The Gamescape Lobby was a marvel of modern design—its name, GAMESCAPE, etched in bold letters on the stone wall, stood as a testament to its grandeur. The decor was stark yet stunning, with clean lines and dramatic lighting that cast sharp shadows across the room. Every detail was crafted to impress, from the sleek black marble floors to the towering glass windows that framed the breathtaking view outside.

Ayan, dressed in his finest suit, walked beside Haider, his eyes absorbing every inch of the luxurious surroundings. He couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and anticipation as they moved through the space, the weight of the moment pressing down on him.

"I'm sorry for the wait," Haider said, breaking the silence. His tone was polite, yet his voice had a subtle urgency. "Nitya took a bit longer than expected to return from Sri Lanka."

Ayan nodded, barely registering the words as he gazed at the view beyond the glass. The city of Mumbai stretched out before him, its skyline a blend of steel and concrete against the backdrop of the shimmering sea.

"It's amazing, right?" Haider continued, noticing Ayan's captivated expression. "This is the best location in Mumbai. From here, you can watch the sunrise from one side and the sunset from the other—a perfect 180-degree view of both."

"We're the first to witness the day beginning and ending," Haider added, his voice carrying a subtle undertone of pride.

Ayan followed Haider through the expansive hall of the Gamescape offices, his eyes scanning the large central atrium. The place thrummed with electric energy—lawyers and reporters moved briskly between offices, while impeccably dressed assistants, both male and female, seemed to glide through the space with effortless grace. The steady hum of serious business reverberated in the background, giving the impression that important deals were being made at every corner.

Haider spoke as they walked, his voice carrying over the ambient noise. "We're currently representing around 700 clients worldwide," he explained, his tone calm yet authoritative. "Fifteen foreign countries under our belt. This is our home office, with about 30 branches spread out. We handle corporate, media, and individual cases. Nitya, our top gun, spends most of her time in the air—interesting work, but it's an intense travel schedule."

As they approached an open doorway, Haider slowed his pace. Inside, a man sat at a desk, his face animated as he argued into a phone. Ayan couldn't help but notice his appearance—CRICKET, a stout man in his thirties, with a half-bald head and a rotund figure crammed into a corporate suit. Despite his somewhat comical look, his voice was sharp, his words cutting through the air with the force of someone who knew exactly what he was doing.

Cricket's sharp eyes flicked up from his phone call, locking onto Ayan with a calculating look. "He's the guy?" he asked, his voice cutting through the air like a knife.

Haider gave a subtle nod, his expression unreadable. Without another word, Cricket returned to his conversation, his voice rising and falling with the rhythm of a seasoned negotiator.

Ayan's gaze shifted past Cricket, through a large window that revealed a woman pacing in her office. Her movements were quick, her gestures precise as she argued in rapid-fire Russian, her headset barely visible against the sleek lines of her suit. Despite the intensity of her conversation, she exuded a calm, focused energy that hinted at her brilliance. Just as Ayan's curiosity piqued, she turned abruptly, her sharp eyes meeting his through the glass. In an instant, the Venetian blinds snapped shut, cutting off the view and leaving Ayan with nothing but the impression of a formidable presence.

Ahead of him, Haider was already several paces ahead, his stride confident and unhurried. Ayan quickened his steps, trying to keep up, but the air seemed to thicken with each step closer to the open door at the end of the hall.

Haider glanced back, his expression softening slightly. "She's waiting for you," he said, his voice low but clear. "Good luck."

Ayan took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest as he steeled himself for whatever lay beyond that open door. The hallway seemed to stretch endlessly before him, but there was no turning back now. With one last gulp of air, he started forward, each step bringing him closer to the unknown. The door loomed larger, a portal to the next chapter in this high-stakes game he had unwittingly stepped into.

Ayan stepped into Nitya's cabin, his footsteps echoing softly against the polished floor. The room was a striking contrast to the rest of the office—a circular space with walls covered in dark, shadowy graffiti that seemed to move and twist in the dim light. The atmosphere was closer to an underground café than a corporate office, with dramatic shafts of light piercing through the darkness, casting eerie shapes across the floor.

There were no desks, no chairs, and no clutter of papers. The usual markers of business were absent, replaced by an almost otherworldly ambiance that made Ayan feel as though he had stepped into another realm. He couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, as if the room itself was watching him, waiting for his next move.

As he took in the unusual surroundings, a soft voice broke through the silence, drawing his attention to the figure standing in the shadows.

"Hi," Nitya greeted him, tone calm and almost disarming. "How are you?"