Chapter 8: The Shroud’s Price
The next few days passed in a blur of strategic movements and calculated actions. Sweety and I boarded a private jet to Istanbul, the city where the next phase of our grand plan would unfold. Our agenda was simple but powerful: finalize the deal with Armaan and solidify our collaboration on building a chain of luxurious casinos across India. The potential of this venture was astronomical, but I knew that success hinged on more than just money—it required control.
Upon arriving in Istanbul, the warm Mediterranean breeze greeted us as we stepped into the heart of the bustling metropolis. We wasted no time in arranging a meeting with Armaan. The location was set in a private suite atop one of Istanbul's most exclusive hotels, a fitting venue for what would transpire.
As soon as Armaan entered the room, his confidence and aura were palpable. He believed he had won a major victory in the underground fight, but what he didn't know was that the true battle was yet to begin. I greeted him with a firm handshake and a smile, wasting no time in getting to the heart of the matter. The Shroud of Turin, a relic with immense historical value, was in my possession—and I was about to use it to bind Armaan to my will.
"Armaan, as a sign of our future friendship and mutual trust, I'm giving you the Shroud of Turin… for free," I said, watching as his eyes widened in surprise.
The disbelief was evident on his face. "For free?"
I nodded, playing the part of the generous benefactor. "Yes, consider it a gesture of goodwill."
In truth, this gift was anything but free. As I extended my hand to Armaan, activating my ability God's Hand, a subtle shift occurred. My influence seeped into his mind, bending his will to mine without him realizing it. In that moment, Armaan became my slave, completely loyal to me. He was now bound to follow my commands, whether he recognized it or not.
"Your task now," I continued, my voice commanding yet casual, "is to sell the Shroud of Turin for a substantial sum. Use your connections in the underworld. I expect nothing less than the best offer. Once that's done, focus on expanding your influence further. The underworld is vast, and with the money you'll gain from selling the Shroud, you'll be able to consolidate power like never before."
Armaan nodded, his eyes filled with newfound determination—a reflection of his altered mindset, now bent towards my goals.
With that, the first phase of my plan was complete. Armaan was now my tool, his ambitions aligning perfectly with my own. And the best part? He didn't even realize it.
Later that day, I introduced Sweety to Alina and Cherry. The atmosphere was electric as they met for the first time. Thanks to my Harem ability, it didn't take long for the three women to get along exceptionally well. There was an instant connection, as if they had known each other for years. It was always satisfying to see the ease with which I could bring people together when I wanted to.
Alina and Anushka quickly found common ground, discussing our plans for the casino empire in India. Their conversation was full of potential—investments, locations, permits, and logistics all laid out in precise detail. With Anushka's knowledge of the Indian market and Alina's international business acumen, our casino venture was poised to take the country by storm.
"We'll start in Goa," Alina suggested, sipping her wine. "It's the perfect place to test the waters. Then we'll expand to cities like Mumbai and Hyderabad."
"Agreed," Anushka added. "Once we establish a foothold, the rest will fall into place. The Indian elite are craving something like this—luxury, exclusivity, and power. We'll give them exactly what they want."
In just a few days, Armaan reported back with astonishing news. He had managed to sell the Shroud of Turin for a staggering sum—100 billion euros. The deal was made with a network of high-profile buyers from across Europe and the Middle East, all eager to get their hands on the relic. With this windfall, Armaan's influence was already starting to grow, and so was mine, by extension.
After a few more days spent enjoying Istanbul with Alina, Cherry, and Anushka, it was time to move forward. My time here had been fruitful, but there was much more to be done. I had laid the groundwork, and now it was time to focus on the next phase of the plan.
I returned to Portugal, where Omisha was waiting for me. Our reunion was brief but full of pleasure. Together, we prepared to travel to Hyderabad, India. Praveen, fresh from his own ordeal, would be joining us to assist in the next steps of the casino venture and to handle the more delicate matters of business—that is, the destruction of Gautam Nanda. His loyalty was unwavering, and I knew I could count on him to handle whatever challenges lay ahead.
As our private jet soared through the skies toward India, I couldn't help but reflect on the success of the past few days. The Shroud of Turin was sold, Armaan was under my control, and the foundation for our casino empire was being laid. Everything was falling into place.
But this was just the beginning.
The game was far from over, and with each move I made, I was getting closer to my ultimate goal—complete dominance. The world was my chessboard, and I was the one moving all the pieces.