kumbh," Ragini said with a sigh, her last sentence filled with sarcasm.

Everyone chuckled at how she referred to the male members of family as ‘cool members'.

"What? Chote Papa and Papa still haven’t come back? But last night, they said they’d be here in the morning. Then what happened?" Kiaan whined, as he had asked them to bring some stuff for him and had been excitedly waiting for it for three days.

"The bus was taking everyone to a few more places, so they decided to go along," Pritha explained.

"Kiaan, you should’ve gone too! If you had taken a few dips in the river, maybe God would have reduced some of your sins," Sahana smirked at Kiaan.

"You didn’t go either, witch! If you had, I would have too. After all, you have committed more sins than I have!" Kiaan mocked Sahana, who glared at him.

He stuck his tongue out at her, and she raised her fist, ready to punch him.

"Enough, both of you! I have been watching your fight since morning. That’s it! If either of you says another word, you won’t get breakfast today!" Yukti warned in her usual cold tone, daring them to speak again.

She walked inside in her formal attire, looking like a lady boss. Her face held a cold expression as she stared at Kiaan and Sahana before turning to Ahana with a glare. But before she could start scolding, Ahana quickly spoke.

"Daddu, I’m going to freshen up and get ready for the office. I’ll be back quickly. Bye, everyone!" she said hurriedly, escaping before Yukti’s lecture began.

Everyone controlled their laughter at the scene.

"Alright, you all get ready too. We will set the breakfast. Maa, you also go and sit," Ragini said, dismissing everyone as she walked toward the kitchen with Pritha. Yukti went with Sahana to give her some instructions about her interview and help her with packing.

After breakfast, Yukti, Sahana, Kiaan, and Ahana took everyone's blessings.

"Give your interview well, alright?" Pritha said while kissing her forehead.

"And don’t be scared at all," Ragini added, touching her cheeks lovingly.

"Why would she be scared? Instead, the interviewers will get scared after seeing her—witch!" Kiaan said, making everyone chuckle. Yukti lightly slapped the back of his head, Ahana shook her head, while Sahana acted like she was about to slap him.

"Okay, hurry up, or you'll miss the bus. Travel safely," Yashoda said, hugging Sahana.

Yukti and Ahana were heading to the office—Ahana currently worked as a jewelry designer in Yukti's company. Meanwhile, Kiaan was going to drop Sahana at the bus stop, from where she would go to Chandigarh and then take a flight to Delhi.

***********  *************  ***********

4:00 am

Somewhere in Solon,

Underground Dungeon

A confidential meeting is taking place in a pitch-dark room, with not even a single ray of light present. The silence is deep, and the atmosphere is tense. Only the most trusted members of the group, special enforcers, and high-ranking officials are allowed here.

At the head of the table sits a man probably in his late twenties, wearing all black. He is the Mafia King of Asia, the most feared leader. His coat is unbuttoned, revealing his strong, broad chest, and his sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, exposing his veiny hands. His fingers are adorned with rings, and a luxurious Rolex watch sits on his wrist. His messy hair shows that he has been running his fingers through it repeatedly. His sharp blue eyes are locked onto the man standing in the middle of the room, leading today’s meeting.

"I assume you know why we are here," His voice was cold, laced with restrained fury. His jaw clenched, and his gaze bore into the man like daggers.

The man standing in the center visibly shivered under the weight of his leader’s stare.

"Y-Yes, Sir," the man stutters, feeling his throat go dry.

The next second, the air exploded with raw, unfiltered rage.

"THEN WHAT IS THIS NONSENSE?!"

The leader’s voice thundered through the chamber, shaking the very walls.

"I GAVE YOUR TEAM A SINGLE TASK! A WHOLE MONTH TO EXECUTE IT! AND STILL—NOTHING?!"

The fury in his voice was palpable. His men had failed. He had entrusted them with tracking down his enemy’s base, yet they returned empty-handed.

"Fucking useless."

The leader's fists slammed against the table with such force that the sound echoed throughout the dungeon, making every man in the room flinch.

"S-Sir… w-we tried everything," the man stammered, terrified. "But they’ve hidden their location so well that not even the government can track them. Every lead we chased led us back to the same point—we found nothing. No loopholes."

He slams his fists on the table, making a loud sound that echoes through the room. Everyone flinches. "THEN WHY DO I EVEN KEEP YOU ALL IN MY GROUP? IS IT JUST TO SHOW YOUR FACES? ALL THAT TRAINING, ALL THAT TIME I INVESTED IN YOU—FOR WHAT?"

At that moment, three men enter the room, all dressed in stylish black suits. They are tall, muscular, and confident. Their cold, unreadable eyes make it clear that they are not ordinary members—they are the Elite Team, the second most powerful people in the syndicate after the Mafia King himself.

One of them speaks in a calm yet serious tone.

"They’re right, Boss. We’ve been monitoring their efforts—our enemies have covered their tracks too well. Their security is airtight."

The second man adds, "It isn’t their fault if they’ve hit a dead end. But let’s hear what information they have gathered before making a decision."

The Mafia King exhales sharply, slightly calming down but still serious. "Fine. Speak. But you three—why are you here? What about the mission I assigned to your team?"

The three men exchange glances before the third one smirks and says, "That’s exactly why we’re here, Boss."

His voice held a dangerous excitement. "We have big news."

The leader gave a nod, signaling them to take their seats.

The original speaker—the man conducting the meeting—hesitated before continuing.

"Boss… while we were working on our mission, we noticed something odd—some of our newer recruits have been acting suspiciously."

A frown crept onto the leader’s face. But a second later, the corner of his lips curled upward—a knowing smirk.

"Continue."

The man swallowed before proceeding.

"The recruits who joined two months ago… they’ve been asking too many questions. About the group. About you. About the chain of command. Questions like—"

*    ‘Who is the boss?’

*    ‘Why can’t we see him?’

*    ‘Who are the boss’s most trusted men?’

"They even tried to manipulate our older members, saying things like, ‘Boss doesn’t trust us, that’s why he never reveals himself'. They were warned multiple times, but reports kept coming in. And during the mission… they were involved. I strongly suspect they are spies sent by our enemies. I am certain that they are the reason we’ve been unable to gather intelligence."

The room fell into absolute silence.

Then—

A deep, sinister chuckle echoed.

The kind that sent chills down every spine.

The Mafia King. But his laugh is not one of amusement. It is the calm before the storm.

"So… they finally show their true colors? Not bad. But they forgot one thing—nothing is hidden from me. This is MY EMPIRE. Everything that happens here, happens with MY permission. I have my eyes everywhere. No one moves without my knowledge."

His voice is filled with quiet authority as he gives his next orders.

"Let them try. Let them think they’re winning. It will be… fun to watch."

His next words sent a shiver down everyone’s spine.

"Keep them under surveillance. Let them run their little game. But when the time comes… send a few of them to our torture chamber. Not all. Leave some… as a gift for my ‘special friend.’"

The chilling message was crystal clear.

The man speaking nodded, a twisted smirk of his own forming.

"Understood, Boss. We’ll handle them well."

"Good. Now restart the mission—but this time, do NOT involve them," the Mafia King orders.

At that moment, one of the Elite Team members speaks up excitedly his dark eyes gleaming. "Boss, about that important news—we found a loophole in our enemy’s defenses."

A dangerous excitement flickered in the leader’s eyes.

"Our enemy has recently joined hands with other mafia groups for illegal activities—weapon smuggling, drug trafficking, and more."

The leader’s expression darkened.

"And their new base?"

"Kasauli."

The entire room froze.

"They’re using Kasauli as their main hub. A place that’s peaceful, quiet, and untouched by suspicion. The government won’t even think to look there."

The Mafia King’s expression darkens. Kasauli is known for being peaceful and untouched—a place no one would suspect.

"They think they are clever," he mutters, his voice dangerously calm. Then, his tone sharpens. "Listen up. Spread out. Search every single part of Kasauli. Do NOT let a single place escape your eyes. But remember—no civilians should notice anything, and no innocents should be harmed. Understood?"

"Yes, Boss!" Everyone responds in unison.

With that, the meeting ends. Within seconds, the room is empty.

------------  -----------------  ----------------

This is The Phantom Syndicate—the most powerful and feared mafia group in Asia. Each member is trained to perfection, ready for any situation.

Their motto:

"A shadow never disappears… it always returns."

Their oath:

"In Shadows, We Reign. In Silence, We Strike. Loyalty is Our Law, Silence is Our Shield."

New members swear this oath by making a small cut on their palm.

At the top of this empire is the Phantom King, a man whose face remains a mystery to most. Below him is the Elite Team, three deadly men who are his right-hand warriors:

1.  The Obsidian Ace – A master manipulator who turns any situation in their favor.

2.  The Black Veil – A cunning tracker who can disguise himself in any form.

3.  The White Raven – A top-tier sniper and intelligence expert.

Only one other group knows their true identities—the Specter Squad, who manage new recruits and ensure loyalty.

These trusted and strongest members of the syndicate, who are part of the special meetings which is known as the "Omega Council."

This syndicate does not commit crimes but has an alliance with the government to eliminate criminals from the shadows. Even though their faces remain unseen, they are the most feared force in the underworld.

********    *********   ********

9:00 am

Dwarka, Gujarat

AVVR Emporium

The company was bustling with activity as the mid-morning rush set in. Every employee was immersed in their tasks—some were finishing their pending work from the previous day, some had received new assignments, and others were engaged in discussions with their teams. Some sipped on coffee while working with intense focus, while others were deeply engrossed in their tasks. The air was filled with the rhythmic sounds of keyboards clicking, hushed conversations about work, office gossip, and the hum of machinery. The familiar scent of paper, coffee, and a hint of cleaning supplies lingered in the atmosphere.

As the morning rush reached its peak, the glass doors of the office swung open. A tall, incredibly handsome man in his late twenties stepped inside, dressed impeccably in a tailored black suit. His neck was adorned with a sleek tie, his wrist clasped by an expensive watch, and his polished shoes produced a rhythmic click-clack against the marble floor. His expensive cologne filled the air with its fresh, captivating scent. His face held a warm expression, with a soft yet charming smile playing on his lips. His striking green eyes, as deep as a lush forest, had the power to make anyone lost in their depths.

He was none other than Anmay Desai, the CEO of AVVR Emporium—a young and successful businessman of India who owned the renowned jewelry design company. As he walked in, the entire office fell silent. Every employee stood in their place, greeting him with a respectful "Good morning." He responded to each one with a polite smile.

The female employees, undoubtedly, harbored a crush on him. Even though the company's other three partners didn't visit the office regularly, whenever all four of them appeared together, they never failed to steal every woman's heart. Their presence was magnetic, drawing all eyes toward them—whether in business meetings, parties, or award shows, their charm remained unmatched.

Anmay strode towards the elevator, heading to his cabin, with his assistant closely following behind. As he entered his office and settled into his chair, he gestured for his assistant to brief him on the day's schedule.

The assistant began, "Sir, at 10 AM, you have a meeting with different teams regarding the new branch opening. At 12 PM, you have a lunch meeting with foreign delegates to celebrate the successful deal signing. At 2 PM, you will visit the manufacturing factory for inspection, as this is a crucial deal, and the client has specifically requested your presence. After that, you need to review some files. That’s all for today, sir." He finished his briefing and respectfully bowed.

Anmay nodded. "Okay. Inform everyone that the meeting will begin in 40 minutes. Everyone must be present in the conference room by 9:50 sharp—no late entries will be allowed. Got it?" He instructed in his usual soft yet firm tone. Though he was a friendly and approachable CEO, he never tolerated negligence when it came to work—unless there was a valid reason. The assistant nodded and promptly left the cabin to relay the message.

The Meeting

A few minutes later, the conference room was filled with department heads and employees assigned to the new branch project. Their task was to find a suitable location, prepare a detailed presentation, and identify potential business partners.

Anmay took his seat at the head of the table, waiting for the team to get ready. The room was dimly lit, ensuring the presentation could be clearly displayed on the screen. The Business Development Team was in charge of this project, and they were tasked with selecting the best city in Himachal Pradesh for the new branch.

"Start the meeting," Anmay commanded in a serious tone. The room fell silent as everyone focused on the screen.

The first employee proposed Shimla as the ideal location, presenting reasons and supporting facts for choosing the city.

The second employee suggested Manali, providing a well-researched argument for his choice.

Finally, the third presenter, a female employee, stepped forward and confidently suggested Solan.

Anmay, intrigued by her unique choice, asked, "And why do you think Solan is the best location, Miss Mehra?"

Miss Mehra, well-prepared for any questions, responded with confidence, "Sir, Solan is the best choice for manufacturing and logistics. It is known as the 'Industrial Hub of Himachal' and is excellent for production units. Additionally, it is well-connected to Chandigarh and Delhi, making transportation of raw materials and distribution seamless. Furthermore, the operational costs are significantly lower compared to Shimla."

Anmay leaned back slightly and asked, "That’s a good point, but why should we choose Solan when we have other cities with all these facilities, including an airport?"

She smiled, already prepared for this question. "Sir, please consider these key factors:

* Lower Business Costs = Higher Profit: Running operations in Solan is more cost-effective than in larger cities.

Airport Accessibility Without High Costs: Though Solan doesn’t have an airport, it is only 1.5 hours from Chandigarh    and 5–6 hours from Delhi by road/train. We can leverage Chandigarh’s airport-level logistics without the high expenses   of being in a big city.

* Higher Demand for Affordable Jewelry: Unlike tourist cities like Shimla and Manali, where sales are seasonal, Solan has a stable local customer base. More local buyers = Long-term, consistent profits.

* Less Competition, Faster Market Dominance: Major cities have too many jewelry businesses, making competition tough. In Solan, we can quickly establish ourselves as the No.1 jewelry brand.

* Skilled Workforce Availability: Solan has many industrial training centers, allowing us to hire and train the best talent at an affordable cost. Our company is committed to providing employment to underprivileged communities, and this location supports that goal.

* A Strong Potential Business Partner in Kasauli: Sir, just 30 minutes from Solan, Kasauli has a highly successful company that could be an ideal partner for us. This company has been operating for five years and has shown rapid growth in the last four years, consistently making a profit. They engage in charity, social work, and environmentally friendly business practices—aligning perfectly with our company’s values.

The only challenge is that the CEO of the company is known to be reserved, cold, and avoids public gatherings. However, the company's reputation is impeccable, making it worth exploring. I strongly believe that partnering with them will be highly beneficial for us."**

As she finished her presentation, she nervously closed her eyes, uncertain of how her boss would react.

For a few moments, silence filled the room—then suddenly, the room echoed with applause and words of appreciation.

Anmay, impressed, stood up and smiled. "Excellent. Good job. I really liked this idea. In fact, we had already chosen Solan, but I wanted to see if anyone would identify it as the best option. The way you explained every detail was truly impressive."

A bright smile spread across Miss Mehra's face. "Thank you, sir. It’s my pleasure."

Anmay, curious, asked, "How do you know so much about Solan?"

Proudly, she answered, "Sir, it’s my hometown."

Anmay nodded in understanding. "That explains it. Since this was your idea and your presentation was successful, you will lead this team."

Overjoyed, she beamed. "Thank you so much, sir! I will give my best!"

"Good. Now, schedule an appointment with that company in Kasauli as soon as possible. Start the process immediately. The rest of the teams, get to work—prepare a detailed proposal and presentation for them. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!" A collective response echoed through the room.

"The other three partners couldn’t attend this meeting, but I already discussed this location with them. Since we had pre-selected Solan, they have also approved this plan."

"That’s all for today. We will visit Solan for an inspection next week. Meeting dismissed."

One by one, everyone left the room, which fell silent in seconds.

*********   *******  ******

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Finally the first chapter is uploaded......

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